Disney is pulling back the curtain on how its biggest stories become places we can actually step inside.
Disney Worldbuilders, a new feature-length documentary from filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, begins streaming August 20, 2026, on Disney+. And if you watched Iwerks’ The Imagineering Story, this one should immediately get your attention.
She sits down with an incredible group of Disney storytellers, including: Bob Iger, James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter, Dave Filoni, Jared Bush, and Josh D’Amaro The idea is simple but fascinating: how does a story become a real place?
From Screen to Theme Park
Disney has been doing this for generations.
Today, fans can step into worlds inspired by Avatar, Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, Frozen, Zootopia, and more. Disney Worldbuilders explores how those ideas move from film and television into Disney Parks around the world. But the creative process also works in reverse.
A place can inspire the next story, the next idea, and eventually the next world Disney builds. That approach goes all the way back to Walt Disney.
Leslie Iwerks Goes Behind the Magic Again
Leslie Iwerks is a perfect fit for this story. Disney fans know her from The Imagineering Story, along with projects such as The Pixar Story and Disneyland Handcrafted. Her Disney connection also runs deep. She is the granddaughter of Disney Legend Ub Iwerks and the daughter of Disney Legend Don Iwerks.
Now she is bringing together some of Disney’s biggest creative voices to talk about how those worlds are built.
The Part I’ll Be Watching Closely
Here is the line that really caught my attention. Disney says the documentary will include a look at upcoming lands at Disney destinations around the world. That makes Disney Worldbuilders more than a look back.
It is also a look ahead. Disney is in the middle of a major period of expansion across its parks and experiences, so any new behind-the-scenes look at what is being built is worth watching.
Disney Worldbuilders Debuts at D23
D23 guests will get the first look. A special presentation and debut screening of Disney Worldbuilders is planned for Sunday, August 16, during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.
Sam’s Disney Diary will be there throughout the weekend.
And after Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase on Saturday night, getting an even deeper look at how Disney creates these new worlds could make for a very interesting Sunday. Disney Worldbuilders begins streaming August 20 on Disney+.
