Disneyland Resort Update for January 17, 2023

Disneyland Resort Update for January 17, 2023

News and Views

Disneyland resumes sales of new Magic Keys

Editor's Note: The next item in this update gives context for this news, but if you were in the market for a new Magic Key, go buy one NOW, and then come back for the backstory.

Three levels of Disneyland Resort Magic Keys are now available for new purchases, but you should act quickly. Disney last reopened sales of Magic Keys in November, 2022 and the available inventory sold out in under 30 hours.

Disneyland rolled out a new Magic Key program in August 2022. Magic Key 2.0 marked the end of the all-access annual passport at any price level, as replaced the Dream Key (valid 365 days a year) with a new top-tier “Inspire” Key, which is blocked out December 21 to January 1 each year. All four of the Magic Keys require members to make advance reservations before visiting the parks, and the company has given no sign of ending that program.

Buyers can choose between the Inspire and Believe Keys, and Southern California residents can pick the Imagine Key. The Enchant Key is not available for new purchases, but existing Magic Key holders can still renew it. Visit the Magic Key access calendar to see the blockout dates which apply to each pass type.

Inspire Key

Price: $1,599, or $133.25 per month after down-payment.

Details

• Blocked out December 21 to January 1 each year.
• Can hold 6 reservations at a time
• 20% merchandise discount
• 15% food & beverage discount
• Parking included (excludes blockout dates)
• Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads
• 20% off Disney Genie+ service

Believe Key

Price: $1099, or $91.59 per month after down-payment.

Details

• Can hold 6 reservations at a time
• 10% merchandise discount
• 10% food & beverage discount
• 50% parking discount
• Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads
• 20% off Disney Genie+ service

Imagine Key – Exclusive to Southern California Residents

Price: $449, or $37.42 per month after down-payment.

Details

• Can hold 2 reservations at a time
• 10% merchandise discount
• 10% food & beverage discount
• 25% off parking in the Toy Story lots
• 20% off Disney Genie+ service

Magic Key holders also have access to various Magic Key offerings throughout the resort, including the Magic Key Terrace, photo opportunities and periodic giveaways.

Are you ready to buy? Make your purchase now via Disneyland.com or the Disneyland mobile app. If you're planning to make your purchase through the app, make sure to update to the latest version before you begin. We compiled a list of top questions and answers when Magic Key 2.0 went on sale in August, so if you encounter any problems check there to see if we have an answer for you.

Disney notes that “passes are subject to availability, and passes or a pass type may not be available from time to time or at any given time,” so if your budget permits it's best to buy your new Magic Key as soon as possible, and activate it when you're ready to visit.

Remember that your Magic Key is not activated until you use it to enter a park or to obtain free parking (Inspire Key only), and you have a year from the date of purchase to activate the pass.

D'Amaro announces changes for Disneyland

I often commiserate with my Florida counterpart, Alan Dalinka, on how common it is for Disney to break some major news item mere hours after we publish our respective weekly Updates. Last week was no exception, with Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, announcing some pretty significant changes for Disneyland and Walt Disney World just ahead of the big Disney100 celebration.

During his 18-month tenure as president of the Disneyland Resort, D'Amaro was often spotted walking in the theme parks, greeting guests and speaking cast members. He referenced this habit in his letter, saying, “I listen to you and to our guests about the things that are working… as well as the things that might need some change.”

While D'Amaro concedes that his announcement does not address all of the feedback he's received, he said, “these changes will increase flexibility and add value to our guests’ experience.”

More “Tier 0” admission days in 2023

The first change in D'Amaro's list: “Significantly increasing the number of days—nearly two months’ worth over the coming year—that we’ll offer our lowest-priced one-day, one-park ticket at $104.”

The Resort uses a seasonal flex pricing structure, with the price of one-day tickets based on a seven-tier calendar. The Tier 0 ticket is the lowest-priced single-day admission, the same $104 as offered since 2019. A Tier 6 ticket, valid on the busiest of days, is $179.

When Disney last raised admission prices in October 2022, the company wouldn't say how many Tier 0 days there might be in a given year. But there were 15 Tier 0 days in the first 39 days of 2023, all Mondays through Thursdays on non-holiday weeks. Disney generally publishes the tier calendar about six months in advance, and so far there are two Tier 0 days in February, none in March or April (spring break) season—but Tuesdays and Wednesdays in May are all Tier 0 so far. The calendar is only published through the middle of May, and it's unlikely to see many more value days added after Memorial Day and the peak summer travel season begins.

My guess is that we'll see a few Tier 0 days scrunched in between Labor Day and the start of Halloween Time in September, and then maybe a few between Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Earlier Park Hopping

D'Amaro's next announcement said, “offering more flexibility with our Park Hopper ticket, giving Guests the ability to begin crossing over earlier (starting at 11 a.m.), beginning February 4.”

This announcement was possibly the most popular, and certainly the one I was most pleased with. Right now, guests with park hopper tickets have to wait until 1:00 p.m. before they can enter the other park. The change to 11:00 am gives visitors more flexibility to do what they want, where they want, and I think it will actually benefit Disney's California Adventure a lot more than some might expect. While Disneyland is frequently my starting park, DCA is usually where I want to have lunch—and I don't always want to wait until 1:00 to do so. Let's just hope this is one step closer to eliminating the whole park-hopping restriction entirely.

Complimentary digital ride photos

Disney will begin “providing complimentary Disney PhotoPass digital downloads of attraction photos for all ticketed park guests, beginning February 4 throughout the Disney100 celebration.”

This costs Disney little but provides a nice perk to paying guests. The only complaint I've heard about this offer is that it dilutes the value of the Believe and Inspire Magic Keys by making a perk previously offered only to those two pass types available to everyone. I'll just remind the nay-sayers that the tiny little fine print in the Magic Key contract reads, “The Disney PhotoPass benefit […] is subject to change […] without notice or liability.”

Magic Key sales may resume

Finally, D'Amaro said Disney will be “making Magic Key passes available for sale more times during the year as inventory becomes available.”

Disney (very) briefly reopened sales for new Magic Key purchases last November, but demand was so high that Disney halted sales after just 30 hours, saying, “We have stopped sales of new passes at this time to help protect the experience for Magic Key holders and the value those passes provide.”

Although no further details are available, the announcement from D'Amaro raises hope for would-be passholders that there will be another chance to get a Magic Key. Passes are eligible for renewal up to 30 days before their expiration date, and passholders who miss that deadline lose their spot. Our guess is that Disney will allow new sales of Magic Keys whenever there are enough “lapsed” passes to support at least one day of new sales, rather than just releasing them one or two at a time.

Farewell La Brea, hello (again) Earl of Sandwich

Shortly after publishing the weekly update last Monday, I received a message saying the La Brea Bakery in Downtown Disney was inexplicably closed. I reached out to Disney for additional information, but also found confirmation on the La Brea Bakery website. In a press release, Aspire Bakeries, parent company of La Brea Bakery, said, “The company has made the strategic decision to exit the restaurant business and continue its focus on growing the La Brea Bakery business through retail grocery and foodservice locations.”

Employees of the La Brea Bakery in Downtown Disney and the flagship restaurant in Los Angeles learned just that morning that their locations were closing, effective immediately. Disney obviously knew about the closure well in advance, and we've learned the company hosted a small hiring fair to help the displaced La Brea workers find roles within Disney.

Signs are already down from the former La Brea Bakery building in @DisneylandDTD , as @earlofsandwich prepares to move in for what will be their 3rd grand opening in Anaheim. pic.twitter.com/Da5LqMxqYa

— MousePlanet (@MousePlanet) January 12, 2023

Later Monday, Disney announced that Earl of Sandwich would reopen in the former La Brea Bakery spot in early February. The restaurant will operate both a grab-and-go counter from the former “express” side of the building, but also a new Earl of Sandwich Tavern on the table-service side of the La Brea spot.

At some point in the undisclosed future, Earl of Sandwich will again close up shop to make room for construction of an all-new Porto's restaurant on the former La Brea Bakery site. Disney did not release any additional details about the future Porto's location, or what will happen with Earl of Sandwich longer-term.

A friend and I were once discussing what kind of business arrangement Disney and Earl of Sandwich must have, and how quickly the company seems to be able to ramp up operations. After Earl of Sandwich closed their restaurant in 2018 to make room for the hotel which was never built, the company came back and reopened four months later like nothing had happened.

Fast forward to early 2022 when Disney announced it would “reimagine” the west side of Downtown Disney, and EoS again found its location facing a wrecking ball. Now, a full year later, Earl of Sandwich is back to provide temporary coverage between the abrupt closure of La Brea Bakery, and the eventual demolition of that building to make room for Porto's.

I can only hope that Disney is either giving Earl of Sandwich free rent for all of this, or has promised it a prime location in the reimagined Downtown Disney. Or both. Both is good.

Tiana's Palace coming to Disneyland

Disneyland's French Market restaurant will soon be re-themed to Tiana's Palace, based on the Disney animated feature The Princess and the Frog. Disney announced the makeover last week, sharing that the restaurant and adjacent Mint Julep Bar are closing on February 17. Both locations will reopen later this year.

Tiana's Palace will open at Disneyland in 2023. Photo courtesy Disney.

A rendering of the restaurant shows the west-facing side of the building as the focal point of the restaurant, with Tiana posing on a second-story window. The second floor of the restaurant actually houses the Salon Nouveau portion of Disneyland's exclusive Club 33, and it's unlikely Tiana will be a regular feature of the location, though Disney says you may encounter Tiana in New Orleans Square.

Disney says the menu will “expand on many of the current favorites served in the location, explore seasonal flavors and, of course, offer some New Orleans classics.”

Tiana's Palace is just a part of a larger project which will see Splash Mountain transformed into Tiana's Bayou Adventure. While the Walt Disney World version of Splash Mountain is scheduled to close next week for its own refurbishment, Disneyland has yet to announce when the California attraction will close.

Lunar New Year kicks off Friday

Disney celebrates the Year of the Rabbit starting this Friday, with a Lunar New Year celebration in Disney California Adventure. The popular annual event features live entertainment, special merchandise, family-friendly craft stations and food—lots and lots of food. Disney will host an expanded selection of 6 Lunar New Year Marketplaces this year, as well as offer themed menu items at locations around the park.

[New for 2023] Bamboo Blessings

• Mickey Mouse-shaped Hot Dog Bun – Brioche-style Mickey Mouse-shaped buns stuffed with hot dogs and finished with sesame seeds and scallions. ($7.50)
• Mickey Mouse-shaped Purple Sweet Potato Macaron – Red macaron filled with purple sweet potato buttercream and a crème fraîche center. ($7.00)

[New for 2023] Wrapped with Love

• Pork and Shrimp Wontons – with a black garlic sauce. ($8.75)
• Bok Choy & Mushroom Dumplings – with a black garlic sauce. ($8.75)

Lucky 8 Lantern

• Quesabirria Egg Roll with Guajillo Pepper Consomé – filled with Oaxaca Cheese, Beef Birria and a Side of Guajillo Pepper Consomé. ($9.00)
• Mandarin Mousse Cake – Layers of Mandarin Mousse with Vanilla Cake and Clementine Compote, finished with White Chocolate Crunch Balls and a Tangerine Glaze. ($6.25)

Prosperity Bao & Buns

• Char Siu BBQ Pork Bao – pickled red onions and jalapeno. ($9.00)
• Pepperoni Pizza Bao Bun – served with marinara. ($9.00)

Red Dragon Spice Traders

• Gochujang Elote – Steamed Corn on the Cob rolled in Gochujang Aїoli and Cotija Cheese, drizzled with spicy Gochujang Sauce. ($7.50)
• Red Spice Fried Chicken Bites – Fried Chicken Chicharrones in spicy Red Chile Sauce. ($8.75)

Longevity Noodle Co.

• Garlic Noodles – Long Noodles tossed in a zesty Garlic Butter with Parmesan. ($7.50)
• Spicy Pork DanDan Noodles – Pan-fried Noodles with Ground Pork and a spicy Tri-Chile Sauce. ($9.00)

Visitors to Disney California Adventure can purchase a Sip and Savor Pass for the Lunar New Year Festival, offering six tasting portions of selected food and beverage items from participating locations. We don't have pricing for the 2023 pass yet, and will update once we know that.

We'll be at the Lunar New Year kick off on Friday, and invite you to follow along on Twitter and Instagram as we post updates throughout the day.

A Word from our Sponsor

Stay in the middle of the magic and save up to 20% on select rooms at the Disneyland Resort Hotels for travel January 9 to March 9, 2023. Celebrate Lunar New Year from January 20 – February 15, 2023, the Disney100 Celebration starting on January 27, 2023 or the beginning of the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival on March 3, 2023.

As a Disneyland Resort Hotel guest, you’ll be able to enter Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park 30 minutes prior to park opening with Early Entry Access. This means you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite attractions before the parks officially open every day of your stay. Theme park reservations are available now for this offer, so don’t wait to book!

Book now at Get Away Today or call 1-855-GET-AWAY, and be sure to mention you saw them on MousePlanet.

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Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Attraction, restaurants, and stores that are closed for refurbishment are noted below. All other closures should be presumed to be due to COVID protocols, and are subject to change at any time without notice as the state of California issues new guidance.

All information was current as of this article's publication date. MousePlanet does not edit past Updates; for the most up-to-date refurbishment calendar, check the most recent Disneyland Resort Update, visit Disneyland.com or use the Disneyland smartphone application on your iOS or Android device.

View the different areas of the Resort by scrolling horizontally and selecting the one you want to read about.

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Resort Events

Check here to see if a large convention, competition, or park event might fall during your next trip to the Disneyland Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail.

New! Just click the year you want to expand (or close).

2023

We also recommend checking the convention calendar at the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau website. When looking at that site, remember to note both the number of people and the number of rooms resulting from each convention. A gathering of 25,000 people booking few room nights (indicating most will be driving in to the area for their meeting) can impact traffic around the resort much more than a crowd of 25,000 staying in area hotels. Of course, that second group is going to make finding a hotel room more difficult (and possibly more expensive), so it's best to book your own room as early as possible if you see that a big convention is in town during your trip.

Non-Disney Resort Events

Notable events at parks and attractions around Southern California. If you know of an event that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail.

Current Discounts and Promotions

Disneyland prices as of October 11, 2022.

Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Disneyland Resort Update. Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland Resort. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the number of days the tickets are valid. Check out the category that best matches the amount of time you plan to spend at the resort, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers!

This first section is a list of discounts on ticket-only purchases. Though it has become more common in recent years, Disneyland tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Southern California or Northern Mexico. For residents outside that area, the best discounts available tend to be simple advance purchase discounts. If you know of any additional discounts, offers, promotions, or contests that should be listed in this section, drop us a line. Note, we are no longer listing offers from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, as their convenience fee negates any savings.

Don't get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside the gates stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Disneyland admission, and may result in denial of entry. It is also common for criminals to shoplift inactivated Disney theme park tickets from supermarkets to resell them. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks. Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today.

Ticket Prices and Promotions

New! Just click the number of days or ticket type you want to view.

Additional Discounts

Did we miss an offer? If you know of an authorized discount on Disneyland Resort tickets, standing offers for Annual Passholders from non-Disney vendors, or other promotions which might interest our readers, please drop us a note!

New! Just click the category you want to expand (or close).

Everyone

Magic Key Holders

Disney Rewards VISA Credit Card Holders

Southern California Residents

Disney Vacation Club Members

Service Members

Hotel & Travel Packages

If you can't see the categories, please let us know!

Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

• DL – Disneyland
• DCA – Disney California Adventure
• DCA – Downtown Disney

Early Admission – full description available on the Disneyland website:

• MM – (Not currently offered) Magic Mornings for 3-plus day ticket holders and promotional “bonus” tickets.
• EMH – (Not currently offered) Extra Magic Hour for Disneyland Resort Hotel guests.

Disneyland Resort Special Events:

• LNY – Lunar New Year
• F&W – Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
• GN – Grad Nite.
• OBB – Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure.
• DaD – Disneyland After Dark

The Ticket Tier calendar is published on the Disneyland website for the next eight to 11 months.

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