Disneyland is known around the world as the Happiest Place on Earth and has welcomed over 900 million guests since opening. But in the new documentary Disneyland Handcrafted, audiences get a rare look back at the park’s earliest days through never-before-seen footage and stories that reveal just how much it took to bring Walt’s dream to life — and how close it came to not happening at all.
We were invited to an advanced media screening of Disneyland Handcrafted hosted by Disney, and we can assure you this film is a must-watch, whether you’re a Disney nerd like us, or just someone who loves a good story about creativity, persistence, and the courage to bring a dream to life.
The screening also included a special Q&A with the film’s director and Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, who shared insight into the documentary and her personal connection to the story. Iwerks comes from a family deeply connected to Disney history, as the daughter of Don Iwerks and the granddaughter of Ub Iwerks — two film pioneers, Disney Legends, and Oscar winners. Ub was also the co-creator of Mickey Mouse, his legacy felt across the Disney brand. Truly, we couldn’t think of anyone better to honor the story behind it all.
This film brought tears to our eyes, and here’s why.
Thank you to Disney for hosting us at AMC® Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatres for a complimentary early look at the film.
Disneyland sign in progress
Sleeping Beauty Castle during it’s construction
Walt Disney giving a speech, as seen in the new film, Disneyland Handcrafted
Built in Only a Year
Yes, you read that right! Disneyland was built in just a single year, and in this film you’ll get a firsthand look at the trials and tribulations behind the park’s rapid construction leading up to opening day in July 1955.
At the time, Disneyland was unlike anything that existed before. This was not just an amusement park. It was a theme park, one designed to bring stories to life, fuel emotion, and build memories. Walt Disney was attempting something entirely new, all while racing against the clock.
The heart of this film is the deeply human and articulate touch that went into building Disneyland despite the budget and timeline. From the statues and murals to the facades and even the pavement beneath your feet, the level of artistry poured into the park is endless. It was a level of detail that was unprecedented and according to many – much too financially risky, yet it was Walt’s dream and one he insisted on bringing to life, putting his livelihood on the line.
It was not easy. The project fell behind schedule, costs were rising, nearly everyone had their doubts, and the pressure only intensified as opening day got closer. Despite it all, watching Walt move through the process is especially striking, as even in the middle of the chaos, he remained calm and collected.
“This was probably the most dangerous decision Walt Disney ever made,” Iwerks shared during the post-film Q&A. Disneyland had the odds stacked against it, over budget, with less than 10% of its building plans complete, and tasked with transforming a lot of dirt into the Happiest Place on Earth in just a single year. But through one man’s vision and the tireless efforts of craftsmen, artists, and builders, a dream became a reality.
And 70 years later, it’s clear that every bit of it was worth it.
Rare footage featured in Disneyland Handcrafted
Disneyland before its opening
Never Before Seen Footage
One of the most compelling parts of Disneyland Handcrafted is the footage itself.
Iwerks dug through nearly 50 hours of raw archival material capturing Disneyland in its earliest days, uncovering authentic outtakes that had been tucked away in the Walt Disney Film Archives for years. This includes footage of the park being built from the ground up, along with rare glimpses of the artists, craftsmen, and Walt Disney Imagineers working on-site in Anaheim alongside Walt in 1955.
Iwerks and her dedicated team worked to restore this rare material, producing high-resolution clips of once-forgotten moments from Disneyland’s earliest days. One of the most striking facts is that much of the original footage was completely silent. Skywalker Sound recreated authentic sound designs from scratch, making the moments on screen feel immersive, alive, and as if you were right there on-site as it all happened.
Leslie Iwerks with her father, Don Iwerks
The Iwerks Family Legacy
After viewing the film, we also got the chance to hear from the director, Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, during a special Q&A.
You may recognize Iwerks from her work on projects like The Pixar Story, The Imagineering Story, and 100 Years of Warner Bros., among many others.
Iwerks reflected on her family’s legacy and emotional impact telling this story had on her. She shared that although her grandfather passed away when she was just one year old, she’s always felt connected to him. Through both her own work at Disney and her father’s career there, she says his presence has stayed with her as she grew up — and especially now, as she walks the streets of Disneyland.
“When I come to Disney and work with everybody, it’s in my blood and DNA, and it feels like a family. I’m just so honored. I’m thrilled to be the one to continue telling and finding these stories that you all love to see.”
When and Where Can I Watch Disneyland Handcrafted?
You can watch Disneyland Handcrafted beginning January 22, 2026, on Disney+ and Disney YouTube!
Whether you love Disney history, theme park storytelling, or simply a great origin story, this is one film worth adding to your watchlist!
Disneyland Handcrafted will debut on January 22, 2026
What are you most excited about for this incredible behind-the-scenes story of Disneyland’s earliest days? Discuss it all with other Disney die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. Be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.
