Annual passes have been a staple for Disneyland for many years now. In fact, many adults now remember being annual pass holders when they were kids and are now getting Disneyland Magic Key passes for themselves and their children.

In August 2021, Disneyland announced a new name for its annual pass, Magic Key. This new annual pass would be the ‘Magic Key’ to unlock a new type of Disney magic at the parks.

It’s been a few years since the Magic Key program was released, and a few things have changed. I have been a magic key holder since the program started, so I feel like I have been able to first hand experience and see the changes that have taken place.

This post will go over all of the things that you need to know about Disneyland’s Magic Key program, so you can decide whether or not you want to get a Magic Key yourself. We will go over the different types of magic keys, the cost of each, the benefits you get with each, as well as how many ‘visits’ are needed to break even with purchasing each magic key.

What We Know About Magic Key Passes

Magic Key Passes replaced the Disneyland Annual Pass program, which ended in 2021. Disneyland knew that its annual pass program needed some changes to keep up with the times, so Disney’s Genie+ and Magic Keys were created.

There are four different tiers of Magic Keys, each with its own price tag and perks. Additionally, a special California Resident magic key is available for California residents within certain zip codes, but more on that later.

One of the other perks to becoming a Magic Key holder is an exclusive Magic Key restaurant and merchandise available (sometimes including freebies).

The Magic Key program also includes access to a different reservation calendar than the one available to the general public. And before you ask, no, there is currently no talk or chatter about Disneyland eliminating the reservation system that is in place at the parks.

San Diego CityPASS&reg LEGOLAND California, Child, ages 3-12 San Diego CityPASS® LEGOLAND California, Child, ages 3-12

Which Magic Key is right for you? Let’s dive into the differences between them and the costs so you can figure out which best suits your Disneyland desires.

Note: The reservation system does hold with the disclosure that “**The number of theme park reservations that may be held at a time during a specific booking window is dependent on pass type and is subject to availability and other rules and restrictions, including excessive “no-show” rules.” according to Disney Parks Blog. Therefore keep that in mind when making a decision, and making reservations.

Disneyland Magic Keys: Types of Magic Key Passes

Once again Disney went with a tier system for the different types of passes available. The Inspire Key, Believe Key, Enchant Key, and the Imagine Key. Each Key holds a different price and a different level of perks that go along with it.

Personal Note: I don’t think that there is much difference between the Magic Keys now, other then the price. The different perks, used to be much greater and worth the price difference when the keys first came out, but now it is very minimal.

It is important to know that even with each Magic Key having access to a different Reservation calendar, it doesn’t guarantee admission into the park for specific days. Each Magic Key also has different blackout dates that apply. Unfortunately, there is no Magic Key available that doesn’t have some kind of blackout dates.

Being a Magic Key holder grants you all of that, and so much more!

Without further ado, let’s break down each of the different Magic Keys so you can decide which one is best for you!

Magic Key Pass: Dream Key Inspire Key

When Disneyland first released the Magic Key program, the top tier magic key was called the Dream Key. Disneyland has since renamed the key to be called the Inspire Key. This is also the only Magic Key that has gone through a name change since the release of the Magic Key Program.

This is the highest/top tier Magic Key that Disneyland is offering. This key comes with the most perks, and also the highest price tag.

Inspire Key Cost:

Being the top tier Magic Key, the Inspire Key costs $1749!

Yes, that price the price tag is pretty hefty. But with being the top tier key, there are a lot of perks that come with it to justify the cost (for most people).

For California residents, after a down payment, you can select to do a monthly payment option, over paying for the whole key upfront. (more details on that later).

Inspire Key Holder Perks:

With the big price tag, comes big perks!

Here are some of the perks that come with the Inspire Key:

• Up to 6 theme park reservations
• 25% off Lightning Lane Multi Pass
• Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads
• 20% off select merchandise
• 15% off select dining
• Free Standard theme park parking*

*Parking discounts are available at select parking structures for standard parking only

Inspire Key Park Reservations:

The Inspire Key allows you to reserve up to 6 park reservations at once. And unfortunately, with the reservation system it means that some blackout dates will apply. Where the old Dream Key offered no blackout dates, the Inspire Key offers minimal blackout dates.

Now, this doesn’t mean that during that time, if you have an Inspire Key, you can’t go to the park. It just means you can’t use your Magic Key to get into the park (which usually means having to pay for separate tickets and not getting the discounts during the trip).

Inspire Key Black Out Dates:

The current blackout dates for the Inspire Key Park reservations are:

• December 21, 2024 – January 3, 2024
• December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026

As you can tell, from just before Christmas until the first weekend in the New Year is blacked out for Inspire Key Holders.

Magic Key Pass: Believe Key

The Believe Key is the second tier Magic Key that Disneyland is offering. It is cheaper then the Inspire Key, but not by much. It also comes with similar perks as the Inspire Key, but lower discount percentages.

Believe Key Cost:

When the Believe Key first went for sale, it was only $949. Today (2024), the Believe Key is available for $1374.

The Believe Key is also available for a payment plan after a down payment for California Residents only.

Additionally, if you’re visiting the parks when the Magic Key’s are on sale, then you can upgrade the tickets from your trip, to a Magic Key. If you do this, then the cost that you spend on the tickets, will be applied towards the purchase of the Magic Key you purchase*.

Note: this is something that is only available when Magic Keys are on sale. Unfortunately if the Magic Keys aren’t actively selling, then you cannot do this with your tickets.

Believe Key Holder Perks:

Some of the main perks with the being a Believe Key Holder are:

• 50% off standard theme park parking*
• 10% off select merchandise purchases
• 10% off select restaurants
• 6 Theme Park reservations
• 25% off Lightning Lane Multi Pass
• Unlimited Digital Downloads
• Park hopper admission to both parks

Believe Key Park Reservations:

Just like the Dream Key, you can have up to 6 reservations at a time for the parks with this level of pass. There are however, a few blackout dates.

There are more blackout dates with the Believe Key, then with the Inspire key. However, the blackout dates are fairly minimal, and you can definitely still enjoy all of the best times of the parks with the Believe Key.

Believe Key Blackout Dates:

Here are some of the main blackout dates that the Believe Key currently has:

• November 28 – 30, 2024 (Thanksgiving)
• December 7, 14 – 15, 18 – January 4, 2025 (Xmas & New Years)
• February 15, 2025
• April 12 – 20, 2025 (Spring Break)

For a full updated list of the blackout dates for the Believe Key, take a look at the official calendar.

Southern California CityPASS, Child, ages 3-9 Southern California CityPASS, Child, ages 3-9, Southern California Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure 4-Day Park Hopper® Ticket (Disneyland® Resort). This Disneyland® Resort multi-day Park Hopper® ticket, with applicable park reservation, is valid for admission to both Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park on the same day. Valid for children ages 3-9 only. Each day of use constitutes one full day of use. Admission to a park is subject to operational hours, closures and other restrictions, and a ticket does not guarantee park entry, even on dates when a ticket is not blocked out.

Magic Key Pass: Enchant Key

The Enchant Key is essentially the base level of Magic Key that you can purchase (if you aren’t located in Southern California). . The base level of Magic Key available to those not located in Southern California. Which offers similar perks to the ones previous, just not to the same extent. There are also more blackout dates to this pass, then the ones listed previously.

Enchant Magic Key Cost:

The Enchant Key price is currently set to $974. At its debut, the Enchant Key was only $649.

Now some might thing that this is a pretty big jump in cost, however a lot has also changed. A discount on parking is included, as well as less blackout dates from its debut.

Enchant Key Holder Perks:

This pass doesn’t include any type of perk for parking. Therefore if you park on site, you will have to pay for full cost of parking. However, this pass does offer 10% off select merchandise, and 10% of select food and beverage purchases. Which is no different than the Believe Key discounts.

Enchant Key Park Reservations:

This pass does only allow you to reserve 4 park dates at a time, which is 2 less perk reservations then the other higher tiered Magic Keys.

Additionally, this tier does come with the most black out dates (if you don’t include the Imagine Key for Southern California Residents).

The blackout dates really aren’t too bad, as they are some of the busiest times, so it is a great way to ensure that you aren’t going during some peak crowd times (which can be a blessing). For questions about specific dates, check out the calendar.

Enchant Key Blackout Dates:

Here are some of the main blackout dates with the Enchant Key.

• December 14, 2024 – January 4, 2025
• All Saturdays throughout the year
• Most of June 2025
• All of July 2025
• Spring Break 2025

Magic Key Pass: Imagine Key

This tier is only available to Southern California Residents within certain zip codes. This means that unless you live within the zip code bracket that they have listed (Zip codes 90000 – 93599). Disney does check this type of information, so before you can ask, I’ll answer that question.

It is best to be honest and not lie for the discount.

With that being said, if you do live within the specified zip codes, let’s break down this Disneyland Magic Key to see what it has to offer.

Imagine Key Cost:

This Imagine Key currently costs $599. During the debut of Magic Keys, the cost was only $349.

What has caused the price increase over the years? Well, now 25% off standard parking at the Toy Story Parking area is included with this pass. As well as a discount on purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass for the day.

Imagine Key Holder Perks:

There are similar perks that are offered with the Imagine Key, even though it is available only for Southern California Residents.

Here are some of the Imagine Key Perks:

Park Hopper admission
25% off Lightning Lane Multi Pass
10% off select merchandise
10% off select Dining
25% off standard parking at Toy Story Parking area

Imagine Key Park Reservations:

Due to the Imagine Key only being available to Southern California Residents, this level of key holder only allows for 2 park reservations at a time.

This is often seen as the downfall of this Magic Key, as you need a park reservation to enter either park. Additionally, this key holder will have the most blackout dates of all the keys.

Imagine Key Blackout Dates:

Here are some of the main blackout dates for the Imagine Key

• November 28, 2024 – January 5, 2025
• June & July 2025
• Spring Break 2025
• All weekends 2025 (incl. some Fri, Sat, Sun)

Magic Key Pass Payment Plans

Alright, now that we’ve gone through all of the price tags that are associated with each Magic Key. Let’s dive into what options are available for payment.

As of now, Disneyland only offers payment plans to California residents.

All payment plans for California residents requires a down payment. Then the remaining balance is evenly paid for over the next 12 months.

This payment plan options can make it a much more affordable way to become a Magic Key holder.

If you are renewing your Magic Key, and select to do payment plans, you are no longer required to do a deposit. Instead, you are immediately (or a day later) charged for the first month, and then every month after. The monthly payments are all the same cost throughout the month.

Inspire Key Monthly Payment – $145.75
Believe Key Monthly Payment – $114.50
Enchant Key Monthly Payment – $81.17

Again, the monthly payment plans are only available to those that are California Residents.

Is the Magic Key worth the cost?

The cost of these Magic Keys might come with a bit of price tag sticker shock. Completely understandable. But in order to view the cost without having a heart attack, it should be viewed as an investment.

Now in order to view it as an investment, it is good to find out at what point it is going to ‘break even’ or pay for itself.

So, let’s break down the cost of Disneyland tickets and make sure we are trying to compare apples to apples as much as possible. With that being said, since Park Hopping is a perk of having a Magic Key, I will compare Park Hopping ticket costs.

With the latest Disneyland Ticket Increase, the typical cost of a one-day park hopper ticket ranges from $169 to $281, depending upon which ‘tier’ that day falls on.

Please contact your travel agent for specific prices

If you don’t include the discounts of parking, merchandise, and food; then the Magic Keys pay for themselves in the following number of visits…

Inspire Key – 6 to 11 park day visits
Believe Key – 5 to 9 park day visits
Enchant Key – 4 to 6 park day visits
Imagine Key – 2 to 4 park day visits

Obviously this can vary based upon calculating parking, merch expenses, and food expenses. Calculating those obviously looks very different for a lot of people (which is why I didn’t even try to attempt it).

To answer the big questions “Is getting a Magic Key worth it?” the answer is yes, depending on the number of Disney Days that you plan on doing for the next year.

Disneyland Magic Keys: FAQ

Hopefully, this post has helped understand the Magic Keys at Disneyland. If you still have more questions, the following frequently asked questions will help clear everything up. If not, feel free to send me an email, or message on IG.

Do Magic Key holders get free parking at Disneyland?

Currently, only the Inspire Key gets free parking at Disneyland, as long as the Magic Key holder parks in one of the approved Disneyland parking structures. The other Magic Keys do get a percentage off of standard parking, at the same structure.

What is the best magic key pass for Disneyland?

The best Magic Key Pass for Disneyland really depends on your own personal Disneyland plans and goals.

For me personally, based upon the number of times that I typically go to the parks, the Believe Key is the best magic key for me.

How many times can you go to Disneyland with a magic key?

You are allowed to go to Disneyland on any day that you are able to get a park reservation with your Magic Key (and as long as it isn’t a blackout date for that key).

If you time it right, and have the right Magic Key, you could go to the parks almost every day except the blackout dates for that key!

It would be challenging, but I’d imagine that it is possible.

Can I bring a guest with my Magic Key Pass?

No, being a Magic Key Holder does not grant you access to bring a guest into the parks. If your guest has their own ticket, then of course they can join you for a fun day at Disneyland.

But there is no Magic Key that offers the ability to bring in a guest for free.

Does Disneyland check ID for Magic Key?

Yes! When you first purchase your Magic Key, Disneyland will check ID and verify that you are in fact the Magic Key holder. On the first day that the key gets activated, your picture gets taken, so that they can quickly verify on other days that the Magic Key Holder is actually the one using the Magic Key.

Does each family member need a magic key?

Yes and no. This is a complicated question. If everyone in your family has a Magic Key, reserving park reservations is easier. Additionally, if only one person has a Magic Key in your family, then only they can benefit from it. As the perks are non-transferable.

This means that if part of the family or group goes to a restaurant for lunch, and the Magic Key holder decides to ride at the other park of the group, the percentage off select dining cannot be applied to the bill at the restaurant.

Do Magic Key passes sell out?

Yes! The Magic Key sales don’t ever last longer than a few days, and then have to close due to selling out. Because of this, Disneyland doesn’t offer Magic Keys all year round, and only opens them up at undisclosed dates throughout the year.

Personal Thought: I think it’s a double edged sword. Because Disneyland doesn’t offer Magic Keys all year round, it creates this FOMO around having one. Thus they sell out very quickly. Additionally, I think that they wait to put the Magic Keys for sale until after there are a large batch of current Magic Key holders up for renewal. That way Disney can see who is renewing and who isn’t.
Again, this is just my speculation and thoughts on it.

Do Magic Keys need to be available for sale to renew?

No. There doesn’t need to be active or open sales for Magic Keys in order to renew your Magic Key. Current Magic Key holders are able to renew their Magic Key 30 days prior to the expiration of their Magic Key.

Additionally, during that renewal time, Magic Key Holders are able to either keep their Magic Key Pass tier the same, upgrade, or downgrade.

Closing the Gates on: Disneyland Magic Keys

To wrap up this post on Disneyland Magic Keys, let’s go over some of the ‘key’ points!
(Haha. See what I did there?! I crack myself up!)

I created this quick little bullet point guide highlighting each of the three keys. I didn’t include the Imagine Key because it is only available for Southern California Residents.

Additionally, California Residents are able to do payment plans on all of the passes, including the Imagine Key for Southern California Residents.

Periodically throughout the year, there are other discounts and savings that are offered for Magic Key holders that aren’t listed in this post. Those additional perks are only viewable for a select time in the Magic Key Portal in the Disneyland App.

Just as a reminder, Magic Keys can only be purchased when Disneyland opens sales on Magic Keys. Otherwise, only renewal is available for current Magic Key holders. If you need to renew your Magic Key, you can do so up to 30 days before the expiration date.