Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.

Originally launched in late 2021, just months after Disneyland reopened to guests from the 2020 covid-19 closure, Magic Keys program are Disneyland’s exclusive annual pass program. It differs from its predecessor, know then as simply Annual Passes, or AP, not only in name, but in price-point, benefits (or lack thereof) and availability.

Prior to 2020, one could purchase an annual pass through Disneyland’s website or at the ticket booths at any point as there were no limitations placed on inventory. With the Magic Key (MK) program, however, you can only purchase one when Disney releases them for sale. Disney says this is done to limit the amount of MK holders, since locals tend to make up the majority of daily park attendance and often cause crowds to swell, causing a major “inconvenience” to out-of-area visitors.

Consequently, this lack of constant availability has caused a huge amount of pent-up demand for magic keys, often resulting in hours-long virtual queues for eager key holder hopefuls. I say “hopefuls” because there have been sales when by the time some have gotten through the virtual queue, the key they wanted, or all keys in general, were sold out.

The last magic key sale occurred in March 2024 and, surprisingly, lasted through June when all sales were finally paused. Recently, Disney announced magic keys would once again go on sale on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at no sooner than 9am. In this post, I’ll discuss the recent price increase, the four individual tiers, the benefits of each, and more. Let’s get into it.

Disneyland Magic Key Tiers, Price and Benefits (2024/2025)

The mountain spheres in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland.

Much like the original iteration of the program, there are four tiers of magic keys to choose from. Each has its own price, benefits and amount of blockout dates. Thanks to a class-action lawsuit in 2022, all Disneyland magic keys now come with blockout dates.

As far as benefits are concerned, all four have the same general benefits, though with varying levels. For example, you get a better discount on dining and merchandise with one key over another, but all keys do offer a discount.

Additionally, only the top tier key, the Inspire, includes parking without further charge. The remaining three keys offer discounts on parking, and only at certain parking lots, depending on the key you choose. Let’s take a look at the tiers and what they offer:

Inspire Key Price: $1749 (or $121.67 per month)

This is the Rolls-Royce of the Disneyland Magic Key program. If you visit the parks a lot and want the best benefits available with the lowest amount of blockout dates, this is the pass for you. Currently, the only blockout dates with this pass are the two weeks around Christmas and New Years. Every other day is fair game, provided there is reservation availability. Inspire Key benefits include:

Reservation-based entry on the majority of dates throughout the year
Hold up to 6 park reservations at a time
25% off of Lightning Lane Multi-Pass
Unlimited PhotoPass photo digital downloads
Up to 20% off merchandise
Up to 15% off dining
Free standard parking at Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, and Toy Story
Park hopping included (after 11am)

Based on tier 0 days, which are days when Disneyland charges the least amount of money for an adult, one-day park hopper ticket, the break even point for this tier is eleven visits. If you’re a local, you visit the parks more than most, typically park your own vehicle, and often indulge in Disneyland’s restaurants and gift shops, this key is a bargain despite the high price-point.

Believe Key Price: $1374 (or $88.34 per month)

If the price of the Inspire Key gives you sticker shock, you can save by going with the Dream Key, though you’ll go down a peg or two with the benefits a bit and will have to deal with additional blockout dates. Despite the blockout dates, you’ll still have access to the majority of the year as it’s mostly during the two weeks around Christmas and New Years, spring break week, and a few random weekends.

Reservation-based entry on most dates throughout the year
Hold up to 6 park reservations at a time
25% off Lightning Lane Multi-Pass
Unlimited PhotoPass photo digital downloads
Up to 10% off merchandise
Up to 10% off dining
50% off standard parking at Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, and Toy Story
Park hopping included (after 11am)

The Believe Key’s break even point is nine visits, again, based on the price of a tier 0 adult, one day ticket with park hopper option included. This is another great option for locals who visit often, but perhaps best for those who typically take an Uber to parks, as you’ll be charged half the rate for parking. Though, with Uber’s pricing increasing in recent years, it may be more cost-effective to just pay the half rate to park yourself.

Information on Disneyland Enchant Magic Key.

Enchant Key Price: $974 (or $55 per month)

If you’re not a SoCal resident, this is the lowest you can go and is the most affordable option. Its price may be great, but you’ll receive less benefits and have significantly more blockout dates. Blockout dates for this key include nearly all holidays and the days surrounding them, spring break week, most weekends, and the entirety of summer.

Reservation-based entry on select dates throughout the year
Hold up to 4 park reservations at a time
25% off Lightning Lane Multi-Pass
Up to 10% off merchandise
Up to 10% off dining
25% off standard parking at the Toy Story lot ONLY
Park hopping included

This pass comes with a break even point of just six visits, making it an ideal key for those who live close enough to Disneyland to visit often, but not close enough to be considered a local who visits weekly, or even monthly. If there are weeks or months between your visits, the limit of four reservations at a time wouldn’t hinder you much as you’d go through them rather quickly and typically, reservations are much easier to come by these days.

Information on Disneyland Imagine Magic Key.

Imagine Key Price: $599 (or $24.84 per month)

This key is only available to SoCal residents living in zip codes 90000 - 93599. Due to it being the lowest priced key for the four, it also comes with the least amount of benefits and the greatest amount of blockout dates.

Reservation-based entry on select days throughout the year
Hold up to 2 park reservations at a time
25% off Lightning Lane Multi-Pass
Up to 10% off merchandise
Up to 10% off dining
25% off standard parking at Toy Story ONLY
Park hopping included

This key pays for itself in just four visits, but comes with a tremendous amount of blockout dates and you’re limited to just two reservations at a time. Really take the time to research the blockout calendar below and find out if it’s worth upgrading to the Enchant Key instead. It may have a great entry price, but it’s limited in just about everything else.

To see the full blockout date calendar for all four Magic Keys, go here.

The lobby of the Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland.

As you can see, along with the increase in price, there are quite a few benefits attached to these keys than there were in prior years. At one point during its run as the AP program, Disney offered the option to upgrade your pass by paying a separate annual charge for MaxPass (the digital version of FastPass and what is now Lighting Lane).

Instead of offering the same for Lightning Lane, Disney opted to offer the benefit of a per-purchase discount on the service for all Magic Keys. While it’s certainly better than nothing, this is clearly an attempt by Disney to increase daily sales of Lightning Lane and to no overwhelm the attractions any more than they already are.

One added benefit I particularly like is the inclusion of unlimited PhotoPass digital downlaods (be sure to check out our article on this service) for Inspire and Believe Key holders. In my opinion, this one benefit alone increases the value of magic keys.

Magic Key Reservations & No-Show Policy

Donalds Boat in Toontown at Disneyland at night.

As you can see above, each Magic Key includes a certain amount of reservations you’re permitted to hold at any given time. The Enchant Key, for example, permits four reservations to be held at a time and the Inspire and Believe Keys include up to six.

These reservations are available on a rolling period. Meaning, if you’re an Enchant Key holder and you’ve used all four of your reservations for an upcoming trip, you won’t be able to make another reservation until you’ve either checked into the park or canceled one.

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland during spring season.

Speaking of canceling, if you’re sure you’re not going to be able to make it on the day of your reservation, be sure to follow the no-show policy or you’ll be suspended from making additional reservations for 30-days.

Here’s what you need to know about the Magic Key no-show policy:

Any key holder who no-shows on three reservations in a 90-day window will be suspended from making additional reservations for 30-days
This suspension will continue even if the current key is upgraded or renewed during the suspension
A cancellation must take place by 11:59pm the day before the reserved date
As long as you’re scanned into the park prior to closing on the reserved date, it will not count as a no-show

In short, do everything you can to avoid racking up no-shows. If you’re suspended and you’re on the payment plan, you’ll still be charged for that month and Disney will not extend you another month on your term.

Park Hopping Privileges

Sleeping Beauty Castle during the Pixar Fireworks show at Disneyland.

Another added benefit to Magic Keys is being able to park hop without any added cost. The way you park hop is the same as a regular park ticket holder:

From opening to 10:59am, you must start your day at the park in which you made a reservation for
After 11am, you will then be able to hop over to the other park
If you arrive on property after 11am, you will be able to enter either park no matter which one you made a reservation for

Let’s say you wanted to make a reservation for Disneyland Park but the only available reservations for that day are at Disney California Adventure (DCA). You can use the above rule to “hack” your way in, so-to-speak. You’ll go ahead with making the reservation for DCA, arrive on property at or shortly after 11am, and simply head over to Disneyland Park. Or simply begin your day at DCA and hop over to Disneyland after 11am.

Disneyland Magic Key Important Reminders

Mirabel from Encanto greeting guests in Frontierland at Disneyland.

At this time, Magic Keys are renewals only. New sales of Magic Keys are suspended more than they’re not, as Disney only releases them for sale once they’ve reached a certain threshold of non-renewals or when they predict a slump in attendance. The next round of Magic Key sales in November 6, 2024.

Park admission isn’t guaranteed. This isn’t the days of old anymore. For the foreseeable future, you’re at the mercy of the reservation system. Thankfully, it has become MUCH easier to snag reservations, even at the last minute.
Payment plans are still a thing and are still for Californian residents only. If you live outside the state, you will not be able to finance a Magic Key through Disney’s payment plan. If you do reside in the state, you’re still able to make payments.
Blockout dates are now in included in EVERY key. Even the highest tiered key now includes blockout dates.
Imagine Keys are for SoCal residents only. Unless you’re account is registered with a Southern Californian zip code, the Imagine Key won’t even be presented to you as an option. They Enchant Key will be the lowest you could go.
Special events are NOT included. You cannot use your Magic Key to get into events such as Oogie Boogie Bash, Disney Merriest Nights and Disneyland After Dark. Nor will you receive discounts on those tickets. You will, however, often get a jump on purchasing those tickets ahead of the general public.