Thanks Sleepless Knight for your input.
We both love Walt Disney and in fact I just finished reading a great book about Walt called 'How to be like Walt Disney'. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Walt. It was fantastic and really inspiring. What a fantastic human being!
It will be my first trip to DL however it will be my partner's 5th trip. We will have at least 3 days to DL and DCA and could add a 4th or maybe even 5th if required so it seems we should be able to fit the tour in. I am really considering doing it now especially to have to opportunity to "walk in Walt's footsteps"!
With that information, I give the tour my complete and wholehearted recommendation. I took the tour in 2007, and to put it in perspective, I visited
Disneyland in '78, '82, '86, '88 through '92, '95, '98, '03 through '05, and became an annual passholder in 2006, visiting 3-4 times a year now. In all honesty, going to Disneyland means that you're going to walk in Walt's footsteps anyways, but the tour will help a Disneyland novice experience the richness and detail in the park, some of which is part of the magic, but not necessarily realized. For the veteran, it's fascinating to see so much Disney history, and depending on your guide, you may hear stories about long gone attractions that left the park years before my parents took their 2 year old son(me) for the first time in '78(not that I remember much, but hey).
In my opinion, Walt's personal touch is what sets Disneyland apart from every other park in the world, including any park built by the Walt Disney company.
As far as adding an extra day goes, when did you last visit WDW and/or when is your next visit there if applicable? Based on that answer, I'll give you my opinion on adding another day or so.
I did this tour a few years ago and absolutely loved it. I'm thinking of taking it again in June when I visit DL again. Last time I went, part of the tour was spent in what what then the Disney Gallery (now the Dream Suite) above the Pirates entrance. We discussed how Walt was making it into an apartment for his family and entertaining. We then ate our lunch on a courtyard verandah. Now that this is the Dream Suite, is it still part of the tour? Or do they include something else instead?
In August 2007, the Dream Suite was under construction. Lunch was held in the courtyard where you check in for the tour. I believe that lunch is still in that location and is included as part of the tour.