Hello, Louie! Thanks for bringing your question to planDisney!
I love the different options available to Guests in the new
Magic Key Program and I'm delighted that you are looking into purchasing one. If you have a non-promotional, non-expired theme park ticket, you may use that ticket to upgrade to one of the new Magic Key Passes. You should see the option to upgrade your tickets to a Magic Key in the Disneyland app beginning on August 25th. Please keep in the mind that difference between the cost of your ticket and the Magic Key is due in-full at the time of upgrade. If you have a promotional California Resident Ticket, that ticket is not eligible to upgrade to a Magic Key.
When it comes to
theme park reservations, you have a few options. If you choose to upgrade your tickets before your trip in September, you will need to make new theme park reservations using a reservation calendar specifically for Magic Key Pass holders. The other option is to enjoy your upcoming vacation with your current tickets and theme park reservations and upgrade to a Magic Key Pass on the last day your tickets are valid. This is typically the last day you use your tickets before the parks close that day. Just keep in mind if you go this route that if you have multi-day tickets, your Magic Key activation/anniversary date will be retroactive to the first day you used your multi-day tickets.
I hope this helps! Enjoy your year full of memories using the Magic Key!
-Linda