Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

Steve at the Sun Icon (2005)

Amy & I first visited Disney('s) California Adventure in 2005. As has been our experience in visiting West Coast Disney theme parks, it rained. DCA has never had a good reputation, something that will hopefully be changed when the first phase of its massive $1 billion reboot is finished up later this year.

In today's photo, I'm standing next to the Sun Icon, which believe it or not, sat at the end of what was DCA's "Main Street". This oversized hubcap looks like it would fit in better at a tourist welcome center/rest area. There apparently were reflectors that would help aim sunlight at this sculpture throughout the day. I wouldn't know… it was raining.

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Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

Hey, We're Here!

I took this self portrait shortly after we arrived for the first time at the Magic Kingdom during a December 2009 trip. Yeah, I'm excited.

Meanwhile, I just have to wonder what Amy is pointing to in the background as my parents attentively listen. No doubt it's probably some useless piece of Walt Disney World trivia I've rambled about over the years!

Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

The Portal (2011)

This is the portal from the Caribbean Plaza area of Adventureland into Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom, transforming from an exotic locale into something a bit more Western rustic.

One thing I have always loved about Disney theme parks is the attention to detail and theme, and more importantly, how those transitions between themes take place. You can see a hint of both Adventureland and Frontierland style in this shot from January 2011.

Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

Backseat Driver (2011)

This is the view from the backseat of an extended length golf cart at the Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World. You can see one of these carts in action via this video I shot in 2006. Coronado is a convention resort with rooms very spread out on property. Thus, they will often provide you a ride for your luggage via these motorized machines.

The carts don't really fit the Southwest/Mexican theme at all, but when you have a ton of stuff to haul, they do come in pretty handy — though I say get off your butt and walk! Today's photo was shot in January 2011 as we were leaving a conference that was held at the resort. We used the cart because of the need to transport the contents of an entire exhibitor booth.

If you look carefully, you can see my reflection in the mirror above the driver (I'm wearing a yellow jacket!)

Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

Hoop-Dee-Dad! (2007)

This is my Dad. Behind him is the actress playing Dolly Drew at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. And he's about to get quite embarrassed!

Hoop-Dee-Doo is a dinner show that takes place at Fort Wilderness, the campground on Walt Disney World property. For all those snobs that stay in hotels and DVC units, this is probably the only reason they'd make the trek to Fort Wilderness, because God forbid they associate with the "lower class" of folk who prefer to camp. (As one who has spent his fair share of time sleeping under canvas at the Mouse, I'll step off the soapbox now!)

During a September 2007 trip, my Dad was targeted by one of the players during this show because he wasn't "participating" properly. To see what happened, you'll want to watch the video I shot. Needless to say, Dad turned quite red. It was awesome and a family memory we'll long smile upon!

Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

If only Steve was in black & white too! (2009)

The Town Square Exposition Hall, located on Main Street USA, opened with the Magic Kingdom in 1971 with architecture that resembled that of a hotel. At the birth of Walt Disney World, it was the Gulf Hospitality House, sort of a central booking area for the whole resort.

A theater was part of the complex, showing a film called "The Walt Disney Story" until 1981, at which point it became the EPCOT Center Preview Center. It had the same role for the Disney-MGM Studios in 1988. In 1996, a new role was found as the Walt Disney World 25th Anniversary Welcome Center, and shortly thereafter, it held a Welcome Center role for Animal Kingdom. It eventually morphed into an exhibit hall with exhibits on photography and vintage cameras (sponsored by Kodak).

I think I only have been in this building twice, because frankly there's not much to see there. Amy & I ventured inside during a December 2009 trip, and it felt neglected and filed with a hodge-podge of stuff, reflecting the many roles it had over the years. Tucked in the back were a couple of photo opportunity areas, where I was able to be part of Steamboat Willie.

In March 2011 it took on a new role and name as the Town Square Theater. With the removal of Mickey's Toontown Fair from the Magic Kingdom to make way for the New Fantasyland Expansion project, Mickey was moved into this space for character meet-and-greets, redesigned to look like the backstage of a theater (but with no actual theater)… and they even gave it FastPass!  In any case, this building remains sort of an oddity at Walt Disney World, in that it's just sort of there, looking for a purpose.

Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

Father excited about his new dishwasher! (2009)

It's fall at Walt Disney World. Pumpkin decorations on the table. The leaves are changing. Long sleeve clothing is the norm.

Wait a minute… this is Florida?!

Actually, it's the 3rd scene from the Carousel of Progress, which is set around the time of Halloween in the 1940s. The Carousel is one of my favorite attractions, even though Disney seems intent on letting it fall into disrepair, despite its historical value harking back to Walt's involvement with the 1964 New York World's Fair. I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually replaced it with something ridiculous from Pixar or Disney Channel.

Still, it's a show that can only be experienced at the Magic Kingdom these days and I enjoy it every chance I get (such as when I took this photo during a December 2009 trip). Because, after all, "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"!

Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

Elephants Can Fly! (1979)

It's 1979 in the Magic Kingdom! Riding the spinning Dumbo is Amy's Gram (now 94 years old!), Amy (age 3½), and her brother Greg (age 7). In the background you can see the Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant. (Previous Theme Park Thursdays photos from this trip featured Greg & Amy enjoying sibling love and a ride on the carousel.)

Of interest is that in the coming few months, Walt Disney World's Dumbo ride will shut down… and be moved into a new location as part of the New Fantasyland Expansion. In the new "Storybook Circus" area, there will actually be two Dumbo rides, configured in a dueling format and integrated into a new interactive queue.

While viewing this photo, it's interesting to note just how barren the ride looks. Lots of concrete and carnival-like elements. Not a whole lot of theme. Then again, it's just a spinning ride with elephants!

Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

Halloween on Main Street USA (2007)

A September 2007 view down Main Street USA from the train station. There's a parade taking place, and you can see how the various shops are decorated for Halloween. Of course, being from the Midwest, it's rather odd that the trees are still green and there are no leaves to be found on the ground!

On Friday, Amy & I were joined by my parents as we attended a showing of Mary Poppins downtown. The traveling Broadway musical returned to Chicago for a short time, and thanks to some fortuitous circumstances, we got a chance to see it.

Mary Poppins? Yup!

I'm not much of a theater goer, but we really liked this production. The combination of familiar elements from the Disney film (including the Sherman Brothers songs) along with non-familiar pieces from the original books and new music worked really well.

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