Disney is a massive enterprise. From the production studio and massive catalog of movies and shows to its meticulously designed theme parks, Disney is a well-established machine with a lot of moving parts. The Walt Disney Company was founded in 1923 and has been making strides both on and off-screen ever since. And with so many years of work under its belt and new projects and improvements constantly in development, there are rightfully a lot of questions about how the giant works and has been on top for so many years.
Luckily, there are plenty of great documentaries out there to answer some of those questions, and they’re all available to stream on Disney+. If you’re looking to learn more about the ins and outs of Disney, check out these seven documentaries.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World (2021)
Walt Disney Studios
The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World is a two-hour special hosted by Whoopi Goldberg that takes you on a journey through Walt Disney World’s 50 year history for its anniversary in 2021. The special also featured musical performances from artists like Halle Bailey, Christina Aguilera, and the 50-piece Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and interviews with various celebrities, Disney executives and imagineers.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
It’s essentially a massive spectacle of a celebration, complete with extravagant lighting, fireworks, and meticulous design — all in true Disney fashion. But it’s not just about watching the grandeur that is the Cinderella Castle. There’s also behind-the-scenes looks at plans and developments at Disney World over the years, including sneak peeks at plans for the future of the park. This special is a must-watch for fans of the mega vacation destination and those who are dreaming of going there one day. It’s also a very heartwarming watch, as it highlights Disney’s 40-year partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
6 Behind the Attraction (2021)
Disney+
Behind the Attraction is another Disney docuseries that takes you behind the scenes of some of the most notable rides and attractions at the Disney theme parks like the Haunted Mansion ride, It’s a Small World and Space Mountain. In terms of style, it’s a lot like The Toys That Made Us or The Movies That Made Us on Netflix — which is fitting seeing as both those shows and Behind the Attraction were created by the same person, Brian Volk-Weiss.
Behind the Attraction is very fast-paced and focused on fun imagery and stories about your favorite rides and lacks a lot of the depth and new information you may have hoped for with a docuseries like this. It’s still a good watch, though, especially for children or those who really don’t know anything about the various attractions.
5 One Day at Disney (2019)
One Day at Disney follows several Disney employees, from acclaimed animators to actors, and details a day in their lives working for Disney. There are two different variations of One Day at Disney. There’s the feature-length documentary narrated by Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us), as well as a series of One Day at Disney Shorts, which are episodes less than 10 minutes long that explore individuals on the job, from reporters to members of the Disney World construction team.
Both versions of One Day at Disney are fun looks at what it’s like to work there — something many people likely dream about doing. The documentary mainly focuses on the “fun” jobs, like being a chocolatier at Magic Kingdom or designing costumes for characters. It would be interesting if they interviewed or followed around someone who works on the park cleaning team, ensuring trash is disposed of and the park maintains a certain appearance. Or even the people who work the rides. Regardless, it’s still a great documentary to watch if you have ever wondered what a Disney job looks like.
4 The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story (2009)
Behind every great Disney movie is often an equally great score or soundtrack. Richard and Robert Sherman, dubbed The Sherman Brothers, were the minds behind many of Disney’s great musical works including Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book and The Aristocats, as well as the classic “It’s a Small World (After All).”
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story delves into the lives of the two brothers and how they came together, working with Walt Disney himself to become known as one of the most prolific songwriting duos ever. If you’re a music lover, The Boys is a great documentary for you. It’s very well-done, featuring interviews from both the brothers and actors they worked with, like Dick Van Dyke (Mary Poppins), talking about their work and legacy.
3 Mickey: The Story of a Mouse (2022)
Mickey: The Story of a Mouse is all about the round-eared Disney mascot, Mickey Mouse. Mickey is arguably one of the most recognizable symbols across the globe — whether you’re a Disney fan or not. This documentary, which premiered on Disney+ this year, follows the history of Mickey from his 1928 debut in Steamboat Willie throughout his many evolutions over the years. The documentary also shows up to the new short Mickey in a Minute, which showcases all the versions of Mickey, side by side over the years.
This documentary is really informative and likely full of nostalgia for those who grew up with the character. At several points, Disney animator Eric Goldberg and others quote Walt Disney by saying, “It all started with a mouse.” Which, when watching the documentary and seeing how not only Mickey, but the entirety of Disney has evolved, goes to show just how far the mouse and the giant he represents has come.
2 Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (2020)
Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian is an eight-episode docuseries that goes behind-the-scenes of the hit Disney+ original The Mandalorian. As the first live-action Star Wars series, The Mandalorian was a pretty big deal. Each episode of the docuseries explores the details of a different aspect of the show, from the score to the use of animatronics. The series also features roundtable talks about the filmmaking process and the Star Wars legacy hosted by Jon Favreau.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’re bound to love this docuseries. Not only does it pull back the curtain on the making of The Mandalorian, but it also discusses Star Wars as a whole, exploring the way the prequels, sequels and spin-offs connect, as well as discussing major character arcs throughout the franchise. In this new age of the Star Wars franchise, this docuseries gives an interesting look into how the new team of creatives behind the franchise is working to bring new stories to life while staying true to the Star Wars we know and love.
1 The Imagineering Story
Disney Media Distribution
The Imagineering Story is a six-part docuseries narrated by Angela Bassett (9-1-1, American Horror Story) that premiered in 2019. This docuseries provides a very in-depth look at both the history and creation of the Disney theme parks and their unique rides and attractions. The Imagineering Company is the group of people who work on the concepts, designs and construction at Disney theme parks around the world. It’s almost like a backstage pass to all the inner workings and moving parts of the Disney, making it a must-watch for fans of the parks. It also shines a spotlight on the people who work tirelessly to bring the magic of Disney to life in a memorable way.
