Credit: Inside The MagicFor nearly three years, Disneyland diehards have bristled at being called Magic Key Holders—a term that, for many, never quite captured the nostalgic magic of being an Annual Passholder. But in a quiet and unannounced change, Disney is once again using the original term that so many fans have missed.
Across both the Disneyland app and the official website, mentions of “Annual Passholder” have reappeared, even in reference to exclusive previews and merchandise discounts tied to the Magic Key program. The change, while subtle, hasn’t gone unnoticed. A Reddit user was first to sound the alarm in a now-viral post titled “Disneyland is now calling Magic Key an ‘annual pass’ after years of shying away from that wording.”
It didn’t take long for hundreds of other users to chime in, many thrilled that Disneyland appears to be reclaiming the lingo that long-time fans hold dear.
“I never stopped calling it that,” one comment reads. “It always felt weird to say Magic Key instead of Annual Pass.”
What Changed?
Disney officially discontinued its original Annual Pass program in 2021 after the parks reopened post-COVID closure. At the time, the resort introduced the Magic Key system, a tiered reservation-based program designed to manage attendance and reshape guest behavior.
While the new system remained functionally similar to the old passholder model, Disney pointedly avoided the term “Annual Passholder”—until now.
Though there hasn’t been a formal announcement, Disney’s digital infrastructure is doing the talking. From special offers for “Annual Passholder Previews” to reworked guest account pages, the classic phrase is back in use—hinting that even the company knows: old habits die hard.
Magic Key Breakdown (aka the “New” Annual Pass)
Here’s a refresher on the current tiers available in the Magic Key program, which is technically still the official name for Disneyland’s annual pass structure:
Inspire Key – $1,649
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The top-tier pass
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Most open reservation availability
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Free standard parking
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Up to 20% off merchandise
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15% off select dining
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Includes discounts on Genie+
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Park hopping allowed
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No reservations on most days
Believe Key – $1,249
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Free parking not included (50% discount)
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Moderate number of blockout dates
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10% off merchandise and dining
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Park hopping included
Enchant Key – $849
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Significant blockout calendar
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No parking perks
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10% off food and merchandise
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Fewer reservations can be held at once
Imagine Key – $499 (Southern California Residents Only)
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Most limited access
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Blockout-heavy calendar
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Same 10% discount as Enchant
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Reservation-based entry only
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Must reside in SoCal ZIP codes
Why This Subtle Rebrand Matters
This shift might seem trivial to casual parkgoers, but to regulars, being called an Annual Passholder is a badge of honor. The original name carries decades of meaning—reserved tables at Blue Bayou, early entry days, and an unspoken camaraderie between those who clock dozens (if not hundreds) of visits a year.
By bringing the terminology back into rotation, Disney may be signaling a renewed appreciation for its most dedicated audience. The change also helps bridge the emotional disconnect created by the sudden rebrand to Magic Key, which for many felt like a marketing move to distance Disney from the chaos of the COVID reopening period.
Will the official Magic Key branding eventually be retired altogether? It’s hard to say. But for now, the return of “Annual Passholder” seems to be more than just nostalgia—it’s a quiet nod to the fans who never stopped showing up.