Greetings again, Arlene! I'm happy to see you back at the planDisney site! It sounds like you are doing your due diligence and looking to "plus" your vacation. I promise I'll do my best to help you with your planning decisions!
Walt's Main Street Story Tour is advertised as a 90 minute experience in which a tour guide strolls up
Main Street, U.S.A. with your group, relating history and trivia as you walk. The tour will return down Main Street and end with a visit to Walt's Apartment above the Firehouse. A PhotoPass session inside the Apartment is included with the price of purchase. You'll then be served refreshments on the Apartment's patio and have a chance to speak to your guide before the tour ends. It is wheelchair accessible and you get a commemorative lanyard as a souvenir.
I have not personally taken this tour but have spoken to several folks who have and reactions have largely been mixed. The highlight of the tour is the chance to visit Walt and Lillian's Apartment and some view the tour price as the cost of admission into the Apartment. It can be an emotional and moving experience for many Disneyphiles, myself included! I had the privilege to visit the Apartment on another occasion and if you love Disney as much as I do, standing up there, where Walt used to watch as Guests entered his Park, will bring a tear to your eye.
Coming from Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour, you'll find Walt's Main Street Story Tour shorter in length at a higher price point. Only you can decide if it is worth it for you and your party to have a chance to visit the Apartment. Some people I know have loved the tour just for that! You may book the tour from the
Events and Tours page and reservations will become available 60 days in advance. I generally see plenty of availability for this tour if you book early.
Given your interest in this tour, you seem to love learning about the Park's history and little-known details. I would recommend a hidden gem that many people overlook: Audio Tales! You might already be familiar with this from Walt Disney World. With the purchase of
Genie+, you will be given access to nearly 30 short audio stories about both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure and they are
fantastic! They are based on the Imagineering Field Guides and it's like having a personal Imagineer speaking to you about specific locations around the Parks. These can be found within the
Disneyland Mobile App and you'll even have access to them for a limited time after your purchase. It's not totally necessary to be at the locations mentioned, but it does add to the experience.
Arlene, I hope I was able to help you with your decision. I really love how your vacation is coming together and no matter what you decide, I know you're going to experience Disney Magic while you're here! As always, feel free to write back to
me or any of my planDisney pals!
“Come back again; we'll see you then.
Heigh ho. Heigh ho..." - From Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
-Al