[Ed. Note: El Condor has previously written a series of articles here on DisneyWorldTrivia.com called "Reverse Imagineering." ]

Owing to an increasingly heavy schedule, it’s difficult for me to find time to actually sit down and deconstruct ride technology. So, to ensure I provide some sort of Disney-related article this side of 2010, I’m doing something a bit different. Sort of a challenge - to pick three objects, any three at random, and find the Disney Link. This is a fun game you can play along at home with.

For my first attempt at the Disney Link Challenge, I have chosen one object from my CD collection, one from my working environment, and one selected by randomly looking through my YouTube favourites.

Object 1 – The CD: Monty Python – Live from Drury Lane

Without using the obvious connection of Eric Idle, this is going to be hard. Thinking it through, the best connection is a sketch called ‘Cocktails.’ The content is distinctly un-Disneylike (and at least NC-17 rated), to the point that it was cut from the TV shows at the script stage. All that remains of it is in Series 3 Episode 10, where an apparent shooting gallery is actually an order for drinks. Featured amongst the targets is a Mickey Mouse telephone, and Big Al, the country bear.

Object 2 – From Work: the Bruker ESP300E ESR Spectrometer

Without going into too many details, this is a fairly sophisticated scientific instrument, a sophisticated device for measuring the effects of free radicals and other such species. Surprisingly, this is easier than Object 1 – quite simply, the machine contains a computerised control unit, based around Microware’s OS/9 operating system. The same system has been used to drive the Disney World PA systems since their conversion from tape cartridges to a digital medium. I just hope that the Cast Members working it have fewer troubles with it than I do!

Object 3 – YouTube Favorite: The Family Ness

Here’s the clip:

The show is a British animation from the 1980’s, which was popular when I was young. What drew me in, as is usually the case with these kinds of animations, was the opening title sequence (I know, it’s shallow, but I was 6). The names Roger and Gavin Greenaway meant little at the time, but Roger was a famous songwriter behind hits like ‘You’ve got your troubles, I’ve got mine’ and Pipkins’ ‘Gimme dat ding’, with Gavin being his son, just starting in the business. While they went on to write together for two further Maddocks animations, Gavin is better known for his composing work, which includes the soundtrack to Tapestry of Nations/Dreams and Illuminations.

 There, job done, and quick, too. Now it’s your turn! What Disney links can you find in your everyday ‘real’ world?