Walk in Walt's footsteps tour

[Chellymouse]

We will be at DLR 9/11-9/14 (park days) Has anyone done the walk in Walt's footsteps tour? I haven't been to DLR in many years and DH has never been at all and we do have 4 park days. The tour looks very interesting and we have done several tours at WDW and enjoyed them all

 

[zanzibar138]

We did the tour last September. It was wonderful. Our guide told us lots of stories about Walt and Disneyland's early days (some of which I already knew, but I always like hearing them). He was so passionate about the subject, he struggled to maintain his composure at the end of the tour and had the whole group walking back down Main Street in tears lol! 'Extras' we got as part of the tour were Peter Pan, the train and Great Moments with Mr Lincoln, as well as the Dream Suite (as Walt's Apartment was inaccessible at the time). I would highly recommend this tour for anyone with a keen interest in Disney and Disney history.

A couple of side notes. I wouldn't recommend the tour for small children, or even teenagers not really interested in the finer details of Disney. It was a long tour with mainly historical stories and could get pretty boring pretty quickly for people not really interested. Also, the tour includes lots of walking and standing around, not always in the shade. The day we did it happened to be ridiculously hot and it was quite uncomfortable at times. I'd recommend booking a morning tour at that time of year, as there will always be potential for it to be hot. Also make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

 

[Canuck16]

We did the tour last September. It was wonderful. Our guide told us lots of stories about Walt and Disneyland's early days (some of which I already knew, but I always like hearing them). He was so passionate about the subject, he struggled to maintain his composure at the end of the tour and had the whole group walking back down Main Street in tears lol! 'Extras' we got as part of the tour were Peter Pan, the train and Great Moments with Mr Lincoln, as well as the Dream Suite (as Walt's Apartment was inaccessible at the time). I would highly recommend this tour for anyone with a keen interest in Disney and Disney history.

A couple of side notes. I wouldn't recommend the tour for small children, or even teenagers not really interested in the finer details of Disney. It was a long tour with mainly historical stories and could get pretty boring pretty quickly for people not really interested. Also, the tour includes lots of walking and standing around, not always in the shade. The day we did it happened to be ridiculously hot and it was quite uncomfortable at times. I'd recommend booking a morning tour at that time of year, as there will always be potential for it to be hot. Also make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

We are going to DLR in a few days and DW was looking at this tour......how long does the tour take?

 

[Charlie_Y]

Quick hijack! I am going solo in September for three days, and was hoping to do this tour. I was wondering what people's opinions are on whether to do it as one of the first things of the trip, or leave it until the last day? I know on the first day it might be too distracting wanting to see and do everything, but it might also give some good grounding and some extra magic right away.

 

[zanzibar138]

I think it was about 3 hours, plus extra for the lunch, which you all eat together and is an opportunity to chat to the guide a bit more and ask any last questions.

I would leave it until later in the trip. We did it on our second last day, and it was such a magical way to finish and left us with such great memories. I would prefer to spend the first part of my trip catching up on what's new and riding all my favourites!

 

[whoever]

Give yourself time for it. I was rushed, and had to cut my tour short to catch a flight. I did get a private 1:1 tour of walt's apt though as a result. See June, 2014 TR in sig for it

 

[Gisele]

Quick hijack! I am going solo in September for three days, and was hoping to do this tour. I was wondering what people's opinions are on whether to do it as one of the first things of the trip, or leave it until the last day? I know on the first day it might be too distracting wanting to see and do everything, but it might also give some good grounding and some extra magic right away.

If your last name is Sheen, drop me a PM.

 

[ludari]

I did this tour a few years ago just before it changed to the current more detailed tour. In fact when I did the WWF tour they where testing the new tour with cast members. As someone who visits DLR nearly every other weekend I found the tour a little slow at times but this doesn't change the fact that I absolutely enjoyed this tour and want to do it again but I think I will wait until after May 22 when the diamond celebration begins.

 

[bsj1701]

I've read reports that the apartment is no longer a part of the tour. Can anyone confirm?

 

[zanzibar138]

As far as I was aware, Walt's Apartment was temporarily left out of the tour while they were doing some maintenance that impacted public access. In the meantime, they were including the Dream Suite instead. I was disappointed to start with, but the Dream Suite was absolutely worth seeing!

It might be worth contacting Disney to see if that's still the case, unless anyone else has been recently and can confirm either way.

 

[Chellymouse]

Thanks everyone! We are DINKS so we don't have kids, and I am an avid Disney history buff. DH is even interested as this will be his first visit to DLR. We are planning on doing this on Sunday morning of our "long weekend"

 

[SomeGuyInOz]

I just did the tour about 2 weeks ago. It looks like they are no longer taking guests to Walt's apartment and are doing the Dream Suite instead. From my understanding this is permanent. I think it *may* have to do with accessible issues... (IMHO they don't want a lawsuit because a disabled guest can't get access to the apartment.) Don't you just love a litigious society? Anyway, my tour lasted a total of about 4 hours, starting at 1330h and finishing around 1730h. This included a 30 minute stop for lunch (included in the cost of the tour) at the Jolly Holiday before heading to the Dream Suite. The Dream Suite is pretty awesome and I'm really glad to have seen it. It's worth doing the tour just for this! You can't take photos in there, but they do take one photo of you in Suite on your own camera at the end of the tour. As far as attractions, we got to do Alice in Wonderland, a short ride on the train, and the Tiki Room. (Peter Pan was down for refurbishment, but I think you usually get to do that). As far as history and information goes, I can't say I personally learnt a whole lot of new stuff. I listen to a lot of podcasts and have read a few books about Disneyland and Walt; nonetheless there were a few nice little stories to be told.

Overall, I enjoyed the tour, even though it might have been a little slow and not quite as informative as I would have liked. My biggest recommendation would be to bring your own earphones! The provided earphone is hopeless. Luckily I had my own with me, so I could use them and I got to hear the tour guide and audio much better than anyone else on the tour.

Now I just have to find a way to see Walt's apartment...

 

[seigyoku]

As far as I was aware, Walt's Apartment was temporarily left out of the tour while they were doing some maintenance that impacted public access. In the meantime, they were including the Dream Suite instead. I was disappointed to start with, but the Dream Suite was absolutely worth seeing!

It might be worth contacting Disney to see if that's still the case, unless anyone else has been recently and can confirm either way.

A while back I was asking about a tour and overheard them say the "temporary" bit to someone asking. But when I was checking in to the Christmas tour I overheard them talking to someone else about the apartment with words like "no longer offered, but we have the Dream Suite!" Which is a pity, I always wanted to see it and I don't want to SEE the Dream Suite, I want to STAY in it.

 

[SomeGuyInOz]

They would never admit that access to Walt's apartment is now restricted due to accessibility issues. They didn't say that to me directly, but from what they said and from what I have overheard a few other insiders say, I believe that may be the issue. The apartment is not off-limits altogether. There are still ways to see it... you just have to know the right people ;-)

 

[Chellymouse]

They would never admit that access to Walt's apartment is now restricted due to accessibility issues. They didn't say that to me directly, but from what they said and from what I have overheard a few other insiders say, I believe that may be the issue. The apartment is not off-limits altogether. There are still ways to see it... you just have to know the right people ;-)

And whom might one know? I would give my front teeth to be able to see where Walt stayed when he was alive and at the parks. Being able to see the apartment on the tour was probably the biggest highlight for me! I actually grew up going to DL (always visited when visiting family on the West coast) and didn't go to WDW until I was in my 20's. My first roller coaster ever was the Matterhorn at age 6 when I was finally tall enough!

 

[Angel Ariel]

FWIW, I just spoke with a DL tour booking agent, and she said that Walt's apt is not part of the tour, and is not for the foreseeable future. She said they haven't been told if or when it will be included again. They are taking guests to the Dream Suite, as a few posters here indicated.

 

[Chellymouse]

FWIW, I just spoke with a DL tour booking agent, and she said that Walt's apt is not part of the tour, and is not for the foreseeable future. She said they haven't been told if or when it will be included again. They are taking guests to the Dream Suite, as a few posters here indicated.

this news is a huge downer! Not enough not to take the tour, but a downer none the less

 

[Just Peachy]

The lack of Walt's Apt on this tour is a big disappointment to me as well. I will be booking the Footsteps tour for my family and friends at the 30day window as we plan on doing it on July 17 (the actual anniversary of DLR opening). The OP asked if the tour should be first or not - I've not done this tour but have done others at the DLR and have found that it works best in the middle of our stay (we typically stay 4-5 days). The first day is so hectic getting to the hotel after traveling and everyone is usually starved, so a late lunch or early dinner seems to fit well before spending 1/2 day at the park. The next day or the one after seems to fit better with a multi-hour tour and lunch.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I was listening to this week's dis unplugged Disneyland podcast, and they reported that walt's apartment is back to being included in the tour!

 

[SomeGuyInOz]

I was listening to this week's dis unplugged Disneyland podcast, and they reported that walt's apartment is back to being included in the tour!

Oh, awesome! That is certainly not what I was told would be happening, but I am glad I had some false information in this case I guess I might need to do the tour again sometime ;-) Thanks for posting.