The Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour is pulling back into the station, with tours officially resuming March 21, 2025, and bookings opening today, February 27. The 90-minute experience, a tribute to Walt Disney’s train obsession, offers a behind-the-scenes look at park history and a coveted ride on the Lilly Belle, the railroad’s plush presidential parlor car.
The Disneyland Railroad wrapped up its latest refurbishment on October 25, 2024, after a closure that began in August for track maintenance. While the trains have been running since then—minus the New Orleans Square station, still offline for Haunted Mansion retheming—the guided tour took a longer break. It last ran in late 2024, having returned briefly in May after years off the schedule post-pandemic. Now, Disney’s rolling it out again, just in time for spring break season.
At $135 a pop (plus park admission), the tour isn’t cheap, but it’s packed with perks for Disney nerds and train enthusiasts. It starts with a pastry and juice, then takes guests on a walking trek through Disneyland Park, unpacking Walt’s rail-riding legacy—from his Midwest days to the backyard Carolwood Pacific that inspired the park’s 1.2-mile loop. A stop at the Disneyland Park Roundhouse offers a peek at where the steam engines sleep, though some past guests have griped it’s more of a distant glance than a true backstage reveal. The big draw? A trip on the Lilly Belle, decked out in Victorian finery by Walt’s wife, Lillian, winding along the Rivers of America—weather permitting.
Disney’s playing it close to the vest on exact tour times and how often they’ll run, but with bookings live as of today on Disneyland.com, slots are expected to fill fast. The railroad’s return last fall set the stage, and March 21 lands smack in the middle of Disneyland’s spring push—think Food & Wine Festival (started yesterday) and bigger crowds. It’s a calculated move to hook nostalgia buffs while the park’s buzzing.
The Lilly Belle’s no stranger to VIPs—Japanese presidents and British royals have ridden it—so snagging a seat feels like a brush with history. Still, it’s Walt’s story that drives this tour, from sketching Mickey on a train to circling Disneyland with steel and steam.
Reservations opened this morning, and with limited spots, don’t expect them to linger. Check Disneyland.com to lock in your ride. The Disneyland View will keep you posted as more details roll down the tracks.