[MickeysGirl]

On Nov 19th I had the pleasure of taking part in the new “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” tour. For those of you who have not heard of this as yet, it is a 3-hour tour that traces the history of Walt Disney, his company & his creation of Disneyland.
As instructed at the time I made my reservation, I arrived at 8:30 to pick up my ticket at the Guest Relations booth. Of course I was wearing my new TD shirt & cap for the occasion! After getting my ticket I sat a few moments chatting with others who would be taking the same tour then gathering at the meeting zone (just outside the souvenir stand, left of the entrance of the entry gates). Soon our tour guide, Karen came to meet us alone with Diana another Guest Relations cast member. Our tour tickets were taken and after a quick roll call Diana collected everyone’s lunch request.
I was pleasantly surprised with the choices, as I had thought it would just be a boxed lunch.
Menu choices were:
Grilled Chicken Caesar on a Croissant Roll.
Roast Beef on a Baguette.
Turkey and Bacon with Swiss cheese on Wheat Bread.
Garden Salad
I opted for the roast beef on baguette.
To drink we were able to choose from Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite & water.
Once this formality was taken care of, we had our bags checked, handed our passports to the ticket takers & we were off on our adventure!
Before I continue any further let me explain that I had previously been on the “old” Walk in Walt’s Footsteps tour and that Karen had been my tour guide on that occasion as well! I cannot tell you how happy I was to see her again. She has a way of including everyone in her group. Everyone is made to feel special when taking one of Karen’s tours!
This incidentally was Karen’s first time to lead the new & improved “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” tour.
The park had not yet opened, it is quite a unique experience to be in the park before it is open to the public. The magic is all around just waiting to be noticed!
First we headed for Main Street & entered into The Walt Disney Story Karen described the contents of Walt Disney’s office that is on display there and relayed many antidotes about the personal items that are in his office.
The film “The Walt Disney Story” was not yet playing and since all but two members of the tour party had seen it before it was decided upon to skip the movie to get on with some other aspects of the tour. Per Karen we were on a tight schedule.
From there we crossed the street to the firehouse, which is downstairs from Walt Disney’s original apartment at Disneyland. If you have see this before you would have been in for a shock on this day! The fire truck was missing! In it’s place were the many tables that would later hold the cookies that could be decorated for Christmas! Again we crossed the street as wee worked our way up Main Street we stopped and went inside the Main Street Cinema. One of Walt’s most famous quotes

"I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse."

is a daily reminder that he meant every word.
Continuing down Main Street Karen pointed out the various windows that had names on them. This she explained was Walt Disney’s way of paying tribute to those he loved and respected.
We then had to hurry a bit as the gates had opened even though the rope had not dropped as yet.
Standing in front of the Plaza Inn we were informed that originally it was know as the Red Wagon Inn. It was also the only restaurant inside Disneyland where Walt Disney was able to entertain dignitaries or celebrities who visited the park.
It is a very special feeling to stand at the hub in front of the statue of Walt holding hands with Mickey, look back up Main street at all the people gathering at the end and think to yourself “Na na na na na na!”
Next stop The Enchanted Tiki Room! This was a one of a kind experience as I am certain I will never be able to enter it again (at least not until the next time I take this tour) with so few people. It was wonderful that our youngest tour member was allowed to wake up Jose!
We took the Disneyland railroad to the Tomorrowland station and departed. Karen let us have a short brake at that time and since it was a shady spot and a 90-degree day it was a welcomed time.
Many of the people on the tour had been coming to Disneyland for many years one nice couple who I know from IW were on the tour also he had actually visited Disneyland within a month of it’s opening in 1955!
I found it amazing that these people had been on rides that and seen exhibits that I had only heard of such as the Monsanto House of the Future (which by the way is now the site of Ariel’s Grotto) and the Flying Saucers!
The highlight of course for many of us was to enter into the lobby of Club 33. In order to protect the privacy and exclusiveness of any club members, we were not permitted to enter into the dining area. Our guide and a cast member from Club 33 told us the history of the club and relayed may facts that most of you I am sure are aware of. Near the end of our 3-hour tour we went up into The Disney Gallery (this was still closed to the public), as most of you know had Walt Disney lived the Disney Gallery would have been his new apartment at Disneyland. It was made with the intention that he, his wife Lillian and their two grandchildren would be able to come to the park for the weekend and not have to leave. At the time this would have been perfect however Walt Disney’s daughters would later have 10 children between the two of them. (This would have made for a very tight fit.) The apartment would have shared a kitchen with Club 33. We ate our lunches on the balcony of the Disney Gallery. I was fortunate enough to have been seated with Karen our tour guide & Barbara who you may have seen a picture of that I posted in my Photo Gallery an interesting thing to note here is that Barb is a celebrity impersonator. Karen shared with us how she had come to work at Disneyland as well as a few incidents that had occurred while working there.
The cost of this tour is $49.00 per person (no discounts apply).
The tour lasts approximately 3 hours. It does require a good amount of walking. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes! Though children can take the tour (with purchased ticket) it is long and probably not something a young child would find entertaining. (Why walk past Tarzan’s Tree house when you can climb it?) Though some teenagers who are interested in the history of Disneyland may find it interesting.
For additional information or to book the tour call (714) 781-4400.
Oh, did I mention that I received a commemorative pin?

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[MickeysGirl]

:micky: Bust inside lobby of Club 33

[June]

This is something I know I would enjoy a lot.

Thanks for the great post MG

[Disneypro]

I need to add this to my list of things to do during my march trip!!
Thanks for such a detailed report MG:&bounce:

[MouseMan]

WOW! Great article MG! Thanks so much for sharing your adventures and discovers with us!

[netenyahoo]

Thanks for the details of the tour. I just took the tour when we were there a couple weeks ago, but it was the older version. I enjoyed the tour very much and learned a lot, but yes it is a lot of walking. I wish I would have gotten a pin. That is my favorite picture of Walt (walking through the castle before the park opens). The additions of the Tiki Room and Club 33 are great.

[MickeysGirl]

:mEars: It was lots of fun! The pin is dated on the back. If they have enough interest in the tour to continue it, I will be doing this once a year so I can add to my collection. Glad you've all enjoyed it! :mEars:

[netenyahoo]

Is the pin dated with just the year or do they have the full date like today is 11/22/02 on it?

[MickeysGirl]

:mEars: Oh just the year! I doubt that it would be too cost effective to try and print them with each individual date. Still just 2 more WIWF's pins & I can say I have a collection! :mEars:

[Disneyland1955]

Ok, now this wants me to go on th tour even MORE! Well thank you for sharing. Sounds like it's a GREAT tour

[Eddie Rabbit]

MG, thank you for your great detailed report of 'Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour', it sounds terrific!! I hope one day I can experience it myself. Thanks again for sharing :&clap: :&clap: !