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

Sitting Sideways on the Animal Kingdom Train (2007)

Following up last week's post about seat orientation on Disney railroads, we visit Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2007, which also has a train line. Granted, unlike the Magic Kingdom-style stream versions, AK's train is diesel-powered — but made to look like it is steam.

Look this way... ONLY!

The Wildlife Express connects Africa to Rafiki's Planet Watch on a rather short run. Like Disneyland's train, the seats also are oriented to point you to one side. However, unlike Disneyland, you can't actually see behind the seats — it's blocked off. Apparently, Disney didn't want to invest in theme for both sides of the train tracks, so they decorated one side, and left the backstage areas "as is" on the blocked side. As my friend Jason Steele noted, this better enables them to hide "drunk cast members, dead bodies, discarded trash, and piles of money."

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

Disneyland Railroad Seating Configuration (2005)

When I first visited Disneyland in January 2005, one thing that really surprised me was the configuration of the seats on the Disneyland Railroad. Having my entire Disney theme park experience up to that point being focused on Florida, where the seats face forward on the Magic Kingdom's version of the ride, I found it silly that we were forced to look out one direction.

Walt Disney World Railroad Seating Configuration (2009)

Granted, Walt Disney World's take doesn't feature such elements such as the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas, so there isn't need to direct your attention to one side of the tracks… but still, it's just silly. Real trains aren't configured that way!

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

Roaming the Netherworld (2007)

During the summer of 2007, the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion was closed for a massive refurbishment. We were camping at Walt Disney World in September of that year, and the Mansion reopened towards the end of our trip. But prior to it coming back online, the construction walls showcased this note from the "Ghost Host." I appreciated how it was written "in theme."

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

Tea for Two (2007)

We spotted these tea crates at the entrance to Liberty Square during a September 2007 to Walt Disney World. They sit right below a "Liberty Square" sign in front of a bridge into the land. Obviously, they reference the origins of American independence against the British… or someone at Disney really likes tea!

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

Jonas Graffiti (2009)

During a December 2009 trip to Walt Disney World, we spent some time on Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom. It was there that I discovered this graffiti that made me laugh.

Two days prior, the Jonas Brothers had been in the park filming segments for Disney's Christmas Day TV special. Apparently, Alexa needed to know about it!

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

Join the Pumpkin Band! (2007)

It's a Pumpkin Band Leader on Main Street! The area is all decked out for Halloween… and isn't scary at all! I took this photo during a September 2007 trip to Walt Disney World. What's interesting about this scene is that it seems like the skies are going to open up with rain at any second!

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

Neon Mickey (2007)

Main Street Station is decked out for Halloween in this night shot from September 2007. Note the orange/brown/yellow bunting on the structure, along with the stacked pumpkins in front. The oddest thematic choice, however, was to illuminate the Mickey floral area in neon, with blue and orange light outlining a Mickey pumpkin head.

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

Blue Bayou Blur (2005)

At Disneyland, you can eat inside at the Blue Bayou Restaurant in New Orleans Square, which is part of the same building the holds Pirates of the Caribbean. The place is themed to give the impression that you are actually eating outside at night, while you overlook the ride. It's one of the more awesome dining experiences, and the inspiration for the setting of Mexico's San Angel Inn at Epcot's World Showcase.

In this January 2005 photo, I was shooting with a really slow shutter speed and got a blur effect while viewing one of the plantation buildings.

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

Mapping Your Way (2009)

If you were ever wondering how to best navigate the Bay of Bengal, this map might be quite helpful in your travels. Of course, you'll need to climb up the Swiss Family Treehouse at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom to find it!

I took this photo in December 2009 while we were walking through this iconic Adventureland attraction in late afternoon. Of the two U.S.-based Disney properties, Orlando is only one that maintains the Robinson storyline. The treehouse at Disneyland was re-themed to Tarzan in 1999.

Trust me, it's not as good.

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

Bus-ted (2007)

Anyone we spends an extended period of time at Walt Disney World is probably familiar with the transportation system. Sure, monorails are all cool and everything, but most likely, you'll spend a lot of time on a bus.

And let me just say, there's nothing really magical about that. Other than the abundance of Disney-centric advertising, there isn't much of a different between these buses and what the CTA offers here in Chicago.

The abundance of buses at WDW is due to Disney's lack of investing in sustainable transportation systems, such as monorail expansion or light rail. Inefficient bus sprawl has gotten out of control over the past few decades, accordingly.

Enjoy the wait!