We have a special holiday treat for you today. We’re sharing rare video from inside a place that very few people have seen; a place that cast members fondly call “Walt’s apartment.” It was built on Main Street, U.S.A., for Walt Disney and his family during construction of the theme park. We’re also giving you a virtual tour that highlights some of the more special items in the apartment.
One of the unique items showcased in the video is the Tom and Jerry drink set that Walt used to entertain guests during the holidays. In Walt’s apartment, in one of the drawers underneath the Tom and Jerry set, there is a recipe for the Tom and Jerry drink that is similar to the one that Walt served.
We’re also sharing that recipe with you today in case you’re entertaining guests who are age 21 or older in your apartment (or home) this holiday season.
Enjoy!
Comments
This is so touching. Thanks for the background story about the light, Michael. Heather, how does one go about taking this Adventures by Disney tour? If anyone else knows, please comment and let me know 🙂 Thanks a ton.
Whenever we walk into the park, go under the bridge, we always look up at the apartment. My oldest son usually waves and says “Hi Walt-we’re back!”
thank you for the memories !
That’s Michael in the video:) He was our Adventures by Disney Hollywood guide. He was an excellent guide who knows all the Disney history and facts. My family will never forget our visit to Walts apartment with him. It was something I always dreamed of doing that I never thought would come true. Disney is very lucky to have a person as dedicated and caring as Michael working for them.
Went to see Tron: Legacy today, and smiled when Quorra says of Flynn: “When the light was on, we knew he was in the system” or something similar. I wondered if it was an intentional reference to Walt and the light above the Fire Department? 🙂
What a wonderful dream come true. I have always wanted to see the inside of the apartment. It is beautiful. I have relocated to Southern California so I get to go the the Happiest Place on Earth more often and I do always make sure the light is on. His spirit is alive and well at the Park I am happy to report.
Thank you for the tour and information. I will always look up to the window when I am at Disneyland and will think of Walt and his family and thank him for all of the happiness that he has give to me and to all of the world.
Thanks so much for sharing this! Whenever I visit Disneyland, I never fail to look up at that window and imagine he’s still there watching over the park. Come to think of it, perhaps it’s not my imagination at all.
The Disneyland Dream Suite is located on the former site of the Disney Gallery above New Orleans Square. This suite of rooms was originally planned for use as a private apartment for the Disney family, a project that was never completed after Walt Disney’s death. For the last 20 years the space has housed the Disney Gallery, and Imagineers have spent months transforming the former gallery space into a 2,600-square-foot living space, using the original 1960s designs created by designer Dorothea Redmond and set decorator Emile Kuri in consultation with Walt Disney.
Thank You for the great video. It is a tradition that every time I have walked into the Park I give a wave & a big Thank You to the man who made it all happen. Then when leaving for the night another Thank You for such a wonderful day at a truly wonderful place. I am sure some people that do not know the story wonder about a grown man talking to a window?
As a former Walt Guide at the parks, this definitely brings back fond memories of spending time up in The Apartment. In case anyone’s wondering where the lamp is now that a christmas tree has replaced it in the window, just walk around the right side of the building and check out the tiny window facing the Emporium. 🙂
Wonderful! Thanks!
Yes Thank you for such a wonderful gift! That’s the first thing I do when I walk into the park, I say “Hello, Mr Disney” the light is a definte honor of his spirit. I am sure he is there! Is the Adenventure tour still availavble? My husband and I never had a honeymoon, could’nt afford it, still together after 27 yrs, so one yr as an anniversary gift we went on the “Walk in Walts Footstep” tour. Our guide was able to get us on the back of train car that Disney had for his wife, it was beautiful. I would love to be able to visit the apartment, what a gift that would be. Merry Christmas all!
After taking one of the park tours during the 50th Celebration we were given a pin that is a replica of Walt’s lamp – it even lights up! Very cool and a highlight of my pin display boards.
Mary from Santa Barbara, CA
As A former Cast Member for one of the Disney Store I learned about the lamp and Walt and Lilly’s Apartment. So now one of my tradition walking (wheel in with my wheelchair) it to the park I always say hello to Walt and Lilly and ask them to bless our family while visiting Disneyland Resort. Thank you for all of the history you are sharing with us. I really love learning about things that I didnt know and the things that I get a reminder of when you post this on FB….
I remember hearing a few years ago that the original story of the lamp in the window was for another family member of Walt’s. Why did the story change?
Thanks for the video tour and Michael is very well informed guide. My parents had a Tom and Jerry set just like that one.
Terrific video!! Michael, you are terrific and this brings back such fond memories! Thank you again for making my dream come true… (ABD – April 2010)
Every time I walk past that building, I always wonder what the interior looked like. I may have to take that Disney tour now just to see it in person. Thanks for the video!
Michael was our guide for our Adventures by Disney tour.
As part of the tour you do get to go up to Walt’s apartment.
I had a great big case of the goosebumps and lump in throat
it was awesome and Michael was the best guide. If you have any questions on how to do an ABD I would be glad to answer them.
What a wonderful place to stay for him, I bet.
It’s such a shame Walt never got to spend time in the apartment they built for him inside Cinderella’s Castle at The Magic Kingdom.
So awesome!!! Is there any way someone could get a tour of the apartment?
Thanks for another special treat, Heather! You always have the coolest contributions on the Blog!
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