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

Wilderness Lodge Dock (2007)

Today's photo features the boat dock at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, on the shores of Bay Lake, near the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, where the Tanner family has spent many a vacation. I took this photo during a September 2007 visit and just liked the way the sun was setting in the image.

Wilderness Lodge opened in 1994 with a Pacific Northwest theme, based on the historic National Park lodges. While Fort Wilderness is considered "low end" in the Disney caste system, Wilderness Lodge is upscale, complete with a set of timeshares. It's always been interesting to share a boat with folks from both resorts to see the differences in lifestyle, personality, and perception. (Translation: Disney treats Wilderness Lodge folks better.)

There have been rumors that Disney is looking at building another Vacation Club timeshare between the two resorts, on or near the location of the long-closed River Country water park. Great, just what we need… more timeshares mucking up a beautiful campground environment!

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

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (1996)

One of my favorite attractions at Walt Disney World used to be Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, which opened with the Magic Kingdom in 1971 and was closed in 1998. As a kid, this ride made no sense and was so weird, that, well, it was just awesome! It wasn't until years later that I actually saw the film it was based upon, 1949's The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.

Unlike Disneyland's original version, which opened in 1955, the East Coast take had 2 different tracks, and each was different regarding the set design and storyline. Both, however, had you driving the wrong way into a railroad tunnel for a head-on collision with a train, killing you, and sending you through a "Hell" scene. This was edgy stuff! But alas, it was ripped out of Florida unceremoniously so Disney could shove a cheap Winnie the Pooh ride in, capitalizing on selling stuffed plush bears. Thankfully, Mr. Toad does still exist at Disneyland, albeit in a smaller, single-track context.

Today's photo showcases one of my last rides on Mr. Toad, joined by my sister Karen on Track #2, during a vacation in 1996. Behind us you can see part of the "Hell" scene.  Long live Mr. Toad!

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

Our 3D Family (2009)

3D is all the rage in movies these days. But long before Hollywood hopped on that fad, Disney was forcing guests to wear these stupid looking glasses at various attractions, including Captain EO, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, It's Tough To Be A Bug, and Mickey's Philharmagic.

During a December 2009 trip with my family, we got the opportunity to ride Toy Story Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's basically a ride that's a 3D arcade… and one requiring the wearing of those goofy glasses. This photo features Amy in the front, my Mom and Dad wearing black, and my sister Karen and brother-in-law Brian in the back.  (Incidentally, this ride is also available at California Adventure on the West Coast, though there it's called Toy Story Midway Mania.)

It's a fun ride with a long wait, and the videogame element creates a high level of rerideability. However, it's no Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion!

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

Steve, Mom, & Karen at the Crystal Palace (1985)

Let's jump back in time again to 1985, during the same Walt Disney World vacation that brought my sister picking her nose and the simple elegance of Spaceship Earth.

Here you see a photo -— taken with a Kodak Instamatic 126 film camera -— that features myself, my Mom, and my sister Karen posing in the Magic Kingdom, with the Crystal Palace restaurant anchoring the end of Main Street USA. Unfortunately, I don't see one trash can in this photo. However, you can see a white bridge on the right side, which takes you to the entrances of Adventureland and Liberty Square.

Of course my little 7-year-old sister looks cute in this photo. But just what in the world happened to my attire? I'm donning a 1985 Phantom Ranch t-shirt from the camp we attended in the summer (and where I eventually met Amy). Adding to the ensemble is not only a pair of cutoff jean shorts, but also a belt with a buckle emblazoned with my name. Cap it all off with some tall tube socks. Yeah, I was totally styling back then!

You know what you don't see in this photo? Quick service food carts, Disney Vacation Club information stands, or Princesses. Ah, the good ole days at Walt Disney World!

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

Steve is disappointed (2007)

In 2005, Disney theme parks around the world hosted a very successful celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary. The promotion resonated with guests due to its authenticity and historical nature.

As a follow-up promotion, Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts at the time, pushed through the "Year of a Million Dreams". This marketing event focused on awarding randomly chosen guests with "dreams" that varied from free food giveaways to spending a night inside Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World.

Coinciding with the launch of the "Year of a Million Dreams", California's Disneyland and Florida's Walt Disney World began being marketed together under the brand "Disney Parks".

The "Year of a Million Dreams" started on October 1, 2006, and was scheduled to run 15 months, ending December 31, 2007. However, the powers-that-be extended it another year, till the end of 2008.

As a Disney theme parks enthusiast, I was pretty disappointed in this entire promotion concept. Guest reaction was pretty "blah" at the time as well. Instead of investing in new infrastructure such as rides and attractions, a gimmicky give-a-way was passed off as something "magical." In addition, the forced co-branding of two unique Disney locations under the generic-sounding "Disney Parks" moniker hinted of clueless marketing folks who didn't understand the unique characteristics of completely different theme park resorts.

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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.

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!

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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