While Disney World® offers a wide variety of VIP Tours across it’s four parks, the Disneyland® Resort offers only a few. One of those is the Walk in Walt’s Footsteps Tour which is located inside the Disneyland® Park.

In case you weren’t aware, Disneyland® is the only Disney theme park that Walt Disney actually oversaw the entire creation process of and stepped foot in — hence the name of the tour and why it’s so unique.

The Basics

The Walk in Walt’s Footsteps Tour lasts approximately four hours and includes either lunch or dinner at the end of your tour — depending upon which time you select. Tours depart at 9:30am and 12:00pm on most days.

A VIP Tour Guide escorts your group (no more than twenty) around the park, telling stories about Walt Disney and the history behind his original theme park. You also get to visit three “classic attractions” — Alice in Wonderland, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and the Disneyland® Railroad.

The tour concludes with the group being split into two. One half eats lunch (or dinner) from Jolly Holiday Bakery and Cafe, while the other half visits either Walt Disney’s apartment above the firehouse or the Dream Suite above Pirates of the Caribbean. The groups then switch and the tour is concluded.

Note: When the Rivers of America and Disneyland® Railroad where under refurbishment, guests frequently rode other attractions like The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and It’s a Small World. This was only due to the year-and-a-half-long refurbishment. Likewise, the tour used to include Peter Pan, but due to the popularity of the attraction, the tour includes Alice in Wonderland instead.

Souvenirs

In addition to lunch or dinner being included with the tour, each guest also receives a souvenir trading pin and post card to commemorate the experience. Both are of very high quality and you can’t purchase them at any of the Disney merchandise locations.

You also receive a Walk in Walt’s Footsteps Tour button which has your name on it. Not only is it a nifty souvenir, but it lets all the other cast members know that you’re on the tour, when receiving front-of-the-line access to the selected attractions.

Checking-In

We arrived for our tour about fifteen minutes prior to our scheduled start time, which is recommended. Check-in is located to the left of City Hall, at a small VIP tour kiosk. (It’s well labeled and easy to find.)

To check-in we simply gave the cast member the name our reservation was under and then provided ID. In exchange we received our tour buttons with our names on them and were asked to select our meals that would be provided at the end of the tour. You are allowed to choose one beverage, one entree, and one dessert.

Once we finished checking-in, we were told to have a seat at a nearby table. Once seated, our tour guide, Jack, introduced himself and provided us with listening devices for the tour.

The Tour

The actual tour itself lasts approximately three hours, including the time spent at the three attractions. It starts off on Main Street, then goes to Sleeping Beauty Castle before continuing on to the different lands. While I did enjoy the stories our guide told about Walt Disney and Disneyland, it’s very scripted. At times I felt like our tour guide was simply reciting lines as opposed to genuinely telling stories.

One thing that was really neat — and not advertised — is that your tour guide will play selected audio recordings of Walt Disney talking throughout the tour. For example, we listened to Walt’s opening-day dedication speech while standing in the middle of main street, right where he stood when he delivered it. I got goose bumps!

I should also note that if you’re a Disney history nerd, you’re probably not going to learn anything new. But if you’re a Disney fan or a history buff, who doesn’t know much about Walt Disney or how Disneyland came to be, you will thoroughly enjoy the stories. 

Of course, the highlight of the tour was visiting Walt’s old apartment above the firehouse. The apartment is small — only 500 square feet — which is why the tour group is split into two. You can’t fit everyone up there at once! And while most of the items in the apartment are now historical reproductions due to water damage and age, there are still quite a few original pieces. But the best part is they let you take a photo!

After you’ve visited Walt’s apartment (the last stop on the tour), you receive your collectible souvenir trading pin and the tour is officially over.

The Food

Your choices are a little limited in terms of what you can order, but the food was delightfully fresh and on point. We both ordered the Jolly Holiday salad — mixed greens, spiced pecans, feta, tomatoes, dried cranberries, with raspberry vinaigrette on the side, flourless chocolate cake, and water.

The salad was absolutely perfect for a hot, sunny day — cold and crisp. And the flourless chocolate cake was divine! We had never eaten at Jolly Holiday before, but now it’s on our list.

Our Final Thoughts

All in all, we absolutely loved the tour and thought the cost was in line with what you received. We definitely recommend the tour for Disney fans, history buffs, or anyone who wants to experience a little extra magic on their vacation.

We don’t recommend the tour for ardent Disney history geeks (you’ll be bored), families with small children (they’ll be bored), or those who have a limited amount of time to visit Disneyland (you could do twice the number of attractions during the time it takes to complete the tour).

The Fine Print and Details

Theme Park Admission

• Separate Disneyland Park admission is not included in the tour price and is required to take all Disneyland Resort Tours.

Reservations

• Please call (714) 781-TOUR or (714) 781-8687 to make reservations. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

• Registering Guests must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid photo ID.

• Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (18 or older) during the entire tour.

• Full payment is due at time of booking and is nonrefundable.

• Same-day bookings may be available on a walk-up basis only.

Advance Booking

• You may book a tour 30 days prior to your visit.

• Tours in languages other than English may be available with advance notice.

Confirmation Number

• When calling to make reservations, you will be given a confirmation number.

• Write this number down and bring it to the tour along with your photo ID—you will not receive a confirmation email.

Check In

• Enter through the Disneyland Park Main Entrance and go to the Disneyland Tour Gardens kiosk (left of City Hall) for check-in.

• Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour—late arrivals will not be accommodated.

• Present your confirmation number and photo ID at the tour kiosk. If you do not have your confirmation number, you may use your last name and the credit card number used to purchase the tickets.

Meet Your Tour Guide  
After checking in, gather by the sign that says, “Guided Tour Guests—Please Meet Your Tour Guide Here.”

What to Wear

• Please note that Disneyland Resort Tours are outdoor walking tours and take place rain or shine.

• Be prepared and check the weather forecast. Dress appropriately—and wear comfortable walking shoes.

• Tours are audio-enhanced and equipment is provided, but you may bring your own headphones.

Please note: tour or tour elements are also subject to cancellation without notice due to, without limitation, attraction availability, inclement weather or other conditions.