Dating late 80s early 90s WDW photos

[CJCaesar]

So was looking through photo albums and found old WDW photos. I know we took three trips sometime in the late 80s early 90s, as a little kid, and am looking for clues to how to date these photos. One set is among other picture sets clearly dated 1988, so I figure summer that year would be it. We also have a ride photo from Splash Mountain, so I guess minimum 1992. That last trip was also the only one we stayed on property, I remember it being Nautical themed, so Yacht Club maybe?

Any other clues I could look for to date things better?

 

[klmall]

I had a similar task facing me several years back. I had photos of my first trip to WDW but couldn't find any of my park memorabilia etc. to help me determine when that first trip happened. Using the ride construction in one picture I eventually dated the year and researched quite a bit online. Later, I did indeed find papers for that trip which confirmed what I had deduced from the few pictures I had for that 1979 trip.

Park brochures online, parade pictures can really help pinpoint years as well as character costumes i.e. the characters at Epcot in the '90s used to wear themed outfits for Norway, Spaceship Earth etc. Even bus and monorail colors and logos can be helpful.

My advice is to check the following WDW event timeline websites for some help:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/walt-disney-world-history.htm

http://knowdw.com/disney-history/

http://www.themeparkbrochures.net/maps/walt-disney-world-magic-kingdom/

You can also use my photos on SmugMug which are identified in my keywords on the opening page. I too, traveled in 1992 (https://klmall.smugmug.com/keyword/1992/i-jbNkkc8). I also visited in 1990, 1991, 1994, 1997 etc.

And you can always post the pictures you can't identify in this forum and the Theme Parks Community forum and ask for help.

 

[zackiedawg]

As mentioned, the best ways to try to date such photos is to look for any photos in the series which have banners, special celebrations, different decor on the castle, events, concerts, parades with a particular theme, etc. These sometimes change or have special or unique themes or decor that will be specific to one particular year. The other thing would be to look for rides that may have just opened when you were there, or rides where the decor or entrance has changed since - you may be able to trace the year if, say, a ride was overhauled with new signage in 1989 and your photo was still with old signage, which could help determine 1988 as the likeliest year. Sometimes a shot with a crowd could have clues - like some family walking in the background with matching T-shirts - a lot of folks will make custom shirts like 'Coleman Family Disney Vacation May 1992'.

 

[klmall]

Great suggestions Zackiedawg especially shirts people may be wearing!