As if the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration isn’t amazing enough, it was a little sweeter for me this year as I had the amazing luck to win one of the incredible prizes given away. On the very first night of the conference, Gary Buchanan called my name and I couldn’t believe it! I won a Disneyland tour – A Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps. 
What an exciting prize!! Disneyland holds a special place in my heart, so to get to take a special tour was pure Disney magic. Then, to discover that I could bring quite a few guests along with me was priceless. While I would have loved for my family to come along too, they are just too young to really get anything out of the tour. So, I extended invites to some of my Disney fanatic blogging friends – such a great group! 
Pictured: Jeff (our awesome tour guide), me, The Disney Kids, Future Imagineer, All For The Boys, Eclectic MomSense, Desert Chica Ramblings, Brie Brie Blooms, Still Living the Dream, A Little Bite of Life, and Resourceful Mommy
We met our fabulous tour guide, Jeff. Any time you’re with someone wearing that plaid at Disneyland, it’s a very special time. Jeff walked us from the Fire House on Main Street to the flag pole where we listened to Walt’s Disneyland dedication speech – which embodies all the nostalgia and love I have for Disney.
“To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here, age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” – Walt Disney
It’s amazing what creativity, imagination, vision, the love of family (& maybe a little pixie dust) can do! We strolled down Main Street U.S.A, learning of Walt’s past and his vision. We went through Fantasyland and Frontierland – stopping to experience some attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight and The Enchanted Tiki Room (and grab some Dole Whips). We learned fun facts about the park, his life, and then sadly his untimely passing in 1966. 
It was so much fun walking in Walt’s Disneyland footsteps with a group of friends, but the absolute highlight was standing in Disney’s private apartment. For those that don’t know, Walt’s private apartment is above the Disneyland Fire Department (and yes, at one time, there really was a fire pole that went from the apartment down into the fire house). 
We got to stand on the rose carpet, checking out all the special details in the apartment – family photographs, original furniture. Much of it remains exactly as it was when Walt (and his family) would be in the park. I was in awe to be in such a special place to Walt and his family. As one last gift, we got to have our picture taken in front of the lamp that would shine bright whenever Walt was in. Since his death, the light has remained on in Walt’s memory, serving as a constant reminder of his amazing legacy. 
And what an amazing legacy it is! I’m so thrilled & grateful to have had extra pixie dust sprinkled on such a magical event – yet another special Disney memory that will be with me forever.
