Daily Pixie Dust: When a Disney fanatic walks in Walt's footsteps

The Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps Tour is a guided tour offered at Disneyland park. There are usually two tours a day, each with about 15 guests. So many people ask "is it worth it?" Well, for this lifelong Disney fanatic, it took 48 long years for me to get to the motherland and there was no question this was on my "must-do" list. For anyone who is a fan of the history and nostalgia of Walt Disney and Disneyland, this tour does not disappoint. So, let me guide you through the experience and you can decide for yourself.

First, the basics. The cost of the tour is currently $109. However, Annual Passholders and Disney Visa cardholders get a 15% discount. This brings the cost to $92.65. The cost of the tour also includes lunch. Separate admission to Disneyland is also required.
The tour is advertised as 3 hours long. However, when all was said and done, my tour lasted 4 hours, so plan the rest of your day accordingly. Also keep this in mind if you are considering bringing a young child. Most young children don't want to walk and listen to a grown-up for 4 hours, so it may be a better idea to let them skip this one.
Space is limited to 15 guests in each tour group and reservations are required. You can make reservations up to 30 days in advance by calling 714-781-8687. You can get all the details on the Disneyland website HERE.

Now, the BIG news! In past years, the finale of this tour was the chance to visit Walt's apartment located above the Main Street fire station. However, due to maintenance and construction needs, guests were being taken to the Dream Suite (more on this later) instead for some time. Luckily, the stars aligned for my long-awaited first trip and I can happily report that the tour once again concludes with a visit to Walt's apartment.

Our day begins:

Tour guests are asked to check in up to 30 minutes prior to the start of the tour. Here, we receive this special tour button with our name on it. For scrapbookers or packrats like me, this is a big deal! At this time, you will also
choose your lunch from the Jolly Holiday Bakery menu. Then you are given your handy-dandy headset. The headset allows you to hear what the tour guide is saying and also allows your guide to pipe in various audio clips throughout the tour.

Once everyone is checked in, you will meet your tour guide (mine was the lovely Cassie) and your tour begins. A few things to note at the outset: First, as you can see I require the use of an ECV. Be assured that using and ECV or a wheelchair does not inhibit your ability to take the tour. However, you will be required to board 2 rides and the only entry to Walt's apartment is by walking up a flight of stairs. I am able to do both of these things on my own. If you have a condition that does not allow you to do this, I am unsure if you would be able to participate in those activities on the tour. The other thing you should note is that the tour will take you to some of the places in the park that held significance for Walt, however you will not get any "backstage" access on this tour, other than visiting the apartment. When you visit these other locations, you will be out in the public access area.

Your tour group heads down Main Street, U.S.A., with it's first stop at the dedication plaque in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. At this time, your headset plays audio of Walt's actual opening day speech. Try not to cry, I dare you! The tour then proceeds through several lands with stops along the way at various points of significance. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and provide many stories and anecdotes along the way. However, the various audio clips of Walt speaking make it extra-special.

I believe there was a point in time when people would actually take this tour just to get a glimpse inside the very exclusive Club 33. I'm sad to say, that glimpse is no longer offered. While we did visit the club and learn of it's history, we were kept outside the door. Not even a peek! Here we also learned about the Dream Suite (originally named the Royal Suite). Walt already had his apartment above the firehouse. However, it was a very small space. It served as a cozy spot for Walt, Lillian and the grandchildren, but Walt wanted a larger private space to entertain VIPs. So construction was begun in this space above New Orleans Square. But, as with many Disneyland projects, construction was abandoned after Walt's death in 1966. So although, he began this project, he was never able to see it to completion and never actually used it. In 2007, as part of the Year of a Million Dreams, this space was reimagined and completed as the Dream Suite and used as a special prize for selected guests during this promotion. It is used now occasionally for very select VIP events. You all remember that viral video of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow showing up on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride last year? Well, our guide, Cassie told us they had to rearrange one of their tours that day because Johnny was still in there sleeping!! (What I wouldn't pay for a look at THAT!)

Throughout our park journey, we were given a quick restroom break at the Red Rose Tavern where we could pick up a quick snack if we chose to. And we were also given front-of the-line access to 2 rides. Our rides were Alice in Wonderland and It's a Small World. I believe the rides are subject to change. Since the Haunted Mansion is a very significant ride in Disneyland history, I think that may be one of the usual rides.

However, taking my tour in October, the Mansion was currently experiencing the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, so I think that may have been a factor in why we didn't ride it on the tour. We finished up back on Main Street, U.S.A. at the Opera House. This is a great place filled with Disney memorabilia. If you haven't taken the time to duck in there and look around, I highly suggest you do! At this point, our group was split into two. Since space in Walt's apartment is very confined, the entire group can not enter at once. So half went off to the apartment while the other half enjoyed their pre-ordered lunch from Jolly Holiday Bakery. We were given our choice of sandwich, drink and dessert. Very good food! Highly recommend it for lunch.

And then it was time for the highlight of the tour. Our group was ushered behind the gate and up the steps to Walt Disney's actual apartment! Yes he slept here, he ate here, he showered here. It was amazing. Seriously, I had to fight not to cry. It felt like walking into your beloved grandparent's home. Lovely antique furnishings and a comfortable, homey feel. It's very compact. Just a living room with small kitchenette built into the wall and a small bathroom. There is also a small garden patio we were not allowed to go on. We were joined by 3 guides at this time that answered every and any question we had. We were allowed to sit on the furniture, but there were certain things we were not allowed to touch. You can take a peek out the window where the famous lamp stays lit to signify that Walt is always "in", but you can't linger there. They don't want park guests seeing anyone in the window. We saw the little kitchenette where Walt would fix himself a quick snack. It still has the original appliances with the cloth-covered electrical cords! You are not allowed to take any pictures or video inside the apartment. However, the guides will take one photo of you on your own camera or device. The couch behind me slides down into a bed and that's where Walt would sleep! Lillian had a matching one on the other side of the room. And the grandkids would just bunk on the floor between them when they stayed. This moment made the entire cost of the tour "worth it" for me!

After the tour, each guest is given a souvenir postcard and this special tour pin. (Another packrat's dream).

So, in conclusion, I give this tour a 5-star rating. I think it's reasonably priced for what's included and can't be beat for the information, nostalgia and history you get. I would highly recommend it for everyone. Hope you enjoyed my review!