The rubber ducks were off on a race around the world – around the canal of Disneyland's It's a Small World, anyway.

It was the fourth annual Rubber Duck Derby, an employee fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"A couple of years ago, the Fantasyland management team thought that it would be fun for the cast members and (it) would be a good fundraiser," said Tamarah Robb, a guest-services manager who organized this year's derby.

Nearly 500 rubber ducks were purchased for $5 and, after expenses, more than $1,700 was raised.

On Wednesday morning, before Disneyland opened up for the day, the boats were taken from the attraction's canal for the 15-minute race. About 200 Disney employees stopped by for the contest.

The first-place finisher received a trophy with a rubber duck. So did the winners of other categories such as most creative, the duck that best resembled a Disney character, and best villain.

The duck purchased by Disney employee Kathy Egan finished, well, last.

"He was just enjoying the sites and having a grand ol' time around the world," she said.