AP Hand Stamp

[B'rer Karen]

Question for all you AP'ers out there. I've been to WDW a total of 21 days, prior to this trip, as an AP'er. Upon leaving a park, I never get a hand stamp. I figure since I have an AP, it doesn't matter if I've used it that day or not (not like a day gets subtracted like it does for a PH), and the biometric finger scan verifies it's me and that I didn't pass it to anyone else, so why should I get a hand stamp. Well on this trip, on my first day, third park of the day (Epcot) I had a problem with my AP going through. After putting it through twice the CM asked if I had been to any other parks that day. I said yes. He said "Oh, well then just show me your hand stamp." I said I didn't get one, that I never did as an AP'er. He said I should always get my hand stamped, and then asked for my ID, which I showed him (and I always carry with me since I know that is the back up if there is ever a problem with my AP). So then I was paranoid and the next two days I got my hand stamped every time. Of course I never needed it again and reverted back to my old ways. But I was wondering what others opinions of this are? Should I always be getting a hand stamp?

 

[Feralpeg]

I always get a hand stamp. Why not? It only takes a minute and it is protection for any system problems they may have.

 

[n2mm]

I never get my hand stamped and will gladly pull out my ID if needed. I know the AP will flag if you go into a different park within 2 hours of the first park (at least I was told this). It's not unusual for us to go to a park, and if it's too crowded, we will leave and zip to another. Been an AP holder for 8 years and never really been a problem.

 

[BrianD]

I never get a handstamp either. That's why they say to keep a photo ID with you as well. Just in case something like that happens.

 

[Terry S]

I have an AP and never get mine stamped either. I figured since I had an AP it didn't matter. Although, one day my Mom and I were taking a walk around our resort, BCV, and we decided to go over to Epcot for a minute. We didn't realize until we got to the gate that she had forgot her AP, the women asked if she had her hand stamped and she said yes, she was able to show it and they let her in. I know that is not what should have happened, but it worked so we didn't have to walk back to the room.

 

[disneychrista]

I got my hand stamp every time, and we had an AP. My DD would even get her hand stamped when we were leaving and not going to any park later. In fact, I never thought about NOT getting one, being that this was our first AP I just figure you "had to" get your hand stamped to reenter.

 

[Memph1s]

We never get hand stamp except going into DQ (don't really know why they insist you get one) and always park hop. I had an exit CM that does the hand stamp tell me if we had AP or PAP we did not need hand stamp.

Once my DD forgot her pins in the car. We had already got into MGM and I left and went to get her pins and came back and used the PAP again within 30 mins of the first time with not problems.

 

[B'rer Karen]

Thanks everyone. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong, but didn't want to cause trouble.

Feralpeg, it's not that it's a big deal to get one, I just couldn't see what possible reason there would be for needing one. Any possible glitch in the system could be resolved by me showing my ID, which I have had to show before, regardless of having a hand stamp. Plus depending on what time of day you're leaving a park, there may only be one person giving out hand stamps and there might be a few people waiting, or that CM is helping someone with a stroller get out, and I'm impatient

 

[DebbieB]

I've had an AP for 4 1/2 years and have never been asked for a handstamp.

When my mom and I were there last December, she got a park hopper. I always made sure she got her hand stamped exiting the parks (if we were hopping) and I don't think she was asked once to show it when re-entering. She even asked me once how they worked and I showed her how you put your hand under the light and see the stamp, but a cm never asked her. Most of the time one cm is working 2 or 3 turnstiles and never even see the message.

 

[skiwee1]

We have APs and never get our hands stamped. I feel that is one of the bennies of being an AP holder is not waiting in line for one! Before becoming AP holders we used to buy the park hoppers and we never got our hands stamped either. We didn't even think about it until more then halfway through our trip when it dawned on us. I ran right to a CM and told him as I was afraid that not getting your handstamp and re entering another park would knock days off your hopper. He told me not to worry and that I was fine. He said that they only tell people to get their handstamp as a way to deter them from sharing passses but other then that it doesn't do a thing to your passes.