“Wally Darling is the friendliest neighbor in Welcome Home, and perhaps even the best painter, too. With a smile like his, it’s hard to disagree! Always eager to make new friends and show them around the neighborhood, Wally is happy to lend a helping hand. But you already knew that, didn’t you?”
Wally is the most prominent character in Welcome Home, as he is often the focus of merchandise, advertising, and is present in all pieces of found media. His segments were focused on drawing and painting with viewers. Barnaby was often depicted alongside him, and illustrated pages and uncovered audio notes that they are best friends multiple times. (Most notably in scenarios where Wally and the viewer are learning something new.) They also share similar characteristics, like hearts on the soles of their shoes and paws - of which only Barnaby has the latter. Wally appears to be soft spoken, patient, kind, and observant, regardless of his surrounding circumstances concerning his over-the-top neighbors. Despite being the main focus and audience’s companion, there is little known about Wally. Wally is believed to be a puppet operated by one handler.
A notable part of Wally is his house named Home. Home is regarded as the ninth neighbor, but seemingly cannot speak, as illustrations and uncovered audio show Home speaking only in onomatopoeias. (Creak, Squeak, Bang.) Sources say, however, that this puppet’s eyes could move through a hand crank on the other side of the prop facing away from the camera. Additionally, its doors, chimney, and windows were supposedly very animated according to episode descriptions, old commercials, and vinyl records. It is implied that Home is the most lively house within the neighborhood, as none of the other houses seem to have eyes, make sound, or actively speak to other residents. Home is the reason behind the creation of ‘Homewarming,’ a holiday created by Wally.
