Breaking this rule in Disneyland in 2025 could lead to some serious consequences.

Disneyland

When the Disney Parks in the United States reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic, they did so with a with a reservation system installed. This system required guests to not only have tickets, but to also manually make park day reservations online in order to gain access to the parks of their choice. Disney installed this process in an effort to manage crowds more effectively during a time where there was more of an emphasis on capacity and social distancing. While the park reservation system is long gone from Disney World, it still remains at the Disneyland Resort. While it doesn’t affect tourists too much (getting reservations can be tricky but it’s much easier in 2025 than it was back during the pandemic), Magic Key Holders need to be aware of a major rule that the Resort will continue to enforce for the forseeable future.

The Magic Key Program is Disneyland’s Annual Pass service and it works similarly to how the regular tickets work regarding park reservations. The big difference here is that Magic Key Holders get park-hopping access and varying food, souvenir, and parking discounts, as well as different allotments of blockout dates and number of park reservations they can hold at one time based on which pass you have.

Disneyland

As for the number of reservations, the Inspire Key and Believe Key Passes allow for up to 6 reservations at once, the Enchant Key Pass allows for up to 4 reservations, and the Imagine Key allows for up to 2. 

Locals who have these passes — especially the higher-tiered passes — can frequent Disneyland often, maybe even multiple times a week. With that being a possibility, it’s important to keep in mind that Disneyland enforces a no-show policy.

Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland

According to the official Disneyland website “Magic Key holders who are a no-show for 3 reservations in any 90-day window will be unable to make new park reservations or modify existing park reservations for 30 days.“

Existing park reservations at that time won’t be cancelled, but the “30-day period begins the day after the third no-show, and will continue even if the pass is upgraded to another pass type or renewed during that time.”

Cancellation or modification of a reservation must be done by 11:59 PM PT on the day before the reserved date to avoid a penalty. “The no-show policy is subject to change in Disney’s discretion without notice or liability.”

California Adventure

Basically, three strikes and you’re out…for a month. Since we go to the parks every week, this is something we’re especially mindful of.

While the no-show policy seems pretty basic and upfront, there are some MAJOR concerns on how it punishes Magic Key Holders. For starters, it incentivises people to show up sick and punishes you for staying home and taking care of yourself. We’ve run into this issue before and unfortunately have had to take strikes in an effort to consider public health. As the policy states, you can’t modify your reservation day-of and avoid the strike.

Disney California Adventure

Then there’s the reality that life happens and happens and it’s easy to miss a reservation. While missing there reservations within one 90-day penalty window is unlikely, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. We get why Disney has the punishment in place (it’s unfair to take reservations away form people who will actually go), but we recommend some sort of appeal process.

Voicing possible ammendments and being aware of how the no-show policy works is crucial, as there have been no indications that Disneyland will move away from the reservation any time soon.

Partner’s Statue in Disneyland

We’ll continue to keep you posted on all the latest updates from the Disneyland Resort, so keep it posted right here at DFB to stay in the know!

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Have you ever been affected by Disneyland’s no-show policy? Let us know in the comments below!