Disney has finally announced renewal information for guests with Magic Key annual passes at Disneyland. Guests will be able to renew starting August 18, but they’ll find each Magic Key now has a higher price. The previous top pass, the Dream Key, has now been replaced by the Inspire Key.
Aside from the higher prices for each Magic Key level, the Inspire Key represents that biggest change with the annual pass system at Disneyland. Now, every Magic Key tier has blockout dates at Disneyland. No pass provides 365-day access to the parks.
The Inspire Key, which is the Key with the most park access, is blocked out December 21, 2022 through January 1, 2023.
No Magic Key pass will get guests into the parks during the upcoming holiday season. All guests will need to buy individual daily tickets to see Disneyland and Disney California Adventure over Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
This change to blockout dates is likely driven by two key factors. Disney is primarily addressing guest backlash (and lawsuits) about the park reservation system and how it might prevent guests from accessing the parks even if their pass doesn’t have blockout dates.
Next, this also partially addresses Disney’s comments about an “unfavorable attendance mix” at Disneyland. Disney would much rather have regular ticketed guests, and their increased average spend, than Magic Key guests. The prime holiday season will now be made up entirely of guests Disney would likely classify as a favorable mix.
Disney has not announced information for new Magic Key purchases.
Let’s talk about Walt Disney World.
On the other coast, guests are still able to renew their annual passes at Walt Disney World. However, all new purchases are unavailable at this time. Guests have speculated that Disney will overhaul the Walt Disney World annual pass system whenever it returns.
Will Walt Disney World match Disneyland and make blockout dates a feature for all pass levels? It’s possible, but Walt Disney World and Disneyland are difficult to compare. Disneyland is mostly a locals park with a smaller percentage of tourists while Walt Disney World is predominantly tourists.
Disney will almost certainly revamp the Walt Disney World annual pass system. What that means and how it will impact guests remains to be seen.
