Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.
Welcome Space Travelers! (2009)
This sign inside Walt Disney World's version of Space Mountain (which is the original) refers to the fictional location as "Starport Seventy-Five". Believe it or not, there is actually significance to this number.
Space Mountain opened in 1975. And now you know…
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.
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.
Steve on the Speedway! (2009)
Hey, it's me! My sister took this photo from another car on the Tomorrowland Speedway during a trip to Walt Disney World in December 2009. You'll note that I'm also holding a camera. Shocking, I know.
The Speedway is located in the Magic Kingdom and opened with the park in 1971 as the Grand Prix Raceway. It was then shortened in 1987 to fit in Mickey's Birthdayland, while also being renamed the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. A partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway helped facilitate the "Indy" branding. That agreement ended in 2008 and the track changed names again, this time to just Tomorrowland Speedway. The track was modified again in early 2011 to accommodate the Fantasyland Expansion.
It's a historic ride that has a weak theme to "tomorrow" and really long lines, but it's something you just gotta do when you visit!
