Disneyland Magic Keys have become a hot commodity because they are hard to get these days. Magic Keys go on sale again November 6, 2024 and they will sell out quickly. What is a Magic Key? How do you get one? Are they worth it? When will they go on sale again? All of your questions will be answered in this article.
What is a Magic Key?
Back in the day you could just buy an annual pass (old name) whenever you wanted to get one. Or at the end of a trip you could upgrade your tickets to a Magic Key and save money. But now you have to wait until Disney announces when Magic Keys will go on sale and be prepared to buy them or miss out. And then you’ll have to wait until the next time they go on sale, which nobody knows when that will be again! These reservation-based admission passes allow you into one or both theme parks, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. There are 4 types of Magic Keys. Each level has different perks, blockout dates and prices. Let’s break down each key to help you decide which one is right for you. We will explain how to determine if they are worth it and how to purchase one.
Inspire Key $1,749
- Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks most days of the year.
- Hold up to 6 theme park reservations at a time for different dates
- 25% off the purchase of Lightning Lane Multi Pass service on days when you use your for park admission.
- Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads
- Up to 20% off select merchandise
- Up to 15% off select dining
- Standard theme park parking at all Disney guest parking structures/lots included no fees to park (excluding blockout days)
- Only a handful of blockout dates
Believe Key $1,374
- Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks most days of the year.
- Hold up to 6 theme park reservations at a time for different dates
- 25% off the purchase of Lightning Lane Multi Pass service on days when you use your for park admission.
- Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads
- Up to 10% off select merchandise
- Up to 10% off select dining
- 50% off Standard theme park parking at all Disney guest parking structures/lots (excluding blockout days)
- Blockout dates some weekends and most holidays.
Enchant Key $974
- Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks every day of the year.
- Hold up to 4 theme park reservations at a time for different dates
- 25% off the purchase of Lightning Lane Multi Pass service on days when you use your for park admission.
- Up to 10% off select merchandise
- Up to 10% off select dining
- 25% off Standard theme park parking at the Toy Story Parking lot only (excluding blockout days)
- Blockout dates most weekends and summer months.
Imagine Key $599
- Only available for Southern California Residents living in zip codes 90000 to 93599
- Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks every day of the year.
- Hold up to 2 theme park reservations at a time
- 25% off the purchase of Lightning Lane Multi Pass service on days when you use your for park admission.
- Up to 10% off select merchandise
- Up to 10% off select dining
- 25% off Standard theme park parking at the Toy Story Parking lot only (excluding blockout days)
- Blockout dates most weekends, holidays and all summer.
How to use your Magic Key…
To enter a theme park you must have a theme park reservation in addition to a valid Magic Key pass. It’s easy use the Magic Key pass. Step 1 – access the calendar, Step 2 – make a reservation and step 3 – review and confirm. You can make reservations as far as 90 days in advance. Once you enter a park on one of your booked reservation days (or timely cancel a reservation), then you can make another new reservation.
Magic Key holders can visit both parks, select a starting park to begin your day. Choose the both parks symbol if there’s availability you will see both the pink castle and blue Mickey wheel as seen in the photo below. There is a key to reference on the calendar below. Then you choose the park to start in. You can park hop on that day beginning at 11:00 a.m. This reservation for both theme parks only counts as one reservation toward your available reservations.
If you’re planning a visit with friends and family you can add their theme park admission to your account to make theme park reservations as a group.
You will not get a physical pass it will be digital unless you want to pay $20 for a paper version of the pass.
Additional Magic Key benefits
- Magic Key Terrace – Magic Key Holder dining is located in Disney California Adventure.
- First access opportunities to After Dark events and other exclusive advanced events.
- Downtown Disney discounts at participating locations.
- Magic Key Merchandise, Novelties, Menu Items and more.
- Magic Key Disney PhotoPass Opportunities are special photos spots and other opportunities throughout the year.
- Enjoy exclusive buttons during events near Silly Symphony Swings. Also exclusive photo opportunities during Oogie Boogie Bash and other gifts throughout the year. Watch the Magic Key portal on the Disneyland app for updates.
- Popcorn exclusive bucket with $1.50 refills throughout the year at different times.
How to purchase a Magic Key?
- Create a Disney account online if you don’t already have one. You will need one to purchase a Magic Key.
- If you’re a California resident, your stored Disney account address must be a California address in order to view any monthly payment options for available Magic Key passes when they are on sale.
- Add and save a preferred credit card in your Disney account.
- A Disney Gift Card can be used as a method of payment online when making a payment in full for a new pass. Disney Gift Cards cannot be used to purchase renewals at this time.
Tips for purchasing a Magic Key
- Sign in to your Disney account before visiting the Magic Key sales page. If you were previously signed in to your Disney account, sign out and sign back in again before attempting to purchase.
- On November 6, 2024, enter the waiting room via the “Purchase Magic Key Passes” link through the Disneyland app or website no earlier than 9:00 AM PST.
- You will be automatically added to the queue when you enter the waiting room.
- The quantity of passes and pass types available for upgrade or purchase may be limited or unavailable. Updates to pass availability will be displayed on the waiting room page.
- Estimated wait times may fluctuate throughout the sales event. You will see an estimated wait time in the waiting room.
- Entry to the waiting room does not guarantee the opportunity to purchase a pass.
- Running multiple browser tabs or manually refreshing the page may remove you from the waiting room. If you are removed, you will have to re-enter the queue at the back of the line.
Is a Magic Key worth it?
This is a question that I can’t answer for you, but can give you some insight to help you decide. I have the Believe key and live out of state. As an out of state guest you must pay for your pass in full at the time of purchase. That right there is a big chunk of change, so keep that in mind.
I suggest you do the math. Does it make sense to own a Magic Key? How many times do you have to go to the park to make the pass pay for itself, well let’s do the math. The lowest priced ticket to get into Disneyland for one day one park is $104 per day. Divide the cost of the Magic Key you want by $104.
- Inspire Key – $1,749/104 = 17 days
- Believe Key – $1,374/104 = 13 days
- Enchant Key – $974/104 = 9 days
- Imagine Key – $599/104 = 6 days
The other thing to consider is the blockout days. If you can only go on the weekends then the lower two passes don’t make sense to purchase.
How to upgrade a Magic Key to a higher Magic Key?
If you have a current Magic Key that you’d like to upgrade to a higher pass you can only do this while passes are available for sale. You must pay the difference in purchase price between the two passes in full at the time of upgrade. The expiration date will not change. Passes can ONLY be upgraded at the Disneyland Resort ticket booth only. Be prepared for long lines at the ticket booth.
How to use a park ticket to upgrade to a Magic Key?
Eligible Disneyland Resort theme park tickets may be upgraded to an available Magic Key pass. If you have a valid and eligible Disneyland Resort theme park ticket and decide you’d like a Magic Key pass to continue enjoying the parks again and again throughout the year, you can apply the price paid for your ticket towards the purchase price of an available Magic Key pass, subject to restrictions. Since Magic Keys go on sale November 6, 2024 you’d need to be in the parks that day to upgrade your park ticket. Read more over on this post.
Now with all of that information you can make an informed decision. I believe that the Magic Keys will sell out again. If you want a Magic Key hop on your computer and snag one while it’s available. If you’re not ready to get one right now but want to get one in the future be sure to check back as I will update this post as Magic Keys go on sale periodically.
Need help planning your Disneyland trip?
What is Lightning Lane Multi Pass?
When is the best time to go to Disneyland? Check out the crowd calendar!
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