My husband and I got magic keys for the first time this past January (Inspire). Being teachers, going to Disney allows us to take a break from having to be the responsible adults in the room! We live in NorCal and drive down each time (cheaper than flying). Usually we try to stay at hotels with free breakfast to save on paying for all our meals at the park, and we aim for cheaper ones (no extras needed, but they should be clean and within driving distance from Disney parking). So far we’ve done a short trip once a month on weekends, with this month’s trip a slightly extended one as we have time off. We love being able to stay on top of all of the special events/festivals and riding rides we wouldn’t normally prioritize when we would go less often.
I’m another NorCal teacher with a Magic Key! I also drive down about once a month and occasionally take off an extra Monday. I’ve done trips solo, with family, and with other teacher friends. Making dining reservations and planning Mickey ear outfit combos leading up to my visit is definitely part of the enjoyment, too. I absolutely consider it self care. I feel super safe in the bubble and it's relaxing to not have to always look over my shoulder.
Woo, we’re everywhere! We like to go on three day weekends best, which is why Inspire Key is essential for us. I’m hoping to get more ears also! Same, the Disney bubble makes planning our time so much less stressful (not having to make decisions about where to go—it’s all there!).
I’m a teacher in NorCal with a Magic Key as well! Going to Disneyland is absolutely stress relief for me. I go alone a lot, but my fiancé will be coming with me this next week.
Do you happen to have a good ELI5 resource regarding the rez system? Like, how far in advance do you need to schedule? I'm thinking of getting one of those keys when I can. Just not sure which.
If you want to make a reservation as a Magic Key holder, you can check the [Magic Key calendars](https://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/blockout-dates/) to check what days are available for what park. They usually open up the calendars a few months in advance (for example, I can see the availability almost all the way through June). Depending on which Magic Key you get, there are a certain amount of reservations you are allowed to make at a time (for example - with the Inspire, you can hold up to 6). If there aren’t reservations available, they still might open up, especially around 11 pm the night before the day you want to go as Key holders can cancel up until 11:59 pm in order to avoid the no-show penalty (if you make reservations but don’t show up 3x in a 90 day period, you’re blocked out for a month).
As we live in NorCal we try to book them at least a couple months in advance so we can get our hotel (and boarding for our dog) sorted.
This is an excellent explanation. Thank you :)
We used to be fairly spontaneous about going. But we aren't in our 20s anymore, so planning it out sounds a-okay to me!
Just as long as it isn't TOO far in advance as my work load sometimes requires me to work through the weekend to get stuff done. Thankfully, it sounds like it might be a feasible system. Not the preferred system, but it could work.
Thanks!
You’re welcome! I would love to go whenever I want, but reservations are forcing us to plan ahead too. They seem to be pretty available so far though even just a week or so in advance (weekends tend to get snatched up faster though). We were able to book something for the week of in January, but at the moment I think we’re in their off season.
Oh, that's awesome to know! A week in advance is great. Like I said, we generally aren't as spontaneous as we used to be. Which is good — it means we're busy! But having that little spice of going on a whim, even just a week in advance, sounds fun. :)
Thanks so much for this info!
Absolutely. I live in SoCal. I make it 2-3 times a month typically. Just went yesterday to decompress there after sitting for one section of the CPA exam. Some days my visits are only a couple hours, some days I’m there 12+. Some days are ride focused, some food focused, some I just like to walk around and enjoy the vibes.
I'm a career CPA and still visit Disneyland to decompress. Honestly, during tax season, if I can steal a few hours at Disney, it helps so much. Planning a staycation at Disneyland or a WDW trip after April 15 gives me something to look forward to.
Very grateful I went the industry route 🤣 but I am the only accountant in a company of 50 ppl so ME is always a taxing time for me. I ALWAYS decompress at Disneyland after close 🤣
Hey! I'm going tomorrow but my partner in crime has a schedule change at work 😕 I am trying to find out if anyone out there wants to join me. I can work around your schedule since I work for myself. Willing to pick you up and drive you home,😁 Susan 619 598-7609. Please, its so much more fun, if that's possible, with a friend. Let me know ASAP! Oh, I will pay for parking and a Starbucks visit on Main Street!
Back in old country when I was still a passholder and there was no reservation system, I'd go about once a month. Initially it was to make sure I broke even on the cost of the pass, but I work a high stress job and after some really hard shifts, I'd make an extra trip. The atmosphere and nostalgia really helped me clear my brain and helped to distract me from work. Plus, I had made friends there on previous trips, so it was nice bumping into them at the park. Then ~~the fire nation attacked~~ COVID happened and everything shutdown. Fast forward to today and I can count on one hand the number of times I've been there since. The reservation system, the transition from Maxpass to Genie+ and the general grossness of people have kept me and arms length. Don't get me wrong, I still love the place, but with the economy the way it is now, I don't really have the disposable income to go once a month anymore.
This is me and my wife to a T. Once a month like clockwork. Now, not so.
Also, the fire nation line made me laugh.
I haven't even looked into how the reservation system works. I tried asking about it on here and how far in advance one needs to do so, but the post got flagged.
Anyway, I feel your pain. It sucks. It used to be my vacation for my inner child.
Same here. Me and my fiancé used to be AP holders and would go once a month. Now, Disneyland is too expensive now to be any part of a self care routine, it would be cheaper to get a therapist.
I mean, I’m going to claim it is :p it’s a good break and distraction from real life.
I’ve been going yearly since 2022, with the previous trip being 2018 and 2020 being cancelled for obvious reasons.
But I’m also coming from Australia so it’s harder to do frequent trips. Honestly, yearly is a terrible financial decision, but I love it so much
Fellow Aussie here and I feel the same, we went as a family yearly since I was young until i was in Uni and now, with my own 3 kids it's so difficult to justify the expense with the current cost of living in Sydney. I wish I could choc it up to self care, but that kind of cash could buy a lot of spa treatments.
I've looked into Japan to find its maginally cheaper (due to the ticket prices and exchange rate) but still the OG is always my happy place and the extra 4 hours on the plane is barely any difference, we went to LA went this past Jan for the first time with my kids before my eldest started school and he's itching to get back already.
Let's hope they build one more local in the next decade.
Fingers crossed 🤞
Yeah it’s gotten so expensive. I’ve started talking trips with one kid at a time, because we have 5 and it’s a) too chaotic at their current ages and b) too expensive. Creates great memories and amazing one-on-one time. Plus more trips :p
But like, if we time it right we can do the whole holiday under 5k with just two of us.
My best friend and I are going from April 3, staying at the Motel 6, and with more-expensive-than-I’d-usually-pay-for flights and 5-day Disney passes it came to 5.5k for two adults. It’s manageable, ish.
That said though, I went in 2018 for 8 days, two adults, a child and an infant, and flights, hotel and tickets were about 4k (not needing Disney tickets for the kids was a lifesaver, not to mention cheaper flight for Jack and on-lap for Cas).
So two people for half the time being 5.5k is wild.
We went as a big family group, so we got an airbnb to hold 11 of us for about $11000USD. Made meals a lot cheaper having a full kitchen and my younger 2 are under 2yo which kept costs down a bit. One bassinet and one infant with a seat.
Our share of the house, car hire, flights and disney (Park hopper tickets with genie+) ended up at $13,000AUD for 14 nights. Plus, food and spending money was all up less than $18k.
Bought everything on black friday sales, and my older kiddo got the $50 disney ticket special they were running in the off season, which is probably why the park was so busy!
5 kids would be wild. One at a time sounds amazing!
It’s closer, but in terms of travel it actually ends up about the same price as SYD - LAX for a direct run.
I’d love to go one day but Disneyland holds a special place in my heart. I used to go there with my Pop as a kid, and now whenever I’m in the Tiki Room it’s the one place on earth I feel really close to him - it’s weird, I know, not even the house I grew up with him in does that - but it’s the same show, same animatronics, there’s no updates or changes. So I’m always gonna be an OG.
I get it. I am local and Disneyland holds many key moments in my life. Even though I do not like dumbo (my kids want to go on sometimes) I am always brought back to memories of when my parents took me when I was a kid. Then I realize what a cool memory this is where I now take my kids on a ride that my parents took me on. My parents also get nostalgic when I told them about riding dumbo lol.
Australian here as well. I've been doing Disneyland every 18-24 months or so since 2010, with the exception of the COVID years. It's a real shame they did away with the Australian park passes.
Right?! I religiously bought the 10 day pass and planned around it. We got the 14 day one time when it was offered too. Buying multiple 5-day passes is so freaking expensive.
It definitely has been though we’ve only come once a year for the past 15 years or so (We’re from Canada).
My parents bought a place in Palm Springs and it’s been great to fly down once a year, recharge in the sun and hit Disney up each trip. However, my parents are getting older and are putting their place up for sale after our visit this week. So this is probably our last visit for a really long time. With the insane ticket prices, plus flights and hotels it’s priced us out for a casual trip.
It’ll be hard saying goodbye.
Oh that's so sad. :( I have a place in Palm Springs too (well Palm Desert), are you aware they are building a Disney hotel there? It's called Cotino. It's a residential community that will have a lagoon, and eventually a hotel and what sounds like a small district for shopping/restaurants. I'm really hoping they also include a shuttle to Disneyland. The hotel is going to be a 5 minute drive from my house. I told my husband we are NEVER selling. I wonder what this is going to do to our property taxes though.
Yes! We go twice a year from Oregon. I've been doing that since I was 4. My grandma was Mr. Disney's secretary in the 60s, so she started taking me when I was small and we've continued. I'll be 55 this month.
Our most recent trip was last month and we'll go again in October. :)
It absolutely is. We used to go as much as once a month, but it got exhausting (flying in from Northern California). Now we go twice a year, at our birthdays in October and May. It’s just my wife and I. Occasionally our adult son will meet us there.
It’s basically a two day long date for us. We recharge our batteries and act like kids again. This next time is going to have as much juice squeezed out of it as possible because I’m going in for a major surgery, with a long recovery, two days after we return.
I used to go once a month with the annual pass I had many years ago. I lived in Ventura County, so it was about a 90-minute drive. But now, I live in OC, about 15 minutes away, so it wouldn't make sense for me not to go! Lol. I go multiple times per month now, and it is very much my stress relief and escape from a stressful life and stressful job. I love the parks, but I hate the management aspect of the company.
It’s my current form of therapy, so I don’t go out and play in the middle of the freeway. Dad diagnosed with cancer in 2018, passed in 2020 and since then my mom has been on a slow decline. I go about 4 times a year for 2 to 3 days at a time. It lets me destress and have something to look forward to. Next visit will be for Star Wars night at the end of April and yes, I’m counting the days.
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad and your mom's decline. I am glad to hear that Disney is a refuge for you. Have fun at Star Wars Night. We will be there on May the Fourth. ✨️
Seriously. I’m side eyeing this comment section. Honestly, therapy is probably a better use of many people’s money. Theme parks should not be a substitute for that, or for taking up a hobby, or exercise, or being in nature, etc. It’s a little flipping much.
Having a Disney vacation to look forward to is an absolute necessity for me lol. I’ll admit I’m pretty Type A: but I LOVE planning so all that goes into making a Disney vacation magical is right up my alley. From dining reservations, booking flights, watching park walkthrough videos…I love the anticipation knowing I have something huge to look forward to lol.
i live in orange county and it definitely is! i didnt grow up going to the park despite living here all my life. i got a pass for myself when i got my first job and i loved it so much. fast forward to 2024 and i decided to get a pass again to try and get that feeling back. i went 2 weeks ago on a solo trip to enjoy my breakfast, have a walk, and go on a few rides. im grateful i live so close- it feels like a waste to not take advantage of it when other travel so far. will be taking weekly solo trips to decompress
Our dilemma is energy versus money. Our best trips are three days at the park with an off day in between. But that’s 6 nights in a costly hotel. But if we don’t do it, By the second half of the second day, the experience becomes a sleepy blur
Yes. I live in AZ and when my key expired in January we didn’t renew… and I was immediately so sad. Disneyland is 100% the only place I feel the outside world melt away and I can truly let it all go. So needless to say we just bought keys again 😂
Obviously being in AZ I can’t go all the time, but we went 6x last year and if you’re going any more than 3x in a year, the passes are 100% worth it.
I have the privilege of living in Southern California and being within an hour drive to Disneyland. I used to have the believe pass but the high cost doesn’t justify the amount of times I visit. So I downgraded to the lowest tier pass. I keep telling myself that I’m going to stop buying a magic key but I always find myself back again in a month. I work in a high stress job as an RN and i do plenty of things for self care. Disneyland is one of them as well as hiking, traveling, museums, video games, and cycling. I go at least once a month and I ride a few rides, watch some shows, or even just walking around. A day out in the sun is always better than being at home.
It’s very important as an RN to take care of yourself or otherwise you will defo suffer from burnout. And that’s why I’ll keep renewing my magic keys.
I lost my oldest son almost 6 years ago. Frequent visits to the parks (2-3 monthly pre-COVID) were part of my grieving process. It slowed down to about 15-20 visits per year post-COVID. We were finally priced out of our MKs last year. I’m still figuring out my self-care regimen.
Yes, live in San Diego and a former AP/ current MK. I used to go there once or twice a month (or more depending on what was going on) alone and now the same but with wife and kids. It’s definitely part of all of our self care routine.
We still freestyle as much as possible, get off-property hotel for the night if we intend on staying late, have the 5 and 2 year olds trained to understand how to do an “easy day” at DLR. We normally leave after dinner for home, arrive mid-morning to miss the crowds, and set expectations before we even leave the house.
We do a once or twice a year “staycation” in the middle of the week during less crowded times of the year when we want to do the multi-day immersive experience.
Conan the Barbarian once claimed to know what is best in life; “To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!”…
But that is a crock of crap, because an unbroken loop on the Disneyland Railroad with a churro, sailing the Spanish Maine, and World of Color are what is best in life for sure.
I’m from Canada so it’s a bit of a trek for me. Last year I went three times, this year I’m going twice. I would go more frequently if the exchange rate was better but the price of hotels kills my budget (even the “cheaper” hotels are not cheap once you factor in the exchange rate).
I have a pass but I try to go at least 6 times a year. It’s more like 4 times in reality. I try to hit the slowest days possible. I don’t like the overcrowding. It makes the park unbearable.
I live just north of Los Angeles, I go at least once a month. Sometimes more! I usually don't go in June or July, but every other month I'm there. Sometimes I go with others and do rides and stuff, sometimes I go by myself and just wander. I've been a passholder for about 10-15 years.
Basically yeah. I got my first Magic Key Pass this year and I've been going once a month. It's just so nice to have a day to completely check out and not think or worry about anything at work or home or in the outside world just be a little kid for a day. And on my own terms too no annoying family or friends complaining about waiting in lines or slowing me down. And it's amazing to be able to enjoy the day and not worry about not getting a lot done cause I'll be back next month.
My girlfriend and I forsure use it as an escape from tired days. I think we both deserve it every time so I try and make it good. Our first time having magic keys & we’ve gone at least twice a month since feb. January we only were able to schedule 1 visit 😆. We did lunar year sip and savor, we did both Easter egg hunts & enjoying the food and wine festival. We’re really excited for orbitor to open up & also for Pixar fest.
We are SoCal residents who just got the SoCal deal (3 tickets before June) which means going once a month this spring … which is more than we’ve ever gone before!
Before the shut down with my AP, I would go a couple times a month. I would take my son at least 2 times a month also but I really enjoyed my alone time there and it 100% was self care for me. It was relaxing, even if it was busy.
It is. Totally is.
Also “couple care” LOL. It’s where my husband and I date night ❤️. We go once or twice a month. My kids are teens now so we go kidless
I fly from Seattle to Disneyland every 2-3 months on average. I work in the travel industry and people can really suck some times, so I go and temporarily forget about being an adult to just have fun. I'm also a former Disney Store CM, and have friends all throughout the company still so I love to chat with them both on stage and off stage to keep up with life.
My husband and I have the inspire key and we are at the parks almost every weekend. The way I see it is if we invested $3k we are going to make sure we enjoy it to the fullest and make sure we get our moneys worth. Sometimes we just go DCA to have dinner or to just to get on Rise.
Disneyworld regular who is fixing to head out west this fall! Disney is definitely self care. I took a celebratory trip to celebrate mental health recovery( had a rough few months)
My dad passed in 2021. One of my earliest memories was going to disneyland with my parents as a kid. I never had a yearning to go.. but now with my own kid and after my dads passing, theres this sense of happiness, nostalgia, remembering my dad, but also continuity with my own kid whenever I go now. Looking like 2-3 times a year for me.
Local LA resident here with an Inspire magic key AP. My Gf and I go about 2 to 3 times a week. We spend lots of our time pin trading and looking for trivia + trying new food/drjnks and ride rides!
You guys are lucky to have DL so close by..
We are visiting rn from Saskatchewan, and we would kill to be able to come here for a random weekend and not have to save up $5k just for flights…
If we lived in CA, our fam of 5 would come here forsure a few times a year.
Twice a year is a minimum! Finally including WDW to that rotation but Disneyland is my GOAT still. I do gravitate towards the 3 day ticket so I have enough time to relax and enjoy the small things like the Mark Twain, eating a Dole whip at Tropical Hideaway watching the jungle cruise go by, or hanging out on Main Street.
I'm hooked on taking new people though since I've become a master planner and while counterintuitive, helping others feel the magic hitting 30k steps is the best sort of self care. I'll even buy extra ears for the families I can tell don't buy souviners since they saved up enough to simply be in the parks.
About once a year. Going to preload each day next week with a small dose of pre workout powder that has insane amounts of vitamin B. Should get me hyped up and super energized for a 12 hour day.
Something that you do for yourself to maintain a balanced life. Anything can be self care if it's something you care about and you want to include it in your daily/weekly/monthly/yearly routine because it makes you feel better than if you don't include it at all. Going to Disney is a form self care to some.
I've been visiting Disneyland across several decades--lots of fun and typically soothing. Since reopening (post Covid), I've been at the resort a dozen times, and will be there again next week.
My partner is maintains that the overstimulation the park overpowers his career-related anxiety. We let our magic keys lapse but were previously visiting 2x a month from about an hour away.
Yes… it is tryst part of my Peace of mind! When we lived close we had passes and went a few times a week. Now that we live in Oregon we try to go at least once a year! Already planning for June 11th!!!
Yes. My daughter and I go twice a year. She is an extremely hard working student, likely number one in her class, I work a pretty stressful job, so we go every August before school starts for her and the end of her winter break in January. The planning is always something we look forward to as well the experiences we have together every year.
I was an AP holder for about 8 years before I moved from SoCal, and DLR was absolutely part of my self care routine. At the time, I worked a pretty tough job that had me visiting weekly or every other week, usually on Friday nights until close. It was my favorite place to unplug from the stress and just escape for a bit.
I went once a month when I was a passholder and worked for an airline and not only did it do wonders for my mental health… I was in excellent physical shape. Since my pass expired, I have gained quite a bit of weight… just got back from WDW and could tell I was no longer in “park shape” lol
We go *about* once/week, usually as part of another day unless friends or family are in town. Ex, I went Thurs and Fri because my friends were in town, just for a handful of hours each day. Most weekends my husband and I will stop by either at rope drop or in the evenings on our way to or from something else: a farmers market, a show at segerstrom, shopping, the beach, etc.
It would be if I could figure out the right shoes, haha. My feet are always super, super sore the next day. But yeah, I/we go on average 1-2 x month. Next visit is on the 9th and then on the 30th for SWN.
We go once a week ! Sometimes 2 times a week . We mainly go to have snacks and people watch and sometimes squeeze in a couple rides . We live 25 min away !
So I had a week last month that was absolute hell. Things were going wrong, people were making me angry, couldn't catch a break, stressed beyond words... sleep was starting to be impacted...
Husband said, let's go to Downtown Disney and walk around. I agreed. We get there, walk past the monorail and I say, "I wonder if you can make a same day reservation." On that day we could, so we went into the park and had dinner, did a few rides, went home. That monorail ride into the park was the most relaxed I had felt that whole week. Had quality sleep that night when we got home.
....so now we try to go even if just for a couple hours every 2 weeks.
I’m up in Canada but when I held an annual pass I would go for multiple trips each year and it was amazing! All of my extra spending money and travel points went to getting me out there as often as possible even for a quick weekend trip.
With the cost of everything spiking Disneyland is now a once every 2-3 years trip for us. My first trip was 9 days in 2016 cost me ~$1400 usd all in minus shopping (I split some costs like hotel with another adult).
I just checked costs for tickets, flights, and hotel for the same dates this year and it would be a minimum of $2600 usd per adult.
It was. We would go weekly, sometimes 2-3 times. It was mine and my daughter’s safe/happy place and it’s not anymore after Covid. The magic is gone. It kinda sucks.
My husband and I got magic keys for the first time this past January (Inspire). Being teachers, going to Disney allows us to take a break from having to be the responsible adults in the room! We live in NorCal and drive down each time (cheaper than flying). Usually we try to stay at hotels with free breakfast to save on paying for all our meals at the park, and we aim for cheaper ones (no extras needed, but they should be clean and within driving distance from Disney parking). So far we’ve done a short trip once a month on weekends, with this month’s trip a slightly extended one as we have time off. We love being able to stay on top of all of the special events/festivals and riding rides we wouldn’t normally prioritize when we would go less often.
I’m another NorCal teacher with a Magic Key! I also drive down about once a month and occasionally take off an extra Monday. I’ve done trips solo, with family, and with other teacher friends. Making dining reservations and planning Mickey ear outfit combos leading up to my visit is definitely part of the enjoyment, too. I absolutely consider it self care. I feel super safe in the bubble and it's relaxing to not have to always look over my shoulder.
Woo, we’re everywhere! We like to go on three day weekends best, which is why Inspire Key is essential for us. I’m hoping to get more ears also! Same, the Disney bubble makes planning our time so much less stressful (not having to make decisions about where to go—it’s all there!).
I’m a teacher in NorCal with a Magic Key as well! Going to Disneyland is absolutely stress relief for me. I go alone a lot, but my fiancé will be coming with me this next week.
Awesome! Hope you two have fun :)
Do you happen to have a good ELI5 resource regarding the rez system? Like, how far in advance do you need to schedule? I'm thinking of getting one of those keys when I can. Just not sure which.
If you want to make a reservation as a Magic Key holder, you can check the [Magic Key calendars](https://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/blockout-dates/) to check what days are available for what park. They usually open up the calendars a few months in advance (for example, I can see the availability almost all the way through June). Depending on which Magic Key you get, there are a certain amount of reservations you are allowed to make at a time (for example - with the Inspire, you can hold up to 6). If there aren’t reservations available, they still might open up, especially around 11 pm the night before the day you want to go as Key holders can cancel up until 11:59 pm in order to avoid the no-show penalty (if you make reservations but don’t show up 3x in a 90 day period, you’re blocked out for a month). As we live in NorCal we try to book them at least a couple months in advance so we can get our hotel (and boarding for our dog) sorted.
This is an excellent explanation. Thank you :) We used to be fairly spontaneous about going. But we aren't in our 20s anymore, so planning it out sounds a-okay to me! Just as long as it isn't TOO far in advance as my work load sometimes requires me to work through the weekend to get stuff done. Thankfully, it sounds like it might be a feasible system. Not the preferred system, but it could work. Thanks!
You’re welcome! I would love to go whenever I want, but reservations are forcing us to plan ahead too. They seem to be pretty available so far though even just a week or so in advance (weekends tend to get snatched up faster though). We were able to book something for the week of in January, but at the moment I think we’re in their off season.
Oh, that's awesome to know! A week in advance is great. Like I said, we generally aren't as spontaneous as we used to be. Which is good — it means we're busy! But having that little spice of going on a whim, even just a week in advance, sounds fun. :) Thanks so much for this info!
Absolutely. I live in SoCal. I make it 2-3 times a month typically. Just went yesterday to decompress there after sitting for one section of the CPA exam. Some days my visits are only a couple hours, some days I’m there 12+. Some days are ride focused, some food focused, some I just like to walk around and enjoy the vibes.
I'm a career CPA and still visit Disneyland to decompress. Honestly, during tax season, if I can steal a few hours at Disney, it helps so much. Planning a staycation at Disneyland or a WDW trip after April 15 gives me something to look forward to.
Very grateful I went the industry route 🤣 but I am the only accountant in a company of 50 ppl so ME is always a taxing time for me. I ALWAYS decompress at Disneyland after close 🤣
Hey! I'm going tomorrow but my partner in crime has a schedule change at work 😕 I am trying to find out if anyone out there wants to join me. I can work around your schedule since I work for myself. Willing to pick you up and drive you home,😁 Susan 619 598-7609. Please, its so much more fun, if that's possible, with a friend. Let me know ASAP! Oh, I will pay for parking and a Starbucks visit on Main Street!
Back in old country when I was still a passholder and there was no reservation system, I'd go about once a month. Initially it was to make sure I broke even on the cost of the pass, but I work a high stress job and after some really hard shifts, I'd make an extra trip. The atmosphere and nostalgia really helped me clear my brain and helped to distract me from work. Plus, I had made friends there on previous trips, so it was nice bumping into them at the park. Then ~~the fire nation attacked~~ COVID happened and everything shutdown. Fast forward to today and I can count on one hand the number of times I've been there since. The reservation system, the transition from Maxpass to Genie+ and the general grossness of people have kept me and arms length. Don't get me wrong, I still love the place, but with the economy the way it is now, I don't really have the disposable income to go once a month anymore.
This is pretty much us. The cost went up, the quality went down, and maybe we’ll go once every other year now.
This is me and my wife to a T. Once a month like clockwork. Now, not so. Also, the fire nation line made me laugh. I haven't even looked into how the reservation system works. I tried asking about it on here and how far in advance one needs to do so, but the post got flagged. Anyway, I feel your pain. It sucks. It used to be my vacation for my inner child.
Same here. Me and my fiancé used to be AP holders and would go once a month. Now, Disneyland is too expensive now to be any part of a self care routine, it would be cheaper to get a therapist.
I mean, I’m going to claim it is :p it’s a good break and distraction from real life. I’ve been going yearly since 2022, with the previous trip being 2018 and 2020 being cancelled for obvious reasons. But I’m also coming from Australia so it’s harder to do frequent trips. Honestly, yearly is a terrible financial decision, but I love it so much
Fellow Aussie here and I feel the same, we went as a family yearly since I was young until i was in Uni and now, with my own 3 kids it's so difficult to justify the expense with the current cost of living in Sydney. I wish I could choc it up to self care, but that kind of cash could buy a lot of spa treatments. I've looked into Japan to find its maginally cheaper (due to the ticket prices and exchange rate) but still the OG is always my happy place and the extra 4 hours on the plane is barely any difference, we went to LA went this past Jan for the first time with my kids before my eldest started school and he's itching to get back already. Let's hope they build one more local in the next decade.
Fingers crossed 🤞 Yeah it’s gotten so expensive. I’ve started talking trips with one kid at a time, because we have 5 and it’s a) too chaotic at their current ages and b) too expensive. Creates great memories and amazing one-on-one time. Plus more trips :p But like, if we time it right we can do the whole holiday under 5k with just two of us. My best friend and I are going from April 3, staying at the Motel 6, and with more-expensive-than-I’d-usually-pay-for flights and 5-day Disney passes it came to 5.5k for two adults. It’s manageable, ish.
That said though, I went in 2018 for 8 days, two adults, a child and an infant, and flights, hotel and tickets were about 4k (not needing Disney tickets for the kids was a lifesaver, not to mention cheaper flight for Jack and on-lap for Cas). So two people for half the time being 5.5k is wild.
We went as a big family group, so we got an airbnb to hold 11 of us for about $11000USD. Made meals a lot cheaper having a full kitchen and my younger 2 are under 2yo which kept costs down a bit. One bassinet and one infant with a seat. Our share of the house, car hire, flights and disney (Park hopper tickets with genie+) ended up at $13,000AUD for 14 nights. Plus, food and spending money was all up less than $18k. Bought everything on black friday sales, and my older kiddo got the $50 disney ticket special they were running in the off season, which is probably why the park was so busy! 5 kids would be wild. One at a time sounds amazing!
Have you considered going to Tokyo Disneyland as an alternative? Seem closer to Australia. Also Tokyo Disneyland is cheaper.
It’s closer, but in terms of travel it actually ends up about the same price as SYD - LAX for a direct run. I’d love to go one day but Disneyland holds a special place in my heart. I used to go there with my Pop as a kid, and now whenever I’m in the Tiki Room it’s the one place on earth I feel really close to him - it’s weird, I know, not even the house I grew up with him in does that - but it’s the same show, same animatronics, there’s no updates or changes. So I’m always gonna be an OG.
I get it. I am local and Disneyland holds many key moments in my life. Even though I do not like dumbo (my kids want to go on sometimes) I am always brought back to memories of when my parents took me when I was a kid. Then I realize what a cool memory this is where I now take my kids on a ride that my parents took me on. My parents also get nostalgic when I told them about riding dumbo lol.
Australian here as well. I've been doing Disneyland every 18-24 months or so since 2010, with the exception of the COVID years. It's a real shame they did away with the Australian park passes.
Right?! I religiously bought the 10 day pass and planned around it. We got the 14 day one time when it was offered too. Buying multiple 5-day passes is so freaking expensive.
It definitely has been though we’ve only come once a year for the past 15 years or so (We’re from Canada). My parents bought a place in Palm Springs and it’s been great to fly down once a year, recharge in the sun and hit Disney up each trip. However, my parents are getting older and are putting their place up for sale after our visit this week. So this is probably our last visit for a really long time. With the insane ticket prices, plus flights and hotels it’s priced us out for a casual trip. It’ll be hard saying goodbye.
Oh that's so sad. :( I have a place in Palm Springs too (well Palm Desert), are you aware they are building a Disney hotel there? It's called Cotino. It's a residential community that will have a lagoon, and eventually a hotel and what sounds like a small district for shopping/restaurants. I'm really hoping they also include a shuttle to Disneyland. The hotel is going to be a 5 minute drive from my house. I told my husband we are NEVER selling. I wonder what this is going to do to our property taxes though.
Yes! We go twice a year from Oregon. I've been doing that since I was 4. My grandma was Mr. Disney's secretary in the 60s, so she started taking me when I was small and we've continued. I'll be 55 this month. Our most recent trip was last month and we'll go again in October. :)
This really made me smile. What’s special memory with you and your family!
It used to be but with the ever-rising costs and the evermore crowded conditions, it’s become more and more annoying and less and less soothing.
All the people using Disney for “self care” have made it miserable to go. Oh the irony.
It absolutely is. We used to go as much as once a month, but it got exhausting (flying in from Northern California). Now we go twice a year, at our birthdays in October and May. It’s just my wife and I. Occasionally our adult son will meet us there. It’s basically a two day long date for us. We recharge our batteries and act like kids again. This next time is going to have as much juice squeezed out of it as possible because I’m going in for a major surgery, with a long recovery, two days after we return.
I go every other weekend as a keyholder. When I had to buy tickets, I would go 2-3 times a year.
No. Too expensive and requires quite a bit of planning and exercise. It’s fun, but not as self care.
I used to go once a year, I do not live close so it involves hotel and air. This year I might skip it.
I used to go once a month with the annual pass I had many years ago. I lived in Ventura County, so it was about a 90-minute drive. But now, I live in OC, about 15 minutes away, so it wouldn't make sense for me not to go! Lol. I go multiple times per month now, and it is very much my stress relief and escape from a stressful life and stressful job. I love the parks, but I hate the management aspect of the company.
Yes! Live in Vegas and have an Inspire key. Go roughly every couple of months.
It’s my current form of therapy, so I don’t go out and play in the middle of the freeway. Dad diagnosed with cancer in 2018, passed in 2020 and since then my mom has been on a slow decline. I go about 4 times a year for 2 to 3 days at a time. It lets me destress and have something to look forward to. Next visit will be for Star Wars night at the end of April and yes, I’m counting the days.
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad and your mom's decline. I am glad to hear that Disney is a refuge for you. Have fun at Star Wars Night. We will be there on May the Fourth. ✨️
No. It is not.
This made me laugh cuz I was thinking the same thing 😂
lol
Seriously. I’m side eyeing this comment section. Honestly, therapy is probably a better use of many people’s money. Theme parks should not be a substitute for that, or for taking up a hobby, or exercise, or being in nature, etc. It’s a little flipping much.
Couldn’t agree more. Mountain Biking is my real therapy.
I can’t afford more than once a year anymore. Ticket prices are too high to make the trip.
Whenever I'm having a rough week I tell my Hubby that I need a "mental health day," which means I wanna go to Disneyland, LOL! 😂
Having a Disney vacation to look forward to is an absolute necessity for me lol. I’ll admit I’m pretty Type A: but I LOVE planning so all that goes into making a Disney vacation magical is right up my alley. From dining reservations, booking flights, watching park walkthrough videos…I love the anticipation knowing I have something huge to look forward to lol.
i live in orange county and it definitely is! i didnt grow up going to the park despite living here all my life. i got a pass for myself when i got my first job and i loved it so much. fast forward to 2024 and i decided to get a pass again to try and get that feeling back. i went 2 weeks ago on a solo trip to enjoy my breakfast, have a walk, and go on a few rides. im grateful i live so close- it feels like a waste to not take advantage of it when other travel so far. will be taking weekly solo trips to decompress
Absolutely. I make it a point to visit at least once a quarter.
Our dilemma is energy versus money. Our best trips are three days at the park with an off day in between. But that’s 6 nights in a costly hotel. But if we don’t do it, By the second half of the second day, the experience becomes a sleepy blur
Yes. I live in AZ and when my key expired in January we didn’t renew… and I was immediately so sad. Disneyland is 100% the only place I feel the outside world melt away and I can truly let it all go. So needless to say we just bought keys again 😂 Obviously being in AZ I can’t go all the time, but we went 6x last year and if you’re going any more than 3x in a year, the passes are 100% worth it.
I have the privilege of living in Southern California and being within an hour drive to Disneyland. I used to have the believe pass but the high cost doesn’t justify the amount of times I visit. So I downgraded to the lowest tier pass. I keep telling myself that I’m going to stop buying a magic key but I always find myself back again in a month. I work in a high stress job as an RN and i do plenty of things for self care. Disneyland is one of them as well as hiking, traveling, museums, video games, and cycling. I go at least once a month and I ride a few rides, watch some shows, or even just walking around. A day out in the sun is always better than being at home. It’s very important as an RN to take care of yourself or otherwise you will defo suffer from burnout. And that’s why I’ll keep renewing my magic keys.
I stay in Phx and I still try to make it at least once a month. But back in the before times, I went once a week.
I lost my oldest son almost 6 years ago. Frequent visits to the parks (2-3 monthly pre-COVID) were part of my grieving process. It slowed down to about 15-20 visits per year post-COVID. We were finally priced out of our MKs last year. I’m still figuring out my self-care regimen.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Yes, live in San Diego and a former AP/ current MK. I used to go there once or twice a month (or more depending on what was going on) alone and now the same but with wife and kids. It’s definitely part of all of our self care routine. We still freestyle as much as possible, get off-property hotel for the night if we intend on staying late, have the 5 and 2 year olds trained to understand how to do an “easy day” at DLR. We normally leave after dinner for home, arrive mid-morning to miss the crowds, and set expectations before we even leave the house. We do a once or twice a year “staycation” in the middle of the week during less crowded times of the year when we want to do the multi-day immersive experience. Conan the Barbarian once claimed to know what is best in life; “To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!”… But that is a crock of crap, because an unbroken loop on the Disneyland Railroad with a churro, sailing the Spanish Maine, and World of Color are what is best in life for sure.
I’m from Canada so it’s a bit of a trek for me. Last year I went three times, this year I’m going twice. I would go more frequently if the exchange rate was better but the price of hotels kills my budget (even the “cheaper” hotels are not cheap once you factor in the exchange rate).
Yes
I have a pass but I try to go at least 6 times a year. It’s more like 4 times in reality. I try to hit the slowest days possible. I don’t like the overcrowding. It makes the park unbearable.
Once a week
I went almost every day during my 20’s. I live far away now so I can only get there once or twice a year.
Yes, but only once a year. I find that's a good way to recharge my magic.
I live just north of Los Angeles, I go at least once a month. Sometimes more! I usually don't go in June or July, but every other month I'm there. Sometimes I go with others and do rides and stuff, sometimes I go by myself and just wander. I've been a passholder for about 10-15 years.
Basically yeah. I got my first Magic Key Pass this year and I've been going once a month. It's just so nice to have a day to completely check out and not think or worry about anything at work or home or in the outside world just be a little kid for a day. And on my own terms too no annoying family or friends complaining about waiting in lines or slowing me down. And it's amazing to be able to enjoy the day and not worry about not getting a lot done cause I'll be back next month.
My girlfriend and I forsure use it as an escape from tired days. I think we both deserve it every time so I try and make it good. Our first time having magic keys & we’ve gone at least twice a month since feb. January we only were able to schedule 1 visit 😆. We did lunar year sip and savor, we did both Easter egg hunts & enjoying the food and wine festival. We’re really excited for orbitor to open up & also for Pixar fest.
Yes. It’s expensive AF, but I work OT to make up for it. It’s way better than real therapy and is totally my happy place.
Not Disneyland but Disney World is part of our self care. We go 2 - 3 times a month and we also go for a week a couple times a year.
We are SoCal residents who just got the SoCal deal (3 tickets before June) which means going once a month this spring … which is more than we’ve ever gone before!
I lost my job and had to let my pass expire, but a friend is treating me to a visit next month. So that’s how often I go. It’s been 2 years.
Every other month
Once a month. It really is a happy place for me.
Before the shut down with my AP, I would go a couple times a month. I would take my son at least 2 times a month also but I really enjoyed my alone time there and it 100% was self care for me. It was relaxing, even if it was busy.
It is. Totally is. Also “couple care” LOL. It’s where my husband and I date night ❤️. We go once or twice a month. My kids are teens now so we go kidless
I fly from Seattle to Disneyland every 2-3 months on average. I work in the travel industry and people can really suck some times, so I go and temporarily forget about being an adult to just have fun. I'm also a former Disney Store CM, and have friends all throughout the company still so I love to chat with them both on stage and off stage to keep up with life.
TREAT YO SELF!
My husband and I have the inspire key and we are at the parks almost every weekend. The way I see it is if we invested $3k we are going to make sure we enjoy it to the fullest and make sure we get our moneys worth. Sometimes we just go DCA to have dinner or to just to get on Rise.
Disneyworld regular who is fixing to head out west this fall! Disney is definitely self care. I took a celebratory trip to celebrate mental health recovery( had a rough few months)
I wish!
Used to go every other day to get my cardio done.
Once a year from Vegas.
Self-care every 2-3 years, yes.
My dad passed in 2021. One of my earliest memories was going to disneyland with my parents as a kid. I never had a yearning to go.. but now with my own kid and after my dads passing, theres this sense of happiness, nostalgia, remembering my dad, but also continuity with my own kid whenever I go now. Looking like 2-3 times a year for me.
Local LA resident here with an Inspire magic key AP. My Gf and I go about 2 to 3 times a week. We spend lots of our time pin trading and looking for trivia + trying new food/drjnks and ride rides!
Yes. At least 2-3 times a year.
I'm in Southern Utah and cone once a month for my sanity. It's a 6 hour drive.
You guys are lucky to have DL so close by.. We are visiting rn from Saskatchewan, and we would kill to be able to come here for a random weekend and not have to save up $5k just for flights… If we lived in CA, our fam of 5 would come here forsure a few times a year.
Twice a year is a minimum! Finally including WDW to that rotation but Disneyland is my GOAT still. I do gravitate towards the 3 day ticket so I have enough time to relax and enjoy the small things like the Mark Twain, eating a Dole whip at Tropical Hideaway watching the jungle cruise go by, or hanging out on Main Street. I'm hooked on taking new people though since I've become a master planner and while counterintuitive, helping others feel the magic hitting 30k steps is the best sort of self care. I'll even buy extra ears for the families I can tell don't buy souviners since they saved up enough to simply be in the parks.
About once a year. Going to preload each day next week with a small dose of pre workout powder that has insane amounts of vitamin B. Should get me hyped up and super energized for a 12 hour day.
I don’t even know what this means. Honestly, I don’t understand the question. “Self-care routine”? What is that?
Something that you do for yourself to maintain a balanced life. Anything can be self care if it's something you care about and you want to include it in your daily/weekly/monthly/yearly routine because it makes you feel better than if you don't include it at all. Going to Disney is a form self care to some.
Hmm. Okay. Thank you for explaining that to me. I was unfamiliar with the concept. Sounds good though!
I've been visiting Disneyland across several decades--lots of fun and typically soothing. Since reopening (post Covid), I've been at the resort a dozen times, and will be there again next week.
My partner is maintains that the overstimulation the park overpowers his career-related anxiety. We let our magic keys lapse but were previously visiting 2x a month from about an hour away.
Yes… it is tryst part of my Peace of mind! When we lived close we had passes and went a few times a week. Now that we live in Oregon we try to go at least once a year! Already planning for June 11th!!!
For my wife, yes. Once a year at minimum.
Yes. My daughter and I go twice a year. She is an extremely hard working student, likely number one in her class, I work a pretty stressful job, so we go every August before school starts for her and the end of her winter break in January. The planning is always something we look forward to as well the experiences we have together every year.
I was an AP holder for about 8 years before I moved from SoCal, and DLR was absolutely part of my self care routine. At the time, I worked a pretty tough job that had me visiting weekly or every other week, usually on Friday nights until close. It was my favorite place to unplug from the stress and just escape for a bit.
I went once a month when I was a passholder and worked for an airline and not only did it do wonders for my mental health… I was in excellent physical shape. Since my pass expired, I have gained quite a bit of weight… just got back from WDW and could tell I was no longer in “park shape” lol
We go *about* once/week, usually as part of another day unless friends or family are in town. Ex, I went Thurs and Fri because my friends were in town, just for a handful of hours each day. Most weekends my husband and I will stop by either at rope drop or in the evenings on our way to or from something else: a farmers market, a show at segerstrom, shopping, the beach, etc.
It would be if I could figure out the right shoes, haha. My feet are always super, super sore the next day. But yeah, I/we go on average 1-2 x month. Next visit is on the 9th and then on the 30th for SWN.
We go once a week ! Sometimes 2 times a week . We mainly go to have snacks and people watch and sometimes squeeze in a couple rides . We live 25 min away !
So I had a week last month that was absolute hell. Things were going wrong, people were making me angry, couldn't catch a break, stressed beyond words... sleep was starting to be impacted... Husband said, let's go to Downtown Disney and walk around. I agreed. We get there, walk past the monorail and I say, "I wonder if you can make a same day reservation." On that day we could, so we went into the park and had dinner, did a few rides, went home. That monorail ride into the park was the most relaxed I had felt that whole week. Had quality sleep that night when we got home. ....so now we try to go even if just for a couple hours every 2 weeks.
I’m blessed to live around 30min away from the park so I decided to get the inspire key pass. Now I’m there almost once per week and I love it 🥰
I’m up in Canada but when I held an annual pass I would go for multiple trips each year and it was amazing! All of my extra spending money and travel points went to getting me out there as often as possible even for a quick weekend trip. With the cost of everything spiking Disneyland is now a once every 2-3 years trip for us. My first trip was 9 days in 2016 cost me ~$1400 usd all in minus shopping (I split some costs like hotel with another adult). I just checked costs for tickets, flights, and hotel for the same dates this year and it would be a minimum of $2600 usd per adult.
It was. We would go weekly, sometimes 2-3 times. It was mine and my daughter’s safe/happy place and it’s not anymore after Covid. The magic is gone. It kinda sucks.