Disneyland’s Women Who Make the Magic Guided Tour Review
A rainy spring day, a walk through history, and the women who shaped the magic we love. I experienced it all yesterday on the Women Who Make the Magic Tour at Disneyland Park.
There’s something poetic about starting this tour on a rainy spring morning. The kind of day where the pavement reflects the colors of Main Street and everything feels just a little more nostalgic. It set the tone perfectly for a tour centered on stories that often go untold.
At the gates: The woman behind Walt
We begin in front of the iconic Mickey planter, grounding ourselves not in fantasy, but in family. Specifically, Flora Disney.
Flora was more than just Walt’s mother. Born in 1868, she helped shape the foundation that allowed creativity to thrive. She managed bookkeeping for the family, contributed to architectural decisions in their Chicago home, and supported Walt’s early artistic pursuits. In many ways, she created the conditions that allowed imagination to take root. Before there was Disneyland, there was a mother who believed in possibilities.
Main Street: The woman who named Mickey
From there, we step into the story of Lillian Disney.
Working in the Ink and Paint Department, Lillian was a creative in her own right. But her most famous contribution? She convinced Walt to change the name “Mortimer Mouse” to something more approachable. Mickey Mouse exists, in part, because of her instinct.
Her presence is immortalized on a Main Street window reading “Bountiful Valley Farm.” It’s a subtle tribute. “Bountiful” nods to her maiden name, Bounds, and reflects the richness she brought into Walt’s life.
Standing at the base of the flagpole, we learn how Lillian continued to champion Walt’s legacy long after his passing. In 1987, she donated $50 million to help build the Walt Disney Concert Hall. She preserved not just his memory, but his impact on the world.
The Firehouse: The first Imagineer
Outside the Firehouse, we meet Harriet Burns, the first female Imagineer.
Harriet’s fingerprints are everywhere. She worked on the New York World’s Fair 1964–1965, contributed to It’s a Small World, Enchanted Tiki Room, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Her attention to detail helped define what we now recognize as Disney storytelling.
She even has a tomb in the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World, a quiet nod to her legacy.
Nearby, we also reflect on Dorothea Redmond. Coming from Hollywood set design, she brought cinematic depth into Disneyland. She worked on Gone with the Wind and later helped design interiors like the Plaza Inn. The texture and warmth of Disneyland owes much to her eye.
Costumes that tell stories
As we continue, we step into the world of Alice Davis.
She designed costumes for “it’s a small world” and later Pirates of the Caribbean. She once joked that she went from dressing children to dressing “dirty men,” a reference to the rugged pirate aesthetic.
Her work added cultural authenticity and personality to every character. Married to Marc Davis, Alice carved out her own legendary status through fabric, color, and storytelling.
A legacy that continues
We cannot talk about the women of Disneyland without honoring Leota Toombs.
Starting in Ink and Paint, she became the face and voice behind Madame Leota in the Haunted Mansion. Her likeness still floats in that crystal ball.
Her daughter, Kim Irvine, and granddaughter continue working at Disney, creating a generational legacy of storytelling. This is what it means to truly “make the magic.”
The Hub: Designing how we feel
Standing in front of Walt and Mickey, we talk about Ruth Shellhorn, one of the most influential figures in Disneyland’s design.
She designed pathways, sightlines, and landscaping. Every turn, every reveal, every moment of discovery is intentional. Her work shaped not just Disneyland, but theme parks around the world.
She didn’t just design space. She designed how we move, how we feel, and how we experience wonder.
The women who guide the magic
We also honor the women who shaped guest experience.
Julie Ream Casaletto was Disneyland’s first ambassador, setting the standard for guest relations.
Martha Blanding became the first Black female tour guide and later the first Black female manager at Disneyland. Her impact reshaped representation within the company.
These women didn’t just support the magic. They defined how guests connect to it.
Matterhorn and beyond: Women in animation
Near the Matterhorn Bobsleds, we reflect on the Ink and Paint Department, the first all-women department in animation.
Kathleen Dollard was among the earliest women at the studio, helping pave the way for others.
Retta Scott broke barriers as one of Disney’s first female animators, working on Bambi and bringing raw, emotional realism to animal movement.
Storybook Land: Where art comes to life
As we board the Storybook Land Canal Boats, we step into the world of Mary Blair.
Her work on Cinderella and Saludos Amigos defined a bold, colorful visual style that still feels modern today. She is best known for “it’s a small world,” where her artistic vision became an immersive experience.
We even stop for a photo with one of the original clock dolls inspired by the 1964 World’s Fair, a reminder of how her work continues to live on.
Icons who carried the magic forward
We also celebrate Julie Andrews, Disney Legend and voice of the “Remember… Dreams Come True” fireworks. From Mary Poppins to becoming a global ambassador for storytelling, she represents a different kind of magic. One that transcends generations.
And behind the scenes, Bernadette Soubirous Richards choreographed iconic shows like Fantasmic!, shaping the emotional rhythm of nighttime spectaculars for decades.
My honest review
As much as I loved this tour, I wanted more.
There is so much depth to these stories, and at times it felt like we only skimmed the surface. I’ve taken other tours, like the Disneyland Railroad tour, where we spent nearly three hours unpacking history in detail. I was hoping for that same level of richness here.
Even experiences like the Behind the Seeds tour at EPCOT went deeper into figures like Ruth Shellhorn. There was an opportunity here to connect more dots and give these women the full storytelling weight they deserve.
That said, our tour guide was fantastic. Engaging, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate. My critique is not about delivery. It’s about content depth.
Overall rating: 3 out of 5 stars
If you are just starting to learn about the women of Disney, this is a beautiful introduction. But if you’re like me and hungry for deeper storytelling, you may leave wanting more.
Want to go deeper?
I highly recommend reading the following books:
Tour details
Price: $110 per person
“Discover how trailblazing women began their journeys at The Walt Disney Company, made lasting names for themselves, and contributed to the legacy of Disney storytelling.”
On this 2-hour guided tour, you will:
- Be immersed in a living storybook as you walk through Disneyland Park
- Discover the accomplishments of women like Harriet Burns, Alice Davis, Mary Blair, Ruth Shellhorn, Leota Toombs, Kim Irvine, and Dorothea Redmond
- Ride the Storybook Land Canal Boats (subject to availability)
- Enjoy reserved viewing for a nighttime spectacular
- Receive a Matterhorn macaroon treat
- Capture a photo with an iconic “it’s a small world” clock doll
If there’s one thing this tour made clear, it’s this: The magic was never just one man’s dream.
It was built, shaped, and carried forward by women whose stories deserve to be told in full.
You can book the Women Who Make the Magic Guided Tour on the Disneyland website.
