Magic Key Program

[DisSurfer878]

That's just the Alfresco Tasting Terrace. Which is currently operating as a legacy passholder exclusive area.

It isn't confirmed anywhere that it will continue to be held at that location. I could see them using the Tomorrowland Terrace too, especially with that bit about them using that building in Tomorrowland for AP event thing starting Sept 1

 

[Nemo5317]

So we have a labor day weekend planned and thinking enchant key - this is the rub - they are 3 day socal passes and 'nonupgradable'

So what if hold those and let expire and use for future face value, but 3 day pass and at end of 3rd day, upgrade to enchant key?

We did similar to our initial flex passes in the past and the activation date was backdated to initial first day.

 

[joseph821]

Nah. The AP hotel discounts have always been a variable thing, not always available, and limited to certain windows throughout the year.

Agreed. They were variable and were listed in windows on the availability calendar. You had to check the calendar like 6 months in advance and there were a limited amount of rooms. I do not think the resort hotel discounts will return. Thanks for the info.

 

[PirateBrigade]

What is the benefit of the monthly payment plan? Can you stop for a few months, then resume? I don't see the huge benefit except for floating the costs across 12 months.

The monthly payment plan is a zero interest loan, essentially. No, you cannot skip payments. You must leave them a valid credit card to charge monthly. If your card is declined, they suspend your pass for nonpayment.

I've had this happen -- card got shut down due to fraud charges, never updated the DL monthly payment. Got denied entry at the GCH entrance and had to hoof it ALL the way over to the esplanade ticket booths to fix. Not fun, 0 stars, would not recommend.

 

[DLgal]

Thanks, that's a helpful clarification for those reading along!

In my case, since she has her first half-day of school in the morning, I'd rather just enter the parks on the hopper and not deal with the madness at the ticket booth (and also not worry that eager new APs may have filled up reservations before I can get there around 12:30). Then, her dad can pick her up after a few hours and I can brave the ticket booth, upgrade the pass, and head back in solo to check out any new perks!

The timing is funny because just yesterday I told her we'd have to decide between Downtown Disney and Knotts if she wanted to keep her "first day of school" visit tradition alive... but maybe not!

Heads up, it says everyone wishing to upgrade to a pass must be physically present at the time of upgrade. Its in the terms and conditions.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I just saw the announcement! I was hoping one of the passes would work for us, but I don't think it will. We would need to get the $1399 pass because we need weekends, especially in the holiday months. Oh well. I'm glad they brought it back for those who it will work for, though!

Me too. I come from away and need weekends as they're the only time I can really go.

 

[DLgal]

It isn't confirmed anywhere that it will continue to be held at that location. I could see them using the Tomorrowland Terrace too, especially with that bit about them using that building in Tomorrowland for AP event thing starting Sept 1

It says it's in DCA. It's the Alfresco Terrace. They are going to rename it.

 

[Shadowrado]

It says that when you upgrade tickets, the FULL difference is due immediately, so you can't use the payment plan.

Not true. If you are using a UPGRADE from pass to a higher level pass this is true. However, Upgrading from a 1day or 5day or any other ticket to a pass you can still do and use the monthly payment plan. I literally just got off the phone clarifying this with them.

 

[DLgal]

Just noticed this:

PASS TYPE AVAILABILITY: Pass types are limited in quantity, and not all Pass types may be available at any given time. Please check for Pass type availability before attempting to upgrade into a Pass.

Better not wait too long if you want one...

 

[DLgal]

Not true. If you are using a UPGRADE from pass to a higher level pass this is true. However, Upgrading from a 1day or 5day or any other ticket to a pass you can still do and use the monthly payment plan. I literally just got off the phone clarifying this with them.

Not according to the official terms and conditions:

UPGRADES: A Guest wishing to upgrade to a Pass from another form of eligible Disneyland® Resort theme park admission media must upgrade on the same day in which the original form of theme park admission media is valid, and must choose a Pass of equal or greater value than the retail price of the original theme park admission media when it was purchased. The difference in prices must be paid in full at the time of the upgrade. If an upgrade to a Pass is made from a multi-day ticket, the Pass will be backdated to begin on the first day that such ticket was used; if an upgrade to a Pass is made from a lower level Pass, the new Pass will have the same expiration date as the original Pass. Each guest wishing to upgrade their theme park admission media to a Pass must be present at the time of the upgrade transaction. Fully used, or partially used and expired, theme park admission media, complimentary ticket media, special event ticket media and ticket media stating its ineligibility for an upgrade may not be upgraded to a Pass. Upgrades are subject to Pass availability. Downgrades are not allowed.

 

[DLgal]

Also in the T&C

It may be difficult for Passholders to get park reservations to visit on certain dates or a select park, and park reservations are not guaranteed for any specific dates or park, no matter the Pass type. Additionally, park reservations may not be available on select holidays for certain parks. A Pass will not guarantee park entry. Other restrictions, such as Park Hopper® rules, may apply.


This certainly reads like there will be separate buckets for passes and day ticket holders.

 

[LilyJC]

What goodies?

​

Don’t care about the pin so much, but we collect buttons and magnets. Hoping they’re passing the “special welcome package” out in the parks instead of mailing them.

 

[dieumeye]

You can only hold up to 6 reservations at that level so you just can't book every weekend.

The idea would be to book, say, the next 6 Saturdays. Then on Friday night either keep or cancel the reservation for the following day. Then once that reservation is freed up, book the next Saturday 6 weeks out.

One could do this on a rolling basis every week, always having the weekend reserved. The only thing that would stop this from happening is if the weekends get booked more than 6 weeks in advance, which could happen, but has not been the case so far.

 

[PirateBrigade]

Also in the T&C

It may be difficult for Passholders to get park reservations to visit on certain dates or a select park, and park reservations are not guaranteed for any specific dates or park, no matter the Pass type. Additionally, park reservations may not be available on select holidays for certain parks. A Pass will not guarantee park entry. Other restrictions, such as Park Hopper® rules, may apply.


This certainly reads like there will be separate buckets for passes and day ticket holders.

I don't read that the same as you -- it certainly leaves the possibility, but it doesn't explicitly say each tier gets a different bucket. Just that Disney owes nobody anything and buy at your own risk!

 

[DLgal]

View attachment 594409​

Don’t care about the pin so much, but we collect buttons and magnets. Hoping they’re passing the “special welcome package” out in the parks instead of mailing them.

Don't get too excited about the photo opportunity in Starcade. The current Star Wars Legacy AP photo op in Launch Bay is a "virtual character photo op."

I expect nothing more than a magnet, maybe.

 

[mlggator22]

Not according to the official terms and conditions:

UPGRADES: A Guest wishing to upgrade to a Pass from another form of eligible Disneyland® Resort theme park admission media must upgrade on the same day in which the original form of theme park admission media is valid, and must choose a Pass of equal or greater value than the retail price of the original theme park admission media when it was purchased. The difference in prices must be paid in full at the time of the upgrade. If an upgrade to a Pass is made from a multi-day ticket, the Pass will be backdated to begin on the first day that such ticket was used; if an upgrade to a Pass is made from a lower level Pass, the new Pass will have the same expiration date as the original Pass. Each guest wishing to upgrade their theme park admission media to a Pass must be present at the time of the upgrade transaction. Fully used, or partially used and expired, theme park admission media, complimentary ticket media, special event ticket media and ticket media stating its ineligibility for an upgrade may not be upgraded to a Pass. Upgrades are subject to Pass availability. Downgrades are not allowed.

Yeah, I'm so confused by this and I am also trying to reach out to Disney about this. In the past, you could upgrade from a regular ticket to a pass and still have the monthly payment, but it has always been pay in full to upgrade from one pass to another. I was surprised that all tickets were now pay in full.

 

[DLgal]

I don't read that the same as you -- it certainly leaves the possibility, but it doesn't explicitly say each tier gets a different bucket. Just that Disney owes nobody anything and buy at your own risk!

The language about the holidays seems suspect to me. Makes it seem like even without blackouts, they may not offer reservations on say, Christmas or NYE to key holders.

 

[LilyJC]

Don't get too excited about the photo opportunity in Starcade. The current Star Wars Legacy AP photo op in Launch Bay is a "virtual character photo op."

I expect nothing more than a magnet, maybe.

We very rarely do photo ops. It’s all about the buttons/magnets for us.

 

[SarahWI]

This certainly reads like there will be separate buckets for passes and day ticket holders

Yeah this worries us.

 

[joseph821]

I agree. I read it that way too. Seems like no guarantee.