When Disney+ launched in November 2019, one of the first original works to premiere on the streamer was the six-part miniseries, The Imagineering Story. The series, created by Leslie Iwerks a third-generation creative working with Disney, took audiences behind the scenes of the Disney Imagineering department and how their artistry, creativity, and ingenuity shaped the Disney parks.
At D23 2026, Iwerks will unveil her latest documentary — Disney Worldbuilders — an hour-long feature on the creatives and storytellers who have influenced the new generation of rides, lands and attractions at Disney Parks across the world over the past two decades. The creatives featured in Disney Worldbuilders include Oscar winner James Cameron (Avatar), Jon Favreau (Star Wars), Kevin Feige (Marvel), Jennifer Lee (Frozen), Pete Docter (Pixar) and Jared Bush (Zootopia) along with commentary from now former Disney CEO Bob Iger, and new CEO (and former Head of Parks & Experiences), Josh D’Amaro.
Disney Worldbuilders could easily be seen as a postscript to The Imagineering Story as it discusses attractions that appeared at the very end of Imagineering, were just about to open, or will be discussed during D23 2026.
However, what makes Iwerks’ work with Disney so incredible and memorable – whether it be Imagineering or Handcrafting Disneyland – is that she taps into the very human element of creation. Yes, the gizmos and gadgets aplenty that make Avatar: Flight of Passage and Pirates of the Caribbean are really cool. However, what makes these stories even more incredible, and most importantly relatable, is the very human element at the heart of it. These films are as much about the creation of iconic attractions that will forever be emblazoned on the memories of millions, but also the triumph of human imagination. These are stories of the daydreamers and the people with their heads in the clouds who put that creativity and those flights of fancy into something special.
Disney Worldbuilding takes this a step further. The film takes creatives who have helmed successful, multi-billion dollar films and franchises and follows their journey to being the inspiration for attractions in Disney Parks. That journey begins with a shared experience between them and the audience—family vacations at Disneyland or Disney World.
The shining example of this is with Jennifer Lee, the writer of the Frozen films. In her segment, she’s taken to see Arrendelle come to life at Disneyland Paris. The new attraction, which opened in 2026, is an exquisite recreation of the fictional kingdom. The awe on Lee’s face, followed by the tears when she encounters the walking Olaf animatronic is such a wonderful moment in the film. Iwerks uses Lee’s story about her childhood and how the story of Frozen was inspired by her relationship with her sister to drive this point home even further.
While others do not have the emotional experience that Lee has, their stories all have a theme—taking inspiration and using determination and creativity to see their ideas come to life. Many of them root that inspiration from the films and experiences of Disney, and even in the criticisms levied upon Walt Disney building Disneyland in Kevin Feige’s case.
While this is a movie about heart and creativity, one cannot ignore the technical hallmarks of Iwerks’ documentaries—gorgeous cinematography, on-the-money narration, and a flawless incorporation of archival footage to tell an evergreen story.
However, there are two issues with this documentary.
The first, and most important is that these stories are so rich and compelling that you wish each segment was its own episode of a new Imagineering miniseries. There’s so much more that can be mined from these stories. And hopefully in the future there will be more from these stories especially with the major expansion of the parks throughout the world.
The second issue is the Bob Iger of it all. Iger is a very engaging and likable personality. He is responsible for the acquisition of Marvel, LucasFilm, 20th Century FOX and Pixar hence the attractions and the creatives focused upon here are not in this film without Iger. However, when the film leans into Iger as a subject instead of a commentator and compliment, the film changes tones and becomes a celebration of his legacy as opposed to a celebration of imagination. If Iwerks opted to make a documentary about Iger, his achievements at Disney, his life, his method, etc. — go for it. She’d make an incredible film and that’s where a lot of his story from this film belongs.
Despite these issues, Disney Worldbuilders is a film that’s perfect for lovers of Disney parks who want an hour-long feast for the senses, as well as creatives who may just need a little inspiration in their lives right now.
Disney Worldbuilders premieres on August 20 on Disney+
