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YOUR QUESTION
There was a ride at Disneyland back in the 1960s that "floated on air." I think it was in Tomorrowland. I remember a metal grid that air came up through and then the rider could maneuver around kind of like a bumper car.
- Melinda, 54, Burleson, TX Ask Dave Submit a Question!
DAVE'S ANSWER
The attraction was called the Flying Saucers, and it lasted for 5 years beginning in 1961.

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YOUR QUESTION
I was talking with a WW II vet, and he recalls Disney characters used as insignia for squadrons. He wondered if this was something the Disney Studio did for the service or was something done independently of Disney. He fondly recalled some of the training films that were produced by the Studio.

- Michele, 53, Pocasset, MA Ask Dave Submit a Question!
DAVE'S ANSWER
During World War II, Disney designed about 1,200 insignias for military units. The units would request the insignia, and Disney artists would prepare the artwork free of charge to the unit, as one of the company's contributions to the war effort.

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Question: What is considered the "wildest" attraction in all of Fantasyland?
Answer: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

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TRIVIA FROM "Are You Ready to Rock with Disney?" ARTICLE:Disney Insider: Main Attraction

1) What rock-music legend does Lilo love in "Lilo and Stitch"?
A) Elvis
B) Bob Dylan
C) Jerry Lee Lewis
D) Janis Joplin

2) What rock band was affectionately parodied by the long-haired vultures in "The Jungle Book"?
A) The Monkees
B) The Who
C) The Platters
D) The Beatles

3) Which of the Jonas Brothers plays piano?
A) Nick
B) Joe
C) Paul
D) None of them

4) Miley Cyrus plays pop princess Hannah Montana on the show of the same name – but what's the name of Hannah's "regular girl" alter ego?
A) Miley Cyrus
B) Linda Lee
C) Miley Stewart
D) Lilly Truscott

5) What's the name of the venue at Disneyland Resort's Downtown Disney® district where Guests can catch the latest bands performing live?
A) The Hard Rock Café
B) The House of Blues
C) Rock-Ola Café
D) Boomers

6) What music-rich country do The Cheetah Girls visit in Disney Channel's original movie "The Cheetah Girls: One World"?
A) India
B) Brazil
C) Spain
D) France

7) What new attraction, opening in 2009, will let Walt Disney World Resort Guests live their singing star fantasies?
A) America Sings
B) American Idol Experience
C) Who Wants to Be a Rock Star?
D) Disney Talent Show

8) Which catchy tune did Disney Legend Annette Funicello perform in Disney's film "The Horsemasters"?
A) Tally-Ho
B) Mambo Italiano
C) Ride with Me
D) The Strummin' Song

9) Where did Hannah Montana live before she hit it big?
A) Tennessee
B) Montana, of course!
C) Kentucky
D) Georgia

10) In Disney Channel's original movie "Camp Rock," who performs the song "We Rock"?
A) Joe Jonas
B) Demi Lovato
C) A cast ensemble
D) Megan Martin




Answers:
1) A, 2) D, 3) A, 4) C, 5) B, 6) A, 7) B, 8) D, 9) A, 10) C
Results:
1-3 Right: You're a little tone-deaf when it comes to Disney tunes! You could use a stint at "Camp Rock" to brush up.
4-7 Right: You're on the right wavelength, but not a fervent fan.
8-10 Right: You truly rock! Can we have your autograph?

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YOUR QUESTION
I have a plate dated 1947 -- Donald Duck and Chip 'n' Dale. Could it really be 1947 -- did they have collectible plates then?

- Janet, 56, Punta Gorda, FL Ask Dave Submit a Question!
DAVE'S ANSWER
The Donald Duck cartoon entitled "Chip 'an Dale" came out in 1947, so that would be what the date refers to. You are correct that collectible plates did not start that early.

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Question: What is considered the hometown of Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Scrooge McDuck?
Answer: Duckburg, U.S.A., in the state of Calisota.

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Question: What individual bought Disneyland's first general admission ticket for its grand opening on July 18, 1955?
Answer: Walt Disney's brother and business partner for over 40 years, Roy O. Disney, bought the first general admission ticket for $1.

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YOUR QUESTION
I was wondering if you could recommend any books that tell the history of building the Disney Parks. What went in first? What were the surprising issues that came up?

- Dana, 29, Kennesaw, GA Ask Dave Submit a Question!
DAVE'S ANSWER
Probably the most useful books for Disneyland history are Randy Bright's "Disneyland: Inside Story" and David Mumford and Bruce Gordon's "Disneyland: The Nickel Tour." Jeff Kurtti wrote "Since the World Began" about Walt Disney World. There are also books on the architecture of the Disney Parks, such as Beth Dunlop's "Building a Dream."

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YOUR QUESTION
Each time we ride the bus from Port Orleans hotel to the Magic Kingdom, we see what appears to be an airport just east of the Magic Kingdom parking lot. What's the story?

- Brad, 50, Plano, TX Ask Dave Submit a Question!
DAVE'S ANSWER
That airstrip was called the STOLport, for Short Take Off and Landing, and the plan when it was built in 1971 was to have it used by smaller planes. For a time Shawnee Airlines actually ran daily shuttle flights from McCoy (later Orlando International) Airport, but for various reasons including safety concerns the STOLport was closed, and the runway is today primarily used as a staging area for buses.

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Question: The music for the film "Sleeping Beauty" was adapted from music by what famous composer?
Answer: Composer George Bruns adapted his own score for the film.

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YOUR QUESTION
How many countries are represented in the "It's a Small World" ride and which countries are they?

- Susan, 41, Danvers, MA Ask Dave Submit a Question!
DAVE'S ANSWER
We have always said that "It's a Small World" does not represent countries but rather areas of the world -- and there are over 100 of them.

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Question: Name any of the three railroad engines that make up the Western River Railroad at Tokyo Disneyland.
Answer: Colorado, Missouri, and the Rio Grande.

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YOUR QUESTION
Being a Disney fanatic, I pick up on the little 'Disney details' (scenery, names, etc) in many of the Disney Films. I was wondering if the most recent animated star, Wall·E, was named for Disney founder, creator, innovator and genius Walter Elias Disney?

- Anita, 44, Waukee, IA Ask Dave Submit a Question!
DAVE'S ANSWER
Interesting thought! Not knowing the answer, I checked with Pixar, and their answer was: "Nope. Sorr·E." WALL·E actually stands for Waste Allocation Load Lifter, Earth-Class.

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Question: Walt Disney received an Emmy Award in 1955 and 1956. In what two categories did Walt Disney receive the awards?
Answer: In 1955 for Best Variety Series and in 1956 for Best Producer of Filmed Series. Both for "Disneyland."

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YOUR QUESTION
One of the "Wonderful World of Disney" episodes featured a demonstration on pin striping a car but I don't recall if this was a show segment or the entire show. The artist received a call just after he started painting two dots/stripes. While on the phone, the dots raced all around the car. After hanging up, he saw what they had done. What was this from?

- David, 46, San Jose, CA Ask Dave Submit a Question!
DAVE'S ANSWER
The film — "Dad, Can I Borrow the Car?" — was originally released in theaters in 1970 and on television in 1972.