I just saw that they are making kids scan their fingers when entering the park. This will not work for my 5 year old son and will more then likely cause a complete breakdown. Please tell me if anyone with special needs kids been to the park recently and how the finger scan worked for them and how accommodating are the CMs. Thank you in advance.
Kids needing to scan fingers for park entry
- Thread starter dbecker
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gap2368
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 27, 2015
I have heard that they are now having some kids scan there fingers but there seems to be no rime or reason on who scans and who dose not. a few think talk to the CM and see if you can scan your finger for your child let them know your child has a hard time with it. show your child video of other people scanning there finger for park entry and have him practice placing a finger on the table ( make it a game)
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2011
It appears to be a trial started fairly recently: http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...n-entering-the-walt-disney-world-theme-parks/
That article does indicate that 7 & 8 year olds were asked to scan their finger, though a 5-yr-old was allowed to have a parent finger scan instead of the child. I just want to point out to people that if this becomes the norm, PLEASE be careful as once that finger scan is in place it can be very challenging for the other parent to take the child into a park at a different time. For some families this may not be an issue, but for families who may split up it can become a challenge if mom's finger scan is on record but the child is now entering the park with dad and mom is somewhere else.
Since I'm not there right now, I have no first-hand advice. I'll be interested to read other's experiences.
That article does indicate that 7 & 8 year olds were asked to scan their finger, though a 5-yr-old was allowed to have a parent finger scan instead of the child. I just want to point out to people that if this becomes the norm, PLEASE be careful as once that finger scan is in place it can be very challenging for the other parent to take the child into a park at a different time. For some families this may not be an issue, but for families who may split up it can become a challenge if mom's finger scan is on record but the child is now entering the park with dad and mom is somewhere else.
Since I'm not there right now, I have no first-hand advice. I'll be interested to read other's experiences.
- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
They just announced that they are going to start scanning all children, I think yesterday.
There may have been some inconsistency before, but I imagine it was more in terms of 'is this child an adult'.
I've seen kids in the past who were obviously younger who wanted to be scanned because the rest of their family was (we traveled with one last fall), so it can't be assumed that the CM was asking them to do it.
I would be VERY CAREFUL about scanning another member of your party. Whoever gets their finger scanned for that child ALWAYS needs to be the one scanning for park entry.
My DD is disabled and it is hard to line her finger up to scan, but it can be done. But, a lot of times, the CM takes a look at her and says, "you can scan for her."
My DH did that when he was bringing her to the park alone. The next time I brought her by myself and tried to scan her finger, it of course didn't match.
I had to provide her ID and her AP card.
He may surprise you and have no issues with scanning, especially when he sees everyone else is doing it.
You may not be able to find video, but you can find pictures of people scanning that you could use to make a social story.
If he can't scan, they have other options - one of the CMs with an iPad can come over, take his picture and link it to his profile. Then, when you enter again, tell the turnstile CM that he is not able to scan and his picture is on file
stitchlovestink
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2006
They are now attaching a scan to all tickets regardless of age. Before if kids (under age 10...on a child's ticket) scanned a finger, it really didn't matter because it didn't remember it and it would allow entrance regardless.
You ALWAYS have the option not to put a finger scan on file. I have NEVER done a finger scan on any ticket or AP I have used. Disney doesn't require the finger scan but they do have a right to "attach" your ticket media to you after the first use since it is clearly non-transferable which is why they require the photo taken with the IPad. It verifies that ticket media belongs to that person.
wilkeliza
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2013
If he can not scan and you will have different parents or guardians taking him in the park then ask to use photo ID. They will take a quick photo with the ipad and then every time the CM will check the photo on file to the child (or adult) entering. This is not just for those with special needs but anyone can request this if they are not comfortable with the bio-metric scan or have issues with it.
gap2368
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2015
I know I have seen the people on see you real soon scan there fingers to get in but it normily is very quick I am at work right now so do not know if I can find one or not
My daughter is 12 (so therefore a Disney adult) but can't always reach the scanner comfortably from her wheelchair and sometimes can't remember what finger she has scanned. When the finger scan wasn't working well last week they re-set the finger scan and added a photo of her to her band for easy identification if the scan failed again.
lovewdwfun
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2011
That explains what happened today! My kids were told to scan their fingers and they had not done so previously. My daughter was only six. It wouldn't work and they had to call someone to reset their fingerprints and tickets, delaying our entry. It was really confusing because they hadn't scanned fingers when we came in last week and the tickets just wouldn't work this morning. I understand some people cheat the system, but I am guessing this will add a lot of delays...
seashoreCM
All around nice guy.
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2001
(copied from another forum)
If your spouse did the finger scan for your child the last time and is not here now then you have your child try his own finger this time. This is for ballyhoo purposes only.
Perhaps the CM will then fidget with something behind the tapstile (turnstile) and then say, "you can scan for him" in which case your child can stick his hand out to try again and beat you to it.
Done without kibitzing the CM about what you allege or theorize went wrong, even if you did follow the CM's instructions and scan for your child, this can go on with alternating parents ad infinitum, er, until 14 days have passed or all the "things" (entitlements) on the ticket are used up.
If your spouse did the finger scan for your child the last time and is not here now then you have your child try his own finger this time. This is for ballyhoo purposes only.
Perhaps the CM will then fidget with something behind the tapstile (turnstile) and then say, "you can scan for him" in which case your child can stick his hand out to try again and beat you to it.
Done without kibitzing the CM about what you allege or theorize went wrong, even if you did follow the CM's instructions and scan for your child, this can go on with alternating parents ad infinitum, er, until 14 days have passed or all the "things" (entitlements) on the ticket are used up.
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seashoreCM
All around nice guy.
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- Aug 25, 2001
New:
(Just theory) I did read on another forum about the turnstile CM saying to a parent, "... would you like to add your scan?" This suggests that child tickets would hold two scans, one for the child and, if needed, one for a parent.
My same idea still holds, the child should always scan first. The parent should feel free to scan if asked.
Only if the parent scan fails should the parent say that the other parent was with the child the last time if indeed that was the case. Then, properly, the CM should resolve the problem on the spot forthwith.
Perhaps some kind of hand cleaner could be placed about the entrance so guests could dlean their fingers to improve the scanning process. Residue of peanut butter and jelly would almost certainly cause the scan to fail.
(Just theory) I did read on another forum about the turnstile CM saying to a parent, "... would you like to add your scan?" This suggests that child tickets would hold two scans, one for the child and, if needed, one for a parent.
My same idea still holds, the child should always scan first. The parent should feel free to scan if asked.
Only if the parent scan fails should the parent say that the other parent was with the child the last time if indeed that was the case. Then, properly, the CM should resolve the problem on the spot forthwith.
Perhaps some kind of hand cleaner could be placed about the entrance so guests could dlean their fingers to improve the scanning process. Residue of peanut butter and jelly would almost certainly cause the scan to fail.
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Kellykins1218
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2012
They wanted a finger scan for my 9 year old this past trip. He was uncooperative so they had me scan mine. They also took his picture with an iPad. I asked about what would happen if we split up and they said it wouldn't be a problem if the finger scan didn't match because they could look up his picture to verify. The same parent that was scanned does NOT have to be there.
- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
that is true as long as they take a picture.
So, if you scan for your child, make sure they also take a picture.
Betty Rohrer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 19, 2010
from what we saw it does take a little time to get the tablet CM to the tap point, it was not right there so be prepared for a short wait. that could upset a small child as others will be allowed to pass you in your line as you wait. not a lot of room so child could be brushed as others pass you. can see this upsetting some kids
k8Davies
K8Davies
- Joined
- May 20, 2010
Thanks for the advice,the small wait might be a pain (Although I'll stick him on his dad's shoulders, who's 6ft 4in till they are ready, to stop him getting brushed past)
I think the wait, will be better than trying to get the finger on the pad as he can be very funny about his hands and as this will be total new (Where as photo on Ipad aren't) it will only add to his apprehension.
Although luckily, our first day we'll be going to Epcot via the IG so I'm hoping it's nice and quiet.
Paula Sedley-Burke
Proud to believe in Rainbows and Unicorns...
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2008
I always do the photo as I can't do the finger scan and we never have to wait long at all. Quick wave to a plaid with an iPad. Check photo then have a magical day ... Job done.
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