Disney Worldbuilders is pulling back the curtain on how Disney stories become places you can actually step inside. The feature documentary arrives on Disney+ in August, with a debut screening scheduled for D23 2026 in Anaheim on August 16.
Directed by Academy Award and Emmy nominee Leslie Iwerks, the film follows the creators behind Disney films, characters, and attractions. It also includes rare glimpses of lands, areas, and experiences currently taking shape across the company.
Who appears in Disney Worldbuilders?
Leslie Iwerks speaks with Disney storytellers about their earliest inspirations, pivotal career moments, and the Disney memories that shaped their creative work. The conversations span animation, filmmaking, theme parks, and the process of translating fictional worlds into physical experiences.
The guest list runs deep.
Bob Iger appears as the former CEO and Senior Advisor of The Walt Disney Company and an incoming Disney Legend. He’s joined by Frozen writer and director Jennifer Lee and current Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro.
The documentary also features Lucasfilm’s Dave Filoni, filmmaker James Cameron, Walt Disney Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush, filmmaker Jon Favreau, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, and Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter. That’s a serious creative roundtable.
For theme park fans, the film’s central idea is especially familiar: worlds like Zootopia, the Avengers’ adventures, and the Millennium Falcon’s cockpit don’t have to stay on a screen. Disney Worldbuilders explores the people and decisions that turn those stories into real-world destinations.
When is the D23 2026 screening?
The debut screening takes place during a special panel at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 on August 16. Before the film plays, Disney storytellers will discuss worldbuilding and the creative process behind bringing these stories to life.
If you’re attending the event at the Anaheim Convention Center, August 16 is the dated planning detail to keep in mind.
The film goes wider afterward.
Disney Worldbuilders will begin streaming on Disney+ later in August. While waiting, viewers can watch Disneyland Handcrafted on Disney+ or through Disney’s YouTube channel.
What is still unknown?
Disney hasn’t provided a start time for the D23 panel. The announcement also doesn’t include additional access rules for the screening, so the date and Anaheim Convention Center location are the only scheduling details currently available for attendees.
The Disney+ premiere also remains without a specific date. Disney has confirmed that streaming begins later in August, but hasn’t narrowed the release window beyond that month.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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