The storied history of the theme park industry has reentered the spotlight, as Disney releases an intimate look at its beginning.
Disneyland Handcrafted, a feature-length documentary helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, offers an exhaustive look at the frantic and ambitious year that transformed a dusty orange grove in Anaheim into the foundation of the modern theme park industry.
Premiering today (January 22 2026) across both Disney+ and Disney’s official YouTube channel, Iwerks’ spiritual film sequel to The Imagineering Story series serves as a technical and emotional deep dive into the construction of the park. Unlike traditional retrospective pieces, this documentary utilises rare archival footage and original audio recordings to transport viewers back to the high-stakes period between the initial groundbreaking and the historic opening day on 17 July 1955.
The project highlights the immense physical labour and creative grit required by hundreds of craftspeople to execute Walt Disney’s then-unprecedented vision. Industry professionals and enthusiasts alike will find value in the film’s focus on the artistry of the original Imagineers, many of whom were inventing the tools of the trade as they went. By leveraging newly unearthed 16mm film reels from the Walt Disney Archives, Iwerks provides what is described as an “unpolished, fly-on-the-wall” perspective of the site.
This raw approach allows the story to be told through the firsthand accounts of the builders and artists who navigated the “impossible” deadlines of the mid-1950s. The release comes at a significant milestone for the park, which opened its gates over 70 years ago and sparked a global expansion of themed entertainment that continues to see record-breaking investment today.
By documenting the fundamental techniques of early park-building, Disneyland Handcrafted preserves the legacy of the workers who established the standards for an entire industry. It promises to be a definitive resource for those looking to understand the intersection of manual craftsmanship and the birth of the modern destination resort.
Watch now
Can’t wait to watch Disneyland Handcrafted? Click play below to watch straightaway.
