Living By Disney
Serena and her team are dishing out all the latest park news each week to get you ready and excited for your next theme park visit! You'll also find tons of reviews and insider tips to get the most out of your Orlando, Disney World, and Universal Studios vacations.
Living By Disney
Building the Dream: Disneyland Handcrafted + Leslie Iwerks Interview & Review
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Step back 70 years to the dusty orange groves of Anaheim, where Walt Disney turned an 'impossible' dream into The Happiest Place on Earth—in less than one year! In this special episode of the Living By Disney Podcast, we celebrate the upcoming premiere of Disneyland Handcrafted, the new feature documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Leslie Iwerks (The Imagineering Story, The Hand Behind the Mouse).
Directed by Leslie—granddaughter of Ub Iwerks (co-creator of Mickey Mouse) and daughter of Disney Legend Don Iwerks—this film uncovers rare, never-before-seen 16mm archival footage and audio from the Walt Disney Archives, revealing the extraordinary artistry, grit, and high-stakes pressure behind Disneyland's frantic construction from groundbreaking to Opening Day on July 17, 1955.
You'll hear exclusive audio from my interview with Leslie, where she shares personal family insights, surprising discoveries, and the emotional journey of bringing Walt's vision to life. Then, I share my honest pre-screening review: This is a must-watch for every Disney Parks fan! Packed with take-home lessons on audacity and tenacity, it shows how Walt pursued his crazy idea when bankers, critics, and even family doubted him—proving big dreams thrive on risk and resilience. The one-year miracle makes every visit to your happy place feel even more miraculous.
Don't miss Disneyland Handcrafted streaming January 22, 2026, on Disney+ and Disney YouTube. If the parks are your escape, this documentary will deepen your connection forever.