Ask any fan of Disney Parks and they’ll tell you — there’s nothing like the feeling you get when you’re walking down Main Street, USA. The charm and nostalgia of a bygone era, the smell of freshly popped popcorn, and the sounds of turn-of-the century music all evoke instant smiles. Although there are multiple Main Streets across Disney’s six global theme parks, none of them have as much history as the original one which Walt planned himself in Disneyland California. While I’ve been on this iconic street many times, I’ve always wanted to take a private tour to learn about the first Main Street’s legendary history. This summer, I got to do just that!
Walt’s Main Street Story is a paid 90-minute guided walking tour offered by Disneyland to guests who hold park admission on the day of the tour. It gives true “Disneyphiles” the rare opportunity to see Walt’s Main Street through his eyes, and learn little-known facts and hidden stories behind this highly-detailed land. But the real selling point of this tour is the chance to go backstage and step foot inside the incredible private residence of Walt and Lillian Disney!
Our tour began at Tour Gardens, the beautifully landscaped courtyard past City Hall on Main Street. We arrived 15 minutes prior to our scheduled time, as our confirmation email asked us to do. There were about 10 people in our group including us, so it was a great size. We showed a friendly cast member our IDs and she had cute personalized tour name tags ready for us. We were introduced to our tour guide, James (who was wonderful!) and he gave each of us a personal headset with an over-the-ear earpiece and a clip-on control. This was such a smart tool to make our tour experience easier! Throughout the tour, James would speak at a normal volume into his small headset mic, and we were able to hear everything he was saying right in our earpiece despite the noisy theme park crowd all around us!
One of the most eye-opening aspects of this tour was getting the chance to look at Main Street, USA a little more carefully. James first brought us across Main Street into the little alley that greets you with colorful flower stands and charming awnings. He began to show off his impressive Disney knowledge with the first of many Disney tidbits that we never would have known without talking to an “insider!” He brought us to several particular spots along Main Street and told us secret tales of the origin of every design, name, and even color scheme. He encouraged us to look up and take our time appreciating so many of Main Street’s beautiful details, which were incorporated by Walt with great purpose and care.
We saw names on the windows that pay homage to members of the Disney family. We saw signs that are nods to Walt’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri. Above the doorway of the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner, we even saw a pristine Disney detail in the alternating red and white lightbulbs. . . which includes one bulb that is half red and half white to solve the lightbulbs’ even-number pattern. These are the kind of details only Disney would tend to, and they are the secrets that make Main Street so special.
But without a doubt, the highlight of this tour is visiting Walt and Lillian Disney’s private apartment that was built above the firehouse on Main Street.
The Main Street Firehouse sits in a somewhat tucked-away corner at the beginning of Main Street. It’s a quiet spot nestled between the busy park entrance and the bustling Emporium gift shop. It’s not a real firehouse, of course, and if you didn’t know better, you’d think it’s another decorative facade and walk right past it without a second glance. Disney history buffs, however, know that there’s more to this firehouse than meets the eye.
At the top of this building is the private residence of Walt and Lillian Disney, where the couple would stay when they were in Anaheim working and entertaining family and friends. Walt used it as a private space to welcome celebrity guests (like Julie Andrews) and as a tucked-away retreat for his favorite park guests — his grandchildren. He was known to stand by the apartment’s window and proudly look out at all the families enjoying the results of his dream. Knowing I was about to enter this legendary, storied apartment was my own dream come true!
Going “backstage” in Disneyland is the first extraordinary moment of this unique tour experience. Because Disney’s mission is to preserve the magic “on-stage” in the parks, they do not want too many of their backstage secrets going public! As soon as we walked through the “cast members only” door next to the firehouse, we were asked to turn in our headphones and informed of Disney’s no-backstage-photography rule. We climbed a fire escape staircase to the door to Walt’s apartment, and gathered on the top landing. We could hear faint sounds of the park crowds, but the higher we got toward the Disney residence the more peaceful things felt. Before opening the door, James asked us all to put down our bags, phones, and cameras.
As soon as I stepped inside, I felt the rich historical energy in the room. Being inside this “sacred” space almost felt like a spiritual experience for me. Our tour guide recommended that we take time to quietly soak it all in, which was definitely easier to do without the distraction of our phones. I can’t describe how peaceful and calm it is inside this apartment. The park is right below but you don’t even hear the noise of the crowds. The tiny space — and its matching tiny full bathroom — are such a cozy escape from the chaos of the real world. I felt as though I had time-traveled and was personally welcomed by Walt into his private home.
The furniture, the decor, the colors — everything about the apartment looked like it was frozen in time. While this apartment was built in 1955 along with the park, Walt and Lillian chose to decorate it in a Victorian style to match the turn-of-the-century theming of Main Street. While some elements of the decor were recreated or added since Walt’s passing, most of everything we saw was original, including the two sleeper sofas which were Walt and Lillian’s beds. Photos of Walt and his grandchildren — as well as their original baby bottles –were incredible details that evoked so much nostalgia.
We weren’t allowed to take personal photographs inside Walt’s apartment, so you won’t see any here. But part of our tour ticket included a few professional photos taken of each family by a Disney PhotoPass photographer. This photo of my son looking out the very window that Walt used to look out is such a special keepsake from this memorable experience!
Walt used to always keep the lamp by this window on to let cast members and guests know when he was in the park. According to legend, a housekeeper turned it off after he passed away, but when she turned around it was turned back on. This happened several more times until Disneyland decided to keep the light on all the time in honor of Walt whose spirit is still always in the park. Our tour guide James told us that he has had his own experiences with the spirit of Walt Disney in this moving space. On one occasion, a tour guest asked James about the legend of Walt’s presence, and before he could answer the question, the tightly-shut door to the apartment swung open on a totally un-windy day! There’s no question that Walt’s spirit lives on in Disneyland, and after this moving experience I believe his apartment is the true heart of the park.
At the conclusion of our tour, we stepped outside of Walt’s apartment onto his private veranda where we got to see his view of Main Street. James invited us to have a seat and enjoy some complimentary water and personalized cookies, which were enormous and tasted like a yummy, lemony shortbread with edible gold stars! He answered all of our questions and shared more personal stories of his experience as a Disney history expert. It was the perfect ending to a perfect morning. I would’ve moved right into Walt’s veranda if they let me!
Walt’s Main Street Story tour was one of the best things I have ever done. I am so happy I brought my son to experience it too, and we’ll treasure the pictures we have forever. While the tour is open to all ages and appropriate for kids, small children may get bored or antsy, but you know your child best. Keep in mind that children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by someone 18 or older. The tour costs $160 per person age 3 and up, and is a separate charge from admission. Disney Visa cardholders are eligible for a 15% discount when tickets are purchased through their account online and their Visa is used to complete the purchase.
I highly recommend this peaceful, beautiful experience to Disney lovers and history buffs. Disney was a master at immersing fans into his stories, and I will always appreciate this opportunity I had to be part of Walt’s Main Street Story.
What Lara Wrote 