Disneyland Announces New Annual Pass Program

We finally have official details regarding Disneyland’s new annual pass program called “Magic Key.”

On Aug. 2, Disneyland Legacy Passholders received an email teasing details would be revealed on Tuesday, Aug. 3, about the new annual pass program called Magic Key.

Now we know exactly what the new passholder program entails. But, first, a little background.

On Jan. 14, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock announced that the former Disneyland Annual Passh program was discontinued.

This was due to “the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and limitations around the reopening” of Disneyland Resort theme parks.

At the time, Potrock also noted that “new membership offerings” were being developed.

Then, on Jan. 27, Disneyland announced a new “Legacy Passholder” program for Passholders who held active Passports as of March 14, 2020.

Unfortunately, this program only offered select discounts for Legacy Passholders and theme park admission was not included. (The Legacy Passholder digital discount ticket has a listed expiration date of Aug. 15, 2021. This date will be automatically extended until new membership offerings are announced. Check the Disneyland app for an updated expiration date.)

We finally learned during the April 29 D23 Inside Disney podcast that Disneyland’s new annual pass membership program would debut by the end of 2021.

Enter Magic Key! Here’s everything you need to know about Disneyland’s new annual pass program.

There are four tiers, which offer different perks and have different price levels. They go on sale beginning Aug. 25, 2021 (no earlier than 10 a.m. PST)!

August 25 is also the first opportunity Magic Key holders can visit Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure park with a theme park reservation.

In the words of Disney, “This new Magic Key program provides reservation-based admission to one or both Disneyland Resort theme parks where you’ll make memories visit after visit. There are 4 Magic Key types featuring a variety of admission days, pricing options, experiences, and savings on food & beverages and merchandise. You can select the Magic Key pass that’s of most value to you.”

Know that none of the following passes include MaxPass (this is currently unavailable) or PhotoPass.

In this article

Magic Key

The keys are as follows:

Dream Key

Price: $1399 ($102 per month for 12 months for California residents, after $179 down payment)

This is the highest tier. Here’s what it includes:

Parking (excluding blockout dates)
Up to 6 theme park reservations at a time during a 90-day window (based on availability)
20% off select merchandise
15% off select food and beverages
Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks every day of the year (view Dream Key block out calendar)

Believe Key

Price: $949 ($65 per month for 12 months for California residents, after $179 down payment)

This is the second-highest tier, which includes:

50% off parking (excluding blockout days, and available for purchase at Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure, and Toy Story Parking Area)
Up to 6 theme park reservations at a time during a 90-day window (based on availability)
10% discount on select merchandise and select food and beverages
Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks most days of the year (view Believe Key blockout calendar)

Enchant Key

Price: $699 ($40 per month for 12 months for California residents, after $179 down payment)

This is the second-lowest tier and features:

Up to 4 theme park reservations at a time during a 90-day window (based on availability)
10% discount on select food, beverages, and merchandise
Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks select days of the year (view Enchant Key blockout calendar)

Imagine Key

Price: $399 ($19 per month for 12 months for Southern California residents, after $179 down payment)

This is the lowest tier, is for Southern California residents only (zip codes 90000 to 93599), and includes:

Up to 2 theme park reservations at a time during a 90-day window (based on availability)
10% discounts on select merchandise, food, and beverages
Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks select days of the year (view Imagine Key blockout calendar)

Important: There is a “no show” policy. 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. Cancellation of a reservation must be done by 11:59 pm. PST on the day before the reserved date.

Park Hopping

As for Park Hopping, Magic Key holders who have a park reservation for both theme parks may cross over and switch between parks on the same day beginning at 1 p.m.

Make sure to check the Park Hours calendar and the Disneyland app for the most up-to-date Park Hopper hours.

Keep in mind that Magic Key holders who have a park reservation for both parks must enter the first park as designated in their park reservation prior to visiting the other park.

How To Use Magic Key Pass

You can use the Magic Key pass in three easy steps:

Step 1: Access the calendar (check for admission, blockout dates, and reservation availability)
Step 2: Make a reservation (sign into your Disney account, link Magic Key ID, and start making reservations)
Step 3: Review and confirm your visits (check email for reservation confirmation)

magic key pass instructions - disneyland

Additional Benefits

Magic Key holders will also have access to a variety of other benefits throughout the year, like:

Magic Key terrace: a re-imagined reservation-based lounge for Magic Key holders and their friends and family
Magic Key Holder Month: a month-long celebration of Magic Key holders
Special Experiences & Collectibles: access exciting, unique experiences and collectible keepsakes designed with you in mind — including special offerings during festivals
First Access Opportunities: be among the first to have the opportunity to access exciting new offerings at the Disneyland Resort throughout the year, including select new merchandise collections
Downtown Disney District: discounts at participating locations
Magic Key Merchandise, Novelties, Menu Items and More: opportunity to purchase Magic Key holder-themed popcorn buckets, sippers and menu items throughout the year
Magic Key Disney PhotoPass Opportunities: enjoy special photo spots and other opportunities sprinkled in throughout the year
Magic Key embroidery: special options available for Magic Key holders at select locations in the parks

And: For a limited time, Disney will celebrate charter members that become Magic Key holders within the first 66 days. These guests will receive a special welcome package that will include unique items such as a premium branded pin, celebratory button, magnet, and more!

Also: Magic Key holders who enter Disneyland Park will be celebrated with access to a limited-time experience at Starcade in Tomorrowland (which begins on Sept. 1), where they can enjoy charging stations, a special photo opportunity, and other fun surprises.

Unused Ticket & Pass Upgrades

As tweeted by Scott Gustin on Aug. 3, there is an upgrade available for those who already have an unused ticket.

A guest wishing to upgrade to a Pass from another form of eligible Disneyland Resort theme park admission must upgrade on the same day in which the original form of theme park admission is valid, and must choose a Pass of equal or greater value than the retail price of the original theme park admission when it was purchased.

The difference in prices must be paid in full at the time of the upgrade.

If an upgrade to a Pass is made from a multi-day ticket, the Pass will be backdated to begin on the first day that such ticket was used.

If an upgrade to a Pass is made from a lower level Pass, the new Pass will have the same expiration date as the original Pass.

Each guest wanting to make an upgrade must be present to do so. Upgrades are also subject to availability.

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Magic Key holders will also have access to the Magic Key portal in the Disneyland app, where news will be posted, along with an overview of benefits, custom content, special offers, and more.

In other exciting news: New sales for Walt Disney World Annual Passes will become available in time for the start of the 50th anniversary celebration! Stay tuned for more details later in August.

Just like with Walt Disney World, there have been changes across Disneyland since the resort reopened in April. You can read our complete Disneyland reopening guide other important details.