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!

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?)

While Amy & I were doing some reorganizing at our condo over the weekend, I rediscovered this cool magnet I bought at Chicago's DisneyQuest back in 2001.

Explore Zone, Create Zone, Score Zone, and Replay Zone

Even though this image doesn't look very "Disney", it actually reflects the very structured and themed approach that DisneyQuest had upon opening.

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

Bus Directional Sign (2007)

This directional sign is located at the Ticket and Transportation Center, and points to bus stops that you can use to visit Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Disney-MGM Studios.

I snapped this photo in September 2007 knowing that the Studios was going to get a name change to Disney's Hollywood Studios, thus that iconic logo would disappear from the parks forever.

You should also note the logo for Animal Kingdom, which harkens back to when the park opened. If you look carefully, you'll see a dragon represented in the middle. Originally, Animal Kingdom was to represent animals that are no longer with us, animals in the present, and fictional animals. While the first two points are met, the budget for Beastly Kingdom was cut and it never happened, only to be substituted by a placeholder land with ugly garbage cans.

However, given Disney's recent announcement that a land based on the film Avatar is in the works, we might actually see something surreal in Animal Kingdom after all!

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

Dole Whipping: Steve (2011) and Nancy, Amy, & John (2009)

The Dole Whip. Disney theme park fans tend to get a little crazy when you mention it.

In short, it's soft-serve pineapple sorbet made by Dole (a Disney sponsor), served alone in a cup or mixed with pineapple juice to make a float. Sure, doesn't sound like a lot, but the rarity of the flavors is what makes this a special find. At Disneyland, you can buy one next to the Tiki Room, whereas if you are at Walt Disney World, stop by Advetureland's Aloha Isle or Captain Cook's at the Polynesian Resort.

Even though it's been around for quite a long time, I didn't experience my first Dole Whip until December 2009 during a family trip… and got to introduce others while I was back at the Magic Kingdom in January 2011 for a conference.

I don't even like pineapple, but it's a pretty awesome frozen treat!

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