Disneyland Handcrafted

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2:26

Disneyland Handcrafted

2026

1h 19m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

100%

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13 Reviews

98%

Popcornmeter

100+ 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

Jan 27

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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Laura Kay

Nerdspin

2d

A

Disney Handcrafted will open your eyes to the tiny details that make us love an immersive experience and how one man’s dream came to life with the help of many talented individuals.

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Feb 12

A must watch for any Disneyland fan

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Phil Walsh

Geek Vibes Nation

Feb 10

9/10

Disneyland Handcrafted is more than a story about the park or Walt Disney's creative genius. The film is a piece of living history and speaks with gusto about the need for film preservation.

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Lucy Buglass

TechRadar

Feb 6

4/5

Disneyland Handcrafted provides a captivating, often shocking look at the people who turned a big dream into an even bigger reality.

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Michael Walsh

Nerdist

Feb 3

4/5

It’s not the worst thing when a fun, engaging documentary makes you want to learn more about its subject.

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David A

@davidaughin 2d

I give Disneyland Handcrafted a full five stars for its stunning restoration of Disneyland’s early color footage and its powerful firsthand accounts from the visionaries who brought the park to life. This documentary doesn’t just show the magic, it lives it, offering a close up, unfiltered glimpse into the relentless struggles Walt Disney and his team faced during the park’s creation. From financial crises to time critical decisions, the film illuminates the immense challenges that turned an ambitious dream into reality. If you love stories of perseverance, triumph over adversity, and the kind of optimism that changes the world, this is a must-watch. Disneyland Handcrafted isn’t just a look back, it’s a celebration of the grit, passion, and sheer willpower that made Disneyland legendary.

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Corey H

@4TCCMo Feb 6

I consider Disneyland to be very dear to me. Seeing this footage in a raw format was refreshing. It doesn't claim that Disneyland was perfect, but that the ideals in place were ones that could amount to something great, which I believe it is today. Well done!

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Kim H

@KimH77 Feb 4

Such a compelling story about the creation of Disneyland with a special treat of never before seen footage and commentary from the people who were there. A truly inspiring story about believing in something so much you are willing to risk everything.

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Erin W

@ErinW123 Feb 4

A beautiful peek behind the curtain at what it took to build one of the most iconic places in the world. I loved hearing from the Imagineers and seeing footage of the hundreds of craftsman who worked alongside Walt Disney to bring his dream to life.

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Rodney B

@Rjayded Feb 3

Wow. This Documentary was truly a work of ART! The magic the whimsy it has everything. This will forever be a favorite for Disney fans and All people alike.

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Rena L

@RCLang Jan 31

Disneyland is such a perfect place, and to see the footage of it being built is inspirational. The movie is a quite a ride and reveals visionary master planning combined with ongoing creativity, determination and a collective "get er done" spirit. I watched it with my kids, and it sparked so much interesting conversation. Watch it!

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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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