I'm re-doing my run using the parachute whenever I feel it can be used to optimize. I took a different route in 1-1, I went down instead of up, but when I used a timer, we both ended up at :28. By the time we had both finished the first "world" Frenom's run had 2:29 (from my stopping point right before 2-1 begins, maybe a frame or two before the music begins) while I had 2:26. Just an observation:
- Throughout the first world, there were a lot of head-bounces that weren't required.
- Your boss fight was a little slow. Particularly your first hit. He swung and you let him try to hit you for about 1/2 - 1 second before hitting him with an apple.
Here's my first world video if you are interested:
http://www.filespace.org/Goofyman/Aladdin__U_____.smv
Oh, and I don't think the gems have a huge effect. If you got all of them, or missed 1, they might have a slight effect, but there is already a small stall between the password screen and the next world, so you have time to remember the faces of the people I presume.