If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably someone very interested in Disneyland history. I love seeing early photos, especially during park development and construction. Well, now, Disney+ has a documentary tailor-made for nerds like us, with restored footage and new insights about the very beginnings of the happiest place on earth.
Disneyland Handcrafted focuses on the year leading up to Disneyland’s opening day. You’ll learn behind-the-scenes stories, see footage of Imagineers solving challenges in real time, and hear stories through archive audio of the Disney legends that shaped the park.
Plus, you’ll see many, many moments that remind you OSHA was NOT a thing back then, ha!
MY REVIEW: ★★★★★
I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary. Even as a person fairly familiar with the Disneyland origin story, I felt like I learned something new. Plus, there are many interviews with the people who actually worked on the project, and some truly amazing construction footage I’ve never seen anywhere else. It’s absolutely mind-blowing to think that a year before opening date, the park was just dirt…especially when you compare it to how long park projects take now!
If you have any interest in Disneyland’s beginnings, I strongly recommend giving this one a watch.