World War I

World War I Toward the end of the war, the young Walt Disney, wanting to do his part for his country, tried to enlist in the military, but he was too young. Instead, he managed to join a Red Cross unit, and was sent to France just as the war concluded. For nine months, he …

World War II

World War II The day after Pearl Harbor, the military moved onto the Disney Studio lot in Burbank, utilizing the soundstage and parking sheds for automotive maintenance and ammunition storage facilities. But they also turned to Disney for the production of training and propaganda films, and for the duration of the war, 93 percent of …

World’s Greatest Athlete, The (film)

World’s Greatest Athlete, The (film) Discovered in Africa by two U.S. college sports coaches, Nanu, a blond boy raised by natives after the death of his missionary parents, is an incredible athlete. Entered in a Los Angeles NCAA track-and-field competition, he wins all the events despite voodoo magic being used against him. Released on February …

Worley, Jo Anne

Worley, Jo Anne Actress; appeared in The Shaggy D.A. (Katrinka Muggleberg), on television in The Mouseketeers at Walt Disney World, and provided the voice of the wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast and Hoppopotamus on The Wuzzles. She was a guest hostess on The Mouse Factory.

Worm Turns, The (film)

Worm Turns, The (film) Mickey Mouse cartoon; released on January 2, 1937. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey mixes together a magic potion that gives both strength and courage. The potion allows a series of “underdogs”—a fly, a mouse, and a cat—to get their revenge on their enemies, and finally it enables Pluto to get the …

World of Motion

World of Motion Pavilion in Future World at Epcot, sponsored by General Motors; opened October 1, 1982. The attraction offered a ride through the history of automobiles. The Transcenter at the conclusion of the ride featured the latest technology for cars of the future. The original attraction closed on January 2, 1996, superseded by Test …

World on Ice

World on Ice The first edition of Walt Disney’s World on Ice premiered in an arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 14, 1981. The show was produced by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows, Inc. (Irvin and Kenneth Feld), and combined the Disney characters and stories and the best in musical …

World Owes Me a Living, The

World Owes Me a Living, The Popular song hit from Grasshopper and the Ants (1934) that became Goofy’s theme song, composed by Larry Morey and Leigh Harline.

World Premiere Circle-Vision

World Premiere Circle-Vision Tomorrowland attraction at Disneyland, sponsored by PSA from its opening on July 4, 1984 until July 17, 1989, when Delta took over. Showed the American Journeys 360° film, alternated later with Wonders of China until July 1996, when America the Beautiful was brought back. The attraction closed on September 7, 1997. Originally …

World Is Born, A (film)

World Is Born, A (film) The Stravinsky segment, Rite of Spring, taken from Fantasia, and released in July 1955, on 16mm for schools.