Justin Hayes, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
A: Walt first flew over the property where Walt Disney World would be built in November 1963. He went to the property also in November 1965. His last trip was in May 1966, when he visited the site by Jeep. There are indeed only a few photos that exist.
Nicholas, Wyandotte, Michigan
A: Walt Disney first visited the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in 1940, and again eight years later. He was always fascinated by anything mechanical, so he spent a lot of time in the museum examining engines and old cars. But it was in the village that he found historic means of transportation, including a steamboat that traveled around an island, along with old homes, businesses, and even a carousel. No doubt when he left, he had visions of an entertainment venue he could create which would transport guests into a bygone era.
Steve, Pretoria, South Africa
A: I am unaware that he ever had a Lamborghini. His first car was a Moon roadster in the 1920s. He drove primarily Packards throughout the rest of his life, though he had a Lincoln and a Jaguar in 1965; his last car was a Mercedes SL 230.
John, San Diego, California
A: We are unaware of any such appearance.
Michael, San Leandro, California
A: We are unaware of any such trip.
Steve, Chocowinity, North Carolina
A: The same thing happened to me when I asked Walt for his autograph in the park. Unfortunately, the inscription on your item was not written by Walt Disney, but rather by one of the artists who was authorized to sign his name.
Anthony, Mandeville, Louisiana
A: No, despite rumors on the Internet, Walt Disney was not dyslexic.
Jaimie, Chilliwack, British Columbia
A: Walt Disney created WED Enterprises in 1952 to handle his family’s interests, at first primarily in designing and creating Disneyland. Walt Disney Productions purchased WED from Walt in 1965, and at that time Walt created Retlaw (Walter spelled backwards) Enterprises to continue handling his family’s interests. (WED was renamed Walt Disney Imagineering in 1986.) Back in the early 1960s, Roy, worried about possible stockholder complaints, expressed concerns to Walt regarding the intertwined working relationship between Walt, WED, and the company, which led to a lengthy argument and the brothers not speaking to each other for a while.
Denise, Los Angeles, California
A: Photographs from Walt’s trip to South America are published in JB Kaufman’s book, South of the Border With Disney, and used in the 2008 film documentary, Walt & El Grupo.
Caleb, Foresthill, California
A: Walt joined a Boy Scout troop in 1914 formed from Sunday school classes in the Congregational church that the family attended in Kansas City, Missouri. He was not in the troop very long, reaching only the Tenderfoot level, but he maintained a great respect for the Boy Scouts throughout his lifetime.