The Parentologist

Dr. Kim

Top 5 Reasons to Get a Magic Key to Disneyland

Living in Southern California, Disneyland is a must see theme park for children, families, and adults! Whether you live in San Diego, Los Angeles, or anywhere in between like Orange or Riverside County, Disneyland is typically less than an hour or so away. However, I know families that live in Northern California and even some from out of state that have Magic Keys! And with the beautiful sunny weather we are known for in Southern California, you can pretty much visit Disneyland every single day of the year. Even on the rare occasion it  does rain, it is still a good time to go, because it never gets too cold, and is often less busy!
And now that I’m a parent, experiencing Disneyland through the eyes of my little ones brings a whole new meaning behind the magic! And as a Magic Key holder, I can make the most magical memories with my children. Each and every time we go, we all experience true and genuine joy! I love seeing my daughter’s face when she gets a wave from a princess or seeing my son’s eyes light up in wonder when he sees the lights on the castle or goes on a new ride for the first time!
If you are planning a Disneyland Resort trip soon to the parks, here are my top 5 reasons why a Magic Key is worth every penny!
Here is a breakdown of the Magic Key options:

✨🔑 Dream Key • $1399/year and comes with parking, 20% off merchandise and 15% off food/beverage! No blockout dates! 

✨🔑 Believe Key • $949/year and comes with 50% off parking and 10% off merchandise and food/beverage. Very limited blockout dates! 

✨🔑 Enchant Key • $649/year and comes with 10% off merchandise and food/beverage. Summer and holiday blockout dates. 

✨🔑 Imagine Key • $399/year and comes with 10% off merchandise and food/beverage. Significant blockout dates. No holidays, no summer, and no weekends. 

Savings and Discounts

The most common reason I am told that people don’t have a Magic Key is because of how expensive they are. And remember that there are 3 (4 if you live in So Cal) different investment tiers to choose from and they all have monthly payment plans as low as $19/month for 12 months for Southern California Residents and after a down payment!
With a general one-day park hopper pass ticket and parking, which costs $25 each park visit, it comes to approximately $239 per person, per visit. Each day various in price, and children’s tickets are a little less, so please check the website for exact date prices. But, generally speaking, if you buy an Enchant Magic Key, you just have to go approximately 3 times to break even and then you also get 10% off of select food and merchandise! If you buy a Believe Magic Key, you would have to go approximately 4 times to break even and also receive the food and merchandise discount, and 50% off standard parking. And if you buy a Dream Key, you would have to go approximately 6 times in a year to break even but you also get 15% off select dining, 20% off select merchandise, and FREE parking for every visit! In addition to these 3 Magic Key tiers, which have different price points, there is also the Imagine Key that is only available for Southern California Residents living in zip codes 90000 to 93599. For more information, please click here! 
Insider Savings Tip: Get a Dream Key for one member in your family that will always go each trip so you get the parking and highest merchandise and food discounts and get a lower priced Magic Key for the rest of your family. Some of the blockout days won’t match, but make reservations for when all of your keys line up with the dates you want to go! 
In addition to the discounts in the parks and parking, our Magic Keys also give us discounts at World of Disney and other food and merchandise in Downtown Disney at participating locations! Did I mention a discount on food?

Special Perks

Right now, Charter Members who buy a Magic Key in the first 66 days will receive a special welcome package that will include a premium branded pin, celebratory button, magnet, and more! There is a limited-time experience at Starcade in Tomorrowland, where guests can enjoy charging stations, a special photo opportunity, and other fun surprises. And right now, you can purchase a special Magic Key Popcorn Bucket for less than $15 and then bring it back on subsequent trips and get a refill for only $1.50!
Plus, right now there are special PhotoPass spots in both parks (until September 30, 2021) where you get complimentary photos with characters like Steamboat “Willie” Mickey and Mr. Toad! And there will be more throughout the year!

There’s No Pressure

When you have a Magic Key pass, you never have the pressure to do everything in one day. And let me tell you a little secret, it’s impossible to do everything at both parks in one day, even if you go from rope drop to closing. When you have a Magic Key, you have the opportunity to go for only a few hours at a time and not feel guilty that you didn’t get to do everything on your list! And when it’s a super hot day, raining, or even a day in the summer or the holidays when it’s super busy, you can strategically avoid those times and go on a weekday when it’s less crowded and on days that have ideal weather! A Magic Key gives you choices and eliminates that stressful feeling like you have to get there at 8am and stay until midnight, fight the crowds, and not take any breaks because you have to get your money’s worth and get everything done in one day. The best part is that you don’t have to rush. You can arrive to the park late or leave early without feeling guilty or feel like you didn’t get your money’s worth. There are times we go and don’t even go on any rides, but do a holiday themed scavenger hunt, or just go for dinner in the park! There are times you will need to sit down, eat, get out of the sun, and take a break, especially if you have children. Spread it out and do a few things each time you go! We have been going for years and there is always something new and things we haven’t seen or tried yet! And it never gets old!

 

 

Create Magical Family Memories

 

At Disneyland, there is something for the whole family. What other place on earth has an activity for people of ALL AGES? Whether you are a fan of Avengers, Pixar, Frozen, Pooh Bear, Star Wars, or Nightmare Before Christmas, Disneyland has rides, attractions, restaurants/bars, and other entertainment for everyone! Disneyland even has rides, attractions, entertainment, and accommodations for moms-to-be, infants, special needs families, children, teens, and adults! Each park also has a Baby Center with nursing rooms, changing rooms with tables, a feeding area with high chairs, a kitchen with a sink and microwave, a main room with a TV, table, and chairs/high chairs, small potties, and even a shop where you can buy formula, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, juice, baby food, sunscreen, and over the counter medication! But want to know the best part? You will always create new and magical memories at Disneyland no matter what life stage you are in! It’s the park where dreams are made of! And the more you go, the more memories you will make!

 

 

 

Special Events

 

Disneyland has events all year long! I have so many “favorite” times of the year to visit the parks. I love visiting in the fall to see all of the Halloween decor, eat the spooky holiday treats, and even go on rides that transform during the beginning of the holiday season. We also love the Plaza de la Familia at California Adventure! And this year, the Disneyland Resort added a new Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt in Downtown Disney!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there is the special Holiday season, my personal favorite, where the entire park is transformed into a magical winter wonderland! Then, in the spring, we love doing the annual Egg Hunt! There is also the Food & Wine Festival, The Lunar New Year Celebration, Dapper Days, Mickey Mouse Birthday Celebration, and more!

 

 

 

 

 

There is always something special going on and honestly, if I didn’t have a Magic Key, I couldn’t decide on just one time to go during the year. Any typically for each season, Magic Key holders are often treated to exclusive activities and perks during these events, whether it’s an exclusive pin, button, a special photo op, merchandise, or something else! There is even a Magic Key Holder Month where there will be a month long celebration just for Magic Key holders!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And according to the Disneyland Magic Key website, other perks include access a variety of Magic Key holder benefits to enjoy throughout the year including:

  • Access the Magic Key portal in the Disneyland app, where you’ll find relevant news, an overview of benefits, custom content, special offers and more.
  • Magic Key Terrace: a re-imagined lounge just for Magic Key holders and their guests
  • Special Experiences & Collectibles: access exciting, unique experiences and collectible keepsakes designed with you in mind—including special offerings during festivals!
  • First Access Opportunities: be among the first to have the opportunity to access exciting new offerings at the Disneyland Resort throughout the year, including select new merchandise collections
  • Magic Key Merchandise, Novelties, Menu Items and More: Show your Magic Key pride! Opportunity to purchase Magic Key holder-themed popcorn buckets, sippers and menu items throughout the year.
  • Magic Key embroidery: special options available for Magic Key holders at select locations in the parks
My family and I are Legacy Passholders and new Magic Key holders and I can’t stress enough how much they mean to me and my family and how we couldn’t live without them!
Have I convinced you yet?
To compare the different keys, perks, and blockout dates and or to buy your Disneyland Magic Key, click the link here!
And to make a park reservation, please click here!

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