Inside Walt Disney's secret apartment in Disneyland that's not been changed since

When Walt Disney built the original Disneyland in California during the 1950s, he built a secret apartment just off Main Street that is still there today.

The movie mogul, who oversaw classics such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bambi, and The Jungle Book (which he was making when he died in 1966) had an apartment at the theme park. This was so he could work and rest without having to do too much traveling. He enjoyed looking down at the park guests through the window, enjoying their time at the park.

Walt Disney’s apartment at Disneyland

The apartment is above the firehouse at the theme park and is quite a well-kept secret, because unless you know it’s there you would probably miss it.

Discussing her dad’s safe haven, Walt’s daughter Diane Disney Miller said: “He’d spend long mornings at the studio [in Burbank, California], then out in Anaheim in the afternoons and back – it’s a long drive … I think he always envisioned he’d have to be there… he’d want to be there.”

Diane, who died in 2013, recalled the decorating of the living quarters. She said parts of it were embellished with both what her parents collected, but also whatever could be found that suited the desired Victorian theme.

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“Mother and Dad loved the Victorian period – it was the period they grew up in – but our home was not of that style. This was their little Victorian masterpiece.

Inside the hidden home

“When Dad would travel, they’d go into little antique shops, and that’s where he acquired some of his miniature collection and bric-a-brac; little china teacups and things. Mother collected cranberry glass, and cranberry is the color that dominates this apartment. It was this little microcosm of the Victorian world in cranberry red – it was gorgeous,” Diane said.

Decorator of Walt Disney’s apartment, Emile Kuri – who had worked with Disney on the park and his films – said that he got an “inner glow” whenever he visited Disneyland.

“Working with Walt Disney was like working in another world. He was the most fascinating and dedicated man I knew,” Emile said.

“A picture set is a challenge, but it’s a fleeting thing, whereas the Park is here to stay. I get an inner glow every time I walk around the place.”

Walt himself told Disney workers on the opening day of the park in 1955 about the apartment saying: “I decided to get some rest, so I got in bed in the little room above the Firehouse. Everybody kept waking me up, so I got up and locked the door. When I got up this morning, I couldn’t get the darn door unlocked. I had to yell for help!”

The lamp in the window

While the Hollywood icon didn’t publicize if he was in the park to have some privacy, he would light the lamp in the window whenever he was in the homely space.

However, on the day that he passed away, December 15, 1966, the lamp was extinguished as a sign of respect. It was relighted the next day and has continued to be ever since, though on certain occasions the light is put out.

The lamp that sits in the window today isn’t the one that Walt used during his Disneyland stays (the one it replaced wasn’t either). But this one seems to resemble the original better than its predecessor. Much like the previous one, it always stays lit in his honor.

Can you visit Walt Disney’s apartment in Disneyland?

You can visit Walt Disney’s apartment, yes. You can be shown around the intimate space that Walt and his family once frequented. However, it is quite expensive at $160 per person. Despite the hefty price tag, not only will you be able to look around and get photos. You can also enjoy refreshments on the apartment balcony.

Guests used to be able to stay in the second apartment which the celebrity began to develop before his death. He had decided he wanted somewhere larger to host guests. However, this project was put on hold after his death. The plans were realized in 2007.

From 2007 until 2016, guests could win a chance to stay in the apartment, called the Disneyland Dream Suite. It was decorated using original plans by set designer Dorothea Redmond. It featured a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a patio.

At the time, Disney Imagineering Art Director Kim Irving explained: “To make it special for the guests, we want it to be more than just a beautiful suite. We want it to be filled with things that might have inspired Walt as he dreamed of Disneyland.”

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Larita Shotwell

Update: 2024-06-15

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