By KATIE DAVIES
Walt Disney's personal pride and joy, the estate he last called home and the property which was the inspiration for Disneyland - has gone on sale for a whopping $90million.
The Carolwood Estate is considered the birthplace of the 1955 theme park and is the place where Disney imagined the vast expansion of his animation company into amusement parks.
In 1950 the mogul built a one-eighth-scale backyard steam train around the estate's grounds - it is still evident at the Los Angeles property today with a tiny doorway into one of its underground tunnels.
It was enjoyment of his personal train line that convinced Disney to develop rides and an amusement park fans could visit.
Inspiration: Living at the Carolwood estate Disney first conceived of developing a theme park which later grew into Disneyland
Secret history: Walt Disney's steam engine path is still hidden among the exclusive property's luxury grounds
Enthusiast: The Carolwood Pacific Railroad as Walt Disney came to know his personal steam train project inspired him a full size park of amusement rides in Disneyland
Disney and his wife Lillian said the property on Carolwood Drive, in Holmby Hills, was their 'dream home' and it soon became known as the Old Disney Estate.
A steam enthusiast, Walt Disney, soon got carried away with his pet project on the grounds, developing a huge control room in a barn as he expanded the train's route, twists and turns until it became known as the Carolwood Pacific Railroad.
With 2,615 feet of track, a 46 foot trestle and a 90 foot long tunnel under his wife’s flower beds, Disney began to wonder whether he could develop rides and amusements further.
The Disney chief had long been planning a place where fans could visit and the train helped cement the idea.
Five years later Disneyland was opened with a full size steam train mirroring the one Disney enjoyed at home.
Though the house has since changed hands, a museum is now dedicated to the miniature railroad in Griffith Park, LA, and tells the story of its effect on Disney's business plan.
'Walt’s Barn served as a workshop and a place for Walt to relax,' the website explains. 'The Carolwood Pacific provided the launching point for Walt’s vision of a family-oriented themed amusement park that we all now know as Disneyland.'
Train-lover: Walt Disney, pictured, was dedicated to his miniature steam railway
Idea is born: Disney developed Disney land five years after he moved into Carolwood
Magic Kingdom: Now totally rebuilt the mansion comes with a series of luxury mod cons which helps explain the whopping $90million price tag
New owner: The luxury property is now owned by the Billionaire behind the Houston Dynamo, Gabriel Brener
Refuge: The home that was previously the 'dream' property of Walt and Lilian Disney is now totally different
'Walt spent many hours in the Barn not only working on his trains, but thinking about new projects and ideas. One could say that this Barn is the birthplace of Imagineering.'
The property itself is now somewhat far removed from what the Disneys would have known.
An eight bedroom, 17 bathroom luxury mansion, it has 3.7 acres of stunning and landscaped grounds.
Gabriel Brener - the billionaire owner of the Houston Dynamo - bought it in 1998 for just $8.45million.
The Disney home was demolished and a mansion rebuilt with some rather unique mod cons.
The luxury main house now holds a swimming pool, movie room, putting green, two safe rooms, a wine cellar and three bars.
According to the listing by realtors The Agency, the home opens with a 'two-story oval foyer with plaster-veneered walls, crown molding, and statuary and verde jade marble flooring'.
Vast facilities: The mansion comes with safe rooms, bars, swimming poll, spa and tennis courts
Celebrity interest: Brokers are expecting international buyers and celebrities to bid on the vast, luxurious property
Anyone for tennis: Sporty residents can enjoy the property's courts and pool
Cheers: The less active can enjoy the property's wine cellar
Luxury: The property's description makes much of its marble finishes
Yet despite the luxury revamp - touches of Walt Disney remain.
The railway's underground tunnel is still hidden among the landscaped lawns although the barn and
track are now in Griffith Park.
Realtors working to sell the property hope it's heritage and opulence are a double draw.
The Agency, who are listing the sale, told Forbes they believe it could be an investment spot for a substantial international buyer.
Reports recently suggested that Formula One heiress Tamara Ecclestone was interested in the home just a stone's throw from her sister Petra's LA pad.
According to TMZ, the newly-married daughter of Bernie Ecclestone spent an hour touring the property last month.
'This is a true, true definition of a trophy property,' Mauricio Umansky, The Agency's chief executive told Forbes.
'When people buy into L.A. real estate, especially on this magnitude, it’s nice to have a tie to Hollywood and this area of Holmby Hills was and still is the who’s who of Hollywood,' Jay Harris, director of the estates division added.
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