Disneyland has announced significant changes to its Magic Key annual pass program, introducing a new tier and raising prices for several options. The Enchant Key will be discontinued as of January 13, 2024, with the launch of the new Explore Key, priced at $999. This represents a modest increase of 2.6% from the previous $974 Enchant Key.
On the same day, the Imagine Key, available exclusively to Southern California residents, will return for $599. The current top-tier passes, the Inspire Key and Believe Key, are still available for purchase. The Inspire Key saw an increase of 8.6% to $1,899, while the Believe Key rose by 7.3% to $1,474 during previous price adjustments in October.
Details of the New Explore Key
The Explore Key is designed to offer similar blockout dates as the Enchant Key, but it will provide additional reservation availability during weekdays in June and July. This adjustment is expected to enhance the visitor experience during peak times. Conversely, the existing Enchant Key will block reservations around major holidays like Christmas and Spring Break, as well as weekends during Halloween and summer weekdays.
Current holders of the Enchant Key can continue to use their passes until their expiration dates, allowing for a smooth transition to the new pricing structure.
Historical Context and Changes
These changes come as part of Disneyland’s ongoing efforts to adapt its annual pass program. The original annual passholder program was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the introduction of the Magic Key program in 2021. Since then, Disneyland has faced fluctuating demand, with tiers selling out quickly and sales being paused at various times.
In 2022, the park renamed its top-tier pass from the Dream Key to the Inspire Key, following a lawsuit related to reservation policies. The new tier, with limited blockout dates, has been part of Disneyland’s strategy to manage crowd control and enhance guest experience.
As Disneyland prepares for the launch of the new Explore Key, the park continues to focus on providing enjoyable experiences for its guests, while navigating the challenges of demand and pricing in an evolving market.
