Guide to Disneyland Magic Key Pass: 2022-2023 Prices, Perks, Blockout Dates & Discounts

Magic Key is the reservations-based Annual Passholder program at Disneyland & Disney California Adventure. This information covers pricing, blockout dates, renewals, reductions, and perks. Plus, comparisons to APs and every little thing it’s good to know! (Updated November 16, 2022.)

With a Magic Key Pass, you can also make theme park reservations for ongoing visits and maintain a couple of theme park reservation at a time for various dates. Passholders additionally save as much as 15% on choose eating, save as much as 20% on choose merchandise, and 20% off purchases of the Genie+ Lightning Lane service (paid QuickPass). Throughout the yr, there are additionally particular choices only for Magic Key holders, unique picture ops, particular venues, and extra.

The Magic Key Pass program at Disneyland presents 4 varieties of passes that includes a wide range of admission days and blockout dates, worth factors, reservation limits, parking, and reductions. You can choose the Magic Key Annual Pass of most worth to you. Let’s begin with an replace on availability adopted by an summary of what every tier of Magic Key Annual Passes presents together with 2022-2023 pricing for individuals who are debating which to purchase.

November 16, 2022 Update: In a shock transfer, Disneyland Resort has resumed gross sales of choose Magic Key Annual Passes this morning because the busy Christmas season has simply gotten underway, and with Thanksgiving proper across the nook. The Inspire, Believe and Imagine APs have resumed new gross sales. However, the Enchant move will stay unavailable for brand spanking new gross sales however remains to be out there for present move holders to resume.

“With an incredible year ahead, we’re happy to open new sales for select Magic Key passes in time for holiday giving and to create opportunities for guests to treat themselves and their families to a year full of experiences during the upcoming Disney100 celebration,” a Disneyland official stated in an announcement.

If you are trying to buy a brand new move, be ready to attend. There’s a digital queue to entry the gross sales web page with a present wait time of greater than 1 hour. It’s value noting that when Magic Keys initially went on sale, some followers waited 8 to 10 hours to buy. Our expectation is that this gained’t be a lot completely different.

If something, extra individuals could have a way of urgency, as most Magic Key gross sales have been paused for roughly one yr after being bought for less than a few months. That was completely unprecedented, and this ‘limited availability’ would possibly trigger those that beforehand waited a day or two for the preliminary rush to die down final time to maneuver shortly. Conversely, there ought to be a smaller pool of potential purchasers, as most Magic Keymasters have already bought and renewed. In any case, pack your endurance and put together for a prolonged wait.

Alternatively, wait till tomorrow in case you’re prepared to danger Magic Keys promoting out. I’d be shocked in the event that they’re gone in solely a day or two, however then once more, I’ve been shocked just a few instances within the final year-plus by demand for all issues Disneyland. In any case, right here’s every little thing else it’s good to know…

Imagine Magic Key – $449 (Previously $399)

(Only out there for Southern California Residents residing in zip codes 90000 to 93599)

• Reservation-based admission to at least one or each theme parks choose days of the yr.
• Hold as much as 2 theme park reservations at a time
• 10% off choose merchandise
• 10% off choose eating
• 25% off choose parking

Enchant Magic Key – $699 (Previously $649)

• Reservation-based admission to at least one or each theme parks choose days of the yr.
• Hold as much as 4 theme park reservations at a time
• 10% off choose merchandise
• 10% off choose eating
• 25% off choose parking

Believe Magic Key – $1099 (Previously $949)

• Reservation-based admission to at least one or each theme parks most days of the yr.
• Hold as much as 6 theme park reservations at a time
• 10% off choose merchandise
• 10% off choose eating
• 50% off normal theme park parking (excluding blockout days, and out there for buy at Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure and the Toy Story Parking Area)

On a enjoyable notice, the identify “Magic Key” is a pleasant nod to the previous. Back within the E via A ticket e-book days, the Magic Key Coupon was legitimate at any attraction. You may apply it to a bona-fide E Ticket like Country Bear Jamboree in Bear Country, an A Ticket like 20,000 Leagues, or something in between.

We respect this deep-cut blast from the previous and can use Disneyland’s new verbiage when obligatory for drawing distinctions beneath. But more often than not, we’ll most likely proceed to name these Annual Passes. Disney is preventing a long time of historical past, inertia, and customary vernacular with this identify change. I’ll be shocked if Disney itself doesn’t use the outdated terminology right here and there.

Anyway, on with the commentary on why Disneyland is resurrecting its Annual Pass program with some new twists, our favourite Magic Key Pass choice, why reservations are a very good factor, and far more…

Commentary

None of that is significantly stunning. Back in the beginning of the yr when Disneyland ended the AP program and cancelled all excellent passes, we supplied the “reassuring prediction” that Annual Passes weren’t gone for good. In that, we said our expectation was that Annual Passes can be again in some type as quickly as Disneyland and DCA can function at full capability.

That may not sound like a a lot of a daring prediction now, since Disney has been teasing a “membership program” for months. However, there have been widespread fears that Disneyland was killing off its AP program completely on the time.

From that January publish: “In normal times, Disneyland is dependent upon locals during the off-season—the SoCal resident ticket deal is insufficient on its own. Although Disney has tried to make Disneyland Resort a standalone vacation destination (and moved it in that direction since the debut of Cars Land), it is still reliant upon Californians and not tourists for most of the year. While those same locals cause attendance problems, Disneyland cannot subsist on travelers like Walt Disney World.”

“It’s likely that significant ‘reforms’ will be instituted with the relaunch of Disneyland’s Annual Passholder program. Having the chance to reboot the entire program in the image of the Disney Flex Pass (which is essentially the framework for the Park Pass reservation system at Walt Disney World) should help address the crowd woes that have arisen at Disneyland in the last several years.” Nailed it? Nailed it.

As for the tiers and pricing, there are clear comparisons between previous Disneyland Annual Passes and the Magic Key program. The Imagine Pass is most corresponding to the Southern California Select AP. That move supplied 170 days of entry (no weekends or peak season dates) nor did it have parking. One month earlier than the park closure, Annual Pass costs elevated and the Southern California Select Annual Pass jumped to $419.

This comparability is fairly apples to apples, with the Imagine Magic Key providing over 100 extra days of theoretical entry. The disadvantage is 2 simultaneous reservations for these days, as an alternative of open entry as earlier than. The huge wildcard is availability, which is one thing we’ll deal with beneath.

Next, there’s the Enchant Magic Key, which seemingly replaces the Deluxe and Flex Passes (the Flex itself appeared poised to part out the Deluxe pre-closure). The Flex Pass was $649 and the Deluxe Pass was $829. Neither included parking.

The Enchant Magic Key is straight aligned with the Flex Pass. The key distinction is that the Flex Pass had a calendar of each reservation-only and open admission days. However, Flex Passholders may make as much as two reservations at a time as much as 30 days prematurely, whereas it’s 4 in a 90 day window for the Enchant Magic Key.

Replacing the Signature Annual Pass is the Believe Magic Key. The Signature Pass had minimal blockouts–primarily solely beginning the week of Christmas and operating via New Year’s–and likewise included parking. It had elevated to $1199.

Blockout dates are related for the Believe Magic Key. The huge drawbacks listed here are 50% off parking moderately than it being included, and needing to make reservations (6 simultaneous ones in a 90 day window) moderately than having open entry. The huge upside is that it’s cheaper–however the price of even half-off parking provides up shortly for Disneyland locals!

Finally, there’s the Inspire Magic Key. (This was beforehand known as the Dream Magic Key, however that has been changed for 2022-2023.) This is the top-tier move; it’s roughly equal to the Signature Plus, which had no blockouts, included MaxPass and PhotographPass, in addition to parking for $1449.

The Inspire Magic Key nonetheless requires reservations (6 simultaneous ones in a 90 day window), doesn’t have MaxPass, and blocks out the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s. It’s an unequivocal downgrade, and one which prices extra money.

Some Disneyland followers will view these costs as too excessive, however not anybody who purchased an AP final yr. These coming in at decrease worth factors than their predecessors–even with the reservation necessities–is undoubtedly the largest trick pulled by the Magic Keys. (Sorry, phantasm. A trick is one thing a–can’t end that reference on a family-friendly weblog!)

Having to make reservations undoubtedly lowers the worth of the Magic Keys, we’re not making an attempt to spin this and faux that it doesn’t. However, current Walt Disney World APs have been coping with park reservations for the final yr and by no means noticed a worth discount on account of them. Given that and Disney’s pricing trajectory, I feel most followers most likely anticipated these to price extra or supply much less. Color us pleasantly shocked.

The clearest takeaway from all of that is that Disneyland very a lot values the power the handle capability and Annual Passholder attendance. This a lot ought to be clear primarily based upon the worth factors and blockouts, particularly for the Imagine, Enchant, and Believe Magic Keys. That plus the paid parking on most passes additional suggests they wish to restrict the after work or college “drop in” visits that contribute to crowds however much less visitor spending.

Diehard former Annual Passholders are more likely to disagree, however we expect the Magic Key program sounds incredible. In addition to being good for Disney, it’s good for normal ticket-buying friends in addition to the general “health” of the parks. On busy days, Disneyland may buckle beneath the burden of Annual Passholders, and their colossal numbers may make for nightmarish situations. (I nonetheless have flashbacks to crushing crowds within the winter “off-season” just a few years in the past when Main Street Electrical Parade returned.)

Disneyland has a very completely different vibe from Walt Disney World, and in some ways, that’s for the higher. One manner it’s not so nice is within the sense that many Disneyland locals deal with the parks as leisurely hangout spots. A laidback locals’ tradition is nice, however Disneyland ought to be particular—not a substitute for visiting Irvine Spectrum or the Grove.

Limiting locals reservations is not going to simply throttle and redistribute crowds. It’ll additionally create a better sense of urgency and appreciation when visiting Disneyland, which is an effective factor. This means much less tenting out for hours to see Fantasmic, monopolizing tables in eating places, and simply typically much less loitering. (And I say all of this as somebody who has been responsible of treating Disneyland and Disney California Adventure as hangout spots no completely different than an area mall.)

With the Magic Key program, there are some simply identifiable winners and losers. The clear-cut greatest winner is non-local Disneyland followers who do a number of lengthy weekend or multi-day journeys to Disneyland per yr.

I think there are going to be a number of followers from Northern California, Nevada, and Utah salivating on the Enchant Magic Key. The lack of parking isn’t a giant drawback for guests who keep in close by lodges, and transferring from 2 to 4 simultaneous reservations may also be large and make this a greater choice than the Flex Pass.

Ultimately, the largest losers of Disneyland’s Magic Key Pass program can be locals who liked having the flexibleness drop in for just a few hours with none advance planning. Same-day reservations could be potential within the first few months and even yr, however these will ultimately dry up as extra individuals buy Magic Keys.

When we had been Disneyland locals, there have been so many instances we’d spontaneously go to with zero advance discover just because we had nothing higher to do–or for some restricted goal, like a bizarre new culinary concoction debuting at Pizza Port. That period is successfully over, and it’s going to be an adjustment for a lot of locals, even when it’s a internet optimistic for the visitor expertise at Disneyland.

Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site lodges in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of different locations!

YOUR THOUGHTS

Will you be buying a Magic Key move for Disneyland? Which tier do you anticipate shopping for? Excited to go from Passholder to Keyholder? Thoughts on the reservation limits, pricing, or anything? How will these adjustments impression you personally? Setting that apart, do you suppose this can be a internet optimistic or damaging for Disneyland? Do you agree with our evaluation of Disneyland’s Magic Key v. Annual Pass applications? Any questions we can assist you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback