Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Other Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2011 year	Jan. 02, 2011
Amortized intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 174,472	$ 161,519
Accumulated Amortization	118,068	100,277
Net Carrying Amount	56,404	61,242
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	530,741	530,816
Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Useful Life, minimum (in years)	2
Useful Life, maximum (in years)	5
Gross Carrying Amount	45,475	43,940
Accumulated Amortization	41,641	33,570
Net Carrying Amount	3,834	10,370
Student and Customer Relationships [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Useful Life, minimum (in years)	2
Useful Life, maximum (in years)	10
Gross Carrying Amount	74,004	66,510
Accumulated Amortization	45,790	41,958
Net Carrying Amount	28,214	24,552
Databases and Technology [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Useful Life, minimum (in years)	3
Useful Life, maximum (in years)	5
Gross Carrying Amount	10,514	10,514
Accumulated Amortization	6,796	2,921
Net Carrying Amount	3,718	7,593
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Useful Life, minimum (in years)	2
Useful Life, maximum (in years)	10
Gross Carrying Amount	34,529	29,053
Accumulated Amortization	17,829	15,330
Net Carrying Amount	16,700	13,723
Other Amortized Intangible Assets [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Useful Life, minimum (in years)	1
Useful Life, maximum (in years)	25
Gross Carrying Amount	9,950	11,502
Accumulated Amortization	6,012	6,498
Net Carrying Amount	3,938	5,004
Franchise Agreements [Member]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	496,321	496,166
Wireless Licenses [Member]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	22,150	22,150
Licensure and Accreditation [Member]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	7,862	7,877
Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	$ 4,408	$ 4,623

The accumulated amount of amortization of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sum of the gross carrying amounts before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date of all intangible assets having statutory or estimated useful lives. The aggregate gross carrying amount (including any previously recognized impairment charges) of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate sum of gross carrying value of a major finite-lived intangible asset class, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The maximum useful life of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 35

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15217-109273

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 35

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15300-109273

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 35

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15211-109273

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLifeMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The minimum useful life of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLifeMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts (original costs for current and prior period additions adjusted for impairment, if any) as of the balance sheet date of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, having a projected indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Line Items]

+ Details

Name:	wpo_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	wpo
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration