Can you spot the difference?

Temporary Sign #1

Temporary Sign #2

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!

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!

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!

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.

Spin Cycle (2005)

This is the Golden Zephyr, a spinning attraction at Disney California Adventure… and a rather stupid one.

I took this photo in the rain during a January 2005 trip. At the time, I was riding the Ferris Wheel (formerly known as the Sun Wheel, now called Mickey's Fun Wheel). Unfortunately, the Zephyr didn't work in the rain. Nor does it work when the winds are higher than 10 mph. Whose bright idea was it to build an attraction like that?

In any case, the view behind the Zephyr is much different today, thanks to the big renovation at DCA. Those tacky storefronts have been replaced with something a bit more themed and period-appropriate.

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.

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."

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!

Here are some shots from our snowy adventures around the neighborhood and up at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Bridge to Spider Island

Along the lagoon at the Botanic Garden

Accessible only by lawn mowers

Japanese Garden

Snow, color, and ice

"Daddy makes me laugh!"

Shadows preface Evening Island

This shot reminds me of a View-Master slide

Snow isn't a problem for Amy & Wesley

Such a grumpy kid

Happiness is a stroller ride in a snowstorm!

Snow behind our condo