A Day of Magic at Walt Disney Studios
Disneyland is synonymous with Orange County. I would know because I lived less than 20 minutes away. And until I had to go to school full-time, my dad took me to Disneyland every Monday. Now that I live in Los Angeles, those visits are few and far between. (And let’s be honest, it isn’t cheap to go these days.) But what many people forget, myself included, is that Walt Disney got his start in Los Angeles. So when I heard about the Walt Disney Studios Tour in Burbank, I had to do it.
What You Will See on the Walt Disney Studios Tour
Unlike other studio tours that take you by old sets and sound stages, you won’t see any on this tour. The Walt Disney Studio Tour is a 2.5 hour walking tour of Walt’s old stomping grounds. So if you go, wear your walking shoes! Actually, it’s not that much walking. I logged less than 3,000 steps. However, there is a lot of standing.
The tour starts on Mickey Ave where the tour guide points out the original parts of the studio, the topiary, the Olympic flag pole and the Sherman Brothers Stage. But the real highlight was at the corner of Mickey Ave and Dopey Drive. Originally used as a prop in the 1941 film “The Reluctant Dragon,” the sign won’t help you find your way. That’s because it’s not accurate.
The Animation Building
The majority of the Walt Disney Studios tour takes place in the old Animation Building. Built in 1939, it’s where many of the classic Disney animated films were drawn. Today it’s production offices.
On the first floor, you see and learn about the different phases of animation. The second floor is mostly a detour to get to the third floor that’s lined with film poster prints from old live action films. The third floor is a visual history of Walt’s life and ends at what everyone’s waiting to see: THE office.
Office Suite 3H (aka Walt Disney’s Office)
Of all the stops on the Walt Disney Studios Tour, this is definitely the crown jewel. One person on the tour said this was a bucket list item.
Thanks to the meticulous archiving of Dave Smith, Walt’s office was fully restored to what it looked like when he died in 1966. Our tour guide said nearly 98% of the office is original. (The 2% is the carpet.) All of the books, even if they were facing upside down or backwards, are positioned like they were when Walt held court in 3H.
Walt’s office suite is actually two offices: the main office and the office where work was done. The main office had the piano that the Sherman Brothers would play, photos of his children and an animatronic bird that inspired the animatronics you see on Disneyland rides. The “work” office included a map of Disneyland, and which attractions were and weren’t open at the time, as well as Walt’s kitchen.
It’s like being in “the room where it happened.” As a creative and Disney lover, there’s something really electrifying about that. I also got a kick out of seeing all the ashtrays.
The magic continued at the end when we were all given three exclusive pins: a Walt Disney Studios tour pin, a Mouseker pin and a Duckster pin. For someone who doesn’t collect pins, I felt like a kid on Christmas getting these.
Disney Legends Plaza
Our next stop was a photo op stop at the Disney Legends Plaza. It’s kind of like a Disney-fied Grauman’s Theater meets Hollywood Walk of Fame. Each of the pillars feature plaques with names of animators, Imagineers, songwriters, actors, or business leaders who made an impact on the Disney legacy.
This is where you can get pictures with a lifesize, bronze Walt and Mickey statue, like the one at Disneyland, or sit on a bench with Walt and Minnie. You also have the Seven Dwarfs holding up the roof of the Team Disney building.
Walt Disney Archives
From the plaza we made our way to the Disney Archives. This was probably my second favorite stop. Walking into the archives is like walking into a Disney hoarder’s house and I mean that in the best possible way.
The archivist working that day was so excited to show us Disneyland memorabilia, like the very first Disneyland ticket purchased and a parking sticker from the press opening. She also brought out an Oscar, which we all had the chance to hold. It was really heavy!
We also had time to wander around and look at all the items in the display cases, which ranged from movie props to memorabilia and even an animatronic from Disneyland.
Side note: Marvel Studios is on the second floor. Even though we couldn’t go up there, we were able to see the Iron Man suit Robert Downey Jr. wore from the first floor.
After the archives we walked through the Ink and Paint department and by the water tower. As with all Disney attractions, the tour ended at the gift shop. (I’m allowed to say this because it’s true and our tour guide said so.) There are two gift shops at the studio: an employee gift shop and a Disney gift shop. The employee gift shop sells items that can only be found there.
How to Get Tickets to the Walt Disney Studios Tour
Because the Walt Disney Studios Tour is exclusive to D23, you have to be a D23 member to buy tickets. The good news is, General Membership is free. All you have to do is create an account. (I wasn’t a D23 member before I purchased my ticket for this.)
A General Member Walt Disney Studio Tour ticket costs $149 for weekday tours and $159 for weekend tours, plus a $7 processing fee. Gold Member tickets are slightly less: $99 for weekdays and $109 for weekends. Members can also bring a guest (as long as you buy a ticket).
The one caveat to the Walt Disney Studios Tour is you can only buy tickets once in a calendar year.
Where to Eat Near Walt Disney Studios
Don’t just walk in Walt’s shoes — eat in Walt’s shoes! (Not literally, though. That would be gross.)
Tam O’Shanter | 2890 Los Feliz Blvd
Located a short drive from Disney’s old Hyperion Studio, this iconic LA restaurant was a favorite of Walt Disney and the Disney animators. Legend has it that the Tam’s architecture inspired the dwarves’ cottage in “Snow White.” The Disney crew would often sit at Table 31, while Walt preferred the patio.
The Smoke House | 4420 W. Lakeside Dr
Only a 5-minute drive from Walt Disney Studios, this restaurant became Disney’s new waterhole after they moved from Hyperion. The Smoke House has been a celebrity favorite for decades. George Clooney went there so often while filming “E.R.” on the Warner Bros. lot, he named his production company after it.
Disney Hotels in LA
While there aren’t any official Disney Hotels in LA, there are a couple of LA hotels that Walt frequented.
📍Millennium Biltmore | Downtown LA
Why you should book it: This is where Walt Disney accepted multiple Academy Awards for his short animated films. It’s also rumored that the interior inspired the Tower of Terror.
📍Hotel Per LA | Downtown LA
Why you should book it: Before it was a hotel, this location used to be the Bank of Italy. It was owned by Amadeo Giannini, who loaned Walt Disney $2 million to make “Snow White.”
Is the Walt Disney Studios Tour Worth It?
Even though the ticket price is more expensive than other studio tours, it’s worth it. The Walt Disney Studios Tour struck the perfect balance of history, storytelling and Disney magic. Obviously this tour would be a winner for any Disney lover. But I think casual Disney fans would also enjoy it. Also, parking is free and I think that deserves an extra shout out.
Interested in other studio tours in LA? Check out my reviews for the Paramount Pictures Studio Tour, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and the Sony Pictures Studio Tour.
