Disney Agrees To Huge Settlement After ‘Dream Key’ Fails To Deliver On Promise

It’s no surprise that tickets to Disney’s theme parks have gotten considerably more expensive in recent years. That’s why some frequent visitors jumped at the chance to purchase a so-called “Dream Key” for California’s Disneyland with the expectation that they’d be able to gain entry to the destination with “no blockout dates.”

But ticket holders soon found out that it wasn’t that simple.

Identifying the problem

More than 100,000 people purchased the Dream Key during the months it was available in 2021. But as Jenale Nielsen discovered shortly thereafter, she couldn’t make reservations for the dates she preferred.

Instead of the smooth experience she anticipated, Nielsen said multiple dates were unavailable. And that’s when she got the ball rolling on a lawsuit that was recently settled for nearly $10 million.

Of course, the Dream Key did serve its purpose, albeit imperfectly, for many of those who purchased it. Nevertheless, everyone who shelled out the cash for this now-defunct park pass will be eligible for a piece of the payout.

Analyzing the solution

It’s worth noting that, after lawyers take their cut, the settlement is only going to amount to about $65 per person. That’s not enough for even a single-day pass to the park, so it’s possible that some upset customers aren’t going to be fully satisfied.

Nevertheless, it’s pretty simple for those affected to claim their money. Some of those who paid for the Dream Key via electronic means have likely already received an automatic deposit, and everyone else will have a check sent to their last known address.

The deadline for claiming part of the settlement will be Sept. 12.

And if you want something similar, you’ll have to opt for the Inspire Key, which notably comes with the acknowledgement that there will be some unavailable dates.

Chris Agee June 17th, 2024

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