MickeyBlog News for August 9th, 2021
Disneyland unveils its annual pass replacement. Disney posts new details about Galactic Starcruiser. And Mears Connect reveals some prices you might not like.
Let’s talk about all of it in the latest MickeyBlog News!

Ooh! A Magic Key!
When the pandemic started, word had already leaked that Disneyland wanted to replace its annual pass program.
Park officials there felt strongly that the current system had outlived its usefulness due to the odd split of California locals versus tourists.
Out-of-state guests tend to spend substantially more during a visit than those who live in the area and know how to work the system.
So, Disneyland management wanted to create a new, modern version of the annual pass program that encourages more tourism.
The system they came up with gets a new name, the Magic Key program. From now on, when you hear “Magic Key,” think annual pass…unless you’re playing a videogame.
The updated annual pass options come in four forms, and you get what you pay for, the new m.o. at Disney parks.
The bottom tier, Imagine Key, costs $399. Available only to residents of Southern California (i.e., locals), it provides admission to both Disneyland Resort parks.
Of course, the Imagine Key comes with some caveats, though. For example, you only receive park access on “select days of the year,” and you can only hold two Park Passes at once.
By taking this step, Disney limits the clog on Park Passes by people living in the immediate area.
Imagine Key owners also receive 10 percent off merchandise and concessions, which is an underrated amenity.

The Other Magic Key Options
The next tier, Enchant Key, is available to everyone and generally works the same. You can book up to four Park Passes, though. Disney charges $649 for this one.
The third tier, Believe Key, costs $949. The amenities on this one are worth the upgrade, though.
You get 50 percent off parking, theme park access “most days of the year,” and up to six simultaneous Park Passes.
Finally, the holy grail of annual passes now is the Dream Key, which provides theme park admission every day of the year AND free parking.
You get 15 percent off food and beverages and 20 percent off merchandise, too. Disney charges $1,399 for this one.
Did you notice that I didn’t mention MaxPass or PhotoPass? That’s because the Parks Blog update doesn’t, either.
So, we’re waiting to hear back on that one. My guess is that Disney won’t include those amenities with annual passes anymore, though.
Then again, I’m not the expert here.
If you have additional questions, please speak to one of the Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at MickeyTravels.
They’ll help you decide which Magic Key fits best for your needs…and their services are free to you!
Important Disney News
I’m having to differentiate this week because so much is going on.
Significant updates like the return of the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom must fall by the wayside a bit. Please read this week’s Disney Headlines for more on it.
Similarly, you can read more about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser there. Melissa Lawlor provided a much better summary if you want more specifics.
So, I will talk about the third huge news item of the batch, the Mears Connect announcement.
Mears posted this information as a follow-up to the end of Magical Express, everyone’s favorite Disney amenity.
At the time of Disney’s announcement, Mears officials emphatically declared that the service would remain. The difference is that it’s not free now.
Last week, Mears revealed pricing, and it’s…less than ideal. The company will offer two versions of its service, Standard and Express.
Standard sounds more like what Magical Express users are used to having. First, you wait until the bus fills up with passengers. Then, you head to various resorts.
Basically, you’re footing the bill for Magical Express now, only without any Disney branding, which sucks.
Mears charges $16 one-way or $32 round trip for adults traveling to and from Orlando International Airport.
The discount for children isn’t much, as they must pay $13.50/$27.
So, a couple would pay $64 for the equivalent of Magical Express. Meanwhile, a family of two adults and two children would pay $118.
More Important Disney News
Express sounds more like something between Uber and limousine pick-up. You show up at the Mears kiosk, tell them you’re ready, and they take you to your destination.
Obviously, Express provides a superior experience to Standard. Alas, you’ll pay for it, though.
One-way Express service isn’t even available. Instead, you must book a round trip package that costs $200.
In exchange, up to four guests receive direct transportation to and from the airport. Each additional guest costs $55 more.
Folks, I won’t sugarcoat it. At those prices, you’re approaching Minnie Van territory if you’re traveling with a large party.
When available, that service costs $310 round trip for up to six guests. Six guests for Mears Express costs…$310.
Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that some limousine companies charge similar prices. It’s a lot of new information to evaluate.
MickeyTravels can assist with this as well. The agents here know the best options for airport transfers, too.
The other significant new item involves Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. I’d expected to talk about it the most this week, but here we are. So it’s that kinda week.
Disney has confirmed that some program participants will get to ride Ratatouille before its October 1st premiere.
Specifically, Disney Vacation Club members with bookings in late September will get a chance. You’ll know if you receive an email from Disney.
Similarly, annual passholders will get registration emails as well. Some of those are already out in the wild.
So, if you don’t have one yet, you should soon. Then, you’ll get to be one of the first people in the world to experience Ratatouille…at least at EPCOT.

Disney Restaurant News
We’ve tracked all the various Disney restaurant reopenings over the past year.
Well, we’re finally coming to an end, as few holdouts remain…and that list grew three shorter this past week.
At the China pavilion, Nine Dragons finally returned. It’s one of the better reviewed EPCOT Table Service restaurants, according to TripAdvisor.
Of course, you’re more likely to eat at a particular Magic Kingdom establishment.
Yes, Columbia Harbour House has reopened after spending the past year as part of the line queue for Peter Pan’s Flight. I’m never gonna look at it the same way again.
Finally, the Yachtsman Steakhouse came back the other, and MickeyBlog was there!
This place qualifies as the heart and soul of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. So, we’re all thrilled that it’s back.
In semi-related news, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will reopen one of its missing amenities soon. The beloved Kilimanjaro Club Lounge returns on August 26th.
I can almost taste the Jungle Juice that guests receive as part of this lounge’s Concierge Club level experience!
Disney Park News
In park news, our friends Aurora and Belle are now appearing at EPCOT. The two Disney Princesses perform socially distant character interactions.
Their appearances are random, but you’re most likely to find them near the France pavilion at the walkway to the World Showcase Lagoon.
In news of the unexpected that we should have expected, Ziploc has added sponsorship of Jungle Cruise.
You can store your belongings in Ziploc bags when you board the ride, now that you’re likely to get wet.
I’m merely presuming this part, as Disney hasn’t announced it yet. However, Ziploc signs suddenly appeared in several spots in Jungle Cruise’s line staging.
Meanwhile, Ziploc has tethered its association to Splash Mountain. You can interpret this in two ways.
Either that ride is about to go down for re-theming, or Ziploc doesn’t want any connection to Song of the South.
Finally, MickeyBlog wants to give a shoutout to Lanny Smoot. You may not know the name, but this brilliant Imagineer just earned his 100th patent!
An astonishing 74 of those patents come from his time at Disney, including one that my family treasured, Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure.
Good luck with your next 100 patents, Mr. Smoot! And thank you for everything you’ve contributed to society thus far!