Credit: Ken Lund, FlickrIf you’re a Magic Key holder planning to dine at Great Maple inside Disneyland’s Pixar Place Hotel, there’s a weekend surprise you’re not going to love. Multiple guests are now reporting that the popular modern-American eatery no longer honors Magic Key discounts on weekends, a policy shift that’s catching even longtime Disney fans off guard.
Here’s what we know—and what guests are saying.
Weekend Discount Denied
It all started with a simple Reddit post that quickly ignited discussion:
“Heads up, Great Maple doesn’t take Magic Key discounts on weekends anymore. It’s a bit strange given that I’ve never heard of select days when MK discounts aren’t offered.”
For Magic Key holders who are used to reliable discounts at Disneyland Resort restaurants—especially those on Disney property—this news landed like a lead balloon.
“A Restaurant IN a Disney Property Hotel Is Time-Hating Discounts?”
That’s the question one guest immediately asked, adding:
“… that’s so weird. A restaurant IN a Disney property hotel is time hating discounts? This is new right?”
It’s a fair question, especially considering Great Maple is located in the newly reimagined Pixar Place Hotel (formerly Paradise Pier), part of the Disneyland Hotel complex. It’s not Downtown Disney or a third-party restaurant just outside the gate—it’s right in the middle of the resort. And yet, guests say their Magic Key discount gets denied on weekends only.
Another commenter chimed in with a broader critique:
“Disney Then > Disney Now”
Not the Only Restaurant Doing This?
Interestingly, Great Maple may not be alone in tightening Magic Key perks. One guest reported:
“We were told the same at Small Bytes a week ago.”
That’s another dining location on resort property, raising questions about whether this is an isolated restaurant policy or part of a wider (and unannounced) trend across multiple establishments at Disneyland Resort.
But What About the Food?
This isn’t just about discounts. Guests are also weighing in on the dining experience at Great Maple itself—and the reviews are less than glowing.
One comment summed it up bluntly:
“Don’t go to Great Maple there’s so many better restaurants I feel like it’s a tourist trap. We have one down here in San Diego as well and people are always so let down by it when they visit.”
Another longtime fan shared their disappointment after seeing the brand’s quality decline:
“Great Maple was great (ha) when it first opened. I remember having a really stellar brunch there years ago. But my work held a lunch there last year and it was sad to see how downhill it’s gone. The food isn’t bad by any means, but way overpriced for the level of quality, and the service kind of sucked. I wasn’t even paying for the meal, but I felt like it was still a ripoff. Haven’t tried the Disney one, but everything I’ve seen about it on this sub has let me know that I’m not missing out.”
Then came a particularly revealing comment from a guest familiar with the San Diego original:
“It makes me so sad because the OG Great Maple in San Diego is an incredible experience all around. That being said, we went to the one in Pasadena and thought it was super mediocre.
When we went back to the OG and mentioned it, low and behold, a waitress told us that the others are basically franchises that can do their own thing but carry the Great Maple name/carry some of the recognizable dishes but don’t have to basically keep the quality. Very eye opening and she said that it’s so noticeable so it’s just sad to see that the ownership let that kind of happen just to make some franchise money.”
Even the Kid’s Meal Is Getting Criticized
While pricing is always a hot topic at Disney restaurants, some guests felt especially nickel-and-dimed when it came to dining with kids. One parent had a rough experience:
“Just went there last night. That kind of pissed us off. And drinks don’t come with kids meals… and they charge $1 just to add shredded lettuce to a kids hamburger.
We actually hated the food there. My wife was very disappointed.”
And It’s Not Just Great Maple
Another commenter pointed out that Beignets Expressed and Jazz Kitchen—two dining spots in Downtown Disney—also restrict Magic Key discounts to weekdays before 4 PM. That adds fuel to the speculation that limited passholder perks may be an emerging pattern across Disneyland dining locations.
For many Magic Key holders, perks like dining discounts are a big part of the value—and loyalty—they bring to Disneyland Resort. But with more restaurants quietly adjusting or restricting these perks, the value proposition feels less certain.
So if you’re a Magic Key holder looking to dine at Great Maple on a weekend? You’ll want to manage expectations—or bring your wallet.
Want to keep your Magic Key perks working for you? Stick to weekday meals before 4 PM when dining at many Downtown Disney and resort hotel restaurants—or better yet, check before you order.