After Years of Frustration, Disneyland Guests Get Long-Awaited News—But There’s a Catch

For many Disneyland fans, it’s felt like an emotional rollercoaster—minus the fun and photo ops.

You wake up early, your laptop open, coffee in hand. You log into the Disneyland site, fingers crossed, only to be met with a spinning wheel of doom or a virtual waiting room that stretches on for hours. Sometimes, you get in—only to find everything sold out. Other times, sales vanish without notice.

For the passionate local fans hoping to buy or renew a Magic Key pass—the only way to enjoy year-round access to the Disneyland Resort—this has become the norm.

But now, in a twist that’s equal parts thrilling and frustrating, Magic Keys are coming back. Kind of.

Disneyland Magic Keys Return—But Not for Everyone

Disneyland has officially confirmed that it will reopen sales for two Magic Key tiers on Monday, May 20, beginning no earlier than 9 a.m. PT. Here’s what’s happening:

• Only the Inspire Key and Believe Key—the two highest and most expensive tiers—will be available.

• Guests may enter the virtual waiting room starting at 8:45 a.m. PT.

• Sales are first come, first served, and will only remain open while supplies last.

• Passes are not guaranteed, even for those who join the queue early.

This means if you’re hoping for the more affordable Enchant or Imagine Key, you’re out of luck—for now.

News: Two #Disneyland Magic Key options will be going back on sale soon. Inspire and Believe Keys will be available for purchase on May 20th (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT) while supplies last. – @laughing_place on X

News: Two #Disneyland Magic Key options will be going back on sale soon. Inspire and Believe Keys will be available for purchase on May 20th (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT) while supplies last. pic.twitter.com/0LZolCnQLS

— LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place) May 9, 2025

Magic at a Price: What These Keys Will Cost You

And now, for the sticker shock. Prices for both tiers have gone up since their last sale:

• Believe Key: $1,374 (up from $1,249 in 2023)

• Inspire Key: $1,749 (up from $1,649 in 2023)

Both tiers offer relatively few blockout dates, along with park reservations, merchandise discounts, free or discounted parking, and access to exclusive perks.

But for many families, the cost is becoming a serious barrier. That raises a deeper question—is Disneyland still the happiest place on earth for everyone, or just those who can afford it?

A Pattern of Limited Access—and Growing Frustration

This isn’t the first time Disneyland has put fans through the wringer.

Since debuting the Magic Key program in 2021 to replace the former Annual Pass system, Disney has toggled pass sales on and off with little warning. Early adopters faced site crashes, quick sellouts, and months of silence when Disney halted sales entirely.

Renewals have remained available to current Key holders—but new buyers have often been left out in the cold, waiting for a chance that rarely comes.

And even now, only the most premium passes are returning, suggesting Disney is targeting a narrower, high-spending audience instead of the broader fan base that once flocked to the parks.

A 70th Celebration with Perks (If You Can Afford Them)

To sweeten the deal for those willing and able to shell out the cash, Disneyland is tying the Magic Key sales to its ongoing 70th Anniversary celebration.

Passholders will enjoy:

• Exclusive 70th-themed keepsakes

• Special in-park experiences

• Access to limited-time Magic Key merchandise

• A commemorative insulated cooler bag (available for purchase)

These benefits aim to reward loyal guests—but only those who are lucky enough to grab a key before they’re gone.

What You Should Do If You’re Planning to Buy

If you’re hoping to secure a Magic Key, preparation is everything:

1. Be online by 8:45 a.m. PT on May 20 to enter the waiting room.

2. Visit Disneyland.com now and log into your account.

3. Check the latest blockout calendars to ensure the key fits your schedule.

4. Have your payment info ready and double-check your details.

5. Consider enabling the “Notify Me” option in your Disney account to be alerted of future sales.

Remember: once they’re gone, there’s no telling when Disney will reopen sales again.

The Deeper Issue: Accessibility vs. Exclusivity at Disneyland

While it’s exciting to see Magic Keys return in any form, this limited rollout raises bigger concerns about Disney’s evolving relationship with its most loyal fans. By consistently prioritizing the highest-paying guests, Disneyland may be shifting its identity—from a family-friendly park to a premium, limited-access experience. That shift has left many fans questioning where they stand.

As one longtime passholder put it on social media:
“It feels like we’re being priced out of our own happy place.”

The May 20 reopening offers a glimmer of hope for some Magic Key hopefuls—but not all. With only two tiers available and supplies limited, many guests will likely be left once again refreshing their screens in vain.

But if recent years have shown us anything, it’s that the Magic Key saga is far from over. The question is: who will still be able to hold the keys to the magic when the dust settles?