Magic key blockout dates refer to certain dates in which magic key holders are restricted from accessing certain Disneyland parks and attractions. These blockout dates are usually in place during peak seasons and holidays when the parks are expected to be busiest. The purpose of blockout dates is to manage crowd levels and ensure that all guests have an enjoyable experience at the parks. By limiting access to certain dates, Disneyland can control the number of visitors and prevent overcrowding. Blockout dates vary depending on the type of magic key pass purchased. There are usually three tiers of magic key passes, each with different levels of access and restrictions.

Magic key blockout dates

Mad Tea Party at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The on-again and off-again sale of Disneyland annual passes is once again on hold following a $9.5 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over “deceptive” Magic Key blockout dates.

Disneyland has paused new sales of the top-priced Inspire Key annual pass — meaning none of the four Magic Key tiers is currently available for purchase.

The $1,599 Inspire Key, $1,099 Believe Key, $699 Enchant Key and $449 Imagine Key are now available for renewal only during the month before expiration, according to the Disneyland website.

The pause in sales of new Disneyland annual passes coincides with the Anaheim theme park’s settlement of a Magic Key class action lawsuit.

Disney has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit filed in California alleging that annual passholders who purchased the $1,399 Dream Key in 2021 were unable to make theme park reservations at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure despite the promise of “no blockout dates.”

Disneyland killed its original decades-old annual pass program during the COVID-19 pandemic and unveiled the new Magic Key replacement in August 2021. Within a few months, the Magic Key tiers began selling out. The class action lawsuit was filed in November 2021.

Disneyland resumed Magic Key sales in August 2022 with the $1,599 Inspire Key effectively replacing the $1,399 Dream Key. The higher price came with blockout dates during the two weeks at Christmas and New Year’s.

The timing of the earlier sales meant many of the Disneyland annual passes needed to be renewed this August — with tiers selling out over the past month or so. The Inspire Key became the fourth and final Magic Key tier to finally sell out this year.

There are usually three tiers of magic key passes, each with different levels of access and restrictions. The most affordable pass, typically known as the "Enchant Key," has the most blockout dates, while the highest tier pass, known as the "Dream Key," has the fewest blockout dates. Magic key holders can visit the Disneyland parks on any non-blockout date.

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“Disney allocates daily park reservations among passes and daily theme park tickets and therefore makes available to those passholders eligible to make reservations for a particular day only a portion of the total park reservation capacity,” according to the Magic Key terms and conditions. “A pass therefore does not guarantee park entry, even on dates when a pass is not blocked out and even when a theme park is not at capacity.”

The terms and conditions make clear that Disneyland determines the number of reservations available to passholders.

“On any given date, park reservations may still be available for theme park tickets even though park reservations allocated to the passes are fully reserved,” according to the Magic Key terms and conditions. “Since Magic Key park reservations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, it may also be difficult or not possible at times for passholders to get park reservations for certain dates.”

To prevent similar litigation, a clause in the Magic Key contract requires keyholders to waive the right to file a class-action lawsuit.

Disneyland fan site MiceChat expects a Magic Key price increase is on the way following the settlement.

“Disney’s not just going to eat the loss of this settlement,” according to MiceChat. “They’ll find a way to pass it on to you, the consumer.”

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Magic key blockout dates

Credit: Inside the Magic

A Disneyland Magic Key Pass holder claims the Southern California Disney Park enforced unofficial blackout dates over Labor Day weekend.

Disneyland Resort launched its new Annual Passholder program, the Magic Key Pass, in 2021. Annual Passes disappeared from Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure during the COVID-19 pandemic, and fans were so excited at their return that the four tiers sold out within minutes.

Despite the instant popularity of the Magic Key Passes, the rollout wasn’t perfect. A group of Dream Key Pass holders sued Disneyland Resort for allegedly withholding Park Pass Reservations from the most expensive Annual Pass, enforcing unofficial blackout dates on guests.

Since the recently settled legal battle began, Disneyland Resort changed its four Annual Pass options – Inspire Key, Believe Key, Enchant Key, and Imagine Key – and all of them include blackout dates. Theme park reservations are still required for all four tiers, and Magic Key holders are punished for three no-shows in 90 days.

This Labor Day weekend, Reddit user and Disneyland Inspire Key holder u/GomeyBlueRock shared their frustration that Disneyland Resort was enforcing “unofficial” blackout dates.

They shared screenshots that show Disney Park Pass Reservations for single and multi-day ticket holders but not Inspire Key Pass holders. The highest-tier Magic Key Pass costs $1,599 annually.

“Really grinds my gears…” the guest wrote. “Really bugs the sh*t out of me that there is availability if you buy a ticket, but not if you have the (now) top tier pass.”

“I’d be curious to know what the ‘allotment’ statistics are for how many of us MK cretins they allow in per day,” they continued. “It’s weird that they provide benefits that no one else gets, but then has official / unofficial black out days that isn’t part of their MK blackout calendar…”

Some Disneyland Resort fans defended the Magic Key blackout.

“It makes sense to me why they would do this,” u/Ultimus_Omegus said. “A family could go to Disney once every 5 years, and if the date is blocked out Disney would lose that business. A magic key holder frequents Disney a lot more and most likely has more flexibility in the dates.”

“It’s Labor Day weekend,” u/goldenhorseshoewars agreed. “Let the non-pass holders enjoy.”

But the guest defended their position, arguing that they spend enough at Disneyland Resort to deserve priority over vacationers.

“It’s not really a black out date, it’s just a we think we can squeeze more money out of a non AP holder this weekend than from you,” they argued. “Despite the fact we probably spend 100-200 $ every trip between food, alcohol, and whatever new Merch is out.”

And many Magic Key holders agreed.

“Welcome to the crux of the class-action lawsuit and the ‘no blackout dates’ actually having unavailable dates due to the specific tier levels being filled up for the day,” said u/Phased5ek. “Even last year when I had the top-tier (at the time, not the new one) pass, it was supposed to be 365 (or very close to that!) days with no blackout dates, but there were days I couldn’t book because my tier level was already ‘sold out’, essentially creating a blackout date.”

Should Disneyland Magic Key Pass holders have more access to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments.

Please note that the story outlined in this article is based on personal Disney Parks Guest experiences. No two Guest experiences are alike, and this article does not necessarily align with Inside the Magic’s personal views on Disney Park operations.

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

Disneyland Magic Key annual pass sales resume

Beginning today at 9 a.m. Pacific Time today, Disneyland Resort has resumed online sales for Magic Key annual passes.

With a Magic Key pass, guests can:

• Make theme park reservations (subject to availability)
• Hold more than one theme park reservation at a time for different dates based on pass type
• Save up to 15% on select dining
• Save up to 20% on select merchandise
• Save 20% off the purchase of Disney Genie+ service on days when you use your pass for park admission (price and availability vary by date)
• Enjoy complimentary or discounted standard theme park parking at select lots (excluding blockout dates) based on pass type.
• Get unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads (for Inspire and Believe Keys)
• Receive a collectible Magic Key magnet with purchase or renewal

Disneyland Magic Key passes can only be purchased online, and Enchant passes are only available for renewal. Passes are subject to availability, and certain pass types may not be available at any given time.

Magic Key passes currently available for purchase are:

• Inspire: $1599
• Believe: $1099
• Imagine: $449 (Southern California Residents only)

On these days, they can enjoy the attractions, shows, parades, and entertainment without any restrictions. However, during blockout dates, magic key holders are not allowed entry into certain parks or attractions, even if they have a valid pass. It's important for magic key holders to familiarize themselves with the blockout dates associated with their pass. This way, they can plan their visits to the Disneyland parks accordingly. They can also utilize Disneyland's online calendar or mobile app to check the availability and blockout dates for each park. While blockout dates may be frustrating for some magic key holders, they serve an essential purpose in maintaining a good guest experience. By managing crowd levels, Disneyland can ensure shorter wait times, easier navigation, and a more enjoyable overall visit for both pass holders and regular day guests..

Reviews for "Tips for enjoying Disney California Adventure during magic key blockout dates"

1. Emily - 2 stars

I was really excited to purchase the Magic Key, but the blockout dates have been such a disappointment. It seems like every time I want to go to the park, the pass is blocked out. The limited dates available for use completely defeats the purpose of having an annual pass. It's frustrating to pay so much money for a pass and not be able to use it when I want. I definitely regret getting the Magic Key due to these blockout dates.

2. Michael - 1 star

The blockout dates for the Magic Key are absolutely ridiculous. They are so frequent that it feels like I can hardly use my pass throughout the year. It's incredibly frustrating to have such limited access to the park, especially when I paid a significant amount of money for this pass. Disney should reconsider their blockout date policy, as it really diminishes the value of the Magic Key.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

I had high hopes for the Magic Key, but the blockout dates have been a major disappointment. It's extremely frustrating to plan a trip to Disneyland, only to find out that my pass is blocked out for that day. I understand that certain days can be more crowded, but the frequency of the blockout dates is excessive. It's disappointing to not be able to take advantage of my pass as often as I had hoped. I would not recommend the Magic Key for anyone who wants flexibility in visiting the park.

4. David - 1 star

The blockout dates for the Magic Key pass are a complete letdown. It's incredibly frustrating to try and plan a trip to Disneyland, only to realize that the pass is blocked out for the entire month. It's like they don't want you to use the pass at all. I feel like I wasted a lot of money on this pass, as I can hardly use it when I want to. The blockout dates policy really needs to be reevaluated to provide more value to passholders.

Making the most of your time at Disneyland during magic key blockout dates