Disneyland’s Magic Key program……are you considering getting a key? Already have a key and want to know all the benefits? This is the ultimate guide to Disneyland’s new annual pass program.
We’re backkkkkk! Our Disney family has been a part of so many special Disneyland moments from Disneyland’s Reopening Day to our regular Disneyland vacations, and planning our favorite Disneyland outfits……we were Annual Passholders for years, and eagerly awaited the announcements surrounding new options for annual passes. Here we are, we’re officially Magic Key holders!
We’ve already visited a couple of times with our Magic Keys, and I wanted to share a bit about what I’ve learned.
This is the ultimate guide to Disneyland’s Magic Keys, and will be updated regularly with new benefits for key holders.
Magic Key: Disneyland’s New Program
Let’s get into. The Magic Key program is a little different than Disneyland’s old Annual Pass program, each Magic Key is reservation based (similar to the Flex Pass that Disneyland used to have). What does that mean? Different Magic Keys allow you to hold a different amount of reservations at a time. You simply book a theme park reservation online (or in the Disneyland app) the same as you would if you bought a ticket. Once you ENTER the park with your reservation, you can book ANOTHER day. So far? I’ve found the reservation system to be very easy to use. We bought our Magic Keys on a Wednesday afternoon, and I immediately reserved the next day.
Magic Key Options: There are currently four Magic Key options (three are available to everyone and one is for Southern California residents only).
- Dream Key (cost $1399): no block out dates, can hold up to six reservations at a time, 20% off merchandise and 15% off dining, parking included
- Believe Key (cost $949): SOME block out dates (see the calendar HERE), can hold up to six reservations at a time, 10% off select merchandise and dining, 50% off parking at Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure and the Toy Story Parking Area) (This is the Magic Key we have!)
- Enchant Key (cost $649): Fair amount of block out dates (see the calendar HERE), can hold up to 4 theme park reservations at a time, 10% off select merchandise and dining
- Imagine Key (cost $399, only available for Southern California Residents living in zip codes 90000 to 93599): Fair amount of block out dates (see the calendar HERE), can hold up to 2 theme park reservations at a time, 10% off select merchandise and dining
So how did we decide which Magic Key to get? We looked at our family’s availability (for instance Robbie and Lydia aren’t available during the week and we live too far away to pop over after school), and how often we would go on a weekend or over breaks and the summer months. Then we asked….how often will we go? How often did we go to Disneyland with our old annual passes? And how often will we go as Magic Key holders? For us? It’s A LOT. We usually go to Disneyland a few times a month. So getting that Believe Key? Was perfect for us! It has minimal block out dates, and we have plenty of weekend days to go that work with our school year schedule! I highly recommend sitting down to look at a calendar and figuring out what will be best for your family!
QR Codes and the App: Now, this was a little confusing to me the first time I entered the park with my Magic Key. Since Disneyland’s Reopening , procedures to enter both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are a little different. You would buy a park ticket, make a reservation and then receive a QR code in your email that you would use to enter the parks. With a Magic Key? You’ll still make a reservation in advance, and you’ll still receive a QR code in your email in advance. You’ll use that QR code to enter the park the FIRST time you go in for the day. After that? If you leave and return or decide to park hop…..you’ll use your Magic Key in the Disneyland app.
Parking: Another new to me procedure? With our old Annual Passes, I didn’t have parking included. Since we have the Believe Key, I get parking at a discounted rate but wasn’t sure how that would work. Well, it’s easy as pie! Pull up to the parking lot, and you’ll pull up your Magic Key in the app. The Cast Member will scan your Key and then you’ll have no additional parking fee if you have the Dream Key or a 50% off parking fee if you have the Believe Key.
Park Hopping: Park Hopping is…..the act of hopping back and forth between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (which is pretty easy to do since they are so close together). So how does park hopping work for Magic Keyholders? When you make a reservation, you’ll pick your starting park. You’ll be able to enter that park anytime after rope drop (Disney speak for park opening). If you’d like to switch to the other park, you can do so at 1 pm or later. If you arrive after 1 pm, you can start at either park.
Additional Benefits: There are a ton of fun additional benefits that Magic Key Holders can utilize!
An up to date list of current benefits:
- Magic Key Terrace: Highly recommend visit this fun dining area inside Disney California Adventure (near Carsland and the Wine Country Trattoria). It has an exclusive menu (and some really fun cocktails). This location does not take reservations (walk up only) and will require that you show your Magic Key in the app!
- Magic Key Holder Lounge: Inside Disneyland (Tomorrowland to be exact)……this exclusive area is located at Starcade and has charging stations, fun surprises and photo opportunities for Magic Key holders.
- Mr Toad Photo Opportunity: Until 10/30/21, Key Holders can get a special PhotoPass Magic Shot with Mr Toad (download is complimentary). Want to try this one? It’s located behind the castle, near Pixie Hollow and the Alice in Wonderland themed restrooms.
- Hocus Pocus Photo Opportunity at Oogie Boogie Bash: Attending Oogie Boogie Bash? There is another special PhotoPass opportunity near the Silly Symphony Swings…..if you love Hocus Pocus (and who doesn’t)….don’t miss this one!
- Tenaya Stone Spa Upgrade: This is specifically available for Dream and Believe key holders staying at a resort hotel on the date of their appointment: book a Tenaya Signature Massage and get a complimentary upgrade to the Tenaya Stone Massage. (until 12/15/21)
- 15% off at Disney Music Emporium: use code DME15MK (until 12/31/21)
- Magic Key Popcorn Bucket: In early September, a limited edition popcorn bucket will release with $1.50 refills until 11/10/21.
Are you a Magic Key holder yet? What Key did you get?
