What Disney Legends, Ambassadors, and Imagineers Are Saying About Disneyland Handcrafted
There is already a lot of hype around Disney’s newest documentary.
Just yesterday, a special advance screening of Disneyland Handcrafted took place at AMC DINE-IN Disney Springs 24, bringing together Disney Legends, Imagineers, cast members, and media for an emotional first look at the new documentary.
Disneyland Handcrafted
Directed by Leslie Iwerks, Disneyland Handcrafted uses rare archival footage to explore the intense year leading up to Disneyland’s opening in 1955.
The screening followed a recent Burbank premiere and focused on sharing Walt Disney’s vision with cast members who continue that legacy today.
What else can be said about the grand opening of Disneyland? What haven’t we seen yet? Those are the questions that Imagineer Diego Parras was looking forward to answering.
Diego previously worked with Leslie Iwerks on The Imagineering Story. The six-part docuseries takes viewers behind the scenes at Walt Disney Imagineering and the creation of Disney theme parks and attractions.
Parras summed up the anticipation and excitement, saying, “Leslie is a master storyteller. 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.”
Emotional Reactions
As the lights came up, the theater responded with a standing ovation.
Photo: DisneyParksBlog
During the post-screening discussion, Leslie reflected on the emotional response from cast members, saying, “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.”
Disney
Leslie is the granddaughter of Ub Iwerks, Disney Legend and co-creator of Mickey Mouse, and the daughter of Disney Legend, Don Iwerks. She is also an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated documentary director and producer.
After the premiere, the crowd was eager to hear from Leslie and Michael Hundgen, Portfolio Executive Creative Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, with a Q&A session.
More Insight
Former Walt Disney World Ambassador Debby Dane Browne shared, “I was brought to tears about five times, it was so sweet! I hadn’t seen most of that footage.” She added, “It was just mud and big equipment … seeing Walt Disney World from scratch and then seeing [Disneyland Handcrafted]; it really got me so emotional.”
Other Ambassadors had similar reactions. Michael Collier noted, “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, “If you’re looking for a dose of motivation and inspiration to chase after your dreams, you have to watch Disneyland Handcrafted.”
Photo: Disney
The curent ambassador team also had great reactions! Phelicia Blake shared, “There were times where I was trying not to cry, honestly, because it was so honest and vulnerable.”
Kylee Withers added, “I love the title, ‘Disneyland Handcrafted,’ because this film really is a testament to how much Disneyland truly was a labor of love.”
Stay Tuned!
D23
We can’t wait to check out Disneyland Handcrafted. The documentary premieres January 22 on Disney+ and Disney YouTube.
Stay tuned, and be sure to follow along with us at MickeyBlog to stay updated on this and all things Disney.
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Article Source/Feature Photos: Disney
