Magic Key Reservation Availability Is A Joke

[MonocularVision]

There’s a very solid discussion taking place in this thread. I would welcome everybody to voice their thoughts, but if the thought of something they deem negative is too much, I would suggest ignoring it.

You’re totally right. I was bringing in feelings about MK discussions elsewhere into this perfectly constructive thread. Didn’t mean to derail it.

 

[joseph821]

Just as an observer and out-of-town vacationer who books WDTC/GCH packages and buys 5-day park hoppers (usually 2 per trip), it seems that MK reservations seem to be running out faster this year vs. 2024. Especially on the weekends. Disneyland should have increased the amount of reservations per MK but they have not done that. Demand is up. The allotment of MK availability slots is not consistent. I suspect Disneyland lowers the MK availability as it sees fit which is not really fair to MK who have bought Keys but it is what is.

Disneyland offers a variety of Magic Keys with different prices and blockout dates with monthly payments. Disneyland will probably never get rid of reservations.

Expect more limits on MK availability when the 70th celebration starts.

 

[EagleRockTony]

It used to be, back in the AP days, that we would only purchase the lowest cost AP because any day that was blocked out was so busy we didn’t want to be there anyway. Now, in the MK/reservatione era, Friday, Saturday, and Sundays are some of the less crowded days to visit (based on the website Touring Plans data and personal experience). So for now we purchase the Inspire and go on mostly on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. Yes, we mostly book ahead and cancel which exacerbates the MK availability problem but it is what it is. Have never not been able to get get a last minute res if we wanted to go.

 

[longboard55]

I believe you are safe as long as you are booking the park reservation under your on property hotel reservation in the app.

It’s a perk of staying on property.

correct as long as you go to your hotel reservation first and click buy tickets from the hotel reservation link any day will be available.

 

[AstroBlasters]

correct as long as you go to your hotel reservation first and click buy tickets from the hotel reservation link any day will be available.

Right, but you can also make your MK reservation through the hotel reservation in the app… not just cash tickets.

 

[LAS2AMS]

You’re totally right. I was bringing in feelings about MK discussions elsewhere into this perfectly constructive thread. Didn’t mean to derail it.

With light traffic, from the time we leave our home until we reach the Toy Story parking lot is about 15-20 minutes (TS is more convenient if you live south of the resort). Entry to the TS parking lot and parking garages closes at 8PM, but you may still enter (no charge).

We’ve considered getting the entry level MK for use after work: fast drive, free parking and lines are usually short in the late hours. For example, on Sunday we got on all the thrill rides + all the dark rides + took the train around the park, in the final three hours the park was open. So I’ve been following reservation availability.

Because of work and other obligations, I typically need to plan my days in advance. So booking a reservation at the last minute is a no go for me. Perpetually Refreshing the reservations page, hoping availability has opened up, is a huge distraction to me.

Hence this thread. Obviously works for some people, and others simply won’t criticize anything Disney, but I and others find the reservations system to be ridiculous. Disney has oodles of data… just stop selling MK if it causes capacity controls.

No negative vibes, just a discussion.

 

[disneychrista]

Disney has oodles of data… just stop selling MK if it causes capacity controls.

They already do that, right? That is why you can't buy/upgrade MK's right now. If I had to guess Disney has a range the want for MK's. When the numbers go below this range that is when they open Mk' sales. Once it reaches the max, they "pause" sales.

Are you suggesting eliminating the MK's all together?

 

[KPeterso]

We’ve considered getting the entry level MK for use after work: fast drive, free parking and lines are usually short in the late hours. For example, on Sunday we got on all the thrill rides + all the dark rides + took the train around the park, in the final three hours the park was open. So I’ve been following reservation availability.

The lower passes do not have free parking. Believe is 50% off parking (M&F or Toy Story) and Enchant & Imagine is 25% off parking (in the Toy Story lot only).

 

[LAS2AMS]

They already do that, right? That is why you can't buy/upgrade MK's right now. If I had to guess Disney has a range the want for MK's. When the numbers go below this range that is when they open Mk' sales. Once it reaches the max, they "pause" sales.

Are you suggesting eliminating the MK's all together?

Yes, I’m suggesting they should sell less MK.

You believe they have a targeted range of MK, and out the passes on sale when renewals and thus their base drops. I would dispute this - they put MK on sale for a length period early last year, then for a shorter period later in the year. I doubt they had that many people not renews. And park reservation availability became much tighter vs. similar prior periods.

I would bet the MK base is significantly higher than it was this time last year. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was more than it would be without the “controls” as FOMO itself has lead to many sales.

 

[LAS2AMS]

The lower passes do not have free parking. Believe is 50% off parking (M&F or Toy Story) and Enchant & Imagine is 25% off parking (in the Toy Story lot only).

If you enter the TS parking lot or the garage after 8PM (was 7PM), parking is free for everyone. Good tip for those who just want to go to DTD to view the fireworks and catch some entertainment (seasonal).

 

[Bruno33]

If you enter the TS parking lot or the garage after 8PM (was 7PM), parking is free for everyone. Good tip for those who just want to go to DTD to view the fireworks and catch some entertainment (seasonal).

I can’t speak to the Toy Story lot, but Mickey and Friends booths were open and taking payment after 9pm at least twice when I went in December. Just an FYI that at the structures, you definitely can’t guarantee you’ll park for free after 8.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I can’t speak to the Toy Story lot, but Mickey and Friends booths were open and taking payment after 9pm at least twice when I went in December. Just an FYI that at the structures, you definitely can’t guarantee you’ll park for free after 8.

interesting. We’ve parked in the lots over 100 times in recent years after 8PM (to see the fireworks, pick up kids, etc) and it’s always been closed/. If we arrive at or shortly after 8 and somebody is in the booth still, they must wave us through.

 

[Bruno33]

They must have added availability because (besides tomorrow), every day is now open at both parks through next Friday. That includes MLK day, which has been gone for awhile.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

I mean we are about to have more MK members...so yeah they need to open these pools more

 

[LAS2AMS]

I mean we are about to have more MK members...so yeah they need to open these pools more

We shouldn’t be so negative. The MK will continue to be a superb value, even if you can use it only a few times a year. I mean, if you eBay the Mona pattern and pin you’ll recover much of the pass price. After all, MK holders who weren’t lucky enough to get one will pay big bucks for them .

 

[JerrodDragon89]

We shouldn’t be so negative. The MK will continue to be a superb value, even if you can use it only a few times a year. I mean, if you eBay the Mona pattern and pin you’ll recover much of the pass price. After all, MK holders who weren’t lucky enough to get one will pay big bucks for them .

I was an AP back in the day, it cost 3 times as much to have it have less value then back then to me is a joke...so wrong person to try to be ok with paying more and getting less

 

[Lisa24jks]

They must have added availability because (besides tomorrow), every day is now open at both parks through next Friday. That includes MLK day, which has been gone for awhile.

Great, now do February! (Not you. Disney. I don't believe that @Bruno33 has any control over the reservation system.) I'm trying to decide between Feburary 1-2 and February 15-16, and so far the 15th is winning because it was the only one I could get a reservation for.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I was an AP back in the day, it cost 3 times as much to have it have less value then back then to me is a joke...so wrong person to try to be ok with paying more and getting less

I’m with you, I was being sarcastic . Given how tight reservation availability has been, I don’t understand why they’re selling more MK so soon.

Time will tell.

 

[disneychrista]

I’m with you, I was being sarcastic . Given how tight reservation availability has been, I don’t understand why they’re selling more MK so soon.

Time will tell.

Has Disney announced they will be putting MKs back on sale again? Or is this all speculation and rumors?

 

[LAS2AMS]

Has Disney announced they will be putting MKs back on sale again? Or is this all speculation and rumors?

They are, there’s another thread on it .

Thread 'Magic Key sales back on 1/22!'

Jan 16, 2025

According to Scott Gustin, all 4 keys will be available on 1/22:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1879952941240766745

(Maybe they'll open up some MK availability for reservations in light of this? A GIRL CAN DREAM ANYWAY.)

• Lisa24jks
• Replies: 47
• Forum: Disneyland (California)

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