Credit: Video Screenshot, TikTok, @thatmomvalerie; Inside the MagicA former Disneyland Resort Magic Key Passholder recently spoke out online after being banned from the Southern California Disney parks for lying about her child’s age. In a TikTok video, the woman claimed she followed an influencer’s advice to get a three-year-old into Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park without purchasing a theme park ticket.
Rules For Free Entry at the Disney Parks
Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort both offer free admission for guests under three years old. For families on vacation, the Disney parks’ official rules state that the child’s age at the start of the trip is their age for the entire trip, so if a two-year-old turns three during the trip, their parents don’t have to purchase theme park tickets for a portion of the vacation.
The rules differ for Magic Key Passholders at Disneyland Resort and for Annual Passholders at Walt Disney World Resort. Because their admission is year-round (barring block-out dates and theme park reservation availability), Passholders must purchase a new Pass for their child on their first visit as a three-year-old.
Magic Key Passholder Banned From Disneyland
Earlier this month, TikToker @thatmomvalerie shared this video after getting banned from Disneyland Resort for trying to take her three-year-old into the Southern California Disney parks for free. The Magic Key Passholder wrote that an influencer, whom she didn’t name, reportedly convinced her that a three-year-old could still enter Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park for free on his birthday.
@thatmomvalerie Our magic is on hold till 2027😭 #magickeypass #disneylandcalifornia #disneylandresort #mickeymouse
Unfortunately for this guest, Disneyland Resort discovered that her child was three and issued the family a year-long ban from Disneyland Resort.
“Our magic is on hold till 2027😭,” the TikToker wrote.
Due to contract terms, Magic Key Passholders are still required to pay for their Annual Pass for the duration of their admission period, even if they’re banned from the Disney parks. If @thatmomvalerie stops paying, she will have to clear that balance before purchasing another Magic Key Pass or theme park ticket in 2027.
In the comments, someone urged fellow Disney Parks fans to trust only the official Disneyland Resort website and not to listen to social media influencers. In response, @thatmomvaleries alleged that the Disney cast member at theme park entry could’ve done more to stop them from entering before the situation escalated to a ban.
“I know 😂 but the lady at the gate didn’t tell me anything either?! Like why didn’t she just tell me no he needs a ticket instead of letting us in and then us getting banned,” she replied.
Still, others said they successfully snuck children over three into Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort without getting caught.
“Girl my kid was turning ‘3 next week’ for over a year,” @wtfranay wrote. “Yall just be saying too much info lol answer their question minimally and keep walkinggggg😩.”
“This, I sat my daughter in a stroller put a blanket over her legs & a binky in her mouth. Nobody even asked her age,” said @mommys3babies.
Disney uses advanced technology to track theme park admission and ticket sales. Guests are urged to buy theme park tickets for children who are three years old at the start of their vacation, or on their first visit after their third birthday (for Magic Key and Annual Passholders).
Was a one-year ban a fair punishment for this Disneyland Resort guest? Share your opinion with Inside the Magic in the comments!
