The happiest place on earth origin story – Disneyland Handcrafted
Disneyland Handcrafted
I have always been in awe of the speed and efficiency with which Walt Disney and his wildly talented crew of artisans, craftsmen, and Imagineers harnessed to create the ‘happiest place on earth.’
The whole concept of what they accomplished is stunningly inspirational. In 1955, the team took unremarkable acres of orange groves and in just one year – ONE YEAR – created the magical, whimsical, and completely unforgettable Disneyland.
Following on the heels of the spectacularThe Imagineering Story (2019), Disneyland Handcrafted by Leslie Iwerks goes back in time to explore that critical year when the team frantically built the park. The story is beautifully illustrated through footage unearthed by Iwerks and her team, stored away for eons in the Walt Disney Archives.
There are no talking heads or contemporary footage of the park. The tale is told through vivid archival footage that showcases the care and skill used to create the magic. Walt Disney wisely documented the creation, not just for prosperity but for the deal he did with ABC to track the progress of the building of the park for ‘‘Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.” To accompany the footage are archival audio interviews with such Disney luminaries as Harper Goff, Dick Nunis, Bill Evans, Ruth Shellhorn, and even Walt’s pal Art Linkletter.
The most impressive aspect of the film wasn’t how swiftly they created something out of nothing, but witnessing how hands-on the whole process was, from smoothing out the faux bricks on Sleeping Beauty’s Castle to sanding the curbs of Main Street U.S.A. to carving the ride vehicles for Peter Pan’s Flight. The details always matter. As was said in the film, visitors subconsciously know the difference between good and bad.’
One thing that really struck me was something that Bob Gurr said. They “didn’t dilly dally on decisions,” they just did it. This is something that is lost in today’s corporate culture, where multiple meetings, a myriad of managers, and focus groups rue the day.
That was really the main takeaway for me: the concept of just going for it and building something from nothing. While I might not be building an entire theme park, I can harness that same vibe to redecorate my bedroom or landscape the backyard. As Walt Disney famously said, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Disnyeland Handcrafted is streaming on Disney + or you can watch it right below via YouTube!
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