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

Say Cheese... or Not! (2009)

I've previously written about the photo cutouts that used to be found in the back of the Town Square Exposition Hall, before it was converted into the Town Square Theater on Main Street USA at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Here's a December 2009 photo of Amy with Dopey from Snow White. Or more like an accidental photo "before" side-by-side an actual smiling photo "after." I must have accidentally shot the photo when Amy wasn't ready. It produced a pretty funny face!

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.

The Backside of Water

Probably one of the most iconic rides at a Magic Kingdom-style park is the Jungle Cruise. It's combination of plastic animals, fake adventure, and cheesy dialogue can be quite fun if you get the right skipper.

Oh, and there's always the "Backside of Water!", as seen in this January 2011 photo from Walt Disney World. This is viewed as your boat goes behind Schweitzer Falls.

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.

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.

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

Hey, We're Here!

I took this self portrait shortly after we arrived for the first time at the Magic Kingdom during a December 2009 trip. Yeah, I'm excited.

Meanwhile, I just have to wonder what Amy is pointing to in the background as my parents attentively listen. No doubt it's probably some useless piece of Walt Disney World trivia I've rambled about over the years!

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

The Portal (2011)

This is the portal from the Caribbean Plaza area of Adventureland into Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom, transforming from an exotic locale into something a bit more Western rustic.

One thing I have always loved about Disney theme parks is the attention to detail and theme, and more importantly, how those transitions between themes take place. You can see a hint of both Adventureland and Frontierland style in this shot from January 2011.

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

Smaller Guests Enter First (2009)

You never get any benefits when you are small… unless you ride Snow White's Scary Adventures, because then you can enter first! Of course, the real purpose here is to prevent you from falling out of the ride and dying, so I guess that's a good thing. It won't matter much soon, anyway, as this ride is slated to be removed as part of the New Fantasyland Expansion at Walt Disney's World's Magic Kingdom.

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

Frosty Ears? (2009)

My sister Karen models a set of Christmas-themed Mickey ears during a December 2009 trip. I'm not sure there is a logical place — other than a theme park — where these should be worn.

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

If only Steve was in black & white too! (2009)

The Town Square Exposition Hall, located on Main Street USA, opened with the Magic Kingdom in 1971 with architecture that resembled that of a hotel. At the birth of Walt Disney World, it was the Gulf Hospitality House, sort of a central booking area for the whole resort.

A theater was part of the complex, showing a film called "The Walt Disney Story" until 1981, at which point it became the EPCOT Center Preview Center. It had the same role for the Disney-MGM Studios in 1988. In 1996, a new role was found as the Walt Disney World 25th Anniversary Welcome Center, and shortly thereafter, it held a Welcome Center role for Animal Kingdom. It eventually morphed into an exhibit hall with exhibits on photography and vintage cameras (sponsored by Kodak).

I think I only have been in this building twice, because frankly there's not much to see there. Amy & I ventured inside during a December 2009 trip, and it felt neglected and filed with a hodge-podge of stuff, reflecting the many roles it had over the years. Tucked in the back were a couple of photo opportunity areas, where I was able to be part of Steamboat Willie.

In March 2011 it took on a new role and name as the Town Square Theater. With the removal of Mickey's Toontown Fair from the Magic Kingdom to make way for the New Fantasyland Expansion project, Mickey was moved into this space for character meet-and-greets, redesigned to look like the backstage of a theater (but with no actual theater)… and they even gave it FastPass!  In any case, this building remains sort of an oddity at Walt Disney World, in that it's just sort of there, looking for a purpose.