Podcasting on the Walt Disney Studios Lot (Imagination Skyway)
Host of Imagination Skyway podcast Matthew Krul and myself discuss our experience filming an interview on-site on the Walt Disney Studios Lot with director of Disneyland Handcrafted, Leslie Iwerks.
We also talk about touring Walt’s office.
Make sure to watch the full interview with Leslie Iwerks on Imagination Skyway.
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Transcript:
Matthew:
Yesterday was really the opportunity of a lifetime, which I said six months ago when I went to Walt Disney Imagineering. Perhaps that's one that is less commonly visited, but yesterday, as you will hear if you haven't already, I had this incredible opportunity to interview Leslie Iwerks at the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California.
This is the studio lot, the famous one that Walt Disney constructed from the proceeds of Snow White, and it's been the location of Walt Disney’s headquarters ever since. I was lucky not only to go there, but to have a close family member, friend, and content support—who you all know from previous episodes of the show—my cousin Mike.
Mike's here with me. So hey Mike.
Mike:
Hi. I really appreciate the introduction. I feel so humbled by that because this is just as much of an honor for me to be able to tag along with these amazing events with you.
Being able to go onto the studio lot and do an interview like this is something really special.
Matthew:
Absolutely. I mean, it's surreal. This is the same lot where Walt Disney worked. It's where so many iconic films and projects originated. Just walking through the gates alone is incredible.
And then getting to interview Leslie Iwerks there—someone who has such a deep connection to Disney history—is just amazing.
Mike:
Right. For anyone who may not know, Leslie Iwerks is an award-winning filmmaker and documentarian. She's also the granddaughter of Ub Iwerks, who worked alongside Walt Disney and was instrumental in creating Mickey Mouse and so many other foundational aspects of Disney animation.
Her perspective on Disney history and storytelling is really unique because she brings both the historical connection and the modern filmmaking approach.
Matthew:
Exactly. And the interview itself was incredible. We talked about her documentary work, about Disneyland history, and of course the project Disneyland Handcrafted.
It’s such a fascinating look at the artistry and craftsmanship behind Disneyland attractions.
And the fact that we were sitting there on the studio lot having that conversation just made it even more meaningful.
Mike:
Yeah, and it’s funny because before the interview we had a chance to walk around the lot a little bit. Just seeing the buildings, the plaques, the history—it’s one of those places where you really feel the legacy.
One of the most incredible moments was getting to see Walt’s office.
Matthew:
That was unbelievable.
You always hear about it. You see pictures of it. But actually standing there and realizing that this is the space where Walt Disney worked—where he imagined so many things that eventually became reality—it’s powerful.
It really puts everything into perspective.
Mike:
Yeah, it reminds you that all of this started with someone who had a vision and was willing to pursue it.
And I think that’s one of the things that makes Disney history so compelling. It's not just about the parks or the films—it's about the people behind them and the creativity that drove everything forward.
Matthew:
Exactly.
And being able to record a podcast episode in that environment, surrounded by that history, made it feel like something really special.
So in this episode you're going to hear our conversation with Leslie Iwerks about Disneyland Handcrafted, about storytelling, about history, and about the artistry that goes into making Disney experiences.
And if you’re a Disney fan, especially someone who appreciates the craftsmanship and the people behind the magic, I think you’re really going to enjoy this conversation.
Matthew:
But I had the notes there as a safety net, and I think the experience of being there helped get my mind in the right place.
Just standing there and seeing the Team Disney building, seeing the statues, and being in Legends Plaza—it really sets the tone.
You’re reminded that this is not just an office campus. This is a place where so many incredible things have happened.
Mike:
Yeah, and even walking around the lot you could feel that history.
There are buildings that you recognize from photographs and documentaries, and then there are moments where you realize that you're standing in places where some of the most influential creative decisions in entertainment history were made.
That’s something that really stuck with me.
Matthew:
And another thing that stood out to me was how calm and quiet it was.
You might imagine that a place like the Walt Disney Studios lot would be bustling and chaotic all the time, but it actually felt very peaceful.
There were people working and moving about, of course, but it felt almost like a campus environment.
Mike:
Yeah, it definitely had that feel.
It felt like a creative campus more than a typical corporate headquarters.
And at the same time, there were reminders everywhere that you were in a historic place.
Matthew:
Exactly.
And as we were walking around before the interview, I was also thinking about the significance of who we were about to talk to.
Leslie Iwerks has such a unique connection to Disney history, not only through her work as a filmmaker but also through her family.
Her grandfather, Ub Iwerks, was such an important figure in the early days of Disney animation.
Mike:
Right, and that's something that makes her perspective really special.
She’s able to approach Disney history both as a documentarian and as someone who grew up hearing stories about those early days of the studio.
That combination gives her a really unique lens on the subject.
Matthew:
And it also makes projects like Disneyland Handcrafted really compelling.
Because when she talks about the craftsmanship behind the attractions, it’s not just an academic interest.
It’s something that connects back to the legacy of the studio and the people who built it.
Mike:
And that was something that really came through in the interview.
You could tell how passionate she is about documenting those stories and preserving that history.
Matthew:
Exactly.
And that’s something that I think Disney fans really appreciate.
Because when you look at Disneyland, it's easy to focus on the finished attractions and the experiences that guests have.
But there’s an entire world of creativity, engineering, and craftsmanship that exists behind the scenes.
Mike:
And that’s really what Disneyland Handcrafted highlights.
It shows the people who build the attractions, the artisans who create the details, and the designers who bring those ideas to life.
Matthew:
Right.
And that’s one of the reasons I was so excited to talk to Leslie about it.
Because that kind of storytelling is something that really resonates with people who care about the history of the parks.
Matthew:
And I think one of the things that made the experience even more special was that we weren’t just there for a tour.
We were there for a reason.
We were there to have a conversation with someone who has contributed to the preservation of Disney history in such a meaningful way.
And that gave the whole visit a different feeling.
Mike:
Yeah, it definitely did.
It felt less like we were visitors and more like we were there as part of something.
Even just setting up for the interview, getting the equipment ready, finding the right spot—it felt like we were actually working on the lot.
And that’s a really surreal feeling when you think about how many people dream about being there.
Matthew:
Exactly.
And the location where we ended up doing the interview was perfect.
Being able to sit there in Legends Plaza, with the statues and the names of the legends around us, it felt like the right place to talk about history.
Mike:
Yeah, and it also helped calm the nerves a little bit.
Because even though we’ve done a lot of interviews, this one felt different.
There was a little bit of pressure, just because of where we were and who we were talking to.
Matthew:
Absolutely.
Anytime you’re interviewing someone whose work you admire, there’s always that feeling of wanting to do the conversation justice.
And in this case, you also have the added factor of being on the Walt Disney Studios lot, which makes it feel even more significant.
Mike:
And I think that’s something people might not realize.
Even if you’ve done interviews before, certain situations just hit differently.
You become very aware of the moment.
You want to make sure you’re asking the right questions, that you’re present, that you’re not rushing through anything.
Matthew:
Right.
And I think that awareness actually helped the conversation.
Because it made me slow down and really listen.
Instead of just going from one question to the next, it felt more natural.
Mike:
Yeah, and that’s something I always appreciate about the way you do interviews.
You have the notes, but you don’t stick to them in a rigid way.
You let the conversation go where it needs to go.
Matthew:
I try to.
I always prepare questions ahead of time, but I also know that the best moments usually come from something unexpected.
And with Leslie, there were a lot of moments where she said something that made me want to ask a follow-up that wasn’t in the notes.
Mike:
And those are usually the best parts.
Because that’s when it feels like a real conversation instead of an interview.
Matthew:
Exactly.
And I think that’s what makes episodes like this special.
Not just the location, but the fact that the conversation itself feels genuine.
Mike:
Yeah, and that’s something I was thinking about while we were there.
How lucky we are to be able to have these experiences and then share them with other people.
Because not everyone is going to get the chance to go to the Walt Disney Studios lot.
Not everyone is going to get the chance to talk to someone like Leslie Iwerks.
But through the podcast, they can at least feel like they’re part of it.
Matthew:
That’s a great way to put it.
And that’s always been one of my goals with the show.
To bring people along for experiences that they might not otherwise have.
Whether that’s going to Imagineering, going to the studio lot, or talking to people who have played a role in Disney history.
Mike:
And this was definitely one of those moments.
It felt like one of those days where you just stop and think, this is why we do this.
Matthew:
Absolutely.
And I hope that comes through when people listen to the episode.
Because it really was one of those experiences that you don’t forget.
Mike:
And I think another thing that stood out to me was how welcoming everyone was.
You never know what to expect when you go into a place like that, especially somewhere with as much history as the Walt Disney Studios lot.
But everyone we interacted with was incredibly kind and helpful.
And that made the whole experience feel even more special.
Matthew:
Yeah, I felt the same way.
From the moment we checked in at the gate to the time we finished the interview, everyone we spoke with made us feel like we were supposed to be there.
And that really helps you relax and focus on what you’re there to do.
Mike:
Exactly.
Because when you’re nervous or unsure, it can throw you off.
But once we got settled in, it felt like everything just clicked.
Matthew:
And I think that also comes from doing this for a while.
You learn to trust the process.
You know that even if something doesn’t go exactly the way you planned, it usually works out.
Mike:
Right.
And honestly, part of the fun is that things don’t always go exactly as planned.
Sometimes those unexpected moments are the ones you remember the most.
Matthew:
Definitely.
And this whole experience was full of moments like that.
Walking through the lot, seeing the buildings, setting up the interview, having the conversation, and then just taking a minute afterward to look around and realize where we were.
It’s one of those things you don’t really process until later.
Mike:
Yeah, and I remember after we finished, we just kind of stood there for a second.
Not even talking.
Just taking it in.
Matthew:
Exactly.
Because you realize that you’re standing in a place where so much history has happened.
And not just history in general, but history that means something to you personally.
Mike:
And that’s what made it so meaningful.
This wasn’t just another interview.
This was something that felt like a milestone.
Matthew:
Absolutely.
And I think that’s why I wanted to take some time to talk about the experience before getting into the interview itself.
Because the setting really was part of the story.
Mike:
Yeah, and I think listeners will appreciate hearing that.
It gives context to the conversation.
It lets them understand why this one felt different.
Matthew:
Exactly.
So with that, I think we can go ahead and let everyone hear the interview with Leslie Iwerks.
This was recorded at the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California, and we talked about Disneyland Handcrafted, her work as a filmmaker, and her connection to Disney history.
I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we enjoyed being there to record it.
Mike:
Yeah, this was definitely one we won’t forget.
Matthew:
All right, let’s get into the interview.