Walt Disney and the Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California are extremely well documented. The black and white shot of Walt’s dedication is one of history’s most iconic clips. So why, in 2026, is a new view of a 70 year old park debuting and what does it add? Director Leslie Iwerks and team have done the impossible, providing entirely new video and quotes about a park you assumed you knew everything about. “Disneyland Handcrafted” somehow makes Disneyland Park ever more magical.
The success of Walt Disney is well known, but it takes a bit of a history lesson to learn about his extreme failures. He was far from an overnight success story and in fact knew more about bankruptcy and failure than most. Disneyland Park, his eventual masterpiece, began as a wild, expensive and seemingly impossible feat. Where this “Disneyland Handcrafted” documentary shines is not just highlighting Walt’s ambition, but by focusing on the unknown men and women who helped create the worldwide phenomenon it is today.
“Disneyland Handcrafted” isn’t afraid to show the good or the bad that went into this project. Shot-after-shot of never before seen footage lets the viewer see a Disneyland that was hand built with love (and a bit of workplace danger). It is clear that OSHA did not exist during the creation of this park. But the footage also highlights the dedication and hard work that have allowed it to stand for over 70 years.
Disneyland Handcrafted | How to view for free
The story of Disneyland isn’t being hidden behind a paywall. Instead, this documentary will be 100% free to view in its entirety. Starting January 22, 2026, “Disneyland Handcrafted” can be viewed on Disney+ or on the Disney YouTube channel. For a lucky few, there will also be a screening at the AMC Burbank Town Center 8 theater on January 15.
The footage and quotes you will enjoy during the film are many decades old, but Iwerks & Co. went through the difficult process of restoring and recoloring the footage. Vibrant shots show an Anaheim before tourism, a Disneyland before guests and a theme park project before anyone truly believed in it – except Walt of course.
Why you need to watch this documentary
True Disney fans have read the books, shared the “top tricks” social media posts and watched the history of Disneyland and Disney Parks around the world. One of the first big-hits for Disney+ was “The Imagineering Story,” also by Leslie Iwerks. It gave a heartfelt and emotional look into the world’s most recognized theme park operation, offering up stories and insider info about the attractions and operations. For many, myself included, a sequel was greatly desired.
While “Disneyland Handcrafted” is not a direct sequel, it too provides a unique glimpse into these parks, this time focusing on the ambition of one man and those who worked tirelessly to make his dream a reality. But it also shows Americana, providing a look at the “average man” in California during the golden age of the state. This documentary has classic cars, the vintage attire and timely music to match. It shows an ambitious America, where nothing could stop a dreamer from building a lasting legacy. As we head into the United States 250th, “Disneyland Handcrafted” feels as Disney as it feels American. It gives you a sense of pride as you watch a place, born of imagination and happiness, rise from the dirt of a country just a decade prior had feared nationwide demise.
There is no doubt that The Walt Disney Company was born of the American Spirit. Walt Disney himself regularly spoke of his national pride and his desire to showcase America’s great feats. His love of the frontier, the future of tomorrow, the ambition of family, all were wrapped up into a park that to this day is still considered the best of the best. “Disneyland Handcrafted” gives you an entirely new look at a 70 year miracle in the making, The Happiest Place on Earth.
