You’ve been to Disneyland. You’ve experienced every attraction, watched every spectacle, and sampled every delicacy the resort has to offer. Or have you? D23 Members who attended D23’s Disneyland Off the Map on Tuesday, March 6 were treated to a few experiences not included in park admission. They took a tour of Walt Disney’s private apartment above the Fire Station on Main Street, U.S.A., a ride in the Lilly Belle VIP parlor car on the Disneyland Railroad, a visit to the Disneyland Dream Suite above Pirates of the Caribbean, and, last but certainly not least, a surprise dinner at the famous Club 33 in New Orleans Square.
The tour started with a tour of Walt Disney’s private apartment above the Fire Station on Main Street, U.S.A. This quaint studio apartment was built during the construction of Disneyland so that Walt could sometimes spend the night and watch his beloved dream of Disneyland became a reality. Once the park opened, Walt and his family would occasionally spend the night—or just use the fully functional apartment (complete with shower and small kitchenette!) as a respite from the busy park below. Lillian would use the outside patio for afternoon tea and for entertaining guests while Walt would conduct studio business using the (still-working) Victorian-era rotary phone.
The second off-the-map visit was a ride in the Lilly Belle VIP parlor car on the Disneyland Railroad. Named after Walt’s wife, Lillian, this converted observation car from the early days of the Disneyland Railroad. For the park’s 1975-1976 celebration of the American Bicentennial, the car was re-christened the Lilly Belle, an elegantly furnished parlor car whose guests have included heads of state and legends from all corners of the worlds of the arts and sports.
Then it came time for a dream to come true. D23 Members paid a visit to the Disneyland Dream Suite above Pirates of the Caribbean. The space was originally intended as an apartment for Walt to entertain guests and spend the night, but he passed away before it could be completed. As part of the Disney Parks Year of a Million Dreams celebration, the apartment was brought to life by Imagineers, who not only stayed faithful to many of Walt’s original ideas for the space, but enhanced it with some truly magical touches that include a quintessentially Disney “kiss goodnight.”
At 6 p.m., for a very special dinner (and drinks), D23 Members ventured inside one of the resort’s most unique restaurants: Club 33. With surprises, special gifts, and more than a little bit of pixie dust thrown in for good measure, this was one event that D23 Members were thrilled to put on their map.
