Today Disneyland just announced a shake-up to the Magic Key lineup. The new Explore Key will debut January 13, 2026, and is designed to effectively replace the Enchant Key, which will no longer be available for purchase or renewal starting that same day. Disneyland’s posted details list the Explore Key at $999; a slight increase in price over the current Enchant Key at $974. Below I discuss whether this move proves any increased value and weighs the pros and cons of buying this new tier of Magic Key or dropping down to the Inspire Key (if you meet the location requirements). Let’s dig in.

Disneyland Updates Magic Key Program for 2026. PC: Disney

Magic Key Program - A Brief Refresher

Magic Key is Disneyland’s reservation-based annual pass program. You’re buying access to make theme park reservations (subject to availability), and a reservation is STILL required to enter—even on days your pass isn’t blocked out. In other words: Key = eligible, not guaranteed.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

I kicked off a new Concept to Reality series with a deep dive into the Disney Destiny’s Black Panther–inspired Grand Hall—comparing the early concept art to the real-life “living theater” we’ve started to see in previews. From the T’Challa statue to those wild lighting effects, this space is already rewriting what a Disney Cruise Line atrium can be.

So what’s changing?

Explore Key = NEW

Disneyland describes Explore as a new pass with seasonal access (including summer), and the headline perk being more summer availability—specifically weekdays in June and July that were largely blocked out under Enchant.

Reported highlights:

Price: $999
Reservations: Hold up to 4 at a time
Discounts: Up to 10% off select dining/merch
Parking: 25% off at Toy Story lot only on non-blocked out dates
Lightning Lane Multi Pass: 25% off purchase
On Sale: January 13, 2026 no earlier than 9:00am PT

Enchant Key = Retiring

Starting January 13, 2026, Enchant will no longer be available for purchase or renewal. If you’re currently an Enchant holder, you can keep using it until it expires, and then you’ll renew into a different tier (including Explore).

SHOP NOW @ THE BIT/PORIUM

What If You Currently Have An Enchant Magic Key?

You’re not losing your pass tomorrow. It stays valid until its expiration date.
When it’s time to renew on/after Jan 13, 2026, Enchant won’t be an option anymore—Explore is the closest “replacement.”
One outlet also shared an email claiming that if your renewal window is before Jan 13, you may be able to renew Enchant one more year—worth checking your renewal timing if you’re trying to stay in that tier as long as possible.

Quick Comparison: Magic Key Lineup

Here’s the “at a glance” version (prices from Disneyland reporting today):

Inspire Key — $1,899
Biggest access + best perks (includes free parking per local reporting; can hold up to 6 reservations).
Believe Key — $1,474
Solid access with more blockouts than Inspire (50% parking per local reporting; can hold up to 6 reservations).
Explore Key — $999 (NEW, starting Jan 13, 2026)
The “new Enchant,” with the main upgrade being more summer weekday access (holds up to 4 reservations).
Imagine Key — $599 (SoCal residents only)
Cheapest option but the most restrictive (reported to block weekends, summer, and many holidays; holds up to 2 reservations).

Another thing to keep in mind: Magic Key isn’t just a calendar of blockout dates — it’s a perks program. Depending on your Key, you can get up to 15% off select dining and up to 20% off select merchandise around the resort, plus rotating “Extras Unlocked” that pop up throughout the year. A perfect example is during Disney California Adventure’s Festival of Holidays, Magic Key holders can buy the Sip and Savor Pass at a discounted price (currently listed as $46 vs. $49). It’s a small savings that adds up fast if you’re doing Marketplace laps.

Current Disneyland Magic Key Comparison. PC: Disney

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Is It Worth It?

If you were already eyeing Enchant, Explore feels like an easy yes if you’ll use those extra summer dates. The cost difference being reported right now is $25 ($999 vs. $974), and even a small bump can be worth it if it unlocks weeks of extra potential visits.

That said, the caveats are real:

Summer can be brutal (heat + crowds), so extra access only matters if you actually want to go. But the math says you only need to go once in previously blocked out days to make it financially worth it.
For many locals, summer is “leave California” season—meaning the added summer weekdays may be a perk you never use.
If your personal sweet spot is avoiding weekends and summer altogether, the Imagine Key can be the more practical value play (as long as you’re eligible and okay with the restrictions).

What We Don’t Know Yet

Disneyland hasn’t published the full blockout calendar for Explore in detail (beyond the generic summer access messaging). A follow-up “calendar deep dive” post will be the real key (sorry, I had to) once those dates drop.

Alright, that’s it for now. See ya Next time.

Disneyland Updates Magic Key Tiers for 2026 - Explore Key to Replace Enchant Key