Disney fans are about to get a rare look inside the minds responsible for building some of the company’s biggest worlds.
Disney has officially revealed new details about Disney Worldbuilders, an upcoming feature-length documentary that explores how beloved stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and beyond are transformed into immersive, real-world experiences. From stepping into the bustling streets of Zootopia to joining the Avengers or climbing aboard the Millennium Falcon, the new Disney+ documentary promises to examine the creative process behind making fictional worlds feel completely real.
Even more exciting, Disney Worldbuilders will not focus exclusively on Disney’s past. The documentary will also offer rare glimpses at new lands, areas, and experiences currently being developed across The Walt Disney Company.
What Is Disney Worldbuilders About?
Disney Worldbuilders is a brand-new documentary directed by Academy Award- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks.
The film explores how Disney’s most recognizable films, characters, and stories move beyond the screen and become physical destinations and experiences that fans can enter, explore, and enjoy.
Throughout the documentary, Iwerks sits down with Disney Legends, filmmakers, creative executives, and visionary leaders who have helped shape some of the company’s most enduring stories.
These storytellers will discuss their earliest creative inspirations, major turning points in their careers, and the formative Disney memories that influenced their work. The documentary will also explore the personal experiences that helped guide their creative journeys and ultimately shaped the worlds Disney fans know today.
While the documentary will celebrate decades of Disney storytelling, it will also look toward the future. Disney says viewers will receive a behind-the-scenes look at what is coming next, including rare glimpses of new lands, areas, and experiences that are currently taking shape.
Fans will also get a first look at where Disney’s approach to worldbuilding could go next as new stories, characters, and immersive environments continue to be developed across the company.
Who Will Appear in Disney Worldbuilders?
Disney has assembled an impressive lineup of filmmakers, storytellers, executives, and creative leaders for the upcoming documentary.
Bob Iger will be featured in the film as the former CEO and Senior Advisor of The Walt Disney Company and an incoming Disney Legend.
The documentary will also include Jennifer Lee, the Academy Award-winning writer and director of Frozen, along with Josh D’Amaro, CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
Additional storytellers appearing in Disney Worldbuilders include:
Dave Filoni
Dave Filoni serves as President and Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm. Filoni has played a major role in expanding the modern Star Wars universe through projects including Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka.
James Cameron
Academy Award-winning filmmaker and Disney Legend James Cameron will also appear in the documentary. Cameron is known for creating major cinematic worlds through films such as Avatar and its sequels.
The world of Avatar has also been brought to life inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom through Pandora — The World of Avatar.
Jared Bush
Jared Bush, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, is another featured storyteller.
Bush has worked on several major Walt Disney Animation Studios films, including Zootopia, Moana, and Encanto.
Jon Favreau
Filmmaker, executive producer, and Disney Legend Jon Favreau will appear in Disney Worldbuilders.
Favreau has contributed to several major Disney franchises and productions, including The Lion King, The Jungle Book, Iron Man, and The Mandalorian.
Kevin Feige
Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios and Chief Creative Officer of Marvel, will offer insight into the worldbuilding behind Marvel’s interconnected stories and characters.
Feige has overseen the development of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has grown to include films, streaming series, theme park attractions, merchandise, and entertainment experiences around the world.
Pete Docter
Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Animation Studios, will also be featured.
Docter has played an important role in shaping Pixar’s approach to emotional storytelling and imaginative worlds through films including Monsters, Inc., Up, Inside Out, and Soul.
Disney Worldbuilders Will Include New Disney Project Previews
One of the most intriguing details about Disney Worldbuilders is that it will not simply revisit attractions, films, and destinations that already exist.
Disney has confirmed that the film will include rare glimpses of new lands, areas, and experiences currently taking shape.
Disney has not yet revealed exactly which upcoming projects will appear in the documentary. However, the company currently has numerous theme park expansions, new attractions, entertainment experiences, and destination projects in development around the world.
That means Disney Worldbuilders could become an important watch for fans following the latest Disney theme park construction updates and future Disney Experiences projects.
The documentary’s focus on both past and future projects may also give viewers a better understanding of how Disney teams decide which stories should become attractions, themed lands, resorts, cruise experiences, and other real-world destinations.
Disney Worldbuilders Will Premiere at D23
Disney fans attending D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa will have the opportunity to see Disney Worldbuilders before its official Disney+ release.
The documentary’s debut screening will take place on August 16, 2026, during a special panel presentation at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.
During the presentation, guests will hear from some of Disney’s celebrated storytellers as they discuss the art of worldbuilding and the creative process involved in bringing cherished Disney stories to life.
Following that conversation, attendees will be able to watch the debut screening of Disney Worldbuilders ahead of its wider streaming release.
The documentary screening will be part of the larger D23 event, which will also feature exclusive panel presentations, special merchandise previews, and photo opportunities throughout the Anaheim Convention Center.
When Will Disney Worldbuilders Be Released on Disney+?
Disney Worldbuilders will begin streaming on Disney+ sometime in August 2026.
Disney has not announced a specific Disney+ release date beyond the August window.
Because the D23 debut screening is scheduled for August 16, the documentary’s streaming release will follow its D23 premiere. However, Disney has not confirmed exactly how soon after the event the movie will become available to Disney+ subscribers.
Fans should continue watching for an official release date, trailer, and additional details as August approaches.
Who Is Disney Worldbuilders Director Leslie Iwerks?
Leslie Iwerks comes from a family with a significant Disney legacy.
Her grandfather, Ub Iwerks, worked closely with Walt Disney and was instrumental in the early development of Mickey Mouse. Her father, Don Iwerks, also worked for Disney and contributed to major technical innovations and attractions.
Leslie Iwerks has continued that creative legacy through documentary filmmaking. Her previous work includes projects examining Disney history, Imagineering, animation, and the people responsible for building major entertainment experiences.
Disney is also encouraging fans to watch Disneyland Handcrafted, which is currently available on Disney+ and through Disney’s official YouTube channel. That documentary explores the creation and construction of the original Disneyland park.
Why Disney Worldbuilders Could Be a Must-Watch for Theme Park Fans
Disney documentaries often provide fans with access to concept art, behind-the-scenes footage, creative discussions, and development stories that are not typically shared with the public.
However, Disney Worldbuilders appears to have an especially broad scope.
Rather than focusing on one theme park, attraction, film, or creative division, the documentary will bring together leaders from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and other areas of The Walt Disney Company.
That could give viewers a much wider look at how Disney creates interconnected stories and then expands them into films, television series, attractions, themed lands, merchandise, cruises, and destination experiences.
The promise of footage from projects currently under development makes the documentary even more interesting for fans following Disney construction news and upcoming Disney theme park expansions.
Whether you are fascinated by Disney Imagineering, Pixar animation, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Avatar, or Disney theme parks, there will likely be something inside Disney Worldbuilders worth watching closely.
With a lineup that includes Bob Iger, Josh D’Amaro, Jennifer Lee, Dave Filoni, James Cameron, Jared Bush, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, and Pete Docter, the documentary promises to bring together some of the most influential creative minds working across Disney today.
More importantly, fans may finally get a closer look at how Disney’s newest lands, attractions, and experiences are being designed behind the scenes.
Be sure to revisit Theme Park Scope for the official Disney Worldbuilders Disney+ release date, trailer updates, D23 2026 coverage, and the latest Disney theme park news as more information is announced.
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