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

The Haunted Mansion from Tom Sawyer's Island (1985)

We return to the Magic Kingdom during our 1985 vacation.  Here, my Dad, sister, and I are sitting on some boxes on Tom Sawyer's Island, looking across to the Haunted Mansion.  Originally, the Mansion didn't have a covered awning, but the hot Florida sun quickly made that a necessity after WDW opened in 1971.  Over the years the awning has changed colors, from white to red to green.  Last year the queue was expanded to include an "interactive graveyard," which in the photo above, would be located on where those trees are on the left side.

And hey, how about those tall socks!

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

Karen & Steve at Santa's Village (1983)

Back in February, I wrote about a set of Walt Disney World sun visors that my sister and I were wearing. Specifically, we noted:

Karen's red Walt Disney World visor features the original "D" logo from WDW, which is still far more iconic than the boring script used today. The red visor part was somewhat transparent, with a white Mickey Mouse head stuck on top. I had an identical version of this visor as well, except that it was blue.

While visiting with my parents a few weeks ago, we flipped through some old photo albums, and wouldn't you know it… I found a photo of myself wearing the blue version of that visor!

My Blue Walt Disney World Visor

The 1983 photo wasn't taken at a Disney theme park, however. Rather, it was shot at Santa's Village, a long-gone amusement park in suburban Chicago (that was recently rebooted with the same name, different experience).

I wonder if my sister and I realized at the time that those helicopter controls really didn't do anything!

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.

Continue Reading…

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!

Over the July 4 holiday, Amy & I visited with my sister Karen and brother-in-law Brian at their home in northeastern Indiana. They live on a lake, which is pretty awesome during the summer months. They are also pretty close to an awesome set of mountain bike trails at nearby Winona Lake.

Steve & Karen get ready to ride!

Continue Reading…

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

World Showcase Omnibus (1985)

The year is 1985. The place is EPCOT Center.

While my parents had taken me to Walt Disney World before, this was my first "memorable" trip, which I experienced at age 10. EPCOT Center was just 3 years old at the time. That vacation had quite an impact on me becoming a Disney theme park enthusiast.

Today's photo — taken with a Kodak Instamatic 126 film camera and cropped accordingly — spotlights the World Showcase Omnibus, a double-decker vehicle that used to provide transportation for guests to visit the various countries around World Showcase Lagoon. It was phased out in the mid-1990s, probably because it couldn't contain a gift shop, timeshare information stand, or pin trading station.

Standing in front of the bus is my little sister Karen (age 7), sporting a lovely red Walt Disney World visor… and I'm not sure what she's really doing with her hands. I'm standing cluelessly next to her in my 1985 Walt Disney World shirt (I wore that thing a TON!) and tan EPCOT Center visor. To be honest, I'm not sure if we actually ever rode the bus!

Nevertheless, they are missed in World Showcase, as the buses provided motion, activity, and a unique sense of place.