Disneyland Resort Resumes Selling Three of the Four Magic Key Annual Passes

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 17, 2022

 

(Update, November 18, 2022: One day after announcing that three of four Disneyland Magic Key annual passes went back on sale, Disney announced that those sales were stopped.)

 

Run – don’t walk – if you’ve been waiting to purchase annual passes to Disneyland’s theme parks in California. Three of the four Magic Key annual passes went back on sale yesterday, via either the Disneyland app or the Disneyland website, and one never knows when those sales will again come to an abrupt halt, as they did back in the spring. The last of the passes ceased sales in May, with the higher tiers unavailable since fall of 2021.

Disney warns that passes or certain pass types are subject to limited availability, so if you were planning on getting those passes as Christmas gifts, or heading to the parks for a 2023 vacation, get on your computer quickly. 

 

After a six-month drought, the passes are returning at the same prices they were previously offered. The only pass not currently for sale is the Enchant pass; however, those holding existing Enchant keys will be able to renew them as long as they renew BEFORE their passes expire.  

 

Magic Key prices are:

 

• Inspire: $1,599

• Believe: $1,099

• Enchant: $699 (only for renewals)

• Imagine: $449 (however, they are available to Southern California residents in certain zip codes only)

 

Each pass comes with its own set of block out dates, as well as differing “perks” per level, including varying numbers of reservations that can be held at one time; differing discounts on food and merchandise;  and varying inclusions on parking, PhotoPass offers, and Genie+ discounts.

 

Because of high demand, Disney has established a virtual queue for purchasing the Magic Keys; as of the writing of this article this morning, the wait time in the queue was estimated to be more than an hour before entering the actual purchase link.

 

Could the availability of the Magic Keys have something to do with Disney’s poor showing at last week’s Q4 earnings report?  With inflation looming, dips in stock prices, and news of layoffs and hiring freezes, Disney may be realizing they need the influx of cash from those annual pass holders after all.  There’s been no word yet as to whether annual pass sales will resume at Disney World in Florida.

 

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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.

Sale of Three Annual Passes Paused at Walt Disney World

 by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 22, 2021

 

Businesses across the United States are facing assorted supply chain and labor struggles as the economy continues to struggle to emerge the pandemic. Oh yeah, and there’s the fact that inflation is running hot. No one seems immune, including the Walt Disney Company.

Consider that Disney faces the same cost increases being confronted by other businesses given inflation, and as a result have implemented a variety of price increases that certainly haven’t pleased any Disney aficionados. But there are more challenges, and Disney’s announcement yesterday that it was “pausing new sales of select Annual Passes” at Walt Disney World is emblematic of these difficulties.

 

To recap, Disney World had suspended new annual pass sales during its pandemic shutdown, with sales of revamped passes resuming in September of this year, linked to the 50th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World kicking off on October 1. Great, right? My family, freshly moved from New York to Florida, got our annual passes.

 

Well, roughly two months later, the sales of three of the four available passes – Disney Pirate Pass, Disney Sorcerer Pass and Disney Incredi-Pass – are suspended. The cheapest pass option – the Disney Pixie Dust Pass – is still available.

 

Disney also noted, “All current Passholders can continue to renew into any of our four pass types – at their renewal rate – and continue to visit using their pass.”

 

By the way, in August, when it was announced that new annual pass sales would resume, the company did warn that new pass sales might be again suspended “as we continue to manage attendance to provide a great experience for everyone.”

 

Clearly, Disney hasn’t suddenly forgotten how to run its theme parks. And it’s not trying to annoy its customers (I mean, guests). “Managing attendance” isn’t just about limiting attendance to assure a “great experience.” It’s also about having the people, merchandise and other inputs needed to provide quality customer service. In this economy, that’s anything but a given.

 

(Also, on the personal anecdote front along these lines, I’ve noticed that less merchandise appears to be available for purchase in various Disney Springs stores run by Disney, as well as at assorted resorts.)

 

Disney is not magically immune from the realities of the economy. The company faces challenges in terms of getting the people and resources needed to operate the parks in typical fashion. Hence, it’s not all that surprising to see decisions and policies being made by Disney that seem, well, rather un-Disney.

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Great Christmas Gift! The Disney Planner 2022: The TO DO List Solution is here! It combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more. Also, “The Disney Planner 2022: The TO DO List Solution” comes with a handy spiral binding for easy use. 

 

Keating has three new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13^th thriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Again, get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story – grab it at Amazon.com or signed editions at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

Disney World Annual Pass: Third Time is the Charm

 by Ray Keating

Commentary

DisneyBizJournal.com

September 8, 2021

 

It’s official. Members of our household became Walt Disney World Annual Passholders early this morning.

This was a big moment, given that Disney World was one of three reasons why we moved from New York to Florida this year. Three reasons? Yes. First, no more cold and snow. Shoveling stinks. Second, going from a high-tax, costly state to a state that is far more affordable, including no state personal income tax and cutting my property taxes by almost two-thirds. High taxes stink. Third, Walt Disney World. We love Walt Disney World ever since my wife and I spent our honeymoon there 34 years ago.

 

With the pandemic, however, new purchases of Annual Passes for Walt Disney World were put on hold last year. But then came the announcement at the end of last month that Annual Passes would be back – available for purchase on September 8, just in time for the celebration of Disney World’s 50th anniversary starting on October 1.

 

After checking a couple of times during the night/morning, things kicked in on the Disney site just after 6:00 AM for us. The message of an hourlong wait rather quickly dwindled to 15 minutes. And then the countdown proceeded according to the actual clock, and suddenly – Bam! – we were ready.

 

Filling out the information and … the page froze.

 

Refresh.

 

Filling out the information. Went further than the first time and … the page froze.

 

Refresh.

 

Filled out the information. Payment went through, and received our confirmation. The third time was the charm, and the third big reason for moving to Florida has been fulfilled. Yes, it was a rather magical start to the day!

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating has three new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Again, get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story – grab it at Amazon.com or signed editions at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

Disney World Annual Passes Returning

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 30, 2021

 

The Walt Disney Company announced today that Annual Passes will be returning to Walt Disney World, just in time to celebrate the park’s 50^th anniversary.

The sale of Walt Disney World Annual Passes were halted when Disney World closed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they will be returning on September 8 with four options for guests. That is, the Disney Incredi-Pass, Disney Sorcerer Pass, Disney Pirate Pass and the Disney Pixie Dust Pass.

 

The following graphic, courtesy of Disney Parks Blog, breaks down the options or benefits with each Pass.

Perks include standard theme park parking; savings on dining and merchandise; merchandise and content just for Passholders; the Park Hopper option; bonus reservation options; V.I.P. support; and being able to customize your Annual Pass with assorted extras (for purchase) such as PhotoPass downloads, or the Water Park and Sports option.

 

Disney also did warn: “Please note as we continue to manage attendance to provide a great experience for everyone, at any time, Annual Passes may be unavailable for purchase.”

 

For more information about the new Disney World Annual Pass program, visit DisneyWorld.com/AnnualPass.

 

The 50^th anniversary celebration at Disney World starts on October 1 and will run for 18 months.

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating has three new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Again, get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story – grab it at Amazon.com or signed editions at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

Magic Key Program to Replace Annual Passes at Disneyland

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 4, 2021

 

Disney is introducing a new annual pass replacement program called the “Magic Key Program,” and beginning August 25, Disneyland fans can start taking advantage of the new program at the California parks.

In making Tuesday’s announcement on the Disney Parks Blog, Michael Ramirez, Public Relations Director at Disneyland Resort, said, “We are pleased to introduce the Magic Key program, a new, guest-centric offering that will deliver choice, flexibility and value for park admission, special access to unique experiences, valuable saving opportunities and so much more. There will be four options of Magic Key passes, to provide our guests and their families with choices that fit various needs and lifestyle preferences for how they wish to visit the Disneyland Resort.”

 

The Magic Key pass allows guests to:

• Make theme park reservations for ongoing visits
• Hold more than one theme park reservation at a time for different dates
• Save up to 15% on select dining
• Save up to 20% on select merchandise
• Enjoy special offerings just for Magic Key holders

 

There are four different levels of Magic Key passes available, with differing block out dates (see Disneyland’s website for specific dates.) Magic Key holders will also be treated to unique benefits, such as dedicated dining experiences, custom menu items at the Magic Key terrace, and special offerings at festivals.  Guests who join the program in the first 66 days (representing Disneyland’s 66^th anniversary) and become charter members will also receive a limited time welcome package.

 

The four Magic Key levels include:

 

Dream Key ($1,399)

• Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks every day of the year.
• Hold up to 6 theme park reservations at a time for different dates
• Up to 20% off select merchandise
• Up to 15% off select dining
• Standard theme park parking included (excluding block out days)

 

Believe Key ($949)

• Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks most days of the year.
• Hold up to 6 theme park reservations at a time
• 10% off select merchandise
• 10% off select dining
• 50% off standard theme park parking (excluding block out days, and available for purchase at Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure and the Toy Story Parking Area)

 

Enchant Key ($649)

• Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks select days of the year.
• Hold up to 4 theme park reservations at a time
• 10% off select merchandise
• 10% off select dining

 

Imagine Key ($399; Only available for Southern California Residents living in zip codes 90000 to 93599)

• Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks select days of the year.
• Hold up to 2 theme park reservations at a time
• 10% off select merchandise
• 10% off select dining

 

Monthly payment plans will be available for California guests (with a down payment). Head to the Disneyland website for all the specifics on the new program, including a calendar of the block out dates.

 

And in case you are a Disney World guest on the East Coast eagerly awaiting your turn to plunk down the big bucks for your chance at membership, the Disney Parks Blog offers, “For those wondering about Walt Disney World Annual Passes, new pass sales will become available in time for the start of the 50^th anniversary celebration! Walt Disney World Resort will be sharing additional information and details later this month, so be sure to stay tuned to DisneyWorld.com and the Disney Parks Blog.”

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!