"To all who come to this happy place, welcome! Disneyland is your land." Walt Disney said this at the opening ceremony of his original park, Disneyland, in Anaheim, CA. That park has now been open for more than 60 years and there's still so much for guests to see and do during their visit, no matter how long or short it is. But one thing guests might not know they can do is actually tour Walt Disney's private apartment above the Main Street USA fire station!
Imagine stepping back in time to the 1950s when Disney was still new and seeing the space Walt built for himself and his family. For any avid Disney fan, this is a dream of a lifetime, and now it can come true. Keep reading to find out how you can tour Walt's private apartment at Disneyland, because it's so, so worth it.
1Book the "Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps" Tour Early
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To be able to tour Walt Disney's in-park apartment, you're going to want to book the "Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps" tour before heading to Disneyland park. Guests can book the tour 30 days prior to your Disneyland vacation, and this is the best way to guarantee a spot.
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2Where the Tour Takes You
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The tour takes guests all over the park and on select attractions, including the Disneyland Railroad, Alice in Wonderland, and Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln. Then, after lunch at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, you head into Walt's apartment. The tour lasts approximately four hours, so be sure to plan the rest of your Disneyland day accordingly.
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3Tour Discounts
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Disneyland annual passholders, Disney Vacation Club members, and Disney Visa card holders are all eligible for a 15 percent discount on the tour. Do note that valid theme park admission is still required to take the tour.
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4Connecting Walt's Past to Today
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Each time you stop at an attraction or significant location during the tour, your guide will explain why that place is so special in maintaining Walt Disney's legacy. This is especially true inside Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, where Walt's original audio-animatronic debuted at the 1964 World's Fair. Inside the Main Street Opera House, there's also a scale model of Disneyland Park how it looked on opening day in 1955.
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5Inside Walt's Apartment
Image Source: Megan duBois
The end of your tour will culminate in the moment you get to go backstage and up some steps into Walt Disney's second floor apartment. The space is quite small and there are no photos allowed, except the one your guide will take of you near the lamp that never gets turned off at Disneyland. Inside the apartment, there's a small living space, two fold-out beds, and one small bathroom. Everything is in pristine condition with photos of Walt and Lillian Disney on the walls. It's a true once-in-a-lifetime moment for any Disney fan!