The long-awaited and highly anticipated Disneyland annual pass replacement has been announced. After rampant rumor rumination from fans since the traditional annual passholder program was shuttered, the New Magic Key program was served up with all of the Disney hype and fanfare that one would expect.
It was fun to watch and listen to where the fandom thought this was going. The general notion was that the price was going to be raised so significantly that it would price out most people thus making the parks a place for the elite to play. There was also the idea that passes would never return replaced instead by a loyalty program that would offer discounts to frequent visitors. And then, of course, every possible iteration in between.
What ended up being announced was almost anticlimactic. The new Magic Key offering is closer to the legacy pass version than anyone had been anticipating. Sure, there are subtle differences; the number of plans, pricing, perks, parking, blackout dates, but overall the Magic Key program is virtually the same program. The one thing that stands out is the reservation system. Since the Disney theme parks worldwide have reopened after their pandemic shutdowns (some multiple times) each has implemented a reservation system for access. Your Magic Key level will predicate the number of advanced reservations that you will be able to hold at a time. Although a concern, this may prove out to not be an issue at all. This will be the change to watch.
I’m excited to be a passholder again. There is nothing better than heading over to the parks for a quick visit or date night for local Disneyland fans! My synopsis was a high-level and subjective view of the program. Below you will find all details and links to more information.
Will you become a Magic Key holder? Leave a comment below. And if you want to find an earlier and still existing non-Disney Magic Key, jump to the bottom for more…
For all of the Magic Key information go to your Disneyland App or Disneyland.com for details.
But wait there’s more! The Disney Genie is coming this Fall. Stay tuned for more on this as it breaks.
Anyone from the Bay Area knows that Magic Keys are not a Disneyland invention! They’ve been unlocking the magic at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland since the late ’40s. And you can have one for your very own for a one-time fee of $3!