Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour

[lizdotcom99]

Fingers crossed for you Elaine.

We booked it yesterday for our December trip - we wanted Dec 8th but it was booked up when Rob phoned but there was room on the 3rd so doing it then.
Keeping fingers crossed now that it isnt raining as I really really want to go into Walts apartment

So if it is raining....you don't get to go into the apartment? I am going to start praying to the weather gods now..............I would CRY if that happened!!

 

[jetskigrl]

So if it is raining....you don't get to go into the apartment? I am going to start praying to the weather gods now..............I would CRY if that happened!!

I don't know if anyone has encountered the situation yet. I asked when I booked but the CM booking it for me didn't know since there had been no rain.
I only worry about it because they won't let people in the Lilly Belle when it is raining because they don't want the carpeting or anything to get ruined. So I'm worried they would do the same for the apartment.

If it is raining tomorrow, I will find out for sure. If it isn't raining, I will ask the CM who does are tour what their plans are for when it rains. Since they are charging a whole lot more for the tour because it includes the apartment, it would be hard to exclude it (at least without having something else in its place). But I'm sure in the fine print is says that the tour is subject to change.

 

[lizdotcom99]

I don't know if anyone has encountered the situation yet. I asked when I booked but the CM booking it for me didn't know since there had been no rain.
I only worry about it because they won't let people in the Lilly Belle when it is raining because they don't want the carpeting or anything to get ruined. So I'm worried they would do the same for the apartment.

If it is raining tomorrow, I will find out for sure. If it isn't raining, I will ask the CM who does are tour what their plans are for when it rains. Since they are charging a whole lot more for the tour because it includes the apartment, it would be hard to exclude it (at least without having something else in its place). But I'm sure in the fine print is says that the tour is subject to change.

Thank you!!!! I can't wait to see what you find out!!!! Have a great time!! Pictures...we want pictures!!

 

[jenn52]

Hey jetskigrl! We're going tomorrow too! I'm so excited!!! I called and asked if they still do the tours in the rain, I was relieved when they said yes.

Jen

 

[jetskigrl]

Hey jetskigrl! We're going tomorrow too! I'm so excited!!! I called and asked if they still do the tours in the rain, I was relieved when they said yes.

Jen

How fun!!!! It will be our whole family so we should be easy to identify (me, DH, DD (14) and DS (9)) since there are only 15 in the tour total.

Yeah, when I asked about the rain they said they only cancel the tour if it is dangerous (flooding or lightening, etc). She was just unsure about the apartment portion. But the forecast seems to be working in our favor. They have backed way off on the chance of rain tomorrow so I am cautiously optimistic The wind has definitely blown the clouds away from our area (along the coast) today but we will see what the morning brings.
When I went home for lunch I was amazed at the clouds out over the mountains. So pretty but kind of scary looking at the same time.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Hey jetskigrl! We're going tomorrow too! I'm so excited!!! I called and asked if they still do the tours in the rain, I was relieved when they said yes.

Jen

That makes me VERY happy!!!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!! We are going on the 6th!

 

[jetskigrl]

Hi All,
I just wanted to report back with our experience. First off, the tour was awesome!!! I felt it was worth every penny. It was our first time doing a tour and this was a great one to pick.

I don't want to give many details because I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone. I will say that I asked both the tour guide and the docent that took us to Walt's apartment what happens when it rains and you can rest assured that the visit to the apartment will still happen. They will just take extra measures to protect the carpeting with a covering.

One thing that I did not anticipate though was the holiday decorations. I noticed as soon as we arrived that even though the holiday season doesn't officially start until tomorrow, the firehouse was already decorated for Christmas. This includes Walt's window, where they replace the lamp with a small table-top Christmas tree. So our picture was taken in front of the window and tree, instead of the window and lamp.

So for those that are considering booking it, but haven't booked yet, if the lamp being in the picture is important than you will probably want to book outside of the holiday season.

For us, we were just so darn happy to be standing inside the apartment that the actual lamp being in the picture turned out not to be so important after all. We still know it is the window that looks out over Main Street and I took a picture of it from outside too.

Otherwise our tour was exactly as Mary Jo described in her blog. We even had Emily as our tour guide and she was great!!
The only thing different from what Mary Jo experienced was that we did not receive the pin with the lamp on it (which actually is kind of a bummer because that would have been a neat keepsake). We did receive the one that was mailed to her later, which I assume is the usual one and they just didn't have it when Mary Jo went.

Emily informed us that they are making a similar tour for DCA that will be called "Walk in Walt's California Footsteps" and will be based on the animation history. This will include a "sister" pin that matches the one we received for this tour. I'm sure we will book that one when it is announced.

Oh, and we did get to meet Jen and her DH

 

[focusondisney]

Hi All,
One thing that I did not anticipate though was the holiday decorations. I noticed as soon as we arrived that even though the holiday season doesn't officially start until tomorrow, the firehouse was already decorated for Christmas. This includes Walt's window, where they replace the lamp with a small table-top Christmas tree. So our picture was taken in front of the window and tree, instead of the window and lamp. So for those that are considering booking it, but haven't booked yet, if the lamp being in the picture is important than you will probably want to book outside of the holiday season.

For us, we were just so darn happy to be standing inside the apartment that the actual lamp being in the picture turned out not to be so important after all. We still know it is the window that looks out over Main Street and I took a picture of it from outside too.

Otherwise our tour was exactly as Mary Jo described in her blog. We even had Emily as our tour guide and she was great!!
The only thing different from what Mary Jo experienced was that we did not receive the pin with the lamp on it (which actually is kind of a bummer because that would have been a neat keepsake). We did receive the one that was mailed to her later, which I assume is the usual one and they just didn't have it when Mary Jo went.

I was very much looking forward to the picture with THE LAMP! Yes, I'll still know it is the apartment, but that darn "lamp in the window" Is what signifies DL to me! We go to WDW every year. And every time we go, I look at the window above the firehouse & know it's not "Walt's place" coz there's NO LAMP! We already did this tour years ago. We're repeating it coz I really want to see the apartment. Happy we'll still get to see it, but really disappointed about The Lamp.

Our trip is 3 weeks away, can't change it now. And we live 3000 miles away. We won't be coming back anytime soon, so taking the tour some other time won't work. No 6 day pass, seperate line for admission, 20 days of CP with seating for a select chosen few, no lamp in the window. I'm happy to be fortunate enough to go to DL. But I'm glad our trip will be here soon. I can't take many more "Magical" changes.


Sorry for the vent! Thanks for the report SkiGirl. At least I have time to adjust my thinking & I won't be disappointed while I'm there.

 

[jetskigrl]

I was very much looking forward to the picture with THE LAMP! Yes, I'll still know it is the apartment, but that darn "lamp in the window" Is what signifies DL to me! We go to WDW every year. And every time we go, I look at the window above the firehouse & know it's not "Walt's place" coz there's NO LAMP! We already did this tour years ago. We're repeating it coz I really want to see the apartment. Happy we'll still get to see it, but really disappointed about The Lamp.

Our trip is 3 weeks away, can't change it now. And we live 3000 miles away. We won't be coming back anytime soon, so taking the tour some other time won't work. No 6 day pass, seperate line for admission, 20 days of CP with seating for a select chosen few, no lamp in the window. I'm happy to be fortunate enough to go to DL. But I'm glad our trip will be here soon. I can't take many more "Magical" changes.


Sorry for the vent! Thanks for the report SkiGirl. At least I have time to adjust my thinking & I won't be disappointed while I'm there.

No worries...I totally understand. I have to admit, I did have a stab of disappointment when I looked up and saw the tree (from outside) also. I completely forgot that the lamp gets changed out for a tree this time of year.

But a positive to doing the tour during the holiday time is that you bypass the line for Small World Holiday and get to walk right on

The lamp is still inside the apartment so you will get to see it in person. It just won't be in the picture. And unfortunately since you can't take pictures (other than the one they take for you), you still won't be able to get a picture of it.

On a positive note, I felt like they did spend a good amount of time with us in the apartment. When I first heard about the changes, I think it was reported as a "look inside the apartment." So I was pleasantly surprised with how long we got to spend in there.

But they don't take you out on the patio so keep that in mind when it is your turn to see the bathroom area. Make sure you look outside the window by the back door so you can see the patio.

Oh, and on another positive note not related to the tour, I think they have done away with the separate entrance lines for the 4 and 5 day passes as others have reported. I didn't see them for either park on Saturday.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Ohhhh boy!! Even more excited now! Thanks for the report!!

 

[focusondisney]

Thanks SkiGirl!! I'm glad to hear the lamp is in the apartment & we'll still get to see it. I'll be happy to get any picture in the apartment. Thanks for reporting on your tour. And I'll try to remember to look out the back door too. Thanks for that tip!

So what did you have for lunch? Same menu options Sherry reported?

 

[georgiesmum]

Do you have to pay for children? DH and I would love to do this tour but not too sure if we have to pay for DD4. (I may just do it by myself!)

 

[jetskigrl]

Thanks SkiGirl!! I'm glad to hear the lamp is in the apartment & we'll still get to see it. I'll be happy to get any picture in the apartment. Thanks for reporting on your tour. And I'll try to remember to look out the back door too. Thanks for that tip!

So what did you have for lunch? Same menu options Sherry reported?

I think the lunch menu was the same. We all had the Turkey Sandwich. It was very good. The kids had the Mickey Sugar cookies for dessert. DH and I had the chocolate caramel tart (I think that is what is was called, LOL).

Do you have to pay for children? DH and I would love to do this tour but not too sure if we have to pay for DD4. (I may just do it by myself!)

Yes, I believe everyone has to pay for the tour. It really is not geared for young children because it is primarily listening to the tour guide. I think it would be difficult for a 4 year old to stay focused on what is happening and I'm worried that you would miss out on a lot also if you DD loses interest. The tour runs about 3 hours so that would be hard for a 4 year old.

My DS is 9 1/2 and he did fine with the tour, but he has also been going to Disneyland his whole life so he is very into the history of Walt and the park. There was also another child about the same age as DS and he also seemed fine. But I don't think I would spend the money for a child much younger than that.

 

[georgiesmum]

Thank you for the advice. Maybe DH and I will have to do the tours on separate days - not ideal but better than missing out entirely!

 

[jetskigrl]

Thank you for the advice. Maybe DH and I will have to do the tours on separate days - not ideal but better than missing out entirely!

That would be how I would plan it so that you both have the opportunity to do the tour. Plus it gives the other parent some fun alone time with your DD, to go on rides and have lunch, etc

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thanks SkiGirl!! I'm glad to hear the lamp is in the apartment & we'll still get to see it. I'll be happy to get any picture in the apartment. Thanks for reporting on your tour. And I'll try to remember to look out the back door too. Thanks for that tip!

So what did you have for lunch? Same menu options Sherry reported?

Here's a picture of the menu:

I had the salad. I've had the chicken salad sandwich before - it's delicious. The Mickey chocolate tart was delicious, too.

The food comes from the Jolly Holiday Bakery.

 

[ukstitch]

I'm wondering if somebody might be kind enough to send me either a copy of their apartment picture (straight from camera), or a link to their photo online to see if I can peak at the information about how much zoom the guides use when taking the photos... The name / model of your camera / lens might also do the trick but then again it might not quite be enough information for what I want to know.

I'm quite heavily into my photography and have quite a few lenses, so I want to make sure I've got the right lens on my camera for our photo to avoid a picture that is effectively ruined because they can't zoom in/out enough to take the picture.

If you want to send me a copy of your photo, please drop me a PM and I'll pass you my email address to send it to.

Thanks

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'm wondering if somebody might be kind enough to send me either a copy of their apartment picture (straight from camera), or a link to their photo online to see if I can peak at the information about how much zoom the guides use when taking the photos... The name / model of your camera / lens might also do the trick but then again it might not quite be enough information for what I want to know.

Here's the pic they took with my little point & shoot camera.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Here's the pic they took with my little point & shoot camera.

LOVE this photo!!!!!!!!!

 

[ukstitch]

Here's the pic they took with my little point & shoot camera.

Thanks for this - that gives me a reasonable clue what I'm after and also seems to agree with the one example I've seen on flickr