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

History of Norway (2009)

This large mural sits in the queue for the Maelstrom ride at the Norway pavilion in Epcot. It's a fun, but very short, ride… and one of the few "thrills" to be found in World Showcase. Disney's official description is as follows:

Maelstrom is a family-friendly adventure on a troll-tormented Viking ship from modern-day to historic Norway in the World Showcase area at Epcot theme park.  Come aboard for a stormy voyage through a Norwegian fjord, a troll-infested swamp and on to the North Sea via a thrilling backward plummet.

After departing a contemporary village, you'll be water-blasted to the past through a unique aquatic landscape. You never know what's around the next bend—you might even encounter polar bears and pirates! Once you've dodged the trickster trolls and other obstacles, disembark in the safety of a calm harbor. Then watch a glorious 5-minute film that captures the remarkable beauty of Norway today.

Exploring Norway's heritage isn't going to be smooth sailing, so buck up like a Viking would!

I wouldn't say it's that exciting, but there's never usually a line, so it's worth a ride!

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

Anyone for Niagara Falls? (2009)

Today we visit the Carousel of Progress, as seen in 2009 on a family trip. This attraction features the song "It's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow," which was written by Richard & Robert Sherman.

Robert passed away at age 86 this week. Thus it's fitting to feature the Carousel as a little tribute, given that he worked with Walt on this project for General Electric's Progressland pavilion at the 1964 World's Fair. We'll miss you, Mr. Sherman!

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.

Magical Sibling Visors (1985)

We return to Walt Disney World in 1985… the home of double-decker buses, unadorned golf balls, and tall socks.  My Dad, sister, and I are in EPCOT Center's World Showcase, overlooking the lagoon.  You can see The American Adventure and Japan in the background, along with one of the Friendship boat launches.

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The other day a friend gave me a T-shirt that I just had to write about. The caption says "Freaky Tiki Trio" and it features 3 Polynesian-style characters on the front in odd positions.

Steve enjoys his new shirt!

To the non-Disney theme park fan, this may just seem like some artsy, tiki-inspired shirt. But those of us in the know recognize that this shirt's design is actually a tribute to two iconic theme park attractions… The Enchanted Tiki Room and The Haunted Mansion.

Compare: Hitchhiking Ghosts vs. Freaky Tiki Trio

The 3 tiki statues on this shirt are actually references to the 3 Hitchhiking Ghosts found at the end of The Haunted Mansion, as you can see illustrated above. Thus the description as a "Freaky Tiki Trio." Even the back of the shirt somewhat references The Haunted Mansion by using the phrase "We've been dying to luau!" — this is a callback to the line "We've been dying to meet you!" at the end of the Mansion.

Overall, it's a clever design for a non-official Disney shirt… and it looks sharp too! If you'd like your own, pick one up at Tikified.com. And to the friend that sent it my way… thanks again!

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!

Wesley's 1st Valentine's Day

Wesley is excited about his first Valentine's Day!

Last year I wrote about a card Amy & I received from our alma mater, Taylor University. Since we are both alums, the pitch encouraged us to give financial support to Taylor, as even though we are married, it would actually inflate the alumni giving numbers by counting as two gifts.

This year, Taylor decided to play up Valentine's Day a bit more, but delivered the same questionable plea. It sure is nice to be remembered by your place of higher learning around a Hallmark holiday, isn't it?

Seriously, Swallow Robin Hall?

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.

A 2005 photo I took at Disney's California Adventure — in the rain — was recently featured on the web show Communicore Weekly.

Steve's Winning "Fuzzy Photo"

Named after the section of Epcot that used to sit right behind Spaceship Earth (now known by the name Innoventions), the show is hosted by George Taylor (of Imaginerding.com) and Jeff Heimbuch (of MiceChat.com), two Disneyphiles I've gotten to know via Twitter thanks to my passion for Disney trash cans.

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