Disneyland guided tours provide unique opportunities to peek “behind the magic” at the theme parks, but surprisingly, many people don’t even realize they exist… until now.
Sadly, the park’s most comprehensive guided tour, Walk in Walt’s Footsteps, is no longer offered at Disneyland. In its heyday, the approximately three-hour walking tour offered lunch, a chance to ride a few attractions without waiting, and the opportunity to visit Walt’s Apartment above the Main Street fire station (though occasionally the Dream Suite in New Orleans Square was substituted), all wrapped up in a fascinating history lesson about Walt Disney’s original theme park.
While we still have our fingers crossed that Walk in Walt’s Footsteps will someday return, there are currently several other guided tours offered at Disneyland that are definitely worth the time.
NEW Women Who Make the Magic (available for a limited time)
The Women Who Make the Magic guided tour is an all-new offering that debuted March 6, 2026, and will run through Mother’s Day on May 10, 2026.
The limited-time 90-minute experience is $110 per person (plus tax), and includes a photo op with a Small World doll. Disney Visa cardholders get a discount on tickets.
A Story of Celebration: 70th Anniversary Guided Tour at Disneyland Resort
During the resort’s 70th-anniversary celebration, the Main Street Story Tour is being replaced with a two-hour 70th-anniversary tour, which includes a ride on the Mark Twain Riverboat and Disneyland Railroad plus Lightning Lane entry for another select attraction.
This tour also include reserved viewing for the Paint the Night parade (complete with popcorn) and a special souvenir to take home.
70th-anniversary tour tours are offered in the morning and afternoon. The price is $120 per person ages 3+ (plus tax). Disney Visa cardholders receive a discount.
Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour
One of the best-known things about Walt Disney is his love of trains, and during the 90-minute Disneyland Railroad Tour guests learn how the Disneyland Railroad fulfilled Walt’s life-long dream of having his very own railroad (in addition to the small-scale railroad that circled his Los Angeles backyard, that is).
The tour also includes information about the Disneyland Park Roundhouse, the location in the park where the trains are stored overnight, and about the engineers that look after the Disneyland Monorail and trains. But if that’s not enough to convince you to book this tour, it provides the rare opportunity to take the Grand Circle Tour in Disneyland Railroad’s special Presidential Car, the iconic Lilly Belle.
Disneyland Railroad tours are offered in the morning and afternoon. The price is $145 per person (ages 3+). Disney Visa cardholders receive a 15% discount.
Want to learn more about Disneyland’s Railroad? Check out our article about a unique connection in Julian, California:
A Magical Southern California Vacation with a Disneyland Railroad Twist
Walt’s Main Street Story (currently not offered)
Although it’s not an apples-to-apples replacement for Walk in Walt’s Footsteps, Walt’s Main Street Story is the next best thing.
As the name implies, this tour is about Walt Disney’s early life and guides share little-known facts about the park’s main drag – AKA Main Street U.S.A. At just 90 minutes, the tour won’t take a huge bite out of your theme park day, and best of all, it offers one of the very few opportunities to visit to Walt’s legendary apartment, complete with refreshments served on the private patio (plus PhotoPass images of your experience).
Walt’s Main Street Story tours are offered in the morning and afternoon. The price is $160 per person (ages 3+). Disney Visa cardholders receive a 15% discount.
For some of the fun facts Mike and Samantha learned on their tour, check out our four-part series about the Main Street U.S.A. windows:
Hidden Tributes Revealed: The Story Behind Disneyland’s Main Street Windows (Part One)
Holiday-Themed Tours
During Halloween and the holidays, special themed Disneyland guided tours highlight the seasonal attraction overlays and experiences.
Halloween Guided Tour (scheduled to return fall 2026)
The frightfully fun 2-hour Happiest Haunts Guided Tour during Halloween Time includes a photo op with the Hitchhiking Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion, Lightning Lane entry for a select attraction, and reserved viewing of Halloween Screams nighttime spectacular. Guides also share Halloween tales specific to Disney experiences.
Holiday Guided Tour
The 2.5-hour Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Tour walking tour shares Disneyland’s holiday traditions and includes holiday treats, reserved viewing for A Christmas Fantasy Parade, and a ride on “it’s a small world” Holiday.
2025 dates and pricing for the Happiest Haunts and Holiday Time tours have not been announced.
Know Before You Go
- All tours require a park reservation and valid admission for Disneyland Park on the same date of the tour for each guest ages 3+ (park admission is included in the tour price). There is no fee for guests aged 2 and under.
- A credit card is required and will be charged the full tour price when booking your reservation. Please be prepared to present your reservation confirmation, photo ID and the credit card used for the booking.
- Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance and are highly recommended; however, same-day bookings up to 20 minutes before the tour can be made on a limited basis (subject to availability).
- Guests should check in 15 minutes before their reservation time at Tour Gardens on Main Street U.S.A. Everyone in the party must be present at check-in as late arrivals may not be able to join the guided tour.
- Guests under 14 must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older during the entire experience.
- There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged and forfeited if guests cancels within one day or are a no-show for the reservation.
Disneyland Resort VIP Tours
If you really want to have the most Disneytastic theme park day possible, a VIP Tour may be for you!
The customizable VIP experience allows your party to have expedited access to attractions and experiences in Disneyland or California Adventure (you can visit both parks with park hopper tickets) plus personalized service and reserved viewing for shows, parades, and nighttime spectaculars… but it’ll cost a pretty penny. Still, many people say the VIP treatment is worth the splurge, especially if you don’t visit the parks often or if it’s a special occasion.
Here’s what you get:
- One private VIP Tour Guide
- Complimentary parking for up to 2 vehicles at the Grand Californian Hotel
- Assistance with booking dining and retail experiences like Savi’s Workshop in Galaxy’s Edge (cost not included in tour price)
- VIP seating for entertainment
- Unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads for the day
Here’s what it costs:
A guided VIP tour for up to 10 guests (including kids and infants) ranges from $500 to $800 per hour plus the cost of park tickets (ticket and tour pricing varies by date and whether you select the park hopper option).
A minimum of 7 hours is required and the maximum for a tour is 10 hours, so the cost can be anywhere from $3,500 to $8,000 depending on the date and tour length. Gratuities for VIP Tour Guides are not included in the price of the tour.
Reservations are required. For all the details and to book a VIP tour, call (714) 300-7710 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT.
Land of Dreams VIP Tour
For the VIP-est Disneyland guided tour of all, the 12-hour Land of Dreams Tour includes everything a “regular” VIP tour, including complimentary parking, VIP seating for entertainment, Unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads for the day, and priority access to attractions… but you also get more.
Here’s what else you get:
- Two VIP guides + One Tour Coordinator
- Park Hopper admission for all guests in party
- One table-service meal (with a guaranteed reservation)
- One quick-service meal
- Unlimited snacks with delivery
- Select backstage access like Walt’s apartment, a visit with the Circle D horses, or the roundhouse (based on availability)
Here’s what it costs:
The Land of Dreams Tour costs $14,000 for up to 6 guests (including kids and infants).
Reservations can be made by calling (714) 502-3467.
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Let’s Hear From You!
Have you taken a guided tour at Disneyland or are these opportunities news to you? Is Walt’s Main Street Story worth your valuable theme park time (and money) or is a holiday-themed tour more your style? And would you spring for a VIP tour? Let us know in the comments below!
