Walk in Walt's footsteps tour

[ParkHopper1]

As of two weeks ago the Apartment was still off limits to the general public and was going to remain so for the foreseeable future. The key issue as mentioned is accessibility. There used to be a chair lift that could take accessible guests up to the apartment. They partially redid the walkway behind main street for when they blow backstage open for guest flow which exits right next to the Firehouse...and the apartment. The resurfacing of the walkway was right where the lift was located as well as in the actual walkway that is now occasionally used by guests. The current lift is no longer stable on the resurfaced walkway for whatever reason, so it had to be removed. I got the impression that there way no urgency to replace it as there was a lot of concern about the wear and tear the apartment was receiving from the volume of people that were going through there on tours. This is from first hand discussion with two different tour guides that gave the tours.

 

[Angel Ariel]

As of two weeks ago the Apartment was still off limits to the general public and was going to remain so for the foreseeable future. The key issue as mentioned is accessibility. There used to be a chair lift that could take accessible guests up to the apartment. They partially redid the walkway behind main street for when they blow backstage open for guest flow which exits right next to the Firehouse...and the apartment. The resurfacing of the walkway was right where the lift was located as well as in the actual walkway that is now occasionally used by guests. The current lift is no longer stable on the resurfaced walkway for whatever reason, so it had to be removed. I got the impression that there way no urgency to replace it as there was a lot of concern about the wear and tear the apartment was receiving from the volume of people that were going through there on tours. This is from first hand discussion with two different tour guides that gave the tours.

The dis unplugged podcast saw someone in the park recently..it sounded like this past week...who was wearing something that indicated they had taken the tour. In the conversation, Tom was told that the person had on fact seen Walt's apt on the tour that day.

I would suggest listening to today's podcast before dismissing the report.

 

[rwhistler92]

Walt's apartment is not part of the tour.
I took the tour Sunday and they said that if "the powers that be" have their way the apartment will never be back on the tour. The only way to see it is to be a cast member.
I think the confusion is that they call the Dream Suite Walt's apartment on the tour. So someone who took the tour, not knowing the the apartment above the fire station use to be on the tour, would think that the Dream Suite is the apartment everyone is talking about.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Like I said...just repeating what I heard on the podcast, and I'm pretty sure Tom & co know the difference between the Dream Suite and the apt.

Perhaps Tom could clear this up? @ImTooExcitedToSleep

 

[MommyJKM]

There has been a rumor floating among C33 members that the apt (*the REAL apartment above the firehouse) will be permanently taken off the tour as the above poster said, in order to preserve it. It matters to C33 members because The Lounge at The Club MAY become part of the tour which isn't sitting well with people.

I understand why people don't LOVE the Dream Suite as a substitute but if they had a section where it showed the old version when it was the apartment (which was gorgeous!) I think it would have more meaning.

 

[Nonsuch]

There has been a rumor floating among C33 members that the apt (*the REAL apartment above the firehouse) will be permanently taken off the tour as the above poster said, in order to preserve it. It matters to C33 members because The Lounge at The Club MAY become part of the tour which isn't sitting well with people.

Club 33 has recently started offering members tours of Walt's Apartment, so it's not surprising the apartment is returning to the Footsteps tour.

The Club 33 Lounge (and the Court of Angels and Dining Room) could easily be added to the Footsteps (or other) tour, since the club does not open until 11AM. 1901 is already part of the Disney California Story Tour.

 

[Malcon10t]

The apartment will soon be back was what we heard today. I went with a club member to the apartment for a tour today and the guides made sure we were aware I would need to be able to use the stairs. A nice addition to the previous tour was going out on the balcony.

 

[Minniekins]

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 wow, that's so awesome! We just recently decided we just had to do it and come out next May for basically our first trip(actually my 2nd, but don't remember much from, um, uh 50 years ago, even the part when my 2 ry old brother and Mom met Walt in the park, but I didn't as I chose to stay with my dad and not go wherever they went, the bathroom I think, lol! argh, still mad, lol!). We are so excited to 'walk the park that Walt walked' and were excited to hear about this tour! Can anyone share more info about this tour? How long is this tour, and how often is it offered - every day, more than once a day? This is gonna be great, but I bet this tour will make me cry, lol! Thanks to anyone who can share more on what sounds like it'll be a great tour!

 

[Chellymouse]

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.

This is awesome news!! I hope it holds true!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I sure hope so. I would love to find away to get this tour in dec and if walts apartment is on the tour again it may be worth the price to me.

 

[Charlie_Y]

Fingers crossed that it's still on the tour in September! Will do the tour regardless, but this would make it extra special!

 

[disneygrl03]

I'm taking the tour May 1, so I'll update you if the apt is included at that point! I sure hope so! Is there a difference between the 930 or 1 tour? I've read where some people got to ride the Lilly Belle recently and others didn't. Just wondering if it's a time thing with either tour time. I've never done it, so I sure hope the apt is included!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Lilly bell only runs sometimes if it is running when you go on the tour they may have it on the tour. Thanks I look forward to reading your report.

 

[blondeoverbluenyc]

.

 

[bradleyjess]

I'm taking the tour May 1, so I'll update you if the apt is included at that point! I sure hope so! Is there a difference between the 930 or 1 tour? I've read where some people got to ride the Lilly Belle recently and others didn't. Just wondering if it's a time thing with either tour time. I've never done it, so I sure hope the apt is included!

Any updates? I'm taking the tour Saturday!

When I made my reservation in early April, the CM said it would be Walt's apartment or the Dream Suite depending on day because of refurbishments in the apartment! What attractions did you get to go on with Peter Pan being down?

 

[LizzyS]

I really want to take this tour when we go to DLR again next February, but if I can't see Walt's apartment, I'm not doing it. That's the thing that pushed me over the edge and made me want to spend the money, tbh.

It's not like they actually let you meander around the apartment, right? Isn't there a velvet rope keeping you from going in very far?

 

[LizzyS]

I'm taking the tour May 1, so I'll update you if the apt is included at that point! I sure hope so! Is there a difference between the 930 or 1 tour? I've read where some people got to ride the Lilly Belle recently and others didn't. Just wondering if it's a time thing with either tour time. I've never done it, so I sure hope the apt is included!

So as of right now you can do either a 9:30am or 1pm tour? Are those both offered daily?

 

[jemmi]

We were just at Disneyland last week. We did the Walk in Walt's tour last year and were able to see the apartment. This time we did the tour at DCA. I asked about the apartment and was told it's no longer on the tour. If there is someone staying in the dream suite then you do the apartment but the dream suite is normally on the schedule. The day we were there someone was in the dream suite so that day on the tour they saw Walt's apartment. As a side note Club 1901 at DCA was amazing, I could've looked at all the pictures in there all day.

We were able to ride the Lilly Belle one day we were there. Right when the park opened I went up to the train station on Main Street. A conductor was up there with a sign up sheet for 10:15 and 11:15. There was room on the 10:15 ride so I signed up. The park opened up at 9am that day and I had to stay up there in line until 10. Your whole party doesn't have to stay but someone does to hold your place in line. My husband went and got fast passes and came back, your whole party has to be there at 10 for check in. They also checked in the 11:15 tour at the same time. If there is a chance of rain or if it gets over 90 degrees they won't do the Lilly Belle rides. It was an awesome experience.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Thanks for the info on the Lilly Belle- that's good to know!

 

[aliciameo]

We are going to Disneyland July 3-7. Do you all think Peter Pan will be included since it's supposed to open on July 1? Also, what are the options on the menu for lunch? Last time I looked it was the Caprese, Chicken Salad or Turkey sandwich from Jolly Holiday as well as a couple of salads.