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Act Fast: Disneyland Will Restart Pass Sales with Limited-Time Window

If you’re a Disneyland Resort regular without a Magic Key, your time has come.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on theme parks – especially when it comes to annual pass programs.

Crowd outside Disneyland entrance
Credit: Jeremy Thompson, Flickr

What is Disney’s Magic Key?

Disneyland’s annual pass system, just like Walt Disney World Resort’s, has undergone sweeping changes since the pandemic hit. After being axed in 2021, it was brought back in a different form under the banner of the Magic Key program, marking a significant shift in how guests access Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

While the changes were intended to enhance the guest experience, they have been met with mixed reactions from parkgoers.

One of the most notable changes under the Magic Key program is the reservation requirement. Unlike the previous Annual Pass system, which allowed spontaneous visits, Magic Key holders must now reserve entry dates in advance. This change limits the flexibility that many passholders previously enjoyed, making it harder to visit on a whim.

Disneyland Park guests ride Matterhorn Bobsleds
Credit: Disney

Additionally, passes now include more blackout dates, restricting access during popular times. Benefits such as free parking and merchandise discounts have also been updated.

Disney Fans Push Back

The shift to the Magic Key system has not been without its challenges. In 2023, Disneyland Resort agreed to a $9.5 million settlement over allegations of misleading advertising tied to its discontinued Dream Key pass.

Plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit argued that the Dream Key was misrepresented in its marketing as offering unlimited Disney visits, and yet many passholders struggled to secure reservations, even when the parks had available capacity. This settlement, amounting to about $65 per affected class member, underscored growing frustrations with the new system.

Before the pandemic, Disneyland’s annual pass offerings included multiple tiers, ranging from the top-tier Disney Signature Plus Passport at $1,449 to the Southern California Select Passport at $419.

A family of four, including two young children, interacts with Mickey Mouse in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.
Credit: Disney

These passes provided varying levels of access and benefits, catering to a wide range of budgets. However, the current Magic Key pricing reflects a substantial increase.

The Inspire Key, now the highest-tier pass, costs $1,749 and still includes blackout dates. The lowest-tier pass, the Imagine Key, is priced at $599, representing a notable rise from the pre-pandemic Southern California Select Passport.

Disney Schedules Magic Key Sale Window

Adding to the complexity, Magic Key sales are not continuously available. Disneyland periodically closes sales, creating scarcity and driving demand. Passholders must act quickly during the limited sales windows, as new passes often sell out within days.

This strategy has left some Disney fans feeling excluded, as the opportunity to purchase or upgrade passes can be fleeting.

Two Disneyland guests with Mickey Mouse
Credit: Disney

The next Magic Key sales window is set to open on January 22, 2025. Disneyland Resort has confirmed that all four pass types—Inspire, Believe, Enchant, and Imagine—will be available for purchase, but only while supplies last.

The online queue for new pass sales will open at approximately 8.45 a.m. PST, with sales beginning no earlier than 9 a.m. PST.

The last time Magic Keys were available for new purchases was November 2024. Since then, only existing passholders have been allowed to renew. As demand for these passes remains high, Disneyland’s limited sales approach continues to drive urgency among fans eager to secure their Magic Key.

Will you be joining the queue for a Magic Key this January?

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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