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

Steve, Mom, & Karen at the Crystal Palace (1985)

Let's jump back in time again to 1985, during the same Walt Disney World vacation that brought my sister picking her nose and the simple elegance of Spaceship Earth.

Here you see a photo -— taken with a Kodak Instamatic 126 film camera -— that features myself, my Mom, and my sister Karen posing in the Magic Kingdom, with the Crystal Palace restaurant anchoring the end of Main Street USA. Unfortunately, I don't see one trash can in this photo. However, you can see a white bridge on the right side, which takes you to the entrances of Adventureland and Liberty Square.

Of course my little 7-year-old sister looks cute in this photo. But just what in the world happened to my attire? I'm donning a 1985 Phantom Ranch t-shirt from the camp we attended in the summer (and where I eventually met Amy). Adding to the ensemble is not only a pair of cutoff jean shorts, but also a belt with a buckle emblazoned with my name. Cap it all off with some tall tube socks. Yeah, I was totally styling back then!

You know what you don't see in this photo? Quick service food carts, Disney Vacation Club information stands, or Princesses. Ah, the good ole days at Walt Disney World!

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

Steve is disappointed (2007)

In 2005, Disney theme parks around the world hosted a very successful celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary. The promotion resonated with guests due to its authenticity and historical nature.

As a follow-up promotion, Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts at the time, pushed through the "Year of a Million Dreams". This marketing event focused on awarding randomly chosen guests with "dreams" that varied from free food giveaways to spending a night inside Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World.

Coinciding with the launch of the "Year of a Million Dreams", California's Disneyland and Florida's Walt Disney World began being marketed together under the brand "Disney Parks".

The "Year of a Million Dreams" started on October 1, 2006, and was scheduled to run 15 months, ending December 31, 2007. However, the powers-that-be extended it another year, till the end of 2008.

As a Disney theme parks enthusiast, I was pretty disappointed in this entire promotion concept. Guest reaction was pretty "blah" at the time as well. Instead of investing in new infrastructure such as rides and attractions, a gimmicky give-a-way was passed off as something "magical." In addition, the forced co-branding of two unique Disney locations under the generic-sounding "Disney Parks" moniker hinted of clueless marketing folks who didn't understand the unique characteristics of completely different theme park resorts.

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

Communications Mural on Spaceship Earth (2009)

Continuing our tribute to the final flight of the Space Shuttle, let's take a look at this mural located on the exterior of Spaceship Earth in Epcot. Taken during a December 2009 visit, it's a carry-over from when this attraction was solely communications-based. Even with a retheme, it remains as a symbol of something the Shuttle program never actually accomplished… cool stuff. Thanks NASA!

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

Snowman Sis (2009)

It's Christmas in July! Why else would I post a photo of my sister wearing a set of Snowman Mickey Ears? This was shot in the Emporium on Main Street USA at WDW's Magic Kingdom during a December 2007 trip.

I'm not sure which is more creepy… the hat itself or the expression on Karen's face!

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

Space Shuttle History in Epcot (2007)

In honor of the final flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-135, which launches on Friday, here's a nice tribute to America's space program found in The American Adventure pavilion over at Epcot's World Showcase. While you are waiting for the namesake show, you'll find paintings like this one situated on the walls, each denoting different elements of the history of the United States. I snapped this photo on a September 2007 visit.

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

Splash Mountain On-Ride Photo (2007)

Without a doubt, my favorite ride in the Magic Kingdom is Splash Mountain. The attraction originally opened at Disneyland in 1989, using a single-file seating arrangement. The larger-capacity, side-by-side logs were used when Walt Disney World's version debuted in 1992.

I love the idea that this attraction is based on a movie that Disney refuses to re-release to the public (1946's Song of the South). I love the large use of animatronic figures to tell a story. I love the music that sets the tone for the adventures of Brer Rabbit. And for some reason, I'm terrified of that large drop at the end… but always want to go ride it again!

Today's image is a screencapture of the on-ride photo taken during that final drop. Shot during a September 2007 trip, it features my sister Karen and my Dad in the front row, my Mom hiding under a white hat in the second row, and Amy & I in the third row.

Historically, there have been no restraints on the ride. You just got in the boat and hung on. However, in January during a rehab, lap bar restraints were added to the logs, apparently to keep folks from trying to get out of them mid-ride. Thanks for ruining the fun, idiots who can't stay on the ride!

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

Amy & Greg are horsing around! (1979)

We're back in 1979 to check up on 3½-year-old Amy riding Cinderella's Golden Carrousel with her brother Greg in Fantasyland. You may recall that Amy has issues with her brother in theme parks, thus it's probably a good idea that these two are somewhat separated for this photo.

In the background you can see Snow White's Adventures, which opened with the Magic Kingdom in 1971, renamed to "Snow White's Scary Adventures" in 1994, and slated to close soon thanks to the Fantasyland Expansion project. In its place? A meet-and-greet area called "Princess Fairytale Hall". Gag.

Incidentally, the carousel that Amy & Greg are riding was also recently renamed to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel; apparently boys will feel more welcome to ride it now, even though nothing else has actually changed.

Sometimes, you just have to question those marketing bozos at Disney.

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

Reflective mirrors at Universe of Energy (2009)

Today's photo reminds me of everyone who attempts to take goofy photos of themselves while visiting "The Bean" down at Chicago's Millennium Park. But actually this is the exterior of the Universe of Energy pavilion in Epcot's Future World. Here you can see our extended family during a December 2009 trip. I'm in the top row (with my tongue sticking out). The second row features Amy, my Mom, my brother-in-law Brian, my sister Karen (who took this picture), and my Dad.

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

Steve on the Speedway! (2009)

Hey, it's me! My sister took this photo from another car on the Tomorrowland Speedway during a trip to Walt Disney World in December 2009. You'll note that I'm also holding a camera. Shocking, I know.

The Speedway is located in the Magic Kingdom and opened with the park in 1971 as the Grand Prix Raceway. It was then shortened in 1987 to fit in Mickey's Birthdayland, while also being renamed the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. A partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway helped facilitate the "Indy" branding. That agreement ended in 2008 and the track changed names again, this time to just Tomorrowland Speedway. The track was modified again in early 2011 to accommodate the Fantasyland Expansion.

It's a historic ride that has a weak theme to "tomorrow" and really long lines, but it's something you just gotta do when you visit!

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

Virgin Spaceship Earth (1985)

EPCOT Center opened in 1982, and its icon Spaceship Earth anchored a minimalist environment when compared to a park like the Magic Kingdom. Today's photo was shot in 1985, just 3 years after the park opened, and you can see the wide open spaces, trees that still were growing, and lots of white or light colors used in architecture. You can also gaze upon my Mom, Dad, and sister Karen standing patiently while I snapped a photo with a Kodak Instamatic 126 film camera.

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