Cinematic Celebrations: Stepping Back in Time with ‘Disneyland Handcrafted’

Authentic, unscripted, and brimming with nostalgia, your personal Disney Parks time machine is nearly here and ready to take you back to the earliest days of Disneyland.

Releasing January 22 on Disney+ and Disney YouTube, Disneyland Handcrafted provides an intimate, first-hand look at the trials and tribulations behind the rapid construction of Disneyland leading up to its opening day in July 1955. With two weeks to go before the digital launch of this highly anticipated documentary, we’re giving you a front-row seat to the excitement with an inside look at the premiere event for the film on The Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California.

Tonight, join Peyton and Maura from the Disney Parks Blog team as we take you inside the premiere of Disneyland Handcrafted, the latest Disney-focused documentary film from Leslie Iwerks.

Since opening day, Disneyland has been a place where people from around the world can come together to cherish lasting moments with family and friends and create new memories with your closest loved ones. Events like this not only honor this existing feeling and the enduring history of Disney Parks, but also bring fans from around the globe together to reflect on how this entire journey really began.

Upon arrival at the Disneyland Handcrafted premiere event, we were met by friendly cast members and a pure excitement in the air for the release of the new documentary. We were excited to see a key part of Disney history come to life with an array of special guests, exciting surprises, and unique opportunities for all in attendance.

Once we arrived at the blue carpet, we saw an array of notable celebrities with impactful Disney history, all ready for a big night ahead. Among several stars walking the carpet were Disney Legends Josh Gad, Bob Gurr, and Martha Blanding, while other talented Disney actors such as Chandler Kinney and Laura Marano were excited for the upcoming exclusive screening inside the Main Theater. 

In the nostalgic and reflective spirit of the film, many guests looked back fondly on their childhoods and shared their earliest memories of Disneyland with us. It was so special hearing about everyone’s most formative and memorable experiences since truly every person who walks through the front gates is forever changed. 

Stage and screen star Susan Egan (who is also the godmother of Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship the Disney Destiny) grew up just 15 minutes from the Disneyland Resort, and eagerly awaited the one day a year her mother would surprise her family with an unexpected trip to the park, even recalling the opening of iconic attraction Space Mountain. Ashley Eckstein, voice of Ahsoka Tano and founder of fan-favorite brand Her Universe was a Walt Disney World local as a child, but her 21^st birthday wish was to make the journey to Disneyland for what she remembers being “the most magical day.”

These stories, in addition to our own, are proof that the wonder and joy of Disneyland is truly timeless, leaving a lasting impact on guests of all ages who come to this happy place.

We, of course, had to chat with some of the friendly faces on the blue carpet about their personal connections to Disney Eats, knowing that everyone who visits The Happiest Place on Earth usually leaves with a new beloved snack.

When asked what Disneyland treat he thinks has stood the test of time, former NBA player (and self-proclaimed Disney super-fan) Robin Lopez shared that his favorite remains the classic Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream sandwiches. Susan Egan echoed his sentiments, so you heard it here first – Mickey-shaped ice cream sandwiches are going to be the big hit of 2026!

As we wandered Dopey Drive as guests started to prepare for the opening screenings of the documentary, we first passed by several Disneyland Handcrafted posters on display, dressing up the studio lot in its Disneyland best for the occasion. Once we reached the front of the Main Theater, we were impressed to find a massive banner for the film on display in front of the venue, welcoming eager guests and creating further energy and anticipation for the show to finally begin.

Once we entered the lobby of the theater, we spotted several historical artifacts and early assets of Disneyland to celebrate the release of the film. Among the two display cases in the lobby, we spotted a souvenir book from 1955, a Disneyland ticket book concept art from 1955, and a Disneyland Tine Ferris Wheel Toy from 1952 among others. Check out some of the additional artifacts above!

Leslie kicked off the screening with a Q&A led by Juju Green (aka Straw Hat Goofy), where she shared that this film is going to show fans something they have never seen before, even if they have been to the park a million times. Audience members got a sneak peek into the filmmaking process, which Leslie said felt like an “archaeological dig” to uncover and organize material, even sharing that a whole soundtrack of sound effects had to be established since the original clips are silent.

One of the standout parts of Leslie and Juju’s conversation was when he asked her what she hopes viewers take away from the documentary, knowing how emotional he felt when watching. Leslie shared “I personally felt a whole new renowned appreciation for what Walt’s vision was, what he wanted, to all the adversity that he went through… To think that this was just a dirt lot, and then now there’s 12 theme parks around the world, and this was the blueprint, this was the DNA, for all those places.”

One of her closing thoughts about happiness being created every single minute at Disney destinations across the globe was a beautiful reminder of why we became cast members and why this work means something. None of it would have been possible without Walt’s extraordinary vision, which clearly serves as her guiding light even still today.

The hype was starting to rise, and it was nearly time to start the show. Popcorn was served in custom Disneyland popcorn buckets to guests inside the theater, and once the guests were all in their seats and the aroma of fresh Disney popcorn filled the air, the lights were dimmed and the curtain began to rise on this special journey back to the early days of Disneyland.

After the film concluded, we had the incredible opportunity to step back in time by visiting Walt Disney’s office on the Burbank Studio Lot. The space has been impeccably preserved, feeling like a time capsule containing furniture, trinkets, awards, and photos that showcase Walt’s contributions to the entertainment industry and give fans a glimpse into how he worked.

This experience is usually reserved for D23 Members, so it was an honor to get a tour thanks to our friends at The Walt Disney Archives.

Once all the invited guests had watched the new film, we joined them in a comfortable reception held on the studio lot along Dopey Drive full of delightful drinks and sensational snacks in honor of this exclusive premiere event.

Artist and voice of Mickey Mouse Bret Iwan (who we recently interviewed about his new merchandise collection at Disney Parks) described the documentary as “unbelievable” after exiting the theater. He went on to praise Leslie for doing such an amazing job compiling footage of a story that Disney fans know and love so deeply. “I always say my Disney fandom originates with Walt and what he was capable of creating. And Disneyland was almost the pinnacle of his creation. So, to see all that unearthed footage that you haven’t seen before was incredible.”

The journey that the film takes viewers on is nothing short of thrilling, and audiences were invested in every moment of the tumultuous ride. “I almost felt like I was living vicariously through the footage and feeling the sense of pride as it was getting created, and then the pressure,” Bret continued. “But it also the relief and joy that they must have experienced on opening day.”

At the end of the night, guests received Disneyland Handcrafted tote bags, full-size film posters, and mystery pin sets featuring well-known Disney characters from over the years (we secured Merlin and Mad Hatter pins!). With a brand-new, limited set of Disneyland Handcrafted amenities in tow, we were ready to explore the premiere and discover what the rest of the evening had in store.

With a complimentary drink station and an assortment of appetizers including crispy vegetable potstickers and cheeseburger sliders, we found ourselves in a pleasant space in the open-air studio setting. With Mickey Mouse appearing for photos and a DJ playing throughout the event, smiles were aplenty after this initial showing of the new documentary, with tons of chatter about the Disneyland of yesteryear and how many memories have been created along the way over the past 70 years.

The top highlight of the reception for us? It was certainly an easy choice, as select Disneyland churro, popcorn, and Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzel stations were set up throughout the area, hitting us right in our foodie feels and taking us back to the place that many of us have called a home away from home for so years. Check out the photos above to see some of our classic foodie hits, and be sure to look at our best bites and sweetest snacks available across the parks right now on the Disney Parks Blog!

As we left the post-film reception and started to wrap up at the event, we were able to reflect on an eventful night full of notable moments to celebrate this huge accomplishment.

During the creation of the film, Leslie searched through nearly 50 hours of raw material showcasing Disneyland in its earliest days, displaying a committed effort that required immense dedication and around-the-clock focus. This type of consistent passion is apparent throughout the film, providing an unpolished, fly-on-the-wall perspective for viewers to hear and see what was actually happening during construction of The Happiest Place on Earth. Guests leaving the theaters were thrilled with this entire cinematic experience, and it was impressive to see just how many guests were full of energy and excitement once the credits rolled and the reception kicked off.

With a bag of amenities, some memorable stops along the way, and plenty of treats at the end of the night, the evening was full of nonstop highlights to celebrate the upcoming launch of Disneyland Handcrafted. Restoring beautiful, once-forgotten shots of the early days of Disneyland, this film is truly a gem for longtime Disney fans, and it was an honor for us to be a very small part of an incredible event leading up to this exciting debut.

January 22 will be a huge day for so many longtime Disney Parks lovers looking to learn more about the foundational roots that went on to inspire a shining blueprint for happiness around the world.

When the documentary film debuts on Disney+ and Disney YouTube, you’ll have a chance to experience the labor and love that built one man’s impossible dream. Told through rare archival footage and insightful soundbites, the documentary showcases the ultimate story of risk and captures the ongoing hustle and bustle of Disneyland as it was being built more than 70 years ago.

To watch Disneyland Handcrafted, be sure to log into your existing Disney+ account or subscribe to @Disney on YouTube when it launches on the 22nd.

Stay-in-the-know with all things related to Disneyland Handcrafted by continuing to follow along on the Disney Parks Blog and get ready to set your countdown clock for the worldwide debut of this exciting moment in Disney history.