NEWS: Disney Begins $9.5 Million Payout in Park Pass Reservation Lawsuit

We have an update on the $9.5 million Disneyland lawsuit that began in November 2021.

Disneyland

The lawsuit was filed by a woman who bought a Disneyland Dream Key Annual Pass (which has since been discontinued) in 2021 under the impression she would have no blockout dates. However, what she and many other customers quickly realized was that there were blockout dates. If you were one of the people who bought a Dream Key pass in late 2021, here’s how you’ll be getting your cut of the settlement.

More than 100,000 people who bought a Dream Key Annual Pass between August 25th and October 25th 2021 will receive checks for about $67.41 starting in mid-June, according to The New York Times.

Galaxy’s Edge

Payments are arriving in the mail or electronically, depending on which one Passholders selected when they qualified for the settlement.

Disney California Adventure

Both Disney and the plaintiff agreed to settle the lawsuit in July 2023 to avoid having to take it to a court trial. However, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts denied any wrongdoing or liability while agreeing to the settlement.

Sleeping Beauty Castle

The lawsuit originated from Jenale Nielsen, who purchased a Dream Key Annual Pass in 2021 for $1,399, under the impression that the pass would not have any blockout dates for the park. When she went to make park pass reservations for November 2021, however, she found that she was unable to do so.

©Disney

The lawsuit specifically states that Disney “appears to be limiting the number of reservations available to Dream Key pass holders in order to maximize the number of single-day and other passes” that could be sold to other Disneyland guests.

Judge Grants Approval of $9.5 Million Payout in Disney Park Pass Reservation Lawsuit

This, in turn, went against the wording (or the implications) of the Dream Key pass, hence the lawsuit.

©Disney

As mentioned, both parties decided to settle. If they hadn’t settled, the case would have gone to court, and it may have taken many more years to reach a conclusion.