Magic Key Program

[Bigmace]

Based on what’s been published and how things worked in the past, that seems safe to assume.

As for when you’d want to actually do the upgrade, I guess it depends on reservations? If you upgrade at the end of day 1, for instance, you’d need to immediately be able to reserve days 2 and 3…

Thanks. Unfortunately I don’t think we are going be able to make it work. (Changing our trip from next week to the end of august) We will probably just look at buying an AP later this year. That way we can also monitor how things look in a few months with the Delta variant.

 

[DisSurfer878]

Someone posted on Instagram that there’s no physical “pass” included with these - you can pay $20 at the ticket booth for a “paper pass.”

That’s interesting in terms of using them for discounts; you’ll have to be able to pull them up on your phone easily all day…

I really want to know how they would know about the $20 at the ticket booth. That seems like such specific information to know when the pass isn't even yet available for purchase at said booths.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I really want to know how they would know about the $20 at the ticket booth. That seems like such specific information to know when the pass isn't even yet available for purchase at said booths.

I just checked, and it’s in the terms and conditions on the website, although there it says “may be” required - that was always required for a replacement AP card, but this says “obtain” as well:

 

[DLgal]

I don’t want to start an argument but…

—Disney doesn’t want APs crowding the park because they don’t spend money. They’re going to get rid of the cheaper passes. No more SoCal passes. They’re going to stop having the payment plan option to reduce the number of APs.—

I’d say the new pass options do NOT reflect that line of thinking.

The fine print does say that there will be a limited number of Magic Key Passes available, but I think that just CYA language. I’d be surprised if any tier ever actually “sells out”.

The most potentially limiting factor is the reservation system, but whether availability is a major issue or not remains to be seen.

This new program is Disney conceding that they need local APs, and to that end, they need them desperately. All insider accounts were saying not to expect the new program until next year, announced late this year. We were hearing about it being called a "membership program." There were rumors about it being more like a rewards program. Disney, in its hubris, assumed former AP holders would just FLOOD the parks and pay full price indefinitely. They lost that bet. They couldn't even sell out the parks one day at reduced capacity charging full price.

I have a strong suspicion this was NOT the annual pass replacement program we were supposed to get. This, to me, seems like it was dropped after an "emergency meeting" once the Delta variant spike started and people began either cancelling their park reservations or ticket sales slowed. This feels like a concession, big time. It's essentially the SAME program, with some very minor changes. Certainly, the changes are not enough to warrant not simply calling these annual passes again. The whole thing is a cluster and just shows how much Disney underestimated their reliance on their former AP base.

My only fear with this is that the pricing is SUSPICIOUSLY low. I feel like next year, we better hold onto our butts because the price increase will be INSANE.

FWIW, I think they are/were THINKING about pay per ride fastpass, but similarly based on what has happened over the last few months at Disneyland, they are probably strongly rethinking that plan. They don't want to strike out twice, so I am now expecting Maxpass to return at a similar price as before, with an add on for new passholders as well. I'm now 50/50 on whether free FP comes back. I think they are going to tread very carefully here.

 

[DLgal]

Someone posted on Instagram that there’s no physical “pass” included with these - you can pay $20 at the ticket booth for a “paper pass.”

That’s interesting in terms of using them for discounts; you’ll have to be able to pull them up on your phone easily all day…

Well, us Legacy Passholders have already been doing this for months, so no biggie. I kind of like having one less card to deal with.

 

[AmishGuy91]

This new program is Disney conceding that they need local APs, and to that end, they need them desperately. All insider accounts were saying not to expect the new program until next year, announced late this year. We were hearing about it being called a "membership program." There were rumors about it being more like a rewards program. Disney, in its hubris, assumed former AP holders would just FLOOD the parks and pay full price indefinitely. They lost that bet. They couldn't even sell out the parks one day at reduced capacity charging full price.

I have a strong suspicion this was NOT the annual pass replacement program we were supposed to get. This, to me, seems like it was dropped after an "emergency meeting" once the Delta variant spike started and people began either cancelling their park reservations or ticket sales slowed. This feels like a concession, big time. It's essentially the SAME program, with some very minor changes. Certainly, the changes are not enough to warrant not simply calling these annual passes again. The whole thing is a cluster and just shows how much Disney underestimated their reliance on their former AP base.

I agree with you. I was not expecting the new program to really look like the past program and that was based on the exec's own comments.

 

[DLgal]

I agree with you. I was not expecting the new program to really look like the past program and that was based on the exec's own comments.

Yeah, all that talk about "reimagining" the program to give guests the ability to "customize based on what is most important to them." What happened to all that? I expected an a la carte menu of add ons, priced separately. Clearly, they ditched that plan real quick.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Yeah, all that talk about "reimagining" the program to give guests the ability to "customize based on what is most important to them." What happened to all that? I expected an a la carte menu of add ons, priced separately. Clearly, they ditched that plan real quick.

Yeah, this is not “reimagined” at all.

 

[joseph821]

This new program is Disney conceding that they need local APs, and to that end, they need them desperately. All insider accounts were saying not to expect the new program until next year, announced late this year. We were hearing about it being called a "membership program." There were rumors about it being more like a rewards program. Disney, in its hubris, assumed former AP holders would just FLOOD the parks and pay full price indefinitely. They lost that bet. They couldn't even sell out the parks one day at reduced capacity charging full price.

I have a strong suspicion this was NOT the annual pass replacement program we were supposed to get. This, to me, seems like it was dropped after an "emergency meeting" once the Delta variant spike started and people began either cancelling their park reservations or ticket sales slowed. This feels like a concession, big time. It's essentially the SAME program, with some very minor changes. Certainly, the changes are not enough to warrant not simply calling these annual passes again. The whole thing is a cluster and just shows how much Disney underestimated their reliance on their former AP base.

My only fear with this is that the pricing is SUSPICIOUSLY low. I feel like next year, we better hold onto our butts because the price increase will be INSANE.

FWIW, I think they are/were THINKING about pay per ride fastpass, but similarly based on what has happened over the last few months at Disneyland, they are probably strongly rethinking that plan. They don't want to strike out twice, so I am now expecting Maxpass to return at a similar price as before, with an add on for new passholders as well. I'm now 50/50 on whether free FP comes back. I think they are going to tread very carefully here.

Totally agree. I think when July came around and they saw the tickets and the reservations drop off - they threw this program together. It is not what I expected in terms of offerings and price. I think Disneyland will bring back MAXPASS for daily usage at like $25 to $30 a ticket/magic key pass. Gone are the days of paying one fee to have it added to your pass. Free FAST PASS will be gone.
It is all about generating revenue. I was surprised at the not all Magic Key levels not including parking --- but they want and need the revenue.

 

[DisSurfer878]

I just checked, and it’s in the terms and conditions on the website, although there it says “may be” required - that was always required for a replacement AP card, but this says “obtain” as well:

View attachment 594673

Huh. The use of "replace" is pretty weird here too, given that it is a literal piece of paper.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Huh. The use of "replace" is pretty weird here too, given that it is a literal piece of paper.

I mean, it will be the special cardstock like all tickets, but yeah, not exactly a highly durable product.

Considering that we had to get our plastic APs replaced periodically because the bar code would rub off from being put in and out of my pocket all day… I can’t imagine these would last long in my life.

I almost always used my physical AP anywhere I could (park entry, discounts, Maxpass), so I’m actually disappointed by this. I’m often taking photos/videos with my phone, so it’s a hassle to get back and forth to tickets on there, and 75% of the time I’m just with my kiddo so there’s no other adult to pull up the tickets.

It’s not a huge deal or anything, but it’s kind of a bummer (and weird) that they aren’t offering plastic cards if you have to go to the ticket booth and pay for them anyway…

 

[DLgal]

Totally agree. I think when July came around and they saw the tickets and the reservations drop off - they threw this program together. It is not what I expected in terms of offerings and price. I think Disneyland will bring back MAXPASS for daily usage at like $25 to $30 a ticket/magic key pass. Gone are the days of paying one fee to have it added to your pass. Free FAST PASS will be gone.
It is all about generating revenue. I was surprised at the Magic Key not including parking --- but they want and need the revenue.

The Dream key DOES include parking. I expect them to raise the parking rates on Aug 24...gotta encourage as many people as possible to buy the highest price pass.

 

[joseph821]

The Dream key DOES include parking. I expect them to raise the parking rates on Aug 24...gotta encourage as many people as possible to buy the highest price pass.

The Dream key DOES include parking. I expect them to raise the parking rates on Aug 24...gotta encourage as many people as possible to buy the highest price pass.

I edited my posted. Parking will go up I bet!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

one thing I did find out this morning is that there are going to be 2 separate date availability lists...one to general public so people with tickets and the other to key holders.....if you are a keyholder, you can only book dates off the keyholder availability list....this is where I think the clicker is to going to be because they are going to curtail the amount of keyholders allowed into the park at any given day....although APs were awesome, I did feel for many years that too many people had them and even if 1000 people came straggling in for a couple hours at a time, DL especially is so small and it made crowds at times unbearable...this may very well allow the powers who be to control that a little better which in turn may allow everyone to have a better time...just my thoughts

 

[AuntieKels]

What I'm curious about is, as an out of state guest who wont have a Magic Key, will this have a negative impact my ability to make a reservation? I assume if there's a pie of tickets for the day, and some variation of 1/3rd of them going to Dream Key holders, 1/3rd going to the rest of the Key passes, and 1/3rd going to daily ticket holders. I'm glad for the new program but I haven't heard a reaction from the day ticket point of view.

 

[KTownRaider]

Parking will go up I bet!

100% agree with this. $30 parking will be a reality soon...

In addition to the max pass which has been mentioned in this thread, I'm surprised there was no mention of Photo pass as a possible perk/ add on. Seems like that would have been an easy thing to throw in for the top tier 'Keys' (still trying not to say 'passes'!).

 

[joseph821]

100% agree with this. $30 parking will be a reality soon...

In addition to the max pass which has been mentioned in this thread, I'm surprised there was no mention of Photo pass as a possible perk/ add on. Seems like that would have been an easy thing to throw in for the top tier 'Keys' (still trying not to say 'passes'!).

I forgot about Photo Pass. Probably will make it $20 a day per ticket/key pass. Parking will go up. I think $30 is coming sooner than later.

 

[PirateBrigade]

I just checked, and it’s in the terms and conditions on the website, although there it says “may be” required - that was always required for a replacement AP card, but this says “obtain” as well:

Okay good, I wasn't the only one who found this one odd -- it was like, do they want to go all digital? Are we doing the plastic thing? Is it even plastic because the T&C says paper? What kind of paper is it? It's almost as if they were planning for someone to drop their phone into the DCA waterfall and need to get a paper card issued for that day. Makes sense if this is all digital.

This new program is Disney conceding that they need local APs, and to that end, they need them desperately.

I think the writing was on the wall when they released the 3 day SoCal tickets. We were rubbing our hands going, "AP is next!" when we saw that discount go live.

I’m often taking photos/videos with my phone, so it’s a hassle to get back and forth to tickets on there, and 75% of the time I’m just with my kiddo so there’s no other adult to pull up the tickets.

It’s not a huge deal or anything, but it’s kind of a bummer (and weird) that they aren’t offering plastic cards if you have to go to the ticket booth and pay for them anyway…

With AP coming back, couldn't you theoretically print your own barcode, laminate it, and stick it on your phone case? I can see getting pushback from the front gate, but if you can duplicate the size/design of the "paper card" no one will notice -- especially since your photo comes up at the gate.

 

[PirateBrigade]

one thing I did find out this morning is that there are going to be 2 separate date availability lists...one to general public so people with tickets and the other to key holders.....if you are a keyholder, you can only book dates off the keyholder availability list....this is where I think the clicker is to going to be because they are going to curtail the amount of keyholders allowed into the park at any given day....although APs were awesome, I did feel for many years that too many people had them and even if 1000 people came straggling in for a couple hours at a time, DL especially is so small and it made crowds at times unbearable...this may very well allow the powers who be to control that a little better which in turn may allow everyone to have a better time...just my thoughts

Do you have a source for the separate buckets? I haven't seen that bit of info yet.

 

[SarahWI]

Do you have a source for the separate buckets? I haven't seen that bit of info yet.

Curious about this as well. We’d love to get a Magic Key but don’t want to lose any booking advantage we’d get as hotel guests and regular ticket holders.