One Year to Magic: The Handcrafted Birth of Disneyland
- Chris and Will Press
- Jan 18
- 3 min read
Courtesy of: Disney+, The Walt Disney Company
Written By: Christopher L. Antie
A handcrafted journey into the making of The Happiest Place on Earth.
January 18, 2026 — Walt Disney Parks and Resorts have become a bucket‑list destination for millions around the world, and it all began with one timeless invitation: “To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land…” Walt Disney delivered his now‑iconic dedication speech on July 17, 1955, during the live televised opening of Disneyland—a moment that reshaped American entertainment and cultural history. At the time, Disneyland was an unprecedented experiment: a meticulously crafted, story‑driven environment built not for animation, but for real people to step inside. Walt envisioned a living, evolving place where nostalgia and innovation could coexist, inviting families to relive cherished memories while imagining a brighter future. Broadcasted nationwide, the dedication cemented Disneyland as a symbol of American optimism, creativity, and Walt’s lifelong commitment to storytelling and craftsmanship.
Disneyland Handcrafted, the newest documentary from Oscar‑ and Emmy‑nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, brings that origin story to life in a way audiences have never seen before. Will and I had the privilege of previewing the film weeks ahead of its January 22 premiere on Disney+, and it is nothing short of breathtaking. The documentary captures the urgency, ambition, and sheer audacity of building Disneyland in less than a year, using never‑before‑seen footage and audio that place viewers right in the middle of Walt’s race against time.
The film was officially unveiled during the “Creating The Happiest Place on Earth” panel at Destination D23, where fans were treated to an emotional look at 70 years of Disneyland history. Iwerks—whose family legacy includes Disney Legends Ub and Don Iwerks—continues her tradition of spotlighting the artistry and innovation behind Disney Parks, following her acclaimed 2019 series The Imagineering Story. For Disneyland Handcrafted, she combed through binders of archival reels stored deep within the Walt Disney Archives, discovering raw 16mm footage shot by cameramen Walt personally assigned to document the park’s construction. Many of these reels had never been scanned or viewed until now. Through a meticulous, groundbreaking restoration process, Iwerks and her team brought these forgotten images back to life in stunning clarity.
The result is an intimate, behind‑the‑scenes portrait of how Disneyland was built more than 70 years ago—capturing the craftsmanship, creativity, and determination that shaped Walt’s original park. The film blends ASMR‑style moments with historical footage to create a sensory, immersive experience that honors the foundational spirit of Disneyland. It also highlights how Walt’s revolutionary approach to storytelling continues to influence Disney Parks around the world, reminding viewers that every castle, attraction, and parade traces its roots back to those early days in Anaheim.
For anyone who has never experienced the magic of Disney Parks, this documentary is the perfect place to start. For Will and I, it hits even deeper. Disney culture is in our blood—we gave nearly 17 years of our lives to the company, working at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Each location carries pieces of history that still remain, and Disneyland Handcrafted beautifully validates why so many of us feel such a profound connection to these places. It is a lovingly assembled tribute to Walt Disney’s original dream, revealing the grit, imagination, and heart that built The Happiest Place on Earth. Nostalgic without being sentimental, informative without feeling academic, the film is ultimately a moving reminder of how one man’s vision sparked a global legacy.
Disneyland Handcrafted premieres on Disney+ on January 22.
Source: Christopher L. Antie and William Antie, of Chris and Will Press, are podcast journalists who cover a wide range of topics across multiple industries. To learn more about Chris and Will, tune in to their podcast What About Our Life? on iHeartRadio, and visit chrisandwill.com.