At Destination D23, Disney fans were treated to an emotional panel titled Creating The Happiest Place on Earth—and the biggest surprise was the trailer reveal for Disneyland Handcrafted, a brand-new documentary coming this winter to Disney+ and Disney YouTube.
Leslie Iwerks Returns with a New Disney Story
The film comes from Oscar- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, whose Disney roots run deep. Iwerks, who produced The Imagineering Story in 2019, follows in the footsteps of her grandfather Ub Iwerks (co-creator of Mickey Mouse) and her father Don Iwerks, both Disney Legends. Now, she continues that legacy with a project focused on how Disneyland was built from the ground up.
Rare Footage and Untold Stories
Disneyland Handcrafted takes viewers behind the orange groves of Anaheim more than 70 years ago, showing the incredible detail and care that went into building Walt’s original park. What makes this film unique is its exclusive use of rarely seen archival footage—some reels never scanned or shown publicly until now.
Walt Disney’s early embrace of television meant construction was heavily documented, and Iwerks and her team meticulously restored those reels, presenting a crisp, high-resolution look at the birth of Disneyland. Expect ASMR-style sequences, intimate moments with craftsmen, and a peek at the Imagineers who made Walt’s dream possible under tough conditions.
A Tribute to Disneyland’s Legacy
More than just a history lesson, the film celebrates how Disneyland’s DNA lives on in every castle park around the world. From the familiar feeling of walking down Main Street, U.S.A., to the shimmer of castle spires in the sun, the documentary connects today’s Disney experiences back to the vision that began in 1955.
As Disney continues its largest expansion era since the park’s opening, Disneyland Handcrafted serves as a reminder of the innovation and passion that started it all.
Watch the Trailer Now
The official trailer for Disneyland Handcrafted is available now on the Disney YouTube channel, with the full documentary arriving this winter on both Disney+ and YouTube.
Fans can expect a heartfelt look at Walt’s original dream, rarely seen archival treasures, and a powerful tribute to the people who handcrafted The Happiest Place on Earth.
Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.