EPCOT F&W question

[Lynn2205]

My hubby and I went to the food and wine festival last year and for the majority of the time we were asked for ID and they accepted a UK driving licence without question. At a couple they wouldn't accept our driving licence with it being European and wanted a passport which we had left the room safe.

I was wondering if they were likely to accept a photocopy of the picture page? I did take passports into the parks a couple of days but i couldn't enjoy the day for fear of losing it from my pocket (as i was bagless).

i'm likely to be bagless again this trip too.

 

[Epcotfan64]

How inconvenient that they would ask for a passport, which I would definitely not bring in to the parks. A driver's license should suffice, though cast members should be aware that often the date and month are reversed. A photocopy of your passport isn't a bad idea; if a cast member doesn't accept that, I would go to guest services and lodge a complaint.

I see your ninth visit to Disney World is coming up in October. Where else in the US have you been?

 

[Lynn2205]

well thats what i thought. Past years i've not had any problems. i didn't really understand her refusal. I've been to other places:NYC,pennesylvinia, ohio, Colorado, Miami, Utah, Kanses, LA, Las Vagas, and Canada( i know not US but close enough) a lot of these were on a coach tour when i was about 12 so dont remember most of it

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Disney has gone on record as requiring the passport. Not sure why but I assume it was due to some type of issue. So going to Guest Services to lodge the complaint will not change what happened or get the CM in trouble It might EVENTUALLY get Disney to change it's stance, but it's unlikely given the current management's "we don't listen to guests" stance.

 

[worm761]

I highly doubt they will accept a photo copy of your passport. They won't accept a photo copy of any other form of ID. If you don't wish to bring your passport into the parks, and I can't blame you, then I would plan to just not have adult beverages where they won't take your foreign driver's license.

 

[Lynn2205]

It was only 2 places. Mexico and Italy that refused the drivers licence. oh well i've got a photocopy and see what happens

 

[crazy Cat Lady]

Wow, we must either look old or have been lucky. We weren't asked once for ID at the 2014 F&W Festival, and we were there over three separate days. Please let us know how you go.

 

[HopperFan]

Here are Disney rules on serving alcohol and I have seen it enforced.


Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at Walt Disney World Resort by all Guests 21 years of age or older.

Any Guest who wishes to purchase an alcoholic beverage at any site in the state of Florida—including Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort—must present one of the following valid forms of identification:

• U.S. state driver’s license (includes U.S. territories*)
• U.S. state ID (includes U.S. territories*)
• U.S. military ID
• Original passport
• Copy of passport (either on paper or captured on a mobile device), along with a government-issued photo ID** that can verify the person and birth date shown on the copy
• NEXUS card issued by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (Canadian Guests only)

Please note: All Guests visiting from outside of the United States are required to present both a valid passport as well as another form of government-issued photo ID from their country of origin.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/international-travel/required-id-for-alcohol/

 

[Lynn2205]

Copy of passport (either on paper or captured on a mobile device), along with a government-issued photo ID** that can verify the person and birth date shown on the copy

Ah that helps a little. I've photocopied my passport and i do carry my original drivers licence in my purse, so i should be ok. i just feel so uneasy carrying my passport into the parks.

 

[CMNJ]

Perhaps the issue is that cast members aren't familiar with what legitimate foreign drivers licenses look like and they have had (or concerned about) a problem with fake IDs? I know years ago before my friends and I were 21 we went to Toronto, Canada (where the drinking age was 19) for a weekend in college. I had a NJ drivers license which they weren't familiar with and I was given a hard time about it (they thought it was fake). We all thought it was funny because we were clearly Anerican and if we were going to try to get a fake IDs we would have made our age 21 not 20 lol.
Looks like you should be good with the passport copy though so hopefully you won't have any problems this time.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

How inconvenient that they would ask for a passport, which I would definitely not bring in to the parks. A driver's license should suffice, though cast members should be aware that often the date and month are reversed. A photocopy of your passport isn't a bad idea; if a cast member doesn't accept that, I would go to guest services and lodge a complaint.

I see your ninth visit to Disney World is coming up in October. Where else in the US have you been?

I would imagine that it is more strictly enforced around Food and Wine Fest time but not all the unusual to require a passport as ID for people from outside the US, I know when we travel outside the US we have to carry our passports with us everywhere as ID so I would not be too surprised to find that tourists from other countries need to carry theirs with them as ID in the US.

To the OP I would definitely try the copy first though and see if that would work if they require the actual passport just make sure you do keep copies of it in your room just incase anything happens to the original. If lost you should be able to get an emergency copy from your embassy or consulate to travel back home...the copies may help that along. I would look up your countries requirements on what to do if you lose a passport while traveling abroad just to be prepared then you can have peace of mind to know what to do just incase. Chances are you will never have to do that but it is good info to have before hand so you don't panic if the situation arises.

Oh and...ENJOY and have fun at Food and Wine Fest!!!