(NEXSTAR) — Some Disneyland fans who purchased a Dream Key pass nearly three years ago will be able to claim their piece of a $9.5 million class-action lawsuit settlement as early as this week, according to an email obtained by Nexstar.
The lawsuit, filed by California passholder Jenale Nielsen in 2021, alleged the company misled customers into believing its most expensive yearly pass would have “no blockout dates” when making reservations at Disneyland Resort theme parks.
However, when Nielsen attempted to reserve certain dates in November 2021, the complaint stated that she could not do so.
While Disney denied any wrongdoing, both parties decided to settle last July to avoid trial.
General views of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland on April 6, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
About 103,435 people who purchased the now-discontinued Dream Key pass between August 25, 2021, and Oct. 25, 2021, will get paid as part of the settlement, Nexstar’s KTLA previously reported.
After attorney fees and other legal expenses, eligible passholders will receive approximately $65.
The settlement administrator said it will automatically send checks to claimants’ last known mailing addresses unless they chose to receive an electronic payment. (The deadline to change payment elections was back in January.)
Nexstar’s Scott Gustin posted a notification on X from the settlement administrator stating that electronic payment links will be emailed to those who qualify on June 14. Passholders will have until Sept. 12, to claim their money, according to the notice.
The Dream Key was offered through Disney’s Magic Key pass program. It has since been replaced with the Inspire Key, the resort’s costliest pass that offers the fewest blockout dates.
KTLA’s Imam Palm contributed to this story.
