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.

Steve at Main Street Station (2007)

It's Halloween at the Magic Kingdom! The Main Street Train Station is all decked out in orange/yellow bunting to celebrate the season. You'll also spot a "Pumpkin Mickey" floral design and various stacked pumpkins on the landscape. Oh yeah, and that's me… fittingly wearing my seasonally-appropriate Clue shirt (who doesn't love a good mystery this time of year?)

This photo was taken during a September 2007 family vacation to Walt Disney World. We camped during this trip and it was very, very warm!

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

Bumping May Occur (2009)

"Bumping My Occur"

Well, isn't that an understatement. Folks drive the little cars on the Tomorrowland Speedway so you can smash into others! That's the appeal of the ride. (Well, not officially, but we all know the real purpose, don't we?)

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

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (1996)

One of my favorite attractions at Walt Disney World used to be Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, which opened with the Magic Kingdom in 1971 and was closed in 1998. As a kid, this ride made no sense and was so weird, that, well, it was just awesome! It wasn't until years later that I actually saw the film it was based upon, 1949's The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.

Unlike Disneyland's original version, which opened in 1955, the East Coast take had 2 different tracks, and each was different regarding the set design and storyline. Both, however, had you driving the wrong way into a railroad tunnel for a head-on collision with a train, killing you, and sending you through a "Hell" scene. This was edgy stuff! But alas, it was ripped out of Florida unceremoniously so Disney could shove a cheap Winnie the Pooh ride in, capitalizing on selling stuffed plush bears. Thankfully, Mr. Toad does still exist at Disneyland, albeit in a smaller, single-track context.

Today's photo showcases one of my last rides on Mr. Toad, joined by my sister Karen on Track #2, during a vacation in 1996. Behind us you can see part of the "Hell" scene.  Long live Mr. Toad!

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.

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.

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.