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Credit: DisneyJust a few days ago, on May 16, Disneyland kicked off its epic 70th anniversary celebration. Guests flocked down to The Happiest Place on Earth to check out the mouthwatering new food and beverage options, see the new projection shows, and watch the new World of Color Happiness! show over in Disney California Adventure Park.
They also enjoyed the return of fan-favorite events like Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! parade, the Paint the Night Parade, and Wondrous Journeys fireworks spectacular.
Related: Disney Introduces a TALKING Popcorn Bucket For Anniversary Celebration!
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Disney celebration if there weren’t a ton of new merchandise to bring home, and the 70th anniversary is no exception. Disney has released several different lines with different designs, celebrating everything from classic Disney during Walt’s time, to a more modern Disneyland that celebrates everything the company has become over the last 100 years.
Guests might have a tough time narrowing down their choices, as there are so many options — from spirit jerseys to hats, Minnie ears, pins, tumblers, coffee mugs, notebooks, t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, and more.
Related: Guests Debate as Resellers Descend on Disneyland, Buy Up Anniversary Merchandise
One of the most popular pieces of merchandise since the 70th anniversary started has been the Key to Disneyland. Key to Disneyland is an interactive merchandise experience where guests can unlock areas in Disneyland. Once they do that, they unlock all nine spots, they need to find Mickey’s Final Topiary, and when they unlock that, they will receive a commemorative pin.
The day the 70th began, guests began hoarding the keys, and a debate ensued about whether those guests were attempting to buy a bunch of keys and resell them, or if they were attempting to get all nine commemorative pins. Guests can only receive one commemorative pin per key, so if they want all nine, they have to buy nine keys (which cost $60 a piece).
Related: Disney Introducing TWO New Dessert Parties For Massive Celebration!
While the Key to Disneyland might have been popular at the start, just a few days into the anniversary celebration, many guests are saying that it is simply not worth the price.
Many guests felt that the key should have been more. Reddit user burritolist said that, once everything has been unlocked and the commemorative pin has been obtained, the key becomes a piece of plastic that will collect dust.
They felt that the key should have also been made into a bubble wand, and a lot of commenters agreed with them.
These keys would have made great Bubble Wands!!!
I also wish Disneyland would have a buy back program of these keys so that they recycle them and reuse them somehow. I feel bad trying to collect all the pins especially since I have nothing to do with more than 3 keys.
Disney, please make these bubble wands lol🫧
Also not my photo. Found on Disney pin blog
Related: Disney Castle Undergoing Big Changes for First Time in 70 Years
Another Redditor said that they were thinking of getting the Key to Disneyland the next time they headed down to the parks. However, they started seeing negative reviews, and decided to ask for opinions.
Unfortunately, those opinions only seemed to confirm what the Redditor was hearing.
The concept is very cool, and both my parents are fine with getting it, however I have heard some negative things about it in this sub, so I’d like to know what you guys think.
Would you recommend getting the 70th anniversary key?
byu/TheKoolDood1234 inDisneyland
Many commenters said that they hoped the experience changed over the course of the celebration, to make the purchase more worth the money. Disneyland’s 70th will last through the summer of 2026, so if Disney gets enough complaints about the key from disappointed guests, they could decide to change things up or add some features.
Others said that the OP (Original Poster) should spend their money on more unique pins that they can get without having to purchase something special first.
Up to you, but personally, I can buy multiple pins at nearly the exact same price that I know what not only I’ll get, but also much more cooler designs than just a Castle and then the D logo. 60$ for essentially a blind box is also quite frankly stupid in my opinion (and I speak as an avid pin collector).
Cool concept, baffling result, which ended successfully for Disney.
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However, there were also some who had purchased the Key to Disneyland and said that it was a really fun way to explore the parks and have a kind of experience that had not been offered before.
It was our first time to the park, we grabbed one and had a blast (made it last throughout a whole day). It’s pretty self explanatory as to what it is and what it does, just gotta decide if it’s worth the disposable income for you. It allowed my wife and me to explored the park for the first time in a fun way, and being the Disney fanatics we are, 100% worth it for our first trip. She used the key, I got the pin at the end, and we’re gonna find somewhere in our home to display the key.
Of course, in the end, the only thing that matters is if the OP wants to make the purchase and unlock the special machines throughout the parks. Commenters encouraged the OP to do what would make them happy and not care about what other people thought or had to say about the experience. It all depends on your interests, so you do you!
Even if the Key to Disneyland is not a must-have item for you, you’ll be sure to find something you’ll love during Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration. You’ll probably find a lot and leave your wallet hurting, but it’s okay, because it’s Disney!
Do you think the Key to Disneyland is worth the $59.99 price tag? Will you be purchasing the key during your next magical trip, or are there other pieces of merchandise that are at the top of your list? Let us know in the comments!