Disneyland Magic Keys are an exciting new program introduced by Disneyland Resort for their most loyal fans and guests. These Magic Keys are an all-in-one ticket and annual pass that offers a range of benefits and perks to enhance the Disneyland experience. There are four different levels of Magic Keys available, each with its own set of privileges and price points. The four tiers are called Dream Key, Believe Key, Enchant Key, and Imagine Key. Each tier has various levels of access to the parks, blockout dates, and discounts on merchandise, dining, and parking. One of the key features of the Disneyland Magic Keys is the reservation system.
Disneyland magic keys
Credit: Miranda Jones / Flickr
Perhaps one of the most controversial things in the Disney community this year has been the Disneyland Magic Key program.
Disneyland’s Magic Keys are their updated version of the Annual Pass program. The program was first rolled out in 2021, after the devastating upset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, sales were only open to guests who had already had an Annual Pass or Magic Key, and guests were only allowed to renew or cancel their pass. Sales of new Magic Keys have been intermittent since 2021, with new sales consistently paused due to demand. At the time of this writing, new sales for Magic Key passes have been paused once again.
It was also recently announced that the cost of each tier would be increasing anywhere from $50 to $150. The Key offerings are as follows:
- Imagine Key: (only available to Southern California Residents) $499 (previously $449)
- Enchant Key: $849 (previously $699)
- Believe Key: $1249 (previously $1,099)
- Inspire Key: $1649 (previously $1,599)
The increased prices of the Magic Keys and the Walt Disney World Annual Passes follow what many are calling an upsetting trend for the Disney parks over the last couple of years. Despite newly reinstated CEO Bob Iger addressing the outrageous prices of Disney admission earlier this year, stating that he believed the prices had gone too high and he would be working on ensuring that prices were attainable for families and the average guest, many have claimed he has done nothing to follow through on his comments. The price of a daily ticket, Magic Key pass, Disney World Annual Passes, hotel stays, and in-park purchases like food, merchandise, and Lightning Lanes have all increased drastically.
Credit: Disney Parks Blog
With the increase in prices, many guests have shared their complaints on social media, saying that the increase in price does not match the current Disney parks experience. It’s led to many debates about whether a Disney vacation is worth it anymore, as well as many people debating whether or not to renew their Annual Passes and Magic Keys. One such debate recently took place on Reddit, with u/WhiskeySales making a post stating that they just don’t see the value in reinstating their Magic Key Pass despite having had some version of a Disneyland Annual Pass for several years. Although the initial post was deleted, the comments are still available, with many agreeing with the original poster.
“Same, I’m out in February,” agreed u/HOTDOGWEHAVEAWIENER. “I simply don’t want to give Disney my money anymore, the quality isn’t there. Their greed is out of control and them continually raising food & parking prices while the rides and lands are falling apart or boarded up near constantly has made the value comically not worth it. Iger and this whole management team sucks.”
“I’m also not going to renew. The large crowds and price hikes ruins the experience. The best time I had at Disneyland was during the hurricane. The park was empty and wait times were low,” commented u/MrKazador. Bro you are not wrong. Disneyland is now just an always crowded money milking machine. The guest experience is not valued by them and it is frustrating having to be on your phone a lot securing you place in line or ordering food annoying. Not to mention the wait times on rides with the LL. So lame,” u/Bsizzle18 replied.
“Believe Key expired last Sunday. Did not renew,” shared u/SpaceXMonkeys. “The value is not there at all. From the numerous ride breakdowns, to receiving MEPs from a LL attraction that can’t even be used on another LL attraction (like wtf, why. ), to Genie+ increasing price 3 times within one year, and parking increasing as well.”
Credit: Brandi Alexandra via Unsplash
Unfortunately, as the cost of living across the nation has skyrocketed, so have experiences like a Disney vacation. What was once a magical escape for families looking to create memories with their children has become a once in a lifetime opportunity that not many can afford anymore. Despite Walt Disney’s assurance that the Disney parks were a place for everyone of all ages to make memories and experience the magic, that seems to no longer be the case.
In addition to the increase in costs, many people have noticed that things that were once the standard at Disney are now the exception. Many have pointed out issues like decreased upkeep and maintenance routines on attractions, pointing out broken animatronics, dirty ride vehicles, and increased attraction down times. Others have pointed out things like disruptive guest behavior and attitude, stressed and rude cast members, and even a decrease in cleanliness standards across the parks, citing issues like rats and poop.
Credit: Inside The Magic
Several of the comments, like one from u/smakusdod, speculated that Disney doesn’t “want you to renew. They want you to come one or two days a year and spend $1000 each time.” As these complaints fill the Disney community spaces on social media platforms, it is clear that there seems to be a collective opinion that the Disney parks need a drastic overhaul and update if they want to keep their current Magic Key and Annual Pass holders.
Do you or have you previously had a Magic Key or Annual Pass? Is it still worth it, or will you not be renewing? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments below!
Please note that the experiences discussed in this article are based on personal and unique situations. No two Disney guest experiences are alike, and these do not indicate a typical experience. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily representative of Inside the Magic.
Tagged: Annual PassesDisney ParksDisneyland CaliforniaJessica Nicole
Jessica is a former Walt Disney World Cast Member, a major theme park fan, and a nerd at heart. When she's not reading, writing, or planning her next adventure, you can find her watching horror movies or spending time with her family.
BREAKING: Enchant, Believe, and Inspire Magic Key Passes Now Sold Out for Disneyland Resort
Following today’s resumption of sales for all four Magic Key Pass types for Disneyland Resort, now only one pass remains available for purchase, as of 5:54 p.m. PT.
One of the key features of the Disneyland Magic Keys is the reservation system. Magic Key holders can make park reservations up to 90 days in advance, ensuring that they have guaranteed entry into the parks, even on busy days. This means that Magic Key holders can plan their visits ahead of time and avoid any disappointment of not being able to enter the park.
Three Magic Key Pass Types Sold Out
At this time, the following Magic Key types are now sold out and only available for renewals:
- Inspire Key: $1,649
- Believe Key: $1,249
- Enchant Key: $849
The Imagine Key is still available for purchase, but only for Southern California residents living in zip codes 90000 to 93599. California residents are also able to purchase a pass with a monthly payment option, but must be logged into their Disney account with a stored California address to do so.
Sales for the passes began this morning. Hopeful passholders enter a virtual queue, with current wait times listed as “more than an hour.” Once guests make it through the queue, they have 10 minutes to enter the site, which does not guarantee the ability to purchase any of the pass options.
Until all passes are sold out, new pass sales will be paused nightly at 10 p.m. PT, and will resume no earlier than 9 a.m. PT the following day. Guests can remain in the queue overnight, so long as they stay connected to the network and keep their browser window open. New pass sales are only available online. Disneyland has also shared their own buying guide for Magic Key passes.
Another exciting benefit of the Magic Keys is the exclusive discounts and offerings available. Magic Key holders receive discounts on dining, merchandise, and parking, making their visits even more affordable and enjoyable. Additionally, Magic Key holders may also have access to special events, merchandise releases, and early park entry. Disneyland Magic Keys also offer flexibility and convenience. Unlike traditional annual passes, Magic Keys operate on a 12-month membership, instead of a fixed calendar year. This means that members can choose when their membership begins, adding an element of customization and flexibility to their Disney experience. In summary, Disneyland Magic Keys are an innovative and exciting way for loyal fans and guests to experience the Disneyland Resort. With various levels of access, exclusive discounts, and the convenience of a reservation system, Magic Key holders can make the most out of their visits and truly feel the magic of Disneyland..
Reviews for "Planning a Trip to Disneyland with your Magic Key"
1) Jake - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Disneyland magic keys. The whole concept seemed like a money grab to me. The prices were outrageous, and it seemed like Disney was just trying to squeeze every last penny out of their loyal fans. On top of that, the benefits that came with the magic key didn't really seem worth it to me. The limited number of reservations, blackout dates, and lack of discounts on food and merch just didn't make it seem like a good value. Overall, I don't think the Disneyland magic keys are worth the hype or the price.
2) Emily - 1/5 stars - I had high hopes for the Disneyland magic keys, but they were a huge letdown. The main issue I had was with the limited number of reservations. It made it nearly impossible to actually visit the park when I wanted to, especially on popular days. The blackout dates were also incredibly frustrating. I feel like I'm paying a premium price, but I'm not getting the premium experience I expected. I won't be renewing my magic key and would not recommend it to others.
3) Sarah - 2/5 stars - I found the Disneyland magic keys to be a major disappointment. While the initial cost seems high, it's the ongoing expenses that really add up. The lack of discounts on food and merchandise makes it hard to justify spending so much on the magic key. Additionally, the limited number of reservations and blackout dates make it difficult to actually use the pass. It's just not worth it for me, and I won't be purchasing the Disneyland magic key again in the future.
4) Michael - 3/5 stars - I had mixed feelings about the Disneyland magic key. On one hand, the potential benefits, such as early park entry and discounts on select merchandise, sounded promising. However, after experiencing the system, I found it to be quite frustrating. The limited number of reservations and blackout dates made it challenging to plan visits, and the prices were quite steep. While I enjoyed visiting the park, I'm not sure if the magic key is worth the hassle and expense.