Disney has suspended sales of its Magic Key annual pass program and is offering California residents a new three-day, one-park-a-day ticket to Disneyland and California Adventure this summer, park officials announced today. .
When the park launched the Magic Key program last August, it was intended to signal, according to a Disneyland announcement, that “you belong to the community of core Disneyland fans who all share a passion and love for the parks.”
There are four tiers of Magic Key passes that range in cost from $399 to $1,399 per year. The $1,399 Dream Keys and $949 Believe Keys sold out late last year, and as of Tuesday, the $649 Enchant Keys and $399 Imagine Keys were no longer available .
Disney officials said the program offered more choice and flexibility, with guests having to make reservations for Disneyland and California Adventure, but some fans believe Disney falsely advertised the highest tier of their program that only provided ” no blocking date. Buyers have reported having difficulty making reservations due to the limited number of reservations available to tier holders. As a result, a lawsuit was filed against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts last year.
The lawsuit alleges that the Disneyland theme park treats “Magic Key” holders as “second-class ticket holders by artificially limiting Magic Key reservations and the number of keyholders who can visit on any given day.”
Disneyland spokeswoman Liz Jaeger responded to the complaint saying, “We have been clear about the Magic Key product terms and know that many of our customers enjoy the experiences these passes provide.” She added: “We will vigorously defend our position as the case progresses.”
There is, in fact, a disclaimer on the Disneyland website.
Current Magic Key holders can still use their passes to make reservations, and park officials said they would be allowed to renew their passes, though further details were not immediately available.
The Magic Key program replaced the parks’ popular annual pass program, which was canceled in January 2021, in part to limit daily crowds during the coronavirus pandemic.
The new three-day tickets start at $249 for Monday-Thursday admission, or $299 for any day, including weekends for eligible guests.
A three-day “park hopper” ticket allowing guests to travel between parks can be purchased with either package for an additional $60.
Three-day tickets are available for purchase beginning Tuesday and can be redeemed for three eligible days from June 13 through September 15, 2022, subject to park reservation availability.
Single-day tickets are still available, with variable prices and subject to blackout dates.
City News Service contributed to this report.