Disneyland Handcrafted

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2:26

Disneyland Handcrafted

2026

1h 19m

Documentary

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7 Reviews

99%

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50+ Ratings

Disneyland Handcrafted reveals the extraordinary artistry and grit it took hundreds of craftspeople to bring Walt Disney's impossible dream project of Disneyland to fruition -- from groundbreaking to Opening Day on July 17, 1955. The documentary captures both the legacy and nostalgia of the year leading up to the creation of the Disneyland Resort. Through newly unearthed materials from the Walt Disney Archives, Iwerks and her team uncovered long-forgotten 16mm film reels and audio recordings. The result is an unpolished, fly-on-the-wall perspective that captures what was truly happening behind the scenes, told through the firsthand accounts of the artists, craftsmen, and Imagineers who were there.

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Sheri Linden

New York Times

2d

Disneyland Handcrafted is instead an immersive bit of time travel, spun out of 16-millimeter footage from the months leading up to the park's opening day.

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

5h

A-

For Disneyana types, the movie is an engrossing opportunity to enjoy a nearly 3D-like viewing experience of pure labor. For the rest, Iwerks makes sure to celebrate the creative and physical drive of a massive undertaking, making for a riveting sit.

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Eric Goldman

Eric Goldman's Cultured Pop (Substack)

7h

I go to Disneyland frequently, but Disneyland Handcrafted instantly had me thinking about the park in a brand new way, with a newfound respect for the countless people it took to make Walt Disney's dream a reality.

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Allison Rose

FlickDirect

15h

4.5/5

An intimate and lovingly assembled documentary that brings Walt Disney's original dream to life.

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Bill Brioux

Brioux.tv

2d

We’ve seen glimpses of this footage before, on Disney shows and Iwerks’ earlier docs, but never to this extent.

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Jennifer Green

Common Sense Media

2d

3/5

This calmly paced, behind-the-scenes documentary will engage older audiences and Disneyland fans (of which there are, of course, many).

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Shalev K

@rosebuddy 9h

Its power lies in its restraint. The restored footage and narration presents a remarkably clear, unvarnished portrait of the labor behind an American institution. Seeing something this raw from a company renowned for its polish is genuinely surprising—and refreshing.

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Michael B

@michaelbu_ 1d

This film captures the quiet dignity of the hundreds of dedicated folks who brought Walt's greatest dream to life. I was deeply touched by the story told on film by letting this found footage speak for itself and evoke just as much emotion as watching the Opening Day Report at Disneyland itself.

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Laura P

@LauraP54 1d

Disneyland Handcrafted is an inspiring story about how determination, hope, and an incredible team can make anything possible (plus a little Disney magic of course). Loved every second of it!

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Joe P

@Jperz 3d

Disneyland Handcrafted is a beautiful tribute to Walt’s vision. The documentary celebrates his relentless drive to bring Disneyland to life while capturing the deep nostalgia so many of us feel for the park. The imagery is stunning, immersive and truly a joy to watch. From the early days when former orange groves were transformed into something entirely new to the "archaeological" details still visible in the park today, the film highlights how every element was intentionally imagined and crafted. Disneyland Handcrafted will fill your heart with joy, spark your imagination, and remind you why Walt’s dream continues to resonate today.

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kandis K.

@wareagle73 3d

I had no idea it was completed in just 1 year! And that’s just the start of what I learned from this documentary - what a feat building Disneyland! The craftsman and builders are nostalgic heros - definitely worth the watch…

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Alex S.

@alexshepler 3d

A beautifully crafted film. Leslie and the whole Disneyland team did such an incredible job showcasing this story of resilience and determination! A must watch for any Disney fan.

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Leslie Iwerks

Director

Disneyland Handcrafted: Trailer

2:26

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Synopsis

Disneyland Handcrafted reveals the extraordinary artistry and grit it took hundreds of craftspeople to bring Walt Disney's impossible dream project of Disneyland to fruition -- from groundbreaking to Opening Day on July 17, 1955. The documentary captures both the legacy and nostalgia of the year leading up to the creation of the Disneyland Resort. Through newly unearthed materials from the Walt Disney Archives, Iwerks and her team uncovered long-forgotten 16mm film reels and audio recordings. The result is an unpolished, fly-on-the-wall perspective that captures what was truly happening behind the scenes, told through the firsthand accounts of the artists, craftsmen, and Imagineers who were there.

Director: Leslie Iwerks
Distributor: Disney+
Production Co: Leslie Iwerks Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 22, 2026
Runtime: 1h 19m

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