The Allure of Magic: When Did Keys Start Being Sold as Magical Artifacts?

Magical keys have been a fascination for centuries. These enchanted objects have been the subject of many myths and legends, sparking curiosity and capturing the imagination of people throughout history. But when did magic keys really come to be? Let's delve into the origins of these mystical artifacts. The concept of magic keys can be traced back to ancient civilizations. In ancient Egypt, keys were seen as symbols of power and were often decorated with intricate designs and precious gemstones. These keys were believed to hold the ability to unlock hidden treasures and grant access to secret realms.

Turn an ear and listen if you will: That's the moment when an ensorcelled lock finally unlocks, a mystical door creaks open, and a new array of choices glimmer, like so much pretty pixie dust, before you.

It really depends on how often you ll visit the Anaheim theme parks, whether you d like discounts on food and merchandise, and if having your parking covered, or partially covered, by your pass is important to you. The former annual passes were retired earlier in 2021, but the Disneyland magic-makers vowed to create a fresh way to frequently call upon both The Happiest Place on Earth and Disney California Adventure.

These keys were believed to hold the ability to unlock hidden treasures and grant access to secret realms. Similarly, in ancient Mesopotamia, keys were associated with divine authority and were used by priests and sorcerers to access sacred spaces. As civilization progressed, so did the legends surrounding magic keys.

Magic Keys (all 4) going back on sale tomorrow, April 11.

I wonder how long the lower 3 levels will last. I believe the inspire key has continued to remain on sale since the last round in January.

DLgal

DIS Veteran

I wonder how long the lower 3 levels will last. I believe the inspire key has continued to remain on sale since the last round in January.

It is odd to start selling those again now, considering how close summer is and all the blackout dates. Not a great value to buy one now.

JerrodDragon89

Mouseketeer

Rich M

DIS Veteran

It is odd to start selling those again now, considering how close summer is and all the blackout dates. Not a great value to buy one now.

DLgal

DIS Veteran

What are your dates? You won't be able to upgrade into a pass that is blocked out during your visit, I don't think. I doubt they will still all be on sale by summer.

DLgal

DIS Veteran

nlenguyen

DIS Veteran

From what I can see with my dates of travel this year is that I want to go in December and on the weekends during peak times so the incredipass is the only option for me. I would rather just get the single day tickets. Maybe they will eventually redo the blockout dates, but all of them seem really restrictive, why pay the $1000's?

EagleRockTony

Earning My Ears

DLgal

DIS Veteran

From what I can see with my dates of travel this year is that I want to go in December and on the weekends during peak times so the incredipass is the only option for me. I would rather just get the single day tickets. Maybe they will eventually redo the blockout dates, but all of them seem really restrictive, why pay the $1000's?

nlenguyen

DIS Veteran

Sorry, I looked at both resort annual passes, Yes I meant the inspire key. The believe key still had some dates blocked out during the times we would go, I still can't believe the inspire key has Christmas week blocked and it is $1599

dina444444

DIS Veteran

Sorry, I looked at both resort annual passes, Yes I meant the inspire key. The believe key still had some dates blocked out during the times we would go, I still can't believe the inspire key has Christmas week blocked and it is $1599

This coming holiday season will be year 2 with the top pass being blocked that week so I am not expecting changes to block out dates at this point.

DLgal

DIS Veteran

Sorry, I looked at both resort annual passes, Yes I meant the inspire key. The believe key still had some dates blocked out during the times we would go, I still can't believe the inspire key has Christmas week blocked and it is $1599

It's a great value for locals at that price. We don't do the parks Christmas week anyway. No loss. I've more than gotten my money's worth with our family's Inspire keys. We have done 19 visits and still have 4 more months to go in our passes. It doesn't make sense for non locals who aren't parking at the parks frequently.

HIRyeDVC

DIS Veteran

Looks like the Believe Key has added more block out dates the week before Thanksgiving. Looks like park hoppers with Genie+ for me instead!

Aurora0427

DIS Veteran

Looks like the Believe Key has added more block out dates the week before Thanksgiving. Looks like park hoppers with Genie+ for me instead!

I think all of the added blockout dates are definitely to control crowds, but also to somewhat discourage non locals to buy passes. They added a ton of blackout dates for believe.

CaliforniaGirl09

DIS Veteran

I'm in the same boat. We had APs for years and an Enchant key the first year, but we let it lapse due to block out dates. We own at VGC and go probably 3 times a year for 4+/- days--all of those are over weekends and some on holidays, including Christmas every few years. It used to make sense for us to have APs and the last year before the pandemic we had Signature Plus. Now with all the block out dates and the block on Christmas, I can't justify it.

An inspire key requires 4+ trips of 4-5 days for us. I priced out tickets at UT, and our two trips next year that I know about would be about $880 per person for 9 days of park hoppers. We don't park and we have discounts for DVC so it's all about the parks for us.

I wish there was something Disney would do for non-locals. I think they are leaving money on the table with people like me who go multiple times and if we had passes would be likely to go more often.

UT tickets here I come! (And you can get Genie+ added with those so you don't have to deal with it at 7 am).

HIRyeDVC

DIS Veteran

UT tickets here I come! (And you can get Genie+ added with those so you don't have to deal with it at 7 am).

Disneyhanna

DIS Veteran

Does the blockout calendar change at all? Looking at an Enchant key but am on the fence, if the blockout calendar for January 2024 stays the same I am good but I'm not sure if they can add more blockout days later?

Aurora0427

DIS Veteran

I'm in the same boat. We had APs for years and an Enchant key the first year, but we let it lapse due to block out dates. We own at VGC and go probably 3 times a year for 4+/- days--all of those are over weekends and some on holidays, including Christmas every few years. It used to make sense for us to have APs and the last year before the pandemic we had Signature Plus. Now with all the block out dates and the block on Christmas, I can't justify it.

An inspire key requires 4+ trips of 4-5 days for us. I priced out tickets at UT, and our two trips next year that I know about would be about $880 per person for 9 days of park hoppers. We don't park and we have discounts for DVC so it's all about the parks for us.

I wish there was something Disney would do for non-locals. I think they are leaving money on the table with people like me who go multiple times and if we had passes would be likely to go more often.

UT tickets here I come! (And you can get Genie+ added with those so you don't have to deal with it at 7 am).

Disney World is releasing a pass for DVC. I haven’t done the math… would be interesting to see if it’s worthwhile for DVC.

Topics like monthly payment plans (available to California residents), upgrading an existing theme park ticket, and how to reserve once you're holding a pass.

DIS Veteran

I wonder how long the lower 3 levels will last. I believe the inspire key has continued to remain on sale since the last round in January.

It is odd to start selling those again now, considering how close summer is and all the blackout dates. Not a great value to buy one now.

In medieval Europe, stories of enchanted keys became popular. These keys were said to possess extraordinary abilities, such as opening any lock or granting the holder immense wealth and prosperity. They were often depicted in fairy tales and folklore, serving as plot devices in quests and adventures. During the Renaissance period, magic keys took on a more mystical essence. Alchemists and occultists believed in the existence of "astral keys" – keys that could unlock not just physical doors but also metaphysical barriers. These keys were thought to have the power to access hidden knowledge and transcend the limits of the physical world. In more recent times, the concept of magic keys has found its way into popular culture. From fantasy novels to movies, magical keys have become a staple in storytelling. In J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, for example, the use of enchanted keys plays a significant role in the protagonists' quest to find hidden treasures and overcome obstacles. In conclusion, magic keys have a long and fascinating history. From their origins in ancient civilizations to their portrayal in contemporary media, these mystical objects continue to captivate our collective imagination. Whether unlocking hidden doors or opening the pathways to mystical realms, magic keys have a timeless allure that transcends time and cultures..

Reviews for "The Magical Market: A History of Selling Keys That Unlock Hidden Worlds"

1) Rachel - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish "When did magic keys go on sale". The characters were one-dimensional and the plot was incredibly predictable. The writing style felt forced and awkward, and I found myself cringing at some of the dialogue. I was expecting a magical and captivating story, but instead, I was left feeling disappointed and bored. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a memorable read.

2) John - 2/5 stars - I wanted to enjoy "When did magic keys go on sale", but it fell short of my expectations. The concept had potential, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was uneven, with certain parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. The world-building was weak, leaving me with more questions than answers. The characters were forgettable, and their motivations were unclear. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to others.

3) Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was drawn to "When did magic keys go on sale" by its intriguing title, but unfortunately, the story itself was lackluster. The writing was average at best, and the plot felt disjointed and illogical. The author tried to include too many elements without fully developing any of them. The romance subplot felt forced and unnecessary, detracting from the overall flow of the story. I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book as a worthwhile read.

From Fantasy to Reality: When Did Magic Keys Start Appearing in Real Life?