So this could be interesting...I'm assuming they mean that at the end they are going to personalize it and have your names up their instead or have the goodbyes specific to what country you are from. Think it would be weird to ride the ride with the black tarps up though.
http://www.chipandco.com/2013/01/happening-small-world-ride/
My personalized experience would probably go like this:
"Thanks for riding its a small world today, JeffC from the East Bay area of CA! Joe says stop spending so much! Our RFID records indicate you have spent $148 at World of Disney, $96 at MouseGears....and did you really need 5 Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches today?"
My personalized experience would probably go like this:"Thanks for riding its a small world today, JeffC from the East Bay area of CA! Joe says stop spending so much! Our RFID records indicate you have spent $148 at World of Disney, $96 at MouseGears....and did you really need 5 Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches today?"
Very cool. I'm looking forward at the "personalized" integration of the RFID technology. I think this is a fantastic place for them to put that into play. I know that some people have concerns, but I sold my soul to Disney a long time ago.
I think it's cool that they are considering personalizing It's a Small World!
Eh. Whatever. I was quite happy with the way it was. Maybe I'll be blown away when I see what's coming, but it's going to have to be pretty awesome to do that.
My personalized experience would probably go like this:"Thanks for riding its a small world today, JeffC from the East Bay area of CA! Joe says stop spending so much! Our RFID records indicate you have spent $148 at World of Disney, $96 at MouseGears....and did you really need 5 Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches today?"
I am crying from laughing so hard.
OMG Jeff, you are cracking me up. 
On a more (ahem) serious note, I think a bit of personalization would be engaging. I love the Spaceship Earth addition as you descend. And we all somehow like to see our own mugs on rides, aka Splash Mtn, etc... 
My personalized experience would probably go like this:"Thanks for riding its a small world today, JeffC from the East Bay area of CA! Joe says stop spending so much! Our RFID records indicate you have spent $148 at World of Disney, $96 at MouseGears....and did you really need 5 Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches today?"
LOL...I love it...and from the sounds of it, if they make the changes it will get more people to ride it that don't normally ride it.
Sounds like it could be nice, but how would they display everyone's names? (Because there are multiple people per boat) Plus, if you don't stay on property and don't get a magic band, I would feel a little left out to everyone else's names their, but not mine.
Nevertheless, if Disney does it, I know they'll do it well!
Next WDW trip: May 19-27, 2013