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

Star Brick (2007)

Decorated brick columns at The American Adventure pavilion feature pretty white stars, as seen here in Epcot back in 2007.

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

Enjoyment? Probably Not (2007)

This refurbishment sign was used in The American Adventure pavilion of Epcot's World Showcase back in 2007. Unfortunately, it does not apply to Congress.

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

Keep your tuppence! (2007)

If you visit The American Adventure pavilion at Epcot, you may encounter this sign while dining outside of the Liberty Inn.  Needless to say, you won't find any music from Mary Poppins playing in the background!

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

Celtic Canada (2009)

For some reason, there's a "5-person, kilt-wearing, bagpipe-playing Celtic rock group that performs traditional and original songs for Guests of all ages" in the Canadian pavilion of Epcot's World Showcase. Despite the fact that it seems like an odd thematic placement, they are actually quite fun to watch. Yup, I'm talking about Off Kilter.

Disney officially describes the group way:

Hailing all the way from Puerto Rico to Ireland, Off Kilter loves to play good old rock 'n' roll with a wacky Canada-centric sense of humor. Blending traditional Celtic instruments with more modern electronics, the very popular Off Kilter creates hard-driving music and big bellylaughs for everyone in the family.

Just what exactly is a "Canada-centric sense of humor"?  In any case, we enjoy listening to them.  I think one of the reasons they've lasted as long (since 1997) as they have is their great audience interaction, as well as often perform recognizable cover versions of popular songs.

Or it's the kilts.

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.

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.

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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