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.

Fair Be Gone (2011)

Mickey's Toontown Fair doesn't exist anymore at the Magic Kingdom (thank goodness), but here's a look at the entrance sign in January 2011!

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.

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.

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.

Camping at Walt Disney World (2007)

As I've previously mentioned, when my family took vacations to Walt Disney World, we camped at Fort Wilderness. Forget monorail hotels or time shares. It was our 1975 Starcraft Starmaster 6 pop-up camper that was home. We went on many vacations with that camper, including this final run to WDW in September 2007. My parents sold it to some friends shortly thereafter.

Still, Fort Wilderness is probably the nicest campground we have ever stayed at in our travels around the country. Nice job, Disney!

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

Green Flag (2007)

At the Fort Wilderness Landing you can hop ferry transportation to the Magic Kingdom. It sure beats taking a bus! But how do you know you are on the correct watercraft? Look for the Green Flag!

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

Mickey Shield (2011)

Historically, my family always camped at Fort Wilderness when visiting Walt Disney World. However, a few years ago I had the opportunity to stay in an actual hotel while working a conference on property. I took this photo in the main check-in area of Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. I liked the vintage shield/crest design… and also the 3 spotlights that form a Hidden Mickey.

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

Behind the Trigger (2009)

Fort Langhorn is located on Tom Sawyer Island, situated within Frontierland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Dad sets up a shot (2009)

One of the fun aspects that still remain (surprisingly) are the air rifles that make sound effects when triggered.

It's Mom's turn! (2009)

One bank of guns gazes across the Rivers of America, setting up the perfect shot against Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

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."