Why Disney Needs Bigger Land – Orange County Register

Some of Disneyland’s most loyal fans and customers remain salty about the resort’s recent changes to its Magic Key annual pass program.

When Disneyland finally opened Magic Key renewals last month, it changed the top tier of the program, replacing the old Dream Key with a new Inspire Key. The big difference between the two? The Inspire Key is locked between Christmas and New Year’s – the first lock-up period for the top tier of a Disneyland annual pass.

Magic Key already requires pass holders to make reservations in advance to visit the parks, meaning pass holders can’t always just roll up and visit the parks on a day when their pass isn’t on hold. That’s drawn a lot of opposition — and even a lawsuit — from some longtime Disneyland fans. But many Magic Key holders have figured out how to play the advance reservation game, so that requirement doesn’t stop the most dedicated fans from getting through the gates when they want.

But searching the Disney website for reservation options on a blockout day won’t help you. That’s only available with the purchase of a day pass — and it’s understandable that Disneyland fans who’ve already spent $1,599 on an Inspire Key are reluctant to visit the parks during their busiest week of the year.

Contrary to the wild speculation of some conspiracy theorists, Disneyland isn’t making these changes because it wants to annoy or offend its most loyal customers. Disneyland tries to balance the needs of its annual passholders with the desire of other potential visitors not to be pushed out of the parks when they want to buy a day pass.

The claim that Disney executives are harming the park when annual pass holders can’t get in because the parks are full is an argument straight out of the Yogi Berra School of Logic. (“No one goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”) Disney execs have pointed to the theme parks’ recent record financial performance as proof that their policies are working. When a few annual pass holders get upset and decide not to renew, it only opens up space for other Disneyland fans to come to the parks.