SFD 354: Sent by Wade & George

May 30, 2026

In the final installment of Imagineering May, Sent from Disneyland explores the stories behind two overlooked Disneyland designers whose names still appear on a Main Street window. A 1972 postcard featuring the Disneyland Railroad and Floral Mickey leads into the life of art director Wade R. Rubottom, whose work helped shape Main Street, U.S.A. before he went on to design other theme parks across America. Then, a 1974 Mark Twain postcard highlights the career of George Patrick, a Frontierland art director whose influence can still be felt throughout Disneyland’s western landscapes.

Along the way, we uncover vintage postcard messages, park attendance and weather from the day of each visit, and the fascinating history of Disneyland’s early designers who worked alongside Walt Disney during the park’s construction. The episode concludes with a surprise Postcrossing postcard featuring the Dutch scene from “it’s a small world,” a deep dive into late-1970s Disneyland postcard booklets, and a look back at a month celebrating the Imagineers, artists, and cast members who helped build 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