SFD 376: Sent to Uncle Theodore

This week on Sent from Disneyland, two vintage postcards take us back to Fantasyland! First, a 1973 postcard featuring Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, followed by a 1976 view of a horse-drawn streetcar arriving at Sleeping Beauty Castle. Along the way, we'll look at the park details, postmarks, and messages that help bring each postcard's story to life. Our history lesson explores Walt Disney's connection to France, from his family's Norman roots and his first visit during World War I to his 1935 European vacation. We'll discover how French theaters helped build Walt's confidence in feature-length animation, the books and mechanical curiosities he brought home, and the influence of France on Disney films and theme parks—including the Disney family coat of arms above Fantasyland's castle entrance. Plus, an incoming postcard from the World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris, complete with an Arendelle postage stamp! We'll explore the collaboration between Disneyland Paris and France's postal service, La Poste, and take a look at some of the Disney-themed stamps released in France.  Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021

This week on Sent from Disneyland, we're doing things a little differently! Jenn Diz from the Disneyholics Podcast joins me for an in-park tour of Disneyland's West Side, exploring the different ticket booths that once existed in Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square and Bear Country. We still have two vintage postcards to share: a 1963 view of Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Matterhorn, and a 1967 look at Tomorrowland featuring the Submarine Voyage, mermaids, Monorail, and Skyway. Plus an incoming postcard from Jenn herself! A quick apology for the audio quality—this was my first time recording with a microphone inside Disneyland. Thanks for joining us on this different kind of Disneyland adventure! Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021

This week on Sent from Disneyland, two vintage postcards take us to Disneyland's Main Street Railroad Station in 1962 and 1969. We'll spot the EP Ripley arriving at the station, a floral Mickey Mouse greeting guests, and even a Disneyland trash can hiding in the background! The history lesson wraps up our series on the Haunted Mansion's five singing busts with the legendary Thurl Ravenscroft. From the Sportsmen Quartet and the Mellomen to Tony the Tiger, the Grinch, and countless Disney voices, we explore his remarkable career and his many contributions to Disneyland. We'll also uncover the story behind Uncle Theodore, his broken singing bust in the Haunted Mansion graveyard. Plus, an incoming handmade postcard from Aulani celebrating its 15th anniversary, a little Hawaiian koa wood craftsmanship, and an update from Disneyland featuring the new Hungry Bear BBQ Jamboree seating area and a special mailbox near Rufus's cave! Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021

This week on Sent from Disneyland, two vintage postcards take us back to the early days of Adventureland and Frontierland. We begin at the Jungle Cruise dock in 1961 before heading underground in 1962 to explore the colorful waterfalls of Rainbow Caverns. Our Haunted Mansion history lesson introduces another of the five singing busts: Rollo Rumkin, performed by actor and singer Vern Rowe. From his television appearances on Columbo, The Odd Couple, and Happy Days to his work in Disney's The Shaggy D.A., we explore the performer behind this memorable ghost. Plus, we investigate two Baltimore-area buildings that helped inspire the Haunted Mansion's design: the demolished Shipley-Lydecker House and the historic Evergreen House. And an incoming postcard featuring Pinocchio reminds us that every day can be World Postcard Day when there's a postcard in your mailbox! Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021  

This week on Sent from Disneyland, two vintage postcards take us to Frontierland and the Golden Horseshoe. First, we board the Mark Twain Riverboat for a cruise along the Rivers of America before stepping inside the Golden Horseshoe for a lively can-can performance.  Our Haunted Mansion history series continues with Jay Meyer, the voice behind Ned Nub, the second of the five singing busts. Discover Jay's remarkable musical career, from the Sportsmen Quartet and Hollywood film soundtracks to his many years performing alongside Fulton Burley in the Golden Horseshoe Revue. We'll explore the connections between his work as a Haunted Mansion ghost and his long history entertaining Disneyland guests. Plus, an appropriately spooky incoming postcard featuring a raven, a Halloween-ready quote from L. M. Montgomery, and the eerie history of Minnesota's Nopeming Sanitarium. Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021

This week on Sent from Disneyland, two vintage postcards take us back to Disneyland in 1958 and 1960. We visit Sleeping Beauty Castle, where a family enjoys a perfect spring day at the park, and Frontierland's railroad station, where a postcard leads to a mystery about Astrid and her hopes of making it as an actress in Hollywood. Our Haunted Mansion history lesson continues with Bob Ebright, the voice behind Phineas P. Pock, one of the five singing busts. We explore his film and singing career, the story behind his character's name, and a possible connection to the hitchhiking ghost Phineas. Plus, an incoming World Postcard Day postcard made with a new printing press, a look at postcards traveling around the world, and a reminder that sometimes the most fascinating stories are found on the backs of the cards themselves. Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021

This week on Sent from Disneyland, two vintage postcards take us back to Disneyland in 1969 and 1975. We begin with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and a postcard from a family road trip that included Disneyland, the Grand Canyon, and a journey through the western United States. Then we head underground into Rainbow Caverns in Frontierland. This year an October series on the Haunted Mansion's five singing busts. We'll look at the original Marc Davis concepts, the characters behind the busts, the filming and recording of the famous Grim Grinning Ghosts performance, and the mysterious history of Cousin Algernon—the bust with the bowler hat. Plus, an incoming postcard featuring The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, a look at vintage postage, and some fun connections between Disney history, Postcrossing, and the mail. Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021

Snow White, Primeval World & Postcards from Around the World This week on Sent from Disneyland, two vintage Disneyland postcards take us back to 1967 and 1970. We start with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs visiting Disneyland beneath the Matterhorn, followed by a look at the Triceratops and their young in the Primeval World diorama. The history lessons turn the spotlight on my growing collection of Disney postcards received through Postcrossing—from vintage Disneyland cards that have traveled across the world to handmade drawings of some wonderfully obscure Disney characters. We'll look at the longest and shortest journeys, duplicate postcards, and why even receiving the same card twice can make each one unique. Plus, a Florida postcard featuring the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a reminder of the changing world of postal cancellations, and a little encouragement to be a tourist in your own town. Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021

This week on Sent from Disneyland, we travel back to 1958 and 1959 with two postcards featuring Disneyland's incredible Grand Canyon Diorama. Our first postcard, mailed in November 1958, shows mule deer watching the passing Disneyland Railroad, while the second, from June 1959, features bighorn sheep silhouetted against the canyon. Both postcards offer a glimpse into the early years of one of Disneyland's most impressive railroad displays. The history lesson explores how Walt Disney, Claude Coats, and a team of artists created the massive Grand Canyon backdrop, along with the plants, rocks, and animals that transformed the diorama into a three-dimensional experience. We'll also look at the  animals used in the display—including the famous armadillo—and the 1958 grand opening. Plus, an incoming Disneyland postcard from Tess, a look at a mysterious 1958 contest that helped one postcard sender win a trip to Disneyland. Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021

This week on Sent from Disneyland, two vintage postcards take us from a summer evening at Sleeping Beauty Castle to the Haunted Mansion in 1979. Our postcards reveal Disneyland visitors enjoying the park during some very different eras, while the history lesson explores the evolution of Disneyland's attraction safety signs—from early warnings on ride vehicles to the safety measures introduced around Alice in Wonderland in the early 2000s. Plus, an incoming postcard from Hong Kong Disneyland featuring Tiana and a look back at a very hot and rainy Labor Day weekend at the parks. Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021