Wrather Corporation

Wrather Corporation Company headed by Jack Wrather that built and ran the Disneyland Hotel; acquired by the Disney company in 1988.

Wreck-It Ralph (film)

Wreck-It Ralph (film) Animated feature released on November 2, 2012, in Disney Digital 3D. Wreck-It Ralph longs to be as beloved as his arcade game’s perfect Good Guy, Fix-It Felix. The problem is that nobody loves a Bad Guy. But they do love heroes, so when a modern, first-person shooter game arrives featuring tough-as-nails Sgt. …

Wrather, Jack

Wrather, Jack (1918-1984) A TV producer (Lassie, The Lone Ranger), he struck a deal with Walt Disney in 1954 to build and operate the Disneyland Hotel on land owned by Disney. Wrather’s company was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 1988. He was named a Disney Legend in 2011.

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.

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 Showcase

World Showcase Located at EPCOT at Walt Disney World, the major area surrounding a lagoon where 11 countries celebrate their cultures, wares, and cuisines. The countries of World Showcase are Canada, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, United States (The American Adventure), Italy, Germany, China, Norway, and Mexico. The World Showcase Promenade, 1.3 miles in length, …

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’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 …

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 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.