Date of Visit: April 30, 2011
This afternoon we enjoy a 2.5 hour tour at the Walt Disney Studios. I have been wanting to tour the studios for years. I even was saving Disney Movie Reward points for the private tour for 4. Last year as a charter D23 Member I never got any of the tickets or the dates just would not work. This year the tickets cost money, so the demand was slightly less and I was able to snatch ones for me and a guest.
Mik and I loved the tour. It was interesting to learn see where so many of the Disney movies were filmed and animated. The whole tour was so good it is too hard to choose a favorite part.
For about half the buildings we went in we had to go in a different way with the wheelchair than the rest of the group, but the tour guides were great and mostly waited for us to catch up before talking about the specific area. We did miss some information, but at least we saw everything and it was mostly seemed we missed Q&A done to stall for time.
One of the coolest parts was Stage 2, which is where Mary Poppins was filmed. It was also used for building some of the early Disneyland rides like the Mark Twain and Jungle Cruise. Of course, it does not look like much all empty right now, but just being there and imagining all that has gone on in there was pretty cool.
Another one of my favorite parts of the tour was the Archives. It is just a small room, but has several different themed display cases. It had the wardrobe used in the Narnia movie. The whole wall of bookcases full of Disney books was interesting to read the spines of. I loved seeing the snowglobe from Mary Poppins. They also had a few special items out just for the D23 Day including an Oscar, which we even got to hold and take pictures with. We also got to see the 1st Disneyland ticket and Press Preview tickets.
The Disney Legends Plaza with the building with the Dwarves behind it was also fun to see. We found our favorite Disney Legend, Julie Andrews, handprints. We also found the hand prints of the Disney Legend we actually met at the D23 2nd Anniversary Party, Bob Gurr.
At the event Mik got himself a D23 membership, which included a free bonus pin. It is the 1st Anniversary Party pin, which I have 2 of from going to it with Dad, but it is an extra bonus than if he bought it online. Now he will also have access to all the special D23 member specific access at the D23 Expo in August. We both each also got a cool orange Walt Disney Productions replica patch as the free collectible for this D23 event.
Photos by Kjersti and Mik
Text by Kjersti with Mik's input
Destination Info:
Walt Disney Studios
500 S. Buena Vista St
Burbank, CA 91521
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