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 the emotional impact that telling this story had on her. She shared that although her grandfather passed away when she was just a 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.

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What is Lightning Lane? 

Lightning Lane offers you quicker access to top attractions and entertainment experiences through a dedicated queue. Now featuring two options – Single Pass and Multi Pass – this service ensures you spend less time waiting. Keep in mind that both variations of Lightning Lane require a fee. Prices for Lightning Lane Multi Passes vary by date and theme park, whereas Lightning Lane Single Passes vary by date and attraction.

What is the difference between Multi Pass and Single Pass Lightning Lane? 

Single Pass Lightning Lane is fairly straightforward: it allows you to choose up to two Lightning Lane selections per day for highly anticipated attractions such as Guardians of The Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and TRON Lightcycle / Run.

With Multi Pass, you get even more flexibility by selecting up to three Lightning Lane selections for the day in advance. All your pre-reserved experiences and times will be at the same park. After using a Lightning Lane selection, you can immediately book another one at the same park or a different one if you have park hopper access. For example, after redeeming your Lightning Lane selection for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you could then book The Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom Park for later in the day. Additionally, the Multi Pass Lightning Lane option includes digital downloads of photos and videos from your day through the Disney PhotoPass Service.

How to Book Lightning Lane

Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel and select hotels can plan their Lightning Lane passes up to seven days in advance for their entire stay (up to 14 days). All other guests, like guests with date-based theme park tickets and annual passholders, can plan up to three days ahead.

All of this can be managed right from your fingertips using the My Disney Experience app (Apple or Google Play) or the Walt Disney World website. In one easy transaction, you can buy a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, a Lightning Lane Single Pass, or both. Before completing your purchase, you’ll choose your desired experiences and have the option to confirm or adjust the suggested times provided – it’s like having your own personal planner!

Check out this video from the Walt Disney World Resort breaking down this service: 

If you decide this isn’t the right fit for you, don’t worry – there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the attractions at Walt Disney World Resort. You can join the standby lines or use the virtual queue for popular rides like Guardians of The Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and TRON Lightcycle / Run.

Lightning Lane Attractions & Experiences

Magic Kingdom Park

Multi Pass Experiences

Choose up to one experience from this group:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Jungle Cruise
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Space Mountain
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Choose your other two experiences (or all three) from this group:
(Once you redeem a selection on the day of your park visit, you can choose another Multi Pass experience from either group – subject to availability.)

• The Barnstormer
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Mad Tea Party
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

Single Pass Attractions (Not Available with Multi Pass)

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• TRON Lightcycle / Run

EPCOT

Multi Pass Experiences

Choose up to one experience from this group:

• Frozen Ever After
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Soarin’ Around the World

Choose your other two experiences (or all three) from this group:
(Once you redeem a selection on the day of your park visit, you can choose another Multi Pass experience from either group – subject to availability.)

• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Mission: SPACE
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Spaceship Earth
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Single Pass Attractions (Not Available with Multi Pass)

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Multi Pass Experiences

Choose up to one experience from this group:

• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash

Choose your other two experiences (or all three) from this group:
(Once you redeem a selection on the day of your park visit, you can choose another Multi Pass experience from either group – subject to availability.)

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
• Disney Junior Play & Dance!
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Toy Story Mania!

Single Pass Attractions (Not Available with Multi Pass)

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Multi Pass Experiences

Choose up to three experiences from this group:
(Once you redeem a selection on the day of your park visit, you can choose another Multi Pass experience – subject to availability.)

• DINOSAUR
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• Feathered Friends in Flight!
• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
• It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
• Kali River Rapids
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Naʻvi River Journey

Single Pass Attractions (Not Available with Multi Pass)

• Avatar Flight of Passage

More Changes at Walt Disney World Resort

Alongside these Lightning Lane updates, Walt Disney World Resort is buzzing with new offerings! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially opens on June 28, followed by the toe-tapping fun of Country Bear Musical Jamboree beginning July 17. Over at EPCOT, don’t miss the “¡Celebración Encanto!” live stage show, running until September 6, and a new permanent installation like the new meet-and-greet area with Mickey Mouse and his pals. Plus, make sure to visit Disney Springs for the breathtaking nighttime drone show, Dreams that Soar, lighting up the sky until September 2!

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.

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Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

For the first time in years, guests can get excited for the return of Walt Disney World’s most spooktacular celebration! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is officially returning to the Most Magical Place on Earth. This special Halloween event is coming to Magic Kingdom on select nights August 12, 2022 through October 31, 2022 after normal park operating hours, from 7:00 PM to midnight.

Guests can look forward to the return of their favorite Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party moments like trick-or-treating around Magic Kingdom, the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show, themed attraction overlays, Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, and more. To celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party guests will also receive a keepsake 50th anniversary reusable trick-or-treating tote bag and a Halloween-themed 50th Anniversary celebration commemorative print!

The announced Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates are:

August: 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30

September: 2, 5, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30

October: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31

Tickets for this special Halloween event go on sale May 18, 2022, with ticket prices ranging from $109-$199. Walt Disney World Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members are eligible for specially priced tickets for select dates. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary tickets can be purchased online or by calling 407-939-4240.

We’ll continue sharing new details for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party as they materialize, so check back as we get closer to the spooky season! For now, let’s celebrate being Halfway to Halloween this weekend at the Most Magical Place on Earth. From limited time eats and treats to new Disney PhotoPass opportunities and Halloween details at the Disney Parks, we’re sharing everything you can look forward to for Halfway to Halloween this weekend.

No Tricks, Just Eats & Treats

Frankenstein Cake Slices

This three-layer chocolate cake is inspired by Frankenstein. Covered in cookies and cream buttercream and topped with M&M’s, it’s sold by the slice. Grab yours at Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs for a limited time through May 1, 2022.

Hocus Pocus “Amuck” Cakes

Three rich devil’s food cake cupcakes with “peanut boo-ter” filling decorated with colorful frosting to resemble each of the Sanderson Sisters. Find the Hocus Pocus “Amuck” Cakes through May 1, 2022 at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Jack Skellington Popcorn Bucket

Nightmare Before Christmas fans, get excited! This Jack Skellington Popcorn Bucket is available in Magic Kingdom at the Liberty Square Popcorn Cart and other outdoor vending carts for a limited time. Grab yours for Halfway to Halloween through May 1, 2022. (Limited to two buckets per person per transaction while supplies last.)

Lady on the Gravestone 50th Chilling Chamber Pop

This pop features citrus cake crumbs, raspberry buttercream, and blue crisp pearls topped with white chocolate Lady on the Gravestone piece. Find it in Magic Kingdom at Sleepy Hollow through August 13, 2022.

Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket

This Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket is back at Disney Springs for the Halfway to Halloween weekend! Find it on the West Side of Disney’s Shopping and Dining District at various outdoor vending carts through May 1, 2022. (Limited to two buckets per person per transaction while supplies last.)

Pumpkin Spice Shadow Cakes

Enjoy chocolate-dipped spice cakes with a festive pumpkin buttercream filling. Find this treat through May 1, 2022 at Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs.

Sister’s Elixir Hot Cocoa Bomb

We smell chocolate – a dark chocolate cauldron from The Ganachery in Disney Springs! This cauldron is filled with marshmallows and hot cocoa mix, topped with an edible image of the Sanderson Sisters and served with a chocolate broom stirrer. It’s only available this weekend, so grab yours through May 1, 2022.

Valentina Cake

A classic red velvet cake covered in light cookies and cream marshmallow buttercream. Find the Valentina Cake through May 1, 2022 at Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs.

Halfway to Halloween Trading Cards

Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs is getting into the spirit of the season this weekend. In addition to the spooky specialty treats, each four and six cookie box will feature one of sixteen exclusive trading cards for Halfway to Halloween through May 1, 2022. There’s even a bonus card featuring Barnabas Mephistophelittle for those waiting in line at Gideon’s Bakehouse.

Spooktacular New PhotoPass Offerings

New Disney PhotoPass Lens

Sunset Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a new Disney PhotoPass Lens that’s perfect for Halfway to Halloween! You’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time to that stormy night long ago when five people boarded an elevator that took them directly to the Twilight Zone. With purchase of Disney Genie+ services, this new Disney PhotoPass Lens can be found on the My Disney Experience app.

Haunted Mansion PhotoPass Update

While flash pictures aren’t allowed on this classic Magic Kingdom attraction, guests will find that an image from it will materialize on the My Disney Experience app after riding it. While this ride photo is nothing new, the update does take advantage of the dead space in the picture. Each Haunted Mansion photo will feature a grim grinning ghost, just in time for Halfway to Halloween.

We’re still a few months away from spooky season at the Most Magical Place on Earth, but knowing what Halloween excitement is in store is half of the fun! We hope you’ll take advantage of these Halfway to Halloween offerings if you find yourself in Orlando this weekend. Discuss it all with 150,000+ other Disney die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook.

The post How to Celebrate Halfway to Halloween at Walt Disney World 2022 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

A brief history of MyMagic+

In order to know the future, it is good to reflect on the past. There are many hurdles that this project faced in the beginning and new ones it continues to face today. How do you manage ‘inventory’ of FastPasses now that they will be reserved in advanced rather than only being available at the attraction itself the day of? The technology is all based on RFID, what is the back up plan when that system crashes? When MyMagic+ first rolled out, it was done in phases to select guest types. First, Disney Cast Members got to test it out. Eventually guests staying at select Walt Disney World hotels were able to join in, and soon all Disney owned and operated hotel guests. After about a year of testing it was rolled out to the masses. Anyone with a ticket can participate.

MyMagic+ serves many purposes. It is most well known for its ability to allow guests to reserve three FastPasses in advance of their visit. Guests staying at any Disney owned and operated hotel, as well the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin (a Starwood property) can reserve their FastPasses up to 60 days in advance. Anyone else with valid admission can reserve up to 30 days in advance, the exception being Annual Passholders and Cast Members, which can book up to 7 days in advance. This can be done online or through the MyDisneyExperience app.

The second most well known purpose is the MagicBand, which itself can serve three different purposes. First, it serves as a theme park ticket. Second, as your room key, allowing you to open your hotel room door with just a tap of your MagicBand as well as to charge purchases back to your room account with the simple touch of your MagicBand. Finally, the band acts are your PhotoPass card. This is way more convenient than having to collect PhotoPass cards. What’s more is on select attractions on-ride video is taken and linked to your account simply by you riding the attraction while wearing your MagicBand.

From the Walt Disney Company’s perspective, MyMagic+ aims to accomplish a number of goals. The most obvious of which is to increase guest satisfaction by allowing them to plan and customize their own vacation itinerary, essentially guaranteeing that they get to experience a majority of their “must-dos” and hopefully reduce attraction wait times across the board. This hopefully leads to guests having more time to stop into the shops or enjoy some food and beverage in between scheduled activities.

Upcoming changes to MyMagic+

MyMagic+ is not without its criticisms. One of the greatest of which is that once you’ve used the initial three FastPass+ selections that you can book in advance you must visit one of the MyMagic+ kiosks to select your next one, one at a time, for the same park only. A few days ago WDWMagic.com reported that starting in early April 2016 we should start to get the ability to book your next FastPass+ through the app rather than having to go to the kiosks. This should hopefully save guests some more time. Freeing them up even more for shopping, dining, and smaller, less busy attractions.

There is no word yet on when the anticipated phase of being able to book a FastPass+ at a different park than the one you’re in will become available. This desired phase is a bit more of any undertaking. Should guests that aren’t physically in the park be able to snag FastPass+ thus reducing availability for guests who are indeed in that park? Will it be necessary to have different availability based on whether or not the guest is actually in the park when reserving their FastPass+?

The other update that WDWMagic reported is the roll out of a feature being dubbed “StoryMaker.” This feature is the stuff of many rumors and much speculation since the advent of MyMagic+. You see, that handy dandy RFID technology isn’t just for ticket entry or entering hotel rooms. Imagine the surprise and delight of coming to the end of a ride and an interactive element such as a screen or audio animatronic acknowledges someone in your party by name or references your hometown. This next level personalized experienced has been discussed for years. Three years ago observant park goers started noticing screens and other elements being installed at various attractions in the belief that they would eventually interact with guests as part of StoryMaker.

As other priorities took rank, the roll out of StoryMaker was put aside. Critical corrections to how MyMagic+ works needed to happen. The StoryMaker program is rumored to include elements in ride queues, rides themselves, resorts, and more. One such possible in-ride element could be a record of your previous scores on rides like Toy Story Mania or Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

In fact, as of this week it has been reported on Twitter that “it’s a small world” now has a personalized greeting at the farewell scene! There is a screen that shows a farewell message and can include names of people in each ride vehicle based on who has a MagicBand.

I’m most excited about the possibility of meet and greet characters being able to have more personalized interactions with guests. I welcome the opportunity for the characters to know that I am from Orlando, that I am an annual passholder, or my birthdate. It might sound creepy to some, but Disney (any many other large companies) have been in the habit of harvesting data about their guests for years.

While we wait for these new changes to roll out in the coming weeks, it is important to note that just like the theme parks themselves, MyMagic+ is like a living, breathing thing. It will continue to evolve over the years. In the recent Disney shareholder meeting, CEO Bob Iger stated that as MyMagic+ evolves and is rolled out to other destinations, the MagicBand may no longer be the primary vehicle for delivering the experience. Perhaps each guest’s smartphone could do the trick? It would be nice to phase out the MagicBands considering they cannot be recycled. And although the marketing materials that are shipped to your home when book a vacation are impressive and exciting, I find the amount of material to be a bit wasteful as well. If you share this concern make sure any MagicBand you already have is linked to your MyDisney Experience app and you can reuse it on your future visits.

Just when you get used to a new feature or process, you can anticipate something new coming along. Additionally, something as intricate and personal as the StoryMaker initiative, will take time to fully roll out and will evolve as Disney learns what works and what doesn’t. Though it may feel like growing pains each time something new comes along, hopefully it will continue to improve the experience and make the planning and effort worth it – which is a other debate.

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