Sent from Disneyland

Clocky McDowell
  • 5.0 (26)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Sent From Disneyland Podcast. "Here age relives fond memories of the past" On this podcast we will take a journey into the past and explore Disneyland and Disneyland history with mementos, snapshots, and postcards sent from Disneyland from 1955 to the present.

  1. 6d ago

    SFD 362: Sent to Cal Expo

    This week we explore two postcards spanning the Disneyland Resort's history—from a 2001 visit to the newly opened Disney California Adventure featuring Grizzly Peak, to a 1968 ride aboard the Becky Thatcher raft to Tom Sawyer Island. The history segment looks at the story behind the iconic Disney California Adventure "CALIFORNIA" letters, from their debut at the park entrance to their move to Cal Expo in Sacramento, where they continue to welcome visitors to the California State Fair. Plus, an incoming Postcrossing postcard from South Korea, thoughts on solo Disney park trips, and more Disney postal history. Thanks to Enfield Post and Art Throw Down for supporting this episode. If you enjoy Sent from Disneyland, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with a fellow Disney fan! 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

    SFD 362: Sent to Cal Expo

  2. Jul 18

    SFD 361: Sent from 92803

    Was there ever an official Disneyland postmark? That's one of the questions I get asked most often, and in this episode I dive into the history behind Disneyland mail, unique ZIP code 92803, pictorial cancels, cachets, and whether mail was ever officially postmarked "Disneyland, CA." We begin with two 1985 postcards celebrating Disneyland's 30th Anniversary. The first features Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs welcoming guests to New Fantasyland and bears the special EXPO '85 Anaheim pictorial cancel honoring 30 years of Disneyland magic. The second, mailed on Disneyland's official 30th birthday—July 17, 1985—shows Mickey Mouse leading the Disneyland Band down Main Street, U.S.A. Together they set the stage for a deep dive into one of Disneyland's most enduring postal mysteries. Along the way I explain the differences between postmarks, cancels, and cachets, examine special Disneyland-related postal markings from my collection, discuss why ZIP Code 92803 is unique, and share what years of collecting and research have revealed about whether Disneyland ever maintained its own official postal cancellation. Also in this episode: Vintage Disneyland postcard messages and postal history Disneyland's 30th Anniversary celebrations The history of special Disneyland pictorial cancels Incoming mail featuring a Trader Sam's postcard illustrated by Dave Perillo A thank you to Kayla for another piece of Disney mail As always, thanks to Enfield Post, the official vintage postage sponsor of the podcast, and Art Throw Down for supporting this episode. If you enjoy Sent from Disneyland, please subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share the show with a fellow Disney or postal history fan! 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

    SFD 361: Sent from 92803

  3. Jul 11

    SFD 360: Sent from the Hot Seat

    A pair of vintage Disneyland postcards leads to an unexpected detour into television history in this episode of Sent from Disneyland. A 1976 postcard featuring the Disneyland Railroad reveals that its sender attended one of the very first tapings of ABC's short-lived game show Hot Seat, prompting a look at the unusual lie-detector-based competition, why it struggled to find an audience, and how it was overshadowed by the debut of Family Feud. The second postcard, featuring the Mark Twain Riverboat cruising past Cascade Peak, continues the story with the rise and fall of Hot Seat—from its unique gameplay and grand prizes to the reasons it disappeared after only 75 episodes. Along the way, we revisit Disneyland during America's Bicentennial, including summer crowds, weather, and the classic Southern California vacation itinerary that combined Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and a drive up California's scenic Highway 101. To close the episode, an incoming postcard from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance shares a day spent with koalas, elephants, giraffes, and pandas, sparking a conversation about summer travel, Southern California weather, and how a simple postcard can preserve memories that research alone never could. From Disneyland railroads and riverboats to forgotten television history and memorable road trips, this episode uncovers another surprising story hidden in the 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

    SFD 360: Sent from the Hot Seat

  4. Jul 4

    SFD 359: Sent with a Bicentennial Map

    Celebrate America's Bicentennial through the lens of Disneyland in this episode of Sent from Disneyland. We begin with a 1975 Jungle Cruise postcard featuring a skipper protecting guests from charging hippos, setting the stage for a look back at Disneyland's America on Parade celebration. From the park's 20th Anniversary logo to the iconic Spirit of '76 artwork featuring Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, we explore three different Disneyland guide maps produced during the Bicentennial years and the patriotic artwork that became synonymous with the celebration. A second postcard, showing the Primeval World dinosaurs along the Disneyland Railroad, takes us deeper into the evolution of these souvenir maps. We compare their changing cover artwork, movie advertisements, entertainment schedules, ticket prices, and even the subtle differences found inside each edition. Along the way, we revisit the daytime and nighttime performances of America on Parade and uncover how Disney promoted its films alongside the park experience during 1975 and 1976. The episode concludes with an incoming postcard mailed from Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, sparking a conversation about receiving "Disney magic" through the mail, the growing community of Disney postcard collectors, and a recommendation for this week's companion episode of the Photoniks podcast. It's also another opportunity to highlight the wonderful community surrounding the Dear Pen Pal Podcast, whose hosts continue to celebrate the joy of handwritten correspondence. From Jungle Cruise adventures and prehistoric dinosaurs to patriotic parades and vintage park maps, this episode explores how Disneyland celebrated America's 200th birthday—and how those memories continue to live on through postcards, souvenirs, 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

    SFD 359: Sent with a Bicentennial Map

  5. Jun 27

    SFD 358: Sent with Quackers

    Celebrate Donald Duck's 50th birthday with a trip back to Disneyland in 1984! This episode of Sent from Disneyland begins with a postcard mailed during the opening weekend of Donald's anniversary celebration, where the sender excitedly mentions attending Donald's birthday party. That message leads into the story of Disneyland's "Goin' Quackers" celebration, complete with a special ceremony in Town Square, appearances by Scrooge McDuck, Daisy, Huey, Dewey, Louie, Ludwig Von Drake, and dozens of Disney characters, plus a birthday parade unlike any other in the park's history. A second vintage postcard featuring Mickey Mouse rescuing Donald Duck from the Jungle Cruise hippos provides the perfect transition into a closer look at the anniversary parade. We explore the colorful birthday floats, oversized present boxes, rare character appearances, and the television special hosted by Dick Van Dyke that brought the celebration to audiences across the country. The episode also pays tribute to the legendary Clarence Nash, who voiced Donald Duck for more than five decades, and discusses how animator Tony Anselmo carried Donald's unmistakable voice into a new generation. To wrap up the show, an incoming postcard featuring seashells and the new 2026 Bicycle with Flower Basket stamp inspires a behind-the-scenes look at podcast production—from battling tongue twisters during recording sessions to the unexpected research discoveries that keep nearly six years of Sent from Disneyland episodes fresh and full of new stories. 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

    SFD 358: Sent with Quackers

  6. Jun 20

    SFD 357: Sent with an X

    Set sail for New Orleans Square in this episode of Sent from Disneyland as we explore two postcards connected to one of Disneyland's most beloved attractions: Pirates of the Caribbean. The first postcard, mailed in 1970, captures a panoramic view of New Orleans Square with the Pirates entrance, Royal Street storefronts, and the charming details that made the land feel like a living piece of old New Orleans. A note from a family vacationing across Southern California provides a glimpse into a classic road trip that included Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Inspired by a recent reading of X Atencio: The Legacy of an Artist, Imagineer and Disney Legend, the history segment takes a deep dive into the remarkable contributions of Disney Legend X Atencio. From writing and storyboarding Pirates of the Caribbean to creating the auction scene, helping shape the attraction's narrative structure, and co-writing "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" with George Bruns, X left an unforgettable mark on Disneyland history. Along the way, we revisit Walt Disney's famous advice about treating the attraction like a cocktail party—allowing guests to discover something new with every voyage. The second postcard, featuring Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox greeting guests in New Orleans Square in 1976, leads to another fascinating chapter of Pirates history: the creation of "No Dough Productions." This informal group of Disney employees and Imagineers provided voices for attractions, helping bring Pirates of the Caribbean to life while keeping production costs under control. We explore X Atencio's own voice contributions, including the iconic talking skull that welcomes guests into the attraction. To close the show, an incoming postcard arrives from London featuring a classic red Royal Mail post box near St. Paul's Cathedral. The beautiful artwork, international postage, and reflections on weather, postcards, and summer correspondence provide the perfect ending to an episode devoted to storytelling through both attractions and the mail. From Royal Street and pirate shanties to talking skulls and London post boxes, this episode celebrates the creativity, artistry, and history that continue to make Pirates of the Caribbean one of Disneyland's enduring treasures. 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

    SFD 357: Sent with an X

  7. Jun 13

    SFD 356: Sent near Plaza Point

    In this episode of Sent from Disneyland, we continue the Disneyland Mailbox Tour with a stop at one of the most overlooked locations on Main Street, U.S.A.—the mailbox outside Carefree Corner. A 1967 postcard showing guests gathered outside the Insurance Company of North America information center provides the perfect starting point to explore the history of this unique Main Street landmark. From complimentary souvenirs and travel assistance to its later lives as the Hospitality Center, Gibson Card Corner, Photo Supply, and today's Plaza Point holiday shop, we trace more than six decades of changes to this iconic corner of Disneyland. Our second vintage postcard takes us to Frontierland and the Golden Horseshoe Revue, where can-can dancers entertained guests in one of Walt Disney's favorite shows. That postcard leads to a look at another Disneyland mailbox location and the surprising history surrounding it. We explore the Frontierland Photo Supply shop, coin-operated stamp machines, staged gunfights between lawmen and outlaws, Oak Tavern, the Stage Door Café, and how Frontierland once extended far beyond its modern boundaries before the arrival of New Orleans Square. To close the show, an incoming postcard from the Pixar Animation Studios campus in Emeryville celebrates Disney mail, pen pals, and the challenge of mailing postcards from all 25 mail locations across Disneyland Resort. A postcard from Judit and Parker of the Dear Penpal Podcast sparks a discussion about Disney mail, postcard collecting, and the connections created through the hobby. If you're interested in pen pals, letter writing, junk journals, and fun snail mail, be sure to check out the Dear Penpal Podcast on Spotify. I especially recommend their May 31st Episode 17, which featured most of the mail I sent to them from 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 From Main Street information centers to Frontierland photo shops, this episode uncovers the stories hiding beside Disneyland's mailboxes and the guests who used them to share their adventures with friends and family back home.

    SFD 356: Sent near Plaza Point

  8. Jun 6

    SFD 355: Sent with Tru-Vue

    This week on Sent from Disneyland, we set sail through Frontierland with two vintage postcards and a fascinating look at a forgotten piece of Disney history. Our first postcard, mailed in 1971, features the Mark Twain Riverboat steaming along the Rivers of America with the Matterhorn rising in the distance. A simple note to a friend captures a memorable day spent at Disneyland with family, while the postcard itself serves as a gateway into the history of the Tru-Vue Company. Long before View-Master became a household name, Tru-Vue was producing stereoscopic film viewers that brought destinations and stories to life in three dimensions. In this episode, we explore the evolution of stereoscopes, Disney's licensing agreement with Tru-Vue, and the Frontierland film cards produced during Disneyland's earliest years. A second postcard takes us back to 1959 and the Disneyland Railroad, featuring the C.K. Holliday pausing at the original Frontierland station and water tower. That image connects directly to the Frontierland Tru-Vue card in the collection, allowing us to examine all seven scenes preserved on the film strip—from the Frontierland entrance and stagecoaches to pack mules, the Mark Twain, and rare views of attractions that no longer exist in their original form. The episode concludes with an incoming postcard from Oregon's beloved Enchanted Forest theme park, sparking a discussion about regional storybook parks, childhood memories, and the unique charm of attractions inspired by classic fairy tales rather than major intellectual properties. 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

    SFD 355: Sent with Tru-Vue
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5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Sent From Disneyland Podcast. "Here age relives fond memories of the past" On this podcast we will take a journey into the past and explore Disneyland and Disneyland history with mementos, snapshots, and postcards sent from Disneyland from 1955 to the present.

Information

  • Creator
    Clocky McDowell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    362
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019
  • Show Website
    Sent from Disneyland