Walt Disney Studios started a tradition of creating annual Christmas-themed greeting cards. Early years of the greeting cards featured illustrations & designs by such legends as Tom Wood, Hank Porter, Bob Moore, Mary Blair, John Hench, and Paul Wenzel. Why a greeting card? It makes people feel as though they are part of the family. Plus, they were able to showcase new films, and later the parks, through art on the Christmas card.
Walt Disney himself said Christmas season appealed to him for one reason:
“One reason the Christmas season appeals to me,” Walt Disney said, “is that it makes us suspend business-as-usual routine and let our minds soar for a while.”
– Walt Disney
Now, the cards serve as an interesting timeline of The Walt Disney Company. Take a look back at some of the Christmas cards throughout the years.
1954
This years card featured a vision of Disneyland park, which opened the following year.
1956
This year’s Christmas Card celebrated the grand opening of Disneyland with a colorful display.
1959
This year’s art was created by Paul Wenzel, Sleeping Beauty Castle was a recognizable icon at this point.
1962
Disneyland was not featured every year on the card, however Sleeping Beauty Castle made another appearance for the 1962 card.
1971
Featued on this year’s card was a representation of Seven Seas Lagoon & Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort, which opened the same year. This card folded into a small gift box!
1982
This year marked the Disney World expansion, with the opening of Epcot Center (now Epcot), an ambitious project.
1984
This year’s card featured Tokyo Disneyland and Characters in a rare blizzard, that is real snow!
1997
Another snowfall made the card this year, featuring Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant at Disneyland Paris after an unusual snowfall.
2000
Recognize this snowcapped Grizzly peak? It was featured in this years Christmas card to celebrate the upcoming opening of Disney California Adventure park. This time, not real snow!
2018
This years card featured vintage cards and a warm holiday greeting.
Thank you, Sara!
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Leslie Ramey says
So neat, thanks for sharing!! °O°