One Day at Disney
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Docuseries celebrates Disney's talented employees.
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One Day at Disney
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What's the Story?
ONE DAY AT DISNEY tells the stories of more than 50 employees of the Walt Disney Company and shows how their work contributes to the corporation's extensive offerings on screen, on stage, in vacation destinations, and in merchandising. Narrated by Sterling K. Brown, the series starts with a feature-length episode and continues with short vignettes, each one spotlighting the work of people in departments like animation, research and development, animal care, broadcasting, sculpting, props manufacturing, and management. Together these stories paint a picture of how the brand stays at the forefront of entertainment nearly a century after visionary Walt Disney started his iconic company.
Is It Any Good?
This field trip into the recesses of Disney's sprawling campuses and destinations is much more than the thinly veiled marketing ploy you might suspect. True, viewers are treated to awe-inspiring footage of high-end travel hotspots like Animal Kingdom and Galaxy's Edge that are undeniably enticing, but that's merely a byproduct of the show's main objective. At the forefront is a who's who of people you (mostly) otherwise never would have heard of: a Disneyland train engineer, an artist who developed some of the most recognizable Pixar characters, a South African thespian who landed the role of a lifetime playing Rafiki onstage, and so on. What binds them together? Their passion for their work and their desire to continue pushing Disney into the future of entertainment.
Not surprisingly (this is Disney, after all), One Day at Disney is beautifully produced, further suggesting the company's desire to make stars of a selection of its lesser-known employees for a change. It's also an intriguing glimpse at the variety of talent that makes Disney's work possible. From sketch artists and sculptors to engineers and corner-office managers, the company is home to employees from diverse backgrounds and with unique life passions. In One Day at Disney, you'll hear their stories and learn how they are making careers out of their own brands of creativity and imagination.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the subjects of One Day at Disney put their unique talents to use for Disney's success in unexpected ways. Besides artistry and passion for their work, what other skills are on display in these biographies? What character strengths like teamwork stand out to you in the people you meet in these stories?
What role does technology play in these Disney employees' job descriptions? How have advancements forced some to adapt to new roles? How does technology improve customers' experiences either on the screen or in person at a place like Disneyland?
Kids: Do any of these careers intrigue you? What special skills will you bring to a job in the future? What education or training will help you get there?
Does this series intend to be an advertisement for Disney's products? In what ways does it serve that purpose, even if unintentionally? Did any of Disney's extensions (Good Morning America, Star Wars, Marvel, etc.) surprise you?
TV Details
- Premiere date: December 3, 2019
- Cast: Sterling K. Brown
- Network: Disney+
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Book Characters
- Character Strengths: Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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