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In 2026, theme parks are a massive part of society. There are attractions all over the globe, competing to build the biggest and best rides to entertain thrill-seekers. They’ve become so successful that even Disney’s newest CEO comes from a park background, solidifying their importance in modern culture.
But back in 1955, the idea of a large-scale theme park like Disneyland in Anaheim, California, was seen as ridiculous, impossible, even. Such a feat had never been attempted before, and many people thought Walt Disney’s dream was simply that, and could never be realized.
Disneyland Handcrafted is a love letter to Walt Disney’s ambition and to the way he embraced television to spread the word about his theme park. He gave progress reports and marketed its development in a way that was groundbreaking back then, leveraging new technologies and ideas.
So many people worked hard to build Disneyland, from its attractions to Sleeping Beauty’s castle, a huge structure that I’m constantly in awe of even now. Immersion was everything to make Disneyland a success; without an effective theme, it would’ve all fallen apart.
But Walt’s team of designers, builders, and more were able to bring it all together, including the first iteration of Main Street, an iconic Disney-themed land, which resembles American small towns during the early 20th century.
Even though it’s all laid out in front of us, it still seems unbelievable that they were even able to pull all this off. It’s an incredibly hopeful documentary that proves how far determination and hard work can take you, even if people around you doubt you can do it.
Disneyland Handcrafted is sure to give you a new appreciation for theme parks, even beyond the Disney umbrella. So much work goes into funding, design, marketing, and building attractions.
Disneyland’s opening was not perfect, as they ran into issues such as a plumber’s strike, which forced a choice between working water fountains and toilets, leaving guests without drinking water. But the fact that it even existed back then is monumental, and improvements were made based on the all-important first visit. Over time, it’s gotten even better, blossoming into the park we know and love today.
There are a few small issues with Disneyland Handcrafted. It doesn’t provide a complete timeline or a deep dive into certain areas, as its short runtime limits it. However, there is enough to keep you engaged and plenty of new things to uncover, which may encourage you to go off and read more about it.
Walt himself doesn’t appear much either, beyond important television broadcasts, which could disappoint some fans. But personally, I did enjoy the fact that it focused on all the people who worked hard on the Anaheim site every day, lifting heavy equipment and following blueprints that probably felt overwhelming at first. Together as a community, they really did build something beautiful.
Disney+ is home to plenty of great behind-the-scenes looks at the parks. We Call It Imagineering focuses on how Disney Parks are designed and built in the modern day, taking you behind the scenes of the biggest attractions and new ideas.
There’s plenty to explore, and as a huge fan of Disney movies and parks, it’s incredible getting to see the process and how it’s changed over time. Disneyland Handcrafted is a must-watch for anyone keen to see where it all began, and it’s streaming now on Disney+ and YouTube.
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lucy.buglass@futurenet.com (Lucy Buglass)
