Disney is taking fans behind the scenes of how its biggest stories become real-world destinations in Disney Worldbuilders, a new feature documentary coming to Disney+ this August.
Directed by Academy Award- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, the documentary explores how Disney transforms stories from animation and film into lands, attractions, and immersive experiences guests can physically step inside.
The film brings together filmmakers, Imagineers, and leaders from across The Walt Disney Company to discuss the ideas, inspirations, and personal experiences that shaped their creative careers. Fans can also expect behind-the-scenes looks at films, characters, attractions, and themed lands, along with rare glimpses of new Disney experiences currently in development.
Featured storytellers include Bob Iger, Josh D’Amaro, Jennifer Lee, Dave Filoni, James Cameron, Jared Bush, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, and Pete Docter.
That lineup alone makes this one worth watching. It is not often that fans get to hear so many major voices from Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and the parks discussing the same creative process in one place.
D23 Guests Will See It First
Disney will debut the documentary during a special presentation at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on August 16, 2026.
The panel will feature conversations with Disney storytellers about worldbuilding and the creative process, followed by the first screening of the film ahead of its Disney+ release later in August.
Why We’re Excited
Disney documentaries are usually at their best when they pull back the curtain and let the creators explain how an idea evolved from a sketch or story concept into something guests can actually experience.
With new projects inspired by Star Wars, Marvel, Zootopia, Avatar, and other major Disney worlds continuing to take shape, this documentary should offer an interesting look at how those environments are built from the ground up.
We are especially curious about the promised footage of upcoming lands and experiences. Even a few quick glimpses could give Disney fans plenty to examine before the company’s next round of major announcements.
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.