After a year of park closures and the cancellation of annual passes, Disneyland Resort has finally shared the details of its new passholder program! The Magic Key Program has arrived and its a new take that offers plenty of variety for families.

Officially going on sale Aug. 25, Magic Key brings four pass options that resemble those under the former program. The biggest change is that the theme park reservation system will be integral to every pass going forward.

photo: Courtesy of Disney

There’s much to digest in the infographic above but in a nutshell, guests will all have the option to make at least two reservations at a time and get discounts on food, beverages and merchandise. Missing from the old program is notably the Photo Pass which gave guests access to all their attraction photos.

Another big change is that while monthly payment options still exist, they will only be available to California residents. The Imagine Key monthly payments will only be available to Southern California residents.

Additionally, the programs do not guarantee the ability to park hop daily like in years past. Park guess who want to park hop will need to make sure that reservations are available at the park they want to start the day at. If they are, hop away! If there is only availability at one park, then guests will spend the entire day there. Availability is shown on the reservation calendar when guests go to make their park plans and reservations.

The new program is a welcome announcement for park enthusiasts and Southern California natives who often use the Disneyland Resort as their afternoon playground. While the changes do away with old perks, they continue to offer magic in brand new ways.

You can learn even more about the new program at the Disney Parks Blog.

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: Disneyland Resort

 

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When you met your partner, was it love at first sight? (Or “site,” seeing as so many of us meet on social dating sites these days!) Were you swept off your feet and whisked away to many a romantic rendezvous?

No matter how you met or how hot and steamy the beginning of your relationship was, you likely went on dates. Often they started out simple, allowing you to get to know one another, maybe long soul-syncing talks at a cafe or slow and intimate home-cooked dinners with wine. Then they may have become more active: out to a concert or sporting event, rock climbing followed by some beers at a local pub, strolls up and down the beach boardwalk.

The options were endless! The time—abundant! The mood—carefree!

And then you had children.

Now, your daily interaction is often a transaction. You two run the business of keeping your home functioning and this doesn’t leave much time for galavanting around town, kid-free, blowing through your hard-earned moolah.

So, if time and pockets are so short, why bother? For one, do you enjoy engaging with your life partner in this I’ll-do-this-if-you-do-this sort of manner? I’m waging a bet that the answer is a big fat “no.”

Here are three very good reasons why you should keep dating your spouse.

  1. If you plan to be with this person for life, as you most likely intended when you promised this at your wedding, then you might need to work on your marriage just a smidge to keep the spark alive and well. You’ll be reminded of you why you love your partner in the first place.
  2. It will be fun! And it will be a welcome break from the monotony of the every day wake-parent-work-parent-sleep lifecycle.
  3. Your kids will benefit! As you and your spouse strengthen your partnership, you will be a wonderful role model to your children of how a healthy couple should be. Additionally, these lovey dates may refill your frequently empty parenting tank, allowing you to be a better, more patient parent.

Okay, so I’ve sold you on why you should date your partner, but how to find the time or the money to plan a date?

What my husband and I have done with intention this year, is plan one official date per month where we line up babysitting for the kids and we leave the house. That’s the biggest hurdle. We are lucky that my parents (mainly my mom) are often available to help out and that saves us some money. If they aren’t free, then we hire a sitter. Yes, this adds to a date night expense, but it is worth it, promise.

If you don’t have the extra to spend on a sitter, see if one of your mom friends would be willing to come sit at your house while your children sleep (and her partner stays home with their own kids). You could pay her in unlimited Netflix usage during her stay. Heck, she may even appreciate the “evening off” with her own kids.

And now the big question: what to do? Um, anything?! You’re kid-free, remember?

Here are some great and budget-friendly date ideas:

  1. Go for a walk in a green space near your house during sunset
  2. Grab happy hour drinks downtown while you people watch
  3. Go to a cafe where you listen to a podcast together and then discuss
  4. Drive away from the city to stargaze together
  5. Eat out somewhere nice but affordable. Savor eating at your own pace (hooray for not having to tend to kids or shovel your food down!)
  6. Use sites like TravelZoo and Groupon to get discounts of what would be a more expensive date, like a couples massage or concert tickets
  7. Take a bottle of champagne on a hike (like we did many many moons ago)

Any of those resonate with you? This is getting me excited for my husband and my next date! But, what if you and your partner have different ideas of fun? You could each make a list of five to 10 date ideas. Put all the options together and then pick one at random!

Whatever you do, the goal is to connect and have fun. And if dating one another fortifies your relationship foundation—that has shifted as it made room for your new roles as parents—well then that’s worth planning for, isn’t it?

This post originally appeared on Real Life Mama.
Christina Furnival
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I am a mom to two young kids, a licensed psychotherapist, and a children's book author. My passion is to help and empower moms and children to understand themselves better, navigate challenge confidently, and live the life they want. Visit me at ChristinaFurnival.com

Family dates at the movie theater nowadays can cost a pretty penny (especially if you take your flicks with a side of popcorn). But if saving money is the name of the game then you’re in luck. There are several nearby theaters kicking off their summer 2015 lineups with block-busting family-friendly movies—and offering free admission.

Photo: mariam sergenian via Flickr

Bowtie Cinemas
Tickets are given out on a first come first served basis at this summer series, featuring free flicks like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dragon 2 and The Croods. Both the Annapolis and Reston locations are located nearby kid-friendly eateries, so make it a true date with breakfast or lunch and a (gratis) movie.

When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 am (June 23-Aug. 19)

Harbour 9
2474 Solomons Island Rd. (Annapolis, Md.)
410-224-1145
OR
Reston Town Center 11
11940 Market St. (Reston, Va)
703-464-0816
Online: bowtiecinemas.com

Cobb Theatres
The more the merrier when you check out the free kids shows at this theater. Not only are large groups welcome, but if you have a crew of 25 or more you get discounts on popcorn and soda combos. In addition to newer blockbusters like The Lego Movie, you can catch some family classics like The Wizard of Oz. Good to know: Doors open at 9:30 am and there is only a same day ticketing option.

When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 am (June-August)

Cobb Village 12 Cinemas
1600 Village Market Blvd., SE (Leesburg, Va)
571-291-9462
Online: cobbtheatres.com

Marquee Cinemas
You get not one, but two films to choose from on each day of this summer movie series. For example, on July 8 you can see The Spongebob Movie or Paddington…or both.

When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:30 am (June-August)

Southpoint Cinema
5800 Southpoint Blvd. (Fredericksburg, Va)
540-710-0401
Online: marqueecinemas.com

Which movies are your kids looking forward to checking out this summer? Tell us in the comments section below. 

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady