Disney Ambassadors & Imagineers Review ‘Disneyland Handcrafted’

Imagineers and Ambassadors Share Their Review of ‘Disneyland Handcrafted’

The new documentary, Disneyland Handcrafted, uses rare archival footage to transport viewers back to the high-stakes weeks leading up to Disneyland’s 1955 debut. It captures the raw energy, impossible deadlines, and manual labor required to build a dream from the ground up. Disney has shared the reactions of Leslie, the cast, and a group of Imagineers after a special advanced screening of the documentary.

The Stars Arrive at Disney Springs

On Tuesday, a red carpet sprouted between theaters two and three, inviting a crowd of cast members and media, all buzzing to view Disneyland Handcrafted for the first time. Tuesday afternoon movie-goers shuffled by curiously and asked more than a few times about what was happening in the typically quiet hallway. Old friends were greeted, laughs shared, stories swapped, and popcorn grabbed at the door. 

Creators and Imagineers alike posed for photos against a Disneyland Handcrafted backdrop, Leslie Iwerks may have pulled out the disembodied hand of Abraham Lincoln at some point, and Disney’s team was ready to capture the excitement before and after the show. 

Fresh off the heels of a star-studded Burbank premiere of Disneyland Handcrafted last week the excitement continued at Walt Disney World. This special screening focused on sharing Walt’s vision with cast members, famous for enhancing the guest experience every day. Former and current representatives of the Disney Ambassadors, Imagineers, cast members, Leslie, and even a couple original 1955 Disneyland cast members, Tom Nabbe and Bill Hoelscher.

Imagineers and Anticipation Before the Premiere

So what else can be said about the grand opening of Disneyland? What haven’t we seen in the past 70 years? Those are the questions that Imagineer, Diego Parras, was looking forward to finding out ahead of watching the film.

Diego previously worked with Leslie Iwerks on The Imagineering Story, a six-part docuseries that takes the viewer behind the curtains of Walt Disney Imagineering and the creation of Disney theme parks and attractions around the world.

“Leslie is a master storyteller,” said Diego. “I can’t wait to see how she visually put together all these incredible stories that we’ve heard for years from our Disney legends.”

He’s not the only Imagineer thrilled to see specific moments come to life. Imagineer Ash Brannon shared that he’s ready to see the birth of his favorite attraction. You might know which one that is based on this infamous quote: “And if you look to your left, you’ll see the backside of water.”

If you guessed The Jungle Cruise, you’re correct. This beloved attraction is a favorite for many like Ash due to the comedic moments and unique atmosphere – and it’s one of many milestones that was accomplished within 12 months.

A Standing Ovation

As the film concluded and the lights slowly turned on, a crowd rose with cheers and happy tears as they began to applaud Leslie’s film. Leslie is the granddaughter of Ub Iwerks, Disney Legend and co-creator of Mickey Mouse, and daughter of Disney Legend, Don Iwerks. Following in the creative family footsteps, Leslie is an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated documentary director and producer.

The crowd was eager to hear from Leslie and Michael Hundgen, Portfolio Executive Creative Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering during a Q&A session in the theater.

Disney Ambassadors React to Disneyland Handcrafted

Leslie was excited to see the cast be so moved by the film, “The fact that it just took such hard work on Walt’s behalf to risk everything and for everybody to mobilize around his singular vision to pull off the impossible. Everyone continues that DNA; they continue everything that he put in place on that dirt plot. And [cast members] continue the magic every day.”

The very first Walt Disney World Ambassador, Debby Dane Browne came out of the theater with big feels about how the film captured the creation of Disneyland, “I was brought to tears about five times, it was so sweet! I hadn’t seen most of that footage.”

Debby said the film reminded her of when she was hired as a Walt Disney World cast member in 1969 (before becoming the first Ambassador in 1970). As part of the Walt Disney World Preview Center, she was there for the very beginnings of Magic Kingdom, “It was just mud and big equipment … seeing Walt Disney World from scratch and then seeing [Disneyland Handcrafted]; it really got me so emotional.”

Michael Collier, former 2006 Walt Disney World Ambassador, told how he enjoyed the niche moments and surprises for even the most seasoned cast members, “As an Ambassador, we get the chance to hear lots of Disneyland stories. Those that cast members have heard, or Disney fans have heard. But this took us to some of the backstories of the backstories.”

Shannon Smith-Conrad, former 2024-2025 Walt Disney World Ambassador said she got chills as she chatted about the film, “If you’re looking for a dose of motivation and inspiration to chase after your dreams, you have to watch Disneyland Handcrafted.”

We spotted Kylee Withers and Phelicia Blake near the red carpet — who currently represent Walt Disney World cast members as part of the Ambassador team. Like the Ambassadors that came before them, Kylee and Phelicia shared the same emotion (and admittedly, a few tears).

Phelicia reflected on the legacy of Disneyland, “Just to see where we all started, to where we are now. It was amazing to see. There were times where I was trying not to cry, honestly, because it was so honest and vulnerable.” And Kylee connected with the cast members on screen, “I love the title, ‘Disneyland Handcrafted,’ because this film really is a testament to how much Disneyland truly was a labor of love, and I think seeing this footage for the first time, you realize it’s handmade. Every single thing was a person that believed in what Walt Disney believed in to make that dream a reality.”

Grab your friends and gather around the TV on January 22 to tune into this emotional look at the year-long creation of Disneyland in this uplifting tale that shows any dream is possible with a little magic and determination.