With vouchers in hand, our family decided to just grab some popcorn after riding The Haunted Mansion (no Fast Pass needed, the wait was pretty minimal).
We were meeting in front of the firehouse on Main Street USA… and the Disney Geek in me knew what was just above the firehouse, Walt’s Apartment. I have wanted to get a peek inside since I knew it was there. And now, here with my family, we were entering this fabled apartment together.
I was surprised of it’s simplicity. You walk up a simple set of stairs, enter through an unassuming door- then right inside you find two convertible burgundy couches, 4 chairs, Victorian collectibles dotting the walls and tables- and a simple pedestal table with a lamp by the window, now always lit in Walt’s honor (this lamp Walt himself would always turn on when he was there, signaling the Cast Members). Walt’s daughters did donate a few items from the apartment to the Walt Disney Family Museum, but for the most part- everything there was either Walt’s or Lilian’s personal items.
Walt’s apartment has been kept exactly the same- even right down to the very 1960’s pink tiled bathroom, 2 slice toaster, Tom & Jerry punch bowl set, and very well loved grilled cheese sandwich maker. There is also a terrace where you can here all of the hustle and bustle of Main Street below, the nearby Railroad Station, and the Jungle Cruise right behind the apartment. Our guide told us Walt and Lilian’s grandchildren would sneak down to the Jungle Cruise and jump out at the boats passing by!
There aren’t any personal photographs permitted, but Lo and Michael were able to take family pictures by Walt’s lamp…
Once back outside and downstairs, I took some time to explore the “firehouse”…
In the back, left hand corner you will see a brass fireman’s pole- now boarded up, but at one time it went right inside the apartment. Once Walt was inside, and a child shimmied up the pole! Walt had it quickly covered up and there is no sign of the pole now inside of the apartment.
Next we headed across the street to the Disney Gallery and The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr Lincoln.
Here we saw an original horse and bench from Griffith’s Park…
Another brief history lesson from Michael in front of a large map of Disneyland park- passionately explaining why things were placed where they were, when, and why. To be honest- I don’t have a picture because his storytelling was quite captivating (remember- I am a confessed Disney Geek).
Then it was on to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
Then a quick walk through the adjacent Disney Gallery…
Next up, would it be a visit to Disneyland without a visit with the Big Cheese?
