Disneyland is unique in that it’s the only park where guests can truly walk in Walt Disney’s footsteps, and Disneyland relishes in this. From the Walt’s Favorites section of the menu at Carnation Café to Walt’s appearance in the Disneyland Forever fireworks, his spirit seems to resonate strongest in Disneyland.

Do you want to truly walk in Walt’s footsteps, learning about the intricacies of planning while touring the park? Then, the Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps guided tour would be a great addition to your Disneyland vacation.

Tours start in either the morning or afternoon. Tours cost $109 (Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members and Disney Visa cardholders receive a discount), not including park admission. However, a meal at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café is included with your tour (P.S. it’s delicious), as well as a collector’s edition pin, only available to those who take the tour.

A Disney guest services cast member will guide you throughout the park, beginning the journey in Main Street, U.S.A. outside Walt’s apartment. Usually, this tour includes a visit to his apartment, but as the apartment is currently being refurbished, our tour took us to the Disney Dream Suite instead (more on that below). You can see a recreation of the apartment at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco and photos of the apartment in the nearby Disneyland exhibit in Main Street, U.S.A.

Not only will you hear from your tour guide, but Walt himself guides you through the park. You’ll hear his opening day speech and his discussions on various attractions, such as “it’s a small world.”

The tour includes a visit to some classic Disney attractions without the wait. Experiences vary, but we rode Alice in Wonderland and the Haunted Mansion. We also took a ride on the Walt Disney Railroad as we heard about Walt’s love of trains.

One of the perks of this tour is that you’ll be with a Disney expert, your cast member, for about four hours. You can ask your guide anything about the parks, and they’ll give you an answer (pending it’s information they’re allowed to share).

You’ll also hear about the exclusive Club 33 and Walt’s plans for the club. You don’t get to visit, unfortunately.

The crowning jewel of the tour, though, was a visit to the Disney Dream Suite. During the Year of a Million Dreams, Disney gave away stays in the Dream Suite, and you can still only stay in the suites if you win a stay. The suite at Walt Disney World is located inside Cinderella’s Castle. There wasn’t enough room in Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland to fit a suite, but what would have been Walt’s second Disneyland home sits above Pirates of the Caribbean.  

Walt loved his apartment on Main Street, U.S.A., but his family had begun to outgrow it. With grandchildren, he wanted a bigger spot for his family to rest. This would have been where the Dream Suite is today. Walt would have been able to easily walk from his suite to Club 33 and entertain before retiring in his suite that evening.

Walt passed away as the suite was being constructed, and his family decided to stop preparations. It has since served as an art gallery.

Every room in the Dream Suite represents a different land in the park, and every room includes Disney’s “Good Night Kiss,” referring to the last piece of magic Disney wants their guests to remember before they leave. You’ll get to see all these pieces of magic with a push of a button in every room.

The Rooms:

Master Bedroom – Adventureland

Good Night Kiss: As music from The Jungle Book plays, the lights dim. It appears a waterfall is reflecting throughout the room. A painting of an empty lagoon is suddenly inhabited by mermaids.

Bathroom –Fantasyland

Dressing Area – Main Street, U.S.A.

Good Night Kiss: As music from Fantasia plays, the mosaic scene around the bathtub lights up with stars. Be sure to see the shooting star!

Sitting Room – New Orleans Square

Good Night Kiss: The grandfather clock strikes 12, showing a silhouette of Cinderella and Prince Charming. Other trinkets around the room come alive.

Children’s Room – Frontierland

What seems to be shelves lined with various Disney nods, such as a copy of Treasure Island and the sailing ship Columbia, are more than just a place for collectibles. A train comes to life, traveling above the room, and the various trinkets light up and move.

You’ll also visit the balcony, where you have a perfect view of New Orleans Square and the Rivers of America. For those lucky guests who get to stay in the Dream Suite, it’s a perfect viewing spot for Fantasmic and Disneyland Forever. Cast members deliver hot chocolate and the show music is piped in through your personal speaker system.

Photos are not allowed in the Dream Suite, but your tour guide will take one photo of you near the fireplace in the sitting room before you leave.

Though the other parts of the tour are fun, visiting the Disney Dream Suite is truly what makes this tour worth it. This is the best Disney tour I’ve ever been on, including Walt Disney World tours. I recommend doing this tour if you have at least three full days in the parks, as the tour will take about four hours.

To book a tour, call 714-781-TOUR. You can only book Disneyland tours 30 days in advance.