Disneyland Magic Key Pass – Everything You Need to Know

Magic Key is the current annual pass program for Disneyland Resort in California. Much like the old Annual Pass program, there are a variety of passes that offer different levels of benefits. In this article you’ll find information about the different levels of Magic Keys, as well as the latest Magic Key news and offerings. 

Want to experience the magic of the Disneyland Resort all year? Then a Magic Key pass may be for you!

Magic Key passes replaced the Disneyland Annual Passholder program in 2021. There are four levels of Magic Key passes, which offer different benefits so you can choose the one that best fits your lifestyle and budget.

Latest updates:

**UPDATE** June 11, 2024:

>>> Sales of Magic Key passes have been paused. Check the official website for more info: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/

Current Magic Key pass holders are able to renew their passes as long as they are within 30 days of their pass’s expiration date.

What is the Magic Key Pass?

The Magic Key pass is the next evolution of the Disneyland Resort annual pass. Disney reports that the Magic Key offerings were widely shaped by “extensive consumer research and feedback from guests.”

There are four tiers to the Magic Key program, with most perks being very similar to the old Annual Pass program. The main difference is now Magic Key holders will need to make reservations for the theme parks in advance.

Magic Key pass holders also get extra perks such as up to 15% off select dining, up to 20% off select merchandise, access to Magic Key Terrace at Disney California Adventure, and occasional special offerings just for Magic Key holders.

One important difference between the old Disneyland Annual Pass and the new Magic Key pass is there are no more physical passes! You’ll get a digital pass in the Disneyland app. This can cause some stress when needing to hand your phone over for a dining discount, or when cell service dips out!

There are two potential solutions for this: 1) You can try your luck requesting a physical paper Magic Key pass from the Disneyland ticket booth. The cost is $20. I have heard varying degrees of success with this; however, the Magic Key fine print still says it’s an option.

The second option, 2) You can try printing out your Magic Key barcode and taping it to your old plastic Disneyland pass. I tried this and found some Cast Members would not accept it, especially front gate CMs. Your mileage may vary with this hack. 

What are the Different Magic Key Pass Options and Prices?

There are four different levels of Magic Key passes available:  Inspire, Believe, Enchant, and Imagine. Inspire is the most expensive pass and offers the most benefits. Imagine is the lowest price and is available only for Southern California residents.

All four passes are valid for one calendar year after the first date of use, and California residents are entitled to a monthly payment plan.

See the chart below for a breakdown of benefits and pricing for each Magic Key type.

Prices last increased on October 9, 2024.

Inspire Key

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure park were closed from March 2020 through April 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the parks were closed, Disneyland ended their long-running annual passport program and refunded current passholders. 

In August 2021 Disneyland introduced the Magic Key passes, the annual pass replacement. The Magic Key passes work similarly to the old annual passes, but the benefits are slightly different. For one, Magic Key passholders now have to make theme park reservations before visiting.

What Happens When You Become a Magic Key Holder?

Besides having access to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (with your park reservation made in advance), Disneyland Magic Key holders are entitled to special benefits such as included or discounted parking (depending on the Magic Key type) and discounts on food and merchandise. 

There are also occasional special offerings for Magic Key holders, such as complimentary pins or tote bags.

Are Magic Key Passes Worth the Money?

You may be wondering if purchasing a Magic Key may be a good value for you! This all depends on how often you visit the Disneyland Resort. 

If you are a Southern California resident who likes to visit Disneyland during the week and don’t necessarily want to visit on the weekends or holidays, the Imagine Key may be a good value for you, considering it costs $599. Compare this to the current price of $169 for a Tier 0 one day park hopper ticket. If you visit more than three times a year, the Imagine Key is a really good value!

Another example: Let’s say you want the Inspire Key once it is available for sale. The Inspire Key price is $1749 with limited blockout days, which means you can visit most days as long as you make your reservation in advance. Compare this to the current price of $281 for a Tier 6 one day park hopper ticket. If you visit more than seven times in one year, your Inspire Key is a good value!

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FAQ About Disneyland Magic Key Passes Program

What does a Magic Key do?

A Magic Key is basically an annual pass for the Disneyland Resort. There are four levels of Magic Keys that offer different blockout dates and discounts on merchandise and food.

How many times can you go to Disneyland with a Magic Key?

With a Magic Key pass, you can visit Disneyland or Disney California Adventure any time, as long as your pass is not blocked out and you have a theme park reservation.

Is it true Magic Key holders will not be able to renew their pass?

 

Renewals for current Key holders are available. You may renew your pass once you are within 30 days of your pass expiration date. If you let your pass expire you will NOT be able to renew or buy a new one if passes are paused for new sales!

Can Magic Key holders park hop?

Yes! All four Magic Key passes include park hopping. However, when you make your theme park reservation, you must choose a starting park. You can only visit your starting park until 11am. After 11am, you may freely hop between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Where can you purchase a Magic Key pass?

Magic Key Passes can only be purchased online.

Can Magic Key passes sell out?

Yes. In the fine print, it states Disneyland can stop sales of new Magic Key passes at any time. In October 2021, sales of the Dream Key were halted, followed by sales of the Believe Key in November 2021. Enchant and Imagine sold out in spring 2022.

Are monthly payments available?

Yes! Monthly payments are available on all pass types but only for California residents.

Can you use Disney gift cards to make your purchase?

Yes, but only one gift card per transaction. You may consolidate gift cards at Disneygiftcard.com, up to $1000 per card.

Does the Magic Key include parking?

Standard theme park parking is included with the Inspire Key pass only. Standard theme park parking is 50% off with the Believe Key pass. Enchant and Inspire Keys get 25% off parking at the Toy Story Parking Lot only. To learn more about Disneyland parking, click here. 

Can you purchase a parking pass add-on for lower tiers?

Nothing has been announced at this time. 

Do any of the Magic Key passes include Lightning Lane?

Lightning Lane Multi Pass is the replacement for FastPass and MaxPass. All Magic Key passholders get 25% off Lightning Lane Multi Pass when purchased the day-of.  Read more about Lightning Lanes here.

If you have two Believe Key pass holders in one car, is the parking free?

No. A Believe Key pass entitles you to 50% off parking, no matter how many passholders are in the car. But nice try!

How do you make reservations?

You can make your theme park reservations via the Disneyland website. You can also use the app to manage reservations, but the app takes you to a website page.

Magic Key pass holders will be able to make reservations for as many days as their pass type allows. For example, an Inspire Key pass holder can hold 6 park reservations at one time. When the pass holder uses or cancels one of the reservations, another can be made. There is no limit to the number of total days a pass holder can visit the parks, but you must have advanced reservations. 

How far in advance can you make reservations?

The window for Magic Key pass park reservations is 90 days in advance.

Can you cancel a reservation?

Yes! You can cancel a reservation up through 11:59pm PT the night before.

What happens if you are a “no show” for your reservation?

Directly from the Disneyland website: “Magic Key holders who are a ‘no show’ for 3 reservations in a 90-day window will be unable to make new park reservations for 30 days. Existing park reservations at that time will not be cancelled. The 30-day period begins the day after the third ‘no-show,’ and will continue even if the pass is upgraded to another pass during that time.”

Can you bring a guest with a Magic Key pass?

No, the Magic Key pass is only for the passholder. Your guest would need their own ticket.

Does the Magic Key program apply to Walt Disney World?

The Magic Key program is for Disneyland only. Walt Disney World has its own Annual Pass program.

Do you have any additional questions about the Disneyland Magic Key Pass program? Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram – @fairytalemindy. I’m happy to help the best I can!