Disney Sends Notice to Guests After Losing Class-Action Lawsuit

The Walt Disney Company has begun contacting guests following the settlement of a major lawsuit.

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The Disney theme parks are truly magical places filled with exciting rides, impressive theming, and magic that you can only find at Disney. From Walt Disney World and Disneyland to Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland, there’s no shortage of fantastic Disney parks and resorts for guests to visit, both domestically and internationally.

Guests are bound to have a magical time inside the Disney parks.

However, Disney is admitting a huge mistake, one that potentially affects millions of its most loyal guests.

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Earlier this year, the notorious Magic Key lawsuit between a guest and The Walt Disney Company was finally settled. This lawsuit dates back to 2021, when a Disneyland guest, Nielsen, claimed Walt Disney Parks and Resorts sold her a Dream Key pass for $1,399 under the understanding that there would be no blocked times for entrance to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

The guest claimed that they were intentionally misled regarding the blocked times and dates of their pass. With the finalization of this lawsuit earlier in 2023, The Walt Disney Company has effectively agreed to some wrongdoing in regards to how its Annual Pass system works for its guests in Anaheim, California, potentially opening up holes in other locations such as the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Much like at the Walt Disney World Resort, the Disneyland Resort allows guests to purchase annual passes called Magic Keys. There are several tiers of Magic Keys, ranging anywhere from $500 to $1700, each offering its own perks and benefits.

The lawsuit is specifically regarding the Dream Key.

In 2023, a judge ordered The Walt Disney Company to pay $9.5 million in damages to guests, and it looks like the payouts will be rolling out soon. Dozens of guests are sharing emails from Disney regarding the payouts, notifying them that they can file to receive their payment.

Is this real? Just got it on my emai – dream key settlement #disneyland pic.twitter.com/for64UXcum

— 🔥 FIVE FIRES 🔥 (@thecalibae) November 16, 2023

Guests who purchased the Dream Key pass will receive an approximate payout of $67.41. A little over 100,000 former Dream Key pass holders will receive a payment.

The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is made up of two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, each featuring its own selection of rides as well as its own theme and atmosphere. Disneyland is also home to Downtown Disney, a massive shopping and  dining area that operates similarly to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World.

Disneyland Magic Keys allow access to both theme parks, but as we stated before, the availability varies by each tier.

This issue will be finalzied in court on February 20, 2024.

Disney is no stranger to lawsuits, backlash, and controversy, with 2023 being a particularly troublesome year for the company. Earlier this year, The Walt Disney Company was stripped of its self-governing status in Orlando, Florida, after months of attacks from Gov. Ron DeSantis. As a result, Disney sued Gov. DeSantis and the state of Florida, with DeSantis firing back with a lawsuit of his own.

Disney found itself at the center of multiple lawsuits in 2023, mostly due to several ride and attraction incidents.

Will you be getting any money from the Walt Disney Company?