What a complex week of news this has been. There was so much, in fact, that we decided to cover some of it as a separate article today in addition to Monday’s Disneyland update. If you missed that, definitely go check it out. We even pushed this update back a day due to the announcement of the new Magic Key Pass announcement yesterday. Today we’ll be looking at the status of reservations, tickets, what’s still closed, some cast member updates, and of course, the new Magic Key program that’s replacing the legacy Annual Passes.
(Magic) Keys to the Kingdom
We were pleasantly surprised to see Disney replace the Annual Passholder program with something familiar after so much talk about “loyalty programs.” We feared that the new program would be very aggressive, not offering the same kind of value that this new program will. At its core, the Magic Key Pass is very much like the old Flex Pass. In fact, when we originally wrote about the Flex Pass, we speculated that it might replace the traditional passes, and in a way it now has. Our primary takeaway is that this new program is essentially a rebrand, most of what you wanted is still intact.
The Flex Pass had you making reservations up to 30 days in advance, of which you can hold 2. Now with Magic Key, you can hold between 2-6 reservations, depending on which tier you buy. Here’s the pricing on the different tiers:
- Imagine Key – $399
- Enchant Key – $649
- Believe Key – $949
- Dream Key – $1399
Magic Key launches on August 25th, the first day the passes will be valid. This is all great news for previous annual passholders who want more value than paying full price for every visit. The only caveat is that we still don’t know what reservation availability will be. We know that there will be a “bucket” of reservations for Magic Key that may be separate from standard day tickets.
If the Walt Disney World annual passholder availability is anything to go off of, some days may be scarce on reservations. Alternatively, we also have a look at how reservations are working for Disneyland cast members further down in the article that may paint a picture of how things will look for Magic Key Passholders.
For more information, including all the details of what’s included in each tier, check out our article on Magic Key below:
BREAKING NEWS: Disneyland Delivers a New “Magic Key” Pass Program Replacement
Reservations and Crowds
On Monday, Lilliana went over crowds at the park, noting that they felt a bit more manageable than earlier this summer. Oddly enough, reservations were available all weekend for both parks.
Our staff observed one park per day tickets were available at noon on Sunday for Disneyland and that wait times were suitably low. For most of this week, though, one park per day tickets are sold out. Lilliana’s analysis was that crowds vary wildly and that’s unfortunately true. Just because there’s a reservation system in place doesn’t mean that capacity is being limited very much; you can pretty much go to either park any day you want.
The reservations are definitely for the benefit of Disney, not the guests. The parks, even with fewer people this weekend, are still crowded. Knott’s announced last week that as of Monday, reservations are no longer at Knott’s Berry Farm or Soak City. We expect reservations for entry to be a thing of the past most everywhere, but don’t be surprised if Disney stubbornly hangs onto them.
Another thing to keep an eye on is Oogie Boogie Bash tickets. Halloween events, whether they’re at DL or DCA, have historically sold out quickly. It’s interesting to see it take this long to get rid of the tickets. The bash is the same party as 2019 sans World of Color Villainous; is World of Color that important to people or are the sluggish sales the result of something else?
Restaurants
Although most of the restaurants at the Disneyland Resort have returned or will return to operation soon, there are still a few that remain shuttered. We covered the reopening of both Pacific Wharf Cafe and the Golden Horseshoe in Monday’s update. Here are the food locations that are still closed around the parks:
Disneyland Still Closed
- Carnation Cafe. Right now, Carnation Cafe is being used as extra seating for guests on Main Street. There is no announced reopening date for the Carnation Cafe, but Disneyland could sorely use another table-service restaurant in operation.
- Royal Street Veranda
As we saw Monday, the New Orleans Square staple is behind construction scrims. We’re hoping that with the Pacific Wharf Bakery springing back into action soon, it means that Royal Street Veranda will reopen too (with bread bowls!) - Troubadour Tavern
- Most food and beverage locations at ToonTown
DCA Still Closed
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- Boardwalk Pizza
- Fairfax Food Market in Hollywoodland
Reopenings on the Way
More dining options will soon be available. In terms of hotel-based restaurants, The Disney Princess Breakfast Adventure at Napa Rose in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa and Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel will open for booking on August 11 and reopen for dining on August 26 and August 18, respectively. Goofy’s Kitchen will not be a character dining experience upon reopening. Additionally, while Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar has already reopened, the fan favorite location with begin taking lunch and dinner reservations on August 11, with the first available bookings starting on August 15.
As for inside Disneyland, Minnie & Friends Breakfast at Plaza Inn will be available for booking on August 11 and reopen for dining on August 12.
For more about the return of restaurants at Disneyland, take a look at the article below.
Refurbishments
Here’s the latest Disneyland Refurbishment calendar as of 7/31/21.
Currently Under Refurbishment:
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (July 15th-August 5th)
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (July 12th-Winter 2021)
Upcoming Refurbishments:
- Haunted Mansion Holiday 20th Anniversary Install (August 16th-September 2nd)
Concept art for the 20th anniversary gingerbread house in the ballroom scene of the Haunted Mansion - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: (September 7th-Fall 2021)
Attractions Which STILL Haven’t Returned:
- Disneyland:
- Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse
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- Disneyland Monorail
- Donald’s Boat
- Goofy’s Playhouse
- Mickey’s House
- Minnie’s House
- Star Wars Launch Bay
- DCA
- The Bakery Tour
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- Red Car Trolley
- Blue Sky Cellar (We aren’t sure why this one is even still listed. Does anyone care about the Pixar Pier coming soon displays anymore? This area would be better suited as indoor seating for the Winery.)
Cast Member Woes
Staffing Troubles
The Disneyland Dining line cast who help you book table service reservations were all laid off at the end of 2020 and the program still hasn’t been relaunched (and won’t be unless you let Disney know this is important to you). All guests are forced online or onto the app to book reservations. Additionally, those calling in for general customer service are getting hung up on. During busy times the line says something along the lines of “we’re busy call back later” and automatically hangs up on you. This is an embarrassing and unacceptable level of service for a premium brand like Disney. It’s time to step things up or bring in a new team to manage and restore Disney Customer Service standards.
On Monday, we wrote about mandatory masks inside for both guests and cast, mandatory vaccines for cast, and exposure notices for cast with co-workers who have gotten sick. Unfortunately, many of the cast members who were furloughed or laid off last year are still not back to work. There was a union protest outside of Disneyland a couple weeks ago, and it looks like more unions have joined in for another protest this week. Contract negotiations are still ongoing and the resort unions are hoping to both get more cast members back to work and more pay for them. Disneyland’s unions are banding together for a protest on the 5th. This isn’t a picket, and you aren’t crossing a picket line by visiting the parks (union cast are still reporting to work), it’s a call for attention to the plight of workers for a living wage and return of jobs at a time the Disneyland Resort remains understaffed (even as the parks have returned to pre-closure crowd levels).
Cast Ticket Restrictions
One of the main benefits of working at Disney is free admission to Disney Parks. Unfortunately, besides the soft opening back in April, cast members have been completely blocked from coming to Disneyland as a guest. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been told that’s changed somewhat, but there’s a catch. To understand the problem, one must understand the different complimentary admission options available to cast.
- Self-admission: Allows cast members to admit themselves into the park. Unlimited use, subject to blockout dates.
- Main Entrance Pass: Allows cast members to admit themselves plus three guests into the park. Limited use, about sixteen individual days per year, subject to blockout dates.
- Complimentary tickets: Effectively standard one-day park hoppers given to CMs two to three times a year. No blockout dates.
Self-admission and the main entrance pass have been blocked since the parks reopened, that was four months ago and things have changed.
Complimentary tickets (usually called “comp tickets”) have no blockout dates, but due to the nature of the reservation system, Disney opted to make reservations more limited for these cast-specific tickets, citing the prioritization of guests. So there could be plenty of availability at either park for normal day tickets and no availability for cast to use even their most coveted admission type.
Fortunately, cast reservations have been opened somewhat for complimentary tickets, but in an odd turn of events, main entrance pass reservations were opened as well. Reservations for that have gone quickly, particularly for Disneyland. That’s because main entrance passes now only work for one park, they’re no longer park hoppers. If a cast member wants to use a day from their main entrance pass at Disneyland in August, they have maybe six days to choose from.
What this all means is that if you’re a cast member, essentially you can only go to the park if you use up a limited-use admission type. That’s despite the fact that reservations are wide open and we’ve noted the parks are just as busy as any other summer. What especially doesn’t make sense is that something like the main entrance pass allows admission for four people while self-admission just brings in the cast member. If self-admission is blocked to prioritize paying guests, why is it okay to bring in three non-paying guests instead?
Considering free admission is literally the reason many cast members continue to work for Disney, this is definitely less than ideal and contributing to the staffing issues, call-outs, and resignations.
This and That
Don’t Make Any Sounds Like an eBayer
Trader Sam’s released another limited edition mug this past weekend, which sold out instantly – two different colors of the same Jungle Cruise boat mug. They were mostly sold via mobile order.
Oga’s Birthday
We’re not sure how long Oga’s birthday celebration is, but if you’re going to Oga’s Cantina soon ask for her special, a limited-time mule.
Ragtime on Main Street
A welcome sight sound, the ragtime pianist is back playing outside of Coke Corner. Hopefully, this is the first of many streetmosphere acts coming back to the parks, they’ve been sorely missed. Considering the same ragtime pianists play the dueling piano show at the Golden Horseshoe, we’re hoping this means that show can also return.
Greetings from Portorosso
The Luca promotional photo op is still just behind Jumping Jellyfish in DCA. We heard someone had gotten a little rough with it. Nothing a little glue can’t fix as the squinting kitty Machiavelli seems fine now. Have you watched Luca? It’s quite unfortunate it was only released on Disney+ considering how delightful the film is; it’d be a great fit for Pixar Pier with its seaside village setting.
Your (Mobile) Key
Soon you’ll be able to unlock your Disney hotel room with your phone. This is in tandem with the online check-in process, which will allow you to skip the front desk experience entirely and head straight to your room, unlocking it with your phone. You’ll also be able to charge dining and shopping to your hotel room from the app as well. It all sounds very much like a toned-down version of MyMagic+ and Magic Mobile at Walt Disney World.
The digital key option will be available soon at the Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian, with Paradise Pier adding it at a later date. You can also still get a traditional hotel key if you go to the front desk.
No Fear Have Ye of Silence?
Riding through the dark caverns of the Pirate’s Grotto, something is missing, the disembodied voice of Paul Frees. For some reason the narration transition between the grotto and the pirate raid isn’t working; it’s very dark and quiet in this space right now. Spooky.
There are also several effects and missing lights throughout the attraction. The worst is definitely in the burning town scene. It’s far too bright overall and the pirate above the bridge isn’t lit. The parrot just as you enter the building also isn’t working (but his audio is).
Pit Stop
On our way out of Adventureland, we stopped by the Adventureland restroom, only to find it closed. The women’s restroom didn’t even have a sign, just a closed door. The men’s restroom had a sign that reads “restroom closed for deep cleaning.”
For those who missed it, day custodial cast members are having to close the restrooms to deep clean them. The deep cleaning was previously done by third shift custodial, but day cast members are doing it right now. The previously mentioned union protest is related to this, as many third shift cast members are still on furlough or laid off.
A Ghoulishly Long Exhibition
Two years after the 50th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion, the Main Street Opera House is still home to a spirited exhibition on the attraction.
Even though it’s been here a little while, these are great exhibits and concept artwork. Maybe they can change out the signage and throw in a few new paintings just to spice things up.
The Mansion itself is still looking quite spiffy after its big refurbishment last year.
Better get your rides in soon, foolish readers, as Jack Skellington will be by in two weeks to wreck the halls.
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Alright folks, let’s hear from you. Do you think the park reservation system should stay? What isn’t back yet that you’re waiting for? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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