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."

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

Disneyland Railroad Seating Configuration (2005)

When I first visited Disneyland in January 2005, one thing that really surprised me was the configuration of the seats on the Disneyland Railroad. Having my entire Disney theme park experience up to that point being focused on Florida, where the seats face forward on the Magic Kingdom's version of the ride, I found it silly that we were forced to look out one direction.

Walt Disney World Railroad Seating Configuration (2009)

Granted, Walt Disney World's take doesn't feature such elements such as the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas, so there isn't need to direct your attention to one side of the tracks… but still, it's just silly. Real trains aren't configured that way!

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

Roaming the Netherworld (2007)

During the summer of 2007, the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion was closed for a massive refurbishment. We were camping at Walt Disney World in September of that year, and the Mansion reopened towards the end of our trip. But prior to it coming back online, the construction walls showcased this note from the "Ghost Host." I appreciated how it was written "in theme."

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

Tea for Two (2007)

We spotted these tea crates at the entrance to Liberty Square during a September 2007 to Walt Disney World. They sit right below a "Liberty Square" sign in front of a bridge into the land. Obviously, they reference the origins of American independence against the British… or someone at Disney really likes tea!

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

Jonas Graffiti (2009)

During a December 2009 trip to Walt Disney World, we spent some time on Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom. It was there that I discovered this graffiti that made me laugh.

Two days prior, the Jonas Brothers had been in the park filming segments for Disney's Christmas Day TV special. Apparently, Alexa needed to know about it!

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

Join the Pumpkin Band! (2007)

It's a Pumpkin Band Leader on Main Street! The area is all decked out for Halloween… and isn't scary at all! I took this photo during a September 2007 trip to Walt Disney World. What's interesting about this scene is that it seems like the skies are going to open up with rain at any second!