WALK IN WALT'S DISNEYLAND FOOTSTEPS GUIDED TOUR REVIEW

11/10/2019

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I've been putting off writing this post, even though Mom and I took the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour at Disneyland back in September. The thing is, it's a great tour, very in depth, and that means there's a lot to write about, a lot of pictures to include, and tons of fun details to impart. I needed a whole few hours to set aside for this, and today I'm making the time, so if you're ready to read about this tour, I'm ready to tell you everything you've ever wanted to know, and then some. (read more)

WALK IN WALT'S DISNEYLAND FOOTSTEPS GUIDED TOUR

First off, you're going to see this tour called by a lot of different names. When I was Googling it before we went, I got a little confused because I wasn't sure if there was more than one tour by a slightly different name, or if people were talking about the same tour.

So, if you see it called anything like this:

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You're in the right place. This is all the same tour, and it has only one official name.

It's actually called Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps.

No matter what you're calling it, the tour is the same. It's the only one offered at Disneyland that has a name even remotely similar, and since there are so few tours offered at Disneyland, it's not hard to find.

It can, however, be hard to book, so let's talk about that first.

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BOOKING A WALK IN WALT'S DISNEYLAND FOOTSTEPS GUIDED TOUR

You aren't able to book online, which is true of most Disney tours, so you will need to call and book over the phone.

If you have a travel agent that is handling your booking, you can also give them a call and they can book it for you.

I like booking things on my own, so I just made a quick call to Disney and spoke with one of their super helpful cast members.

You cannot book the tour more than 30 days out (or at least you couldn't when I booked it), so I would recommend putting a note in your calendar and booking it the moment you are able to. It is offered all week long, and they might add more times during the holiday season (which is around the time I'm writing this), but when we went it was only offered at 9:30 a.m. during the weekdays we'd be at Disneyland.

I called before the 30 day mark and was told that I'd have to wait to book. Instead of calling back at the 30 day mark, I put it off and got around to it a few days later.

By the time I booked there was only one time slot left, at 9:30 a.m. on the day before we went back home, and there were only two slots left. We were very lucky to get a spot, to say the least.

So, the tour fills up fast, don't wait to book it.

Now, let's talk cost.

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WALK IN WALT'S DISNEYLAND FOOTSTEPS GUIDED TOUR PRICE

I am writing this in November of 2019, so I want you to be aware that the prices can definitely change. I recommend heading over to the Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps page on the Disneyland site and verify there. You may have to call if the current price isn't displayed.

Here is the information for the Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps guided tour 2019 cost:

When we went, the cost was $99 per person, which we thought was a fantastic price, especially after we finished the tour. That said, you can pay even less, if you fall into one of these three categories.

Getting discounts on the Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps price.

*You can get discounts on the tour if you have a Disneyland annual pass. You must have a Disneyland, not a Disney World, annual pass. You can have both, but the Disney World AP does not give you discounts at Disneyland.

If you are a Disneyland AP holder, you will get an additional 15% off the tour, so be sure to mention it when you book, though the Cast Member will likely ask.

*You can also get that 15% off if you are a DVC member, or if you are a Disney Visa holder.

Park admission is NOT included in the tour cost. You must already have Disneyland park tickets if you are going to participate. Be sure they are Disneyland tickets or park hopper tickets, as you will not be given entry if you are holding only California Adventure tickets.

Let's talk about what to expect on the tour as far as walking, hearing, eating, etc.

You will be given a confirmation number when you book, but you will not receive an email. Be sure to write down the confirmation number so you can give it to the Cast Member at Tour Gardens when you check in.

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WALK IN WALT'S DISNEYLAND FOOTSTEPS TOUR
ACTIVITY LEVEL AND TIME

This is a walking tour and takes about five hours.

Our tour started at 9:30 a.m., and we finished up around 2 p.m., but that did include lunch.

Depending on how many people are in your group, your time could be longer or shorter since they split groups up into two parts for the tour of Walt's private apartment above the fire station on Main Street.

If your group tours the apartment first, the other group will eat lunch first. If your group tours second, you will eat lunch and then tour the apartment.

I would venture to say the second group might have a bit longer tour only because they certainly won't want to rush through the apartment tour. Whereas the first group to tour the apartment can indeed rush through lunch before heading off to do other fun things in the parks.

You will need to wear comfortable shoes and be capable of walking for several hours. You are given breaks to use the restroom, and there was a spot in the middle where we had an extended break (perhaps 15 minutes) where we were able to get a snack and buy a drink, but mostly you're walking the entire time.

You also experience several attractions, so if you are in a wheelchair, you will likely need to be able to transfer if you want to fully participate.

You will be provided with a headset that enables your tour guide to speak to you without yelling and without you having to gather super close. This is very similar to the Keys To The Kingdom tour over at Disney World, so if you've done that tour or read my post, you know what to expect.

Now that you know what to expect, I'm going to go through our entire tour, answering as many questions as I can think of. If you have more, feel free to ask, I'll help if I can.

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WALK IN WALT'S DISNEYLAND FOOTSTEPS
CHECKING IN AND PRE-ORDERING LUNCH

Get ready for loads of pictures!

When you enter Disneyland, you'll need to check in for your tour to the left of City Hall. If you're not sure where that is, look for the Fire Station on the left (it's just before the shops on Main Street), then look back toward the entrance on the left.

As you look from Main Street back to the park entrance, you'll see the Fire Station, City Hall, and then a little kiosk set inside a small, gated area.

This is Tour Gardens, and it's where you need to check in. It's also where you'll be eating lunch.

WALK IN WALT'S DISNEYLAND FOOTSTEPS TOUR
ORDERING LUNCH, AND GETTING SET UP

I didn't take a picture of the menu, but you can choose from a selection of entrees, a drink, and a dessert.

I had a sandwich, as did my mom. We both got water, and I had the Matterhorn Macaroon, which was worth the price of admission.

There are three sandwiches (if memory serves), two salads, soda and water, and three or four dessert choices. This is also the time they'll ask if you have an allergies, so don't forget to mention it.

They'll take your order at the start, but you won't eat until after the tour is complete.

They'll also give you a name tag to wear so you can all get to know one another. It's also a lovely keepsake in addition to the one you get at the end of the tour.

Once you're all checked in, go ahead and sit down at the tables behind the kiosk. Your tour guide will come around and hand out equipment so you can hear them easily.

If you ever have any trouble with your equipment, let them know. They have spare parts, extra batteries, etc.

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GETTING STARTED ON THE TOUR

Our tour started at City Hall where our wonderful guide talked to us about the history of Main Street USA, Walt's youth in Marceline, MO, and how he went about tapping the brains of his Imagineers to bring to life a Main Street USA based on everyone's fondest memories of their own home towns.

Some of this felt similar to the Keys To The Kingdom tour, especially the parts about looking closely at the names on the windows and it being an homage to all of the people who worked so hard to bring Disneyland to life.

WE GOT TO SEE THEM FILMING A COMMERCIAL

As our tour guide walked us around the circular center area before you get on to Main Street (the place where the Roy O. Disney statue with Minnie Mouse is) we got to see a commercial being filmed right in front of the giant Pumpkin that had been set up for Halloween. They're not the best pictures, but we were treated to Skeleton Goofy, Minnie Mouse, Cruella DeVille, and a few other faces.

It was very cool to see the huge lights, the crew, the microphones, etc.

I always wondered how they got these commercials shot in the hours when the park is closed, and now I know, they don't!

We also (on a different day) walked by Big Thunder Mountain as they were shooting a commercial in front of it. I didn't take pictures that day, but they basically just had a very small area sectioned off and were giving directions to a group of young adults interacting with Mickey Mouse.

It was funny to hear them saying, "Now you're laughing with Mickey, now Mickey is talking to you and you're listening to him," etc.

WALK IN WALT'S FOOTSTEPS
HEADING INTO THE PARK

We headed up Main Street, stopping just before the hub, where we listened to our guide talk about the names on the windows, who the people were, what parts they played, and how special this park is because it's the only one Walt Disney ever set foot in.

She talked about the parades, the musical acts, the music when you enter and when you leave, and how everything is planned out, down to the tiniest detail, so Disney can provide a great experience and good crowd control, moving people at intervals from one area to another, even though you don't realize that's what's going on.

She also talked about how much Walt loved being in the parades and how he loved involving all of his family, often putting them in cars and driving the parade routes, waving to the happy crowds.

WALK IN WALT'S FOOTSTEPS
A PLETHORA OF INFORMATION

Once we left the main hub we headed into Frontierland and stopped at a few places to talk about various rides and landmarks along the way.

We learned that Pirates of the Caribbean was originally meant to be a wax museum that you walked through. We all agreed that we liked that ride better than Disney World. I mean, the drops are just so much better!

We also talked about an enormous tree that Walt gave his wife for an anniversary gift. It was a cute story, and if you'd like to read about it, you can follow this link.

Walt Disney and the petrified tree.

Now, if anyone asks you what the oldest attraction is at Disneyland, you'll know, and you'll be able to spot it the next time you're at Disneyland.

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We did briefly stop in front of Haunted Mansion, and I got a little excited because I thought we might ride it, but we didn't. Instead we talked about the evolution of the Haunted Mansion, how they had a hard time keeping cleaners around because of how spooky it was, and how it's one of the last attractions that Walt Disney was directly involved in.

She also told us that Walt had a second, larger apartment built in New Orleans Square since the family was outgrowing the tiny apartment above the firehouse, but Walt and his family never used it, as he passed before it was completed.

The idea was that he'd have an apartment there, and below would be a club that was invite only for his personal guests to enjoy.

Points if you know what club I'm talking about.

Sadly, we did not get to go into Club 33.

RIDING THE TRAIN

After visiting Frontierland and that area, we boarded the train near Haunted Mansion and looped our way around the park to Tomorrowland, waving at everyone along the way. It was a lot of fun!

We did stop at Mickey's Toon Town to pick up passengers, but didn't get off, so while you were able to see some of that fantastically whimsical land, if you want to explore it, you're going to have to go on your own time.

Here we are looking out of the train into New Orleans Square.

AUTOPIA & SAMMY DAVIS JUNIOR

One of my favorite parts of the tour was when we stopped in Tomorrowland and stood for a bit in front of Autopia.

This was also the part where we got a bit of an extended break, so if you want to buy water, go to the restroom or buy a hat (like my mom did), now's your chance.

This is also where our tour guide told us a really funny story about Autopia.

Apparently, when the ride first opened, it wasn't what we see today (of course). The cars were not on tracks and weren't equipped with all of the fancy bump-proof upgrades they have now.

Walt wanted people to come in and learn from the experience. He thought that by letting smaller kids drive cars, he could teach them the fundamentals of being a good driver.

What he didn't count on was that the adults would be driving, and having just as much, if not more fun, than the kids.

When one of the main Autopia Imagineers got into a car with a group of kids, the kids egged him on to catch up with a car in front of them. The Imagineer did as he was asked, and not only caught up with the car, but crashed into it, causing the car to go off the road.

When the Imagineer got out to make sure the other driver was okay, he realized he'd crashed into none other than Sammy Davis Jr.

Such a fun story!

Really what we learned over and over was that Walt really wanted Disneyland to be a place for fun and learning. So much of what he designed was intended to teach, a far cry from the care free, happiest place on earth we all know and love.

Yes, he wanted you to have fun, but he wanted you to learn and grow while you were doing it.

THE MATTERHORN & THE DISNEY SKYWAY

Long before there was a Disney World Skyliner, there was the Disneyland Skyway. This attraction is no longer in service, but it used to link the rider from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland, and vice versa.

The Skyway went directly through the middle of the Matterhorn. There was a giant hole cut into the top center of the mountain and riders would pass through, enjoying the gleeful screams of the people on board the Matterhorn.

When the Skyway started showing metal fatigue and needed to be repaired, the only way to do it was to open up the Matterhorn for the repairs. The powers that be opted not to do this, instead using the budget for Indiana Jones.

I'm calling that a good choice!

The Skyway was dismantled in a few weeks, Disney partially closed the holes in the mountain, and we have the Matterhorn Bobsled mountain we all know today.

WHAT ATTRACTIONS DID WE GET TO EXPERIENCE?

I have heard different reports of what people were able to ride on this tour, but for us, we only rode Alice in Wonderland, and the Main Street Railroad.

I'm sure this can change based on availability of rides, and I have heard of people getting to ride Peter Pan, Small World, etc.

There's no guarantee for any rides, so we were very happy to ride Alice, as we love it almost as much as we love Peter Pan!

We did get to experience one more attraction before our tour was finished, Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln.

We were able to get a little break from the sun and head into Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, where we sat and watched the show, listened to details about the Capitol Building replica on display, and enjoyed the many pictures on the walls as we exited.

From there, the moment we'd all been waiting for had finally arrived.

We were split into two groups. One group was taken to the Fire Station for our apartment tour, and the other group was taken back to Tour Gardens for their lunch.

TOURING WALT DISNEY'S PRIVATE APARTMENT

Walt Disney spent so much time at Disneyland that he wanted to build an apartment there. He wanted a place his family could come to be together, but out of the way of the crowds.

The apartment is on the top floor of the Disney Fire Station, and we were met at the front by two Apartment Docents.

They spoke briefly with us about not taking pictures, not touching things, and in general just being very careful while we were in the apartment, as it is furnished with all of the original furniture, dishes, even baby bottles from when Walt's grandchildren came to visit.

The docents led us up, and they were with us the whole time, there to answer questions, show you around in groups of one or two at a time, and...to take some pictures at the end, which was a real treat.

There's a picture of one of the docents. You could tell they really loved Disney, and they took great pride in showing us around such a wonderful place.

INSIDE WALT'S APARTMENT

I only have a couple of pictures inside of the apartment, and both are with Mom and I in just about the same place.

You aren't allowed to take video or pictures other than the ones they allow you, so I'll do my best to describe it to you.

You enter the apartment by walking up a set of back stairs. There is a small hallway entry with a coat rack off to the left. This is where we were asked to set down any large bags we had.

They don't want you accidentally bumping into things with your bags as this is a very small space.

I believe the entire apartment is only about 500 square feet and this includes a living room that doubled as a bedroom. There is also a bathroom, a small closet/dressing room, and a tiny kitchen area that served as one wall of the living room/bedroom.

There are two couches in the living room that fold out as beds, a couple of plush chairs, an old record player, and even a telephone with the number printed right on it.

I didn't look at the number on the phone, but I do recall the docents laughing and saying, "Please don't memorize that number." and telling us that it does indeed ring once in awhile.

I have seen other pictures of the apartment where there are ropes strung so you can't enter the living room, but when we went, that was not the case.

We were able to walk around the living room, walk into the bathroom (salmon in color), look at the double shower heads, and even see the area where there was once a fireman's pole that went down into the fire station.

The pole isn't there anymore, but I can imagine Walt's grandkids had quite a bit of fun!

The little kitchen area held glasses, dishes, a lot of ash trays, baby bottles, and even the pour over coffee pots that are once again so in style today.

We got to see the lamp at the window, the one whose light is always on, and we were asked not to walk in front of the window as they didn't want people thinking they'd seen Walt's ghost. :)

They told us that during Christmas, the light in the window is replaced with a small Christmas tree, but that the lamp is moved to another window and is still always lit.

And then they asked if we'd like for them to take our pictures.

It was the highlight of the tour.

You can see the couch in the background. There's an identical one where the docent is standing to take our picture.

There's the lamp that's always lit, and on the wall beside the couch we're near is a picture of Walt's mother. On the opposite side, above Walt's wife's couch/bed is a picture of her mother.

If we walked eight feet to our right (your left), you'd be standing at the kitchenette counter. The only parts of the apartment you couldn't see from standing in the living room were the bathroom and the small dressing area.

I still get a thrill when I think about standing in Walt's apartment.

As the docents said before we left, "Of all the billions of people in the world, you are the only ones standing in Walt Disney's apartment in this moment."

It's a small group of people who've seen it, in the grand scheme of things, and I count myself lucky to be among them.

Now, let's talk lunch.

LUNCH & A KEEPSAKE

We were led back to Tour Gardens as the other group was being led up to the apartment, big, expectant grins on their faces.

At Tour Gardens we found our food ready and waiting. Each place was marked with our name, so it was very easy to find.

There's my drink, my entree, and in the white bag, my Matterhorn Macaroon! It was so good, just so good...

We ate while our tour guide walked around and talked to us, answering questions about anything we were wondering about.

That's how I found out I was right about people getting irritated on Smuggler's Run over in Galaxy's Edge.

We weren't rushed at all, and were repeatedly told to take our time. So no matter if your group tours the apartment first or last, you will not be rushed with lunch.

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WALK IN WALT'S DISNEYLAND FOOTSTEPS KEEPSAKE

No Disney tour would be complete without a keepsake for you to take home!

If you've ready any of my other tour reviews, like Keys To The Kingdom, Ultimate Day Of Thrills, or Ultimate Nights Of Adventure, you know that you always get a keepsake.

This tour is no different.

Each person on the tour had a little pin waiting beside their lunch. It's extra special because it opens and closes like a book, which is unlike any of the pins I've received so far.

It also comes attached to a little post card showing Walt standing in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

I attached the pin to my lanyard as soon as we got home, and it's absolutely something I will cherish forever.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

I love taking Disney tours, and this one was no exception.

I would caution people who have never been to Disneyland, or who aren't all that interested in the history of Disneyland. This isn't a tour that lets you ride a lot of rides, very different than some of the tours Disney World offers, so if you'd rather ride than listen, I'd recommend grabbing a tailored Touring Plan and having a wonderful day on your own.

However, if you're a big Disney fan and are as interested in the conception and planning as you are in the thrills and chills, definitely take the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Disneyland tour. It's amazing, and at $99, you absolutely cannot beat the value.

For me, a true test of a Disney tour is whether or not I'd take it again.

So far, I'd take all of them again, and have done. This is no exception.

I hope you love your tour, and if you have any questions, please let me know. I am always happy to help if I can!

Ty

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