‘Disney Worldbuilders’ Review: The Documentary Breaks Little New Ground, But Reminds Us Creativity Is At The Heart Of Disney

Disney is the stuff of dreams. From the movies to the theme parks, the imagination is limitless, as are the expectations. The new documentary Disney Worldbuilders from acclaimed filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, whose recent film Disneyland Handcrafted highlighted the creation of Disneyland, explores the intricate worldbuilding behind some of Disney’s biggest story brands. It offers an inside look at how the worlds of the movies translate into actual attractions and settings at the Disney Parks. In addition, the documentary showcases how the Disney Parks remain a place for more than amusement, but also creative inspiration. This film does not reach the dazzling heights of her earlier documentary. However, Iwerks strips back the corporate sheen and gets to the heart of why Disney is not only special, but endures.

The documentary’s rhythm flows like a destination map. We trek through iconic landmarks at the Disney Parks, while dovetailing with the film companion that inspired the creation. Profiled are the worlds of Avatar, Star Wars, Pixar, Frozen, and Zootopia. Disney aficionados will likely learn little about attraction construction or the iconography. However, the film engages directly with many of the creative visionaries behind these film properties. 

Films such as any number of Star Wars films inspire the creative output that goes into an attraction. The intricate worlds of these stories serve as a blueprint for challenging new kinds of storytelling not only on screen, but also in the Parks. From Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni of Star Wars to Jennifer Lee of Frozen, behind-the-scenes accounts show how each creative draws on Walt Disney’s legacy for inspiration. 

The film’s strongest moments aren’t the hopscotching moments across the theme parks, but getting to the heart of the creative process. Each person has personal stakes. From Lee’s sisterhood inspirations that brought Frozen to life, to his current role as Chief Creative Officer at Pixar, to Pete Docter’s humble beginnings at a simple computer company, to directing his first feature, Monsters, Inc. Each of these players, whether by intention or accident, is a storyteller at heart, which in turn leads to the ever-expanding worlds and possibilities that exist in their films. 

Another voice in the film is Marvel head Kevin Feige. Like the others, he has his own Disney story that speaks to the film’s worldbuilding theme. He, however, makes an interesting reference to the theme parks, specifically Avengers Campus. While a fan of that attraction and every attraction, he especially singles out how he likes to see the construction walls. The presence of a construction wall at any theme park means there is more to come. The work of the talented Imagineers behind the scenes continues to power Disney’s theme park expansion. The movie’s ideas give birth to new ideas for the theme park, promising truly limitless and endless development of wonder.

Now, this documentary is likely more for Disney diehards than casual viewers. At times, it feels more like a corporate slideshow than Iwerks’ previous documentary, which focused on Disneyland’s development and construction. Granted, that film captured the history of something truly revolutionary at the time. After all, it was called Walt’s Folly for a reason. This latest documentary lacks the zip and Disney magic of Iwerks’s earlier film. Partly because we now live in a world fully dominated by the Disney experience. For better or worse, this film showcases a never-ending story. Much of this film centers on park attractions and locales, whereas the previous documentary captured how one man’s idea became a reality. 

Now, all that said, Disney Worldbuilders capture moments of creative joy and wonder that have been at the heart of the entire Disney experience from the beginning. Iwerks pulls back the curtain: while it may not be as revealing as some would like, the filmmakers capture a genuine look at how storytellers’ lives inform their creative process. The film’s strongest moments are its creative journeys and artistic expression. 

Stories will continue to be told on-screen, but as the film suggests, the stories in the movies are only the beginning. They serve as the jumping-off point for further exploits at the Disney Parks and beyond. This truly proves Walt Disney’s belief that if you can dream it, you can do it. 

Disney Worldbuilders is the latest documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Leslie Iwerks. The film is streaming on Disney+.