Disneyland Handcrafted Review: Disney+ Unveils the Ultimate 1955 Time Machine

Release Date: January 22, 2026

Where to Watch: Disney+ and Disney YouTube

Director: Leslie Iwerks (The Imagineering Story, The Pixar Story)

For decades, the story of Disneyland’s construction has been told through glossy brochures and rehearsed anecdotes. Disneyland Handcrafted, the latest feature documentary from Academy Award-nominated director Leslie Iwerks, finally peels back the curtain to reveal the raw, gritty, and miraculous truth of how “The Happiest Place on Earth” was built in just 365 days.

The documentary focuses on the frantic year leading up to July 17, 1955. Using over 50 hours of unearthed 16mm archival footage and silent outtakes, Iwerks reconstructs the timeline of Walt’s “impossible dream.”

Unlike traditional documentaries, Disneyland Handcrafted ditches modern-day “talking heads.” Instead, it uses original audio recordings from the laborers, artists, and Imagineers who were actually on the ground. You aren’t just watching a history lesson; you are standing in the mud of Anaheim as the Mark Twain Riverboat is bolted together.

Why ‘Disneyland Handcrafted’ is a Must-Watch

1. Cinematic Restoration by ILM and Skywalker Sound

One of the most impressive technical feats is the restoration. Much of the original footage was silent and in varying states of decay. Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) upscaled the film to a stunning 2K resolution, while Skywalker Sound provided a meticulous “Foley” soundscape. The result is an ASMR-like experience where you can hear the scrape of a shovel and the hiss of a welder’s torch from 70 years ago.

2. A “Fly-on-the-Wall” Perspective

The film is refreshingly unpolished. It captures the unvarnished reality of 1950s construction:

• Workers navigating beams without safety harnesses.
• The “great big panic” as opening day approached with only 10% of plans finalized.
• Walt Disney himself surveying the site, often looking vulnerable yet relentlessly driven.

3. Focus on the Artisans

While Walt is the visionary, the film’s heart belongs to the hand-painters, carvers, and welders. It highlights the “Handcrafted” nature of the park—reminding us that before it was a global empire, it was a project built by human hands and sheer ingenuity.

Final Verdict: 9.5/10

Disneyland Handcrafted is the definitive “origin story” the fans have been waiting for. It is an emotional, visceral, and highly technical achievement that honors the DNA of the Disney Parks. Whether you are a “Disney Nerd” or a lover of mid-century Americana, this film is a cinematic triumph.

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