The Secret Meaning Of Wed In Disney's Magic Kingdom

WED in Disney stands for Walter Elias Disney, the founder of Walt Disney Productions. WED Enterprises was the name of the company founded by Walt Disney in 1952 to develop plans for a theme park and manage his personal assets. The company was formed separately from Walt Disney Productions to keep the affairs separate. The name was changed to Walt Disney Imagineering in 1986.

Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI)

In 1953, due to concerns from his brother Roy and potential stockholders, the company was renamed WED Enterprises, based on Walt's initials, Walter Elias Disney. This name change was also an attempt to avoid confusion with the parent company, Walt Disney Productions, and to establish a separate entity for the planning stages of Disneyland, which Walt financed himself.

WED Enterprises played a pivotal role in the development of Disneyland, contributing to its theories, aesthetics, design, engineering, and three-dimensional storytelling. It also pioneered the use of robotics in Audio-Animatronics, first showcased in the Enchanted Tiki Room.

In 1986, WED Enterprises was renamed Walt Disney Imagineering. This change coincided with the merger of the Disney Development Company, the conglomerate's real estate development subsidiary, into Imagineering.

Today, Walt Disney Imagineering embodies a world-class design firm, a premier development company, an extraordinary storytelling studio, and a cutting-edge innovation lab. It is composed of "Imagineers", a diverse group of talented individuals with various specialisations, including illustration, architecture, engineering, lighting design, show writing, and graphic design.

Imagineers are the creative force behind memorable Disney experiences, bringing Disney stories, characters, and worlds to life through their innovative designs and immersive storytelling techniques. They are known for their attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of the Disney experience, from theme parks to retail stores, creates a specific mood and reinforces the Disney magic.

WED Enterprises

The company was formed to keep the affairs of Walt Disney Productions separate, but when WED was required to design and build sets for Walt Disney's live-action television shows, the two entities grew closer. WED was tasked with designing and building Disneyland, and Walt and his brother Roy O. Disney formed Disneyland Inc. to manage this process.

WED was soon in the business of Imagineering, a term coined by Disney himself, which combined imagination and engineering. The company was responsible for the theories, aesthetics, design, and engineering of Disneyland, the advancement of three-dimensional storytelling, the development of robotic techniques in Audio-Animatronics, and an "architecture of reassurance" inspired by Walt Disney's personal sense of optimistic futurism.

In 1965, WED Enterprises was merged into Walt Disney Productions and became a division of Walt Disney Studios. In 1986, the unit was renamed Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI).

WDI is now the research and development arm of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products. It is responsible for the creation, design, and construction of Disney theme parks and attractions worldwide. The company also operates Disney Live Entertainment and The Muppets Studio and manages Disney's properties.

WDI is headquartered in Glendale, California, and is composed of "Imagineers" with various specialisations, including illustrators, architects, engineers, lighting designers, show writers, and graphic designers.

Walt Disney, Inc

In 1953, WDI was renamed WED Enterprises, derived from Walt Disney's initials, Walter Elias Disney. The name change was due to objections from his brother Roy, as well as potential stockholders, who were concerned about a possible conflict of interest between Walt Disney Productions and Walt Disney, Inc.

WED Enterprises was tasked with designing and building Disneyland, marking the company's entry into the business of Imagineering—a term that combines "imagination" and "engineering." The company developed the theories, aesthetics, design, and engineering of Disneyland, advanced three-dimensional storytelling, and developed robotic techniques in Audio-Animatronics.

In the 1960s, Walt Disney Productions purchased WED Enterprises' design and engineering operations, and the unit was renamed Walt Disney Imagineering in 1986. Today, Walt Disney Imagineering is the research and development arm of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, responsible for creating, designing, and constructing Disney theme parks and attractions worldwide.

WEDway

The Wedway PeopleMover opened on July 1, 1975, based on the PeopleMover attraction at Disneyland in California. The system did not use rotating Goodyear tires as propulsion but instead relied on linear induction motors. The trains were designed as open-air cars that travelled under a permanent roof, and the engineering and design of the track were reworked from the Disneyland version. The original narration was provided by longtime Disney announcer Jack Wagner.

In June 1985, Wagner's narration was replaced by the voice of ORAC One, "The Commuter Computer" voiced by actor Ronnie Schell. This recording was used until June 11, 1994, when the attraction received a makeover for the New Tomorrowland, and the name was changed to Tomorrowland Transit Authority. A new narration was added, with the tour led by Pete Renaday broadcasting from TTA Central.

During a refurbishment in 1994, the track structure along the north and south show buildings, as well as Rocket Tower Plaza, was updated from smooth Googie-esque white forms to boldly coloured metallic structures. The refurbishment also included new multicoloured LED lighting, freshly repainted trackway and infrastructure, and new speakers for the ride audio system.

The PeopleMover system at Walt Disney World Resort's Magic Kingdom remains operational, providing elevated views of several attractions. However, it is now more of an attraction ride than a real transportation system, as the departure and arrival stations are the same.

Imagineers

Imagineering is a registered trademark of Disney Enterprises, Inc. The company was founded by Walt Disney on December 16, 1952, as WED Enterprises, to develop plans for a theme park and manage Disney's personal assets. It was originally an independent, private company, owned by Walt Disney himself.

Imagineering is known for its development of Audio-Animatronics, a form of robotics used in shows and theme park attractions that animate objects in three dimensions.

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