finger scan

[3boymthr]

The finger scans are used to tie a person to a particular ticket. This will work to prevent people switching or selling tickets. It also eliminates the need for hand stamps for reentry to a park or hopping between parks.

First of all, Child (Age 3-9) and certain other tickets, such as the YES Program, do not take scans and will unlock the turnstile if they are valid for the park.

The first time a ticket is used it will read the fingerprint and select an area about 1/4 inch by 1/8 inch and analyze that area.

It will then apply a mathematical algorithm to that reading, convert it to a numeric string, and store that string of numbers tied to the serial number of the ticket in the Automated Ticketing System (ATS) computer.

On subsequent entries ATS will look for that particular string on the ticket. If it finds it, the turnstile will unlock and a green light will come on.

If ATS cannot find that string, a message will show up of "identification fails". At that point the greeter will have several options; one of these is to tell ATS to replace the numeric string tied to the ticket with a new once based on the most recent scan.

If MYW tickets were purchased at WDW directly from ATS in one transaction they may be linked together, in which case the people can switch the tickets, but don’t count on this working.

And there are times when the lines are very long and management may decide to turn off the scanners for a while, in which case as long as the ticket is valid for that park it will be accepted without a scan.

If a person does not want to have their finger scanned, as an alternative they may present a photo ID where the name matches the name printed on the ticket. If it is a Florida Resident Ticket or an Annual Pass the name will automatically be printed on the ticket. If the name is not preprinted on the ticket, the ticket owner should print their name (in ink) legibly in the space provided on the ticket.

Note that this is not a full fingerprint record, and the partial print still has about a one in a thousand chance of being duplicated.

Yes, something like this happened in May. We were all prepared for the finger scan but the CM said no, no just go on thru. This happened all week. Not sure why as the lines weren't that long.

 

[Oz-kateer]

Finger scanning???!

This is the very first I have heard of it.

Maybe we're a little more laid back here in Australia.

Anyway, I have no issue in theory (I had to practically offer up my firstborn for a passport renewal last month, which was an eye opener as the last passport I renewed was 10 years ago - pre 9/11, pre biometrics, pre everything pretty much) but what exactly do they do?

Do they scan children? (DS is 6yo)

Many thanks.

 

[mainegal]

I thought I was going to be bothered by the finger scan and insist on showing ID instead. But then I just put I my finger down and went through the turnstile!

There are many other more government intrusive things we should be worried about.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Do they scan children? (DS is 6yo)

Yes they do because anyone with a park ticket needs to do that. The exception is kids up to 2 years old, because they don't need tickets when going to the parks.

 

[livie1205]

Yes they do because anyone with a park ticket needs to do that. The exception is kids up to 2 years old, because they don't need tickets when going to the parks.

No they do NOT finger scan a childs ticket (3-9) we have used APs for a few yrs now and when my youngest son puts in his ticket they just send it through...they do not have under 10 kids scan.When you start using an adult ticket then they do scan.I have never seen them have a young child scan unless they are using an adult ticket.WE have been 3 times this yr so far.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

No they do NOT finger scan a childs ticket (3-9) we have used APs for a few yrs now and when my youngest son puts in his ticket they just send it through...they do not have under 10 kids scan.When you start using an adult ticket then they do scan.I have never seen them have a young child scan unless they are using an adult ticket.WE have been 3 times this yr so far.

My mistake.

 

[florep1]

I do have a question. I have an AP and when I initially used it, I used my thumb for the finger scan. I've always used my index finger in the past but for whatever reason, I used my thumb this time. After going to the parks for 2 weeks, I decided I hate it. Can I go to guest services and request an AP reprint and use a different finger this time or am I stuck for a year?

 

[Oz-kateer]

No finger scan? I think my DS will be quite put out by that - I imagine he would have LOVED to have been scanned!! I wonder if they would do it anyway?

 

[livie1205]

I think they just do not do it because it would just take longer for everyone to get through...getting the kids to reach it and figure it out lol

 

[Hook's Girl]

I do have a question. I have an AP and when I initially used it, I used my thumb for the finger scan. I've always used my index finger in the past but for whatever reason, I used my thumb this time. After going to the parks for 2 weeks, I decided I hate it. Can I go to guest services and request an AP reprint and use a different finger this time or am I stuck for a year?

Guest Relations has no way to "erase" the ticket tag. BUT the turnstile Cast Member can reset it (provided of course that you present a valid Government issued ID that matches the name on the pass . . .)!

 

[JeNScHuB]

I know this is a bit off topic but my tanning salon (of all places) also started using this to ensure people were not sharing packages and getting free tans (i know...strange). But the lady says it works really well. people dont even try to share now and they are making a lot more money. So i guess if it works for a small town tanning salon then disney has to be saving a lot! And i agree with the one person who said those who worry probably have a need to be worried. Its a silly finger print.

 

[trisha.teery]

I really don't find anything wrong with it. I don't see how anyone can be at that stage of paranoia. I think it's a great thing to do.

 

[cjb71870]

It doesn't scan your entire fingerprint....

 

[denise5374]

Is it just one finger? When we were there in Aug 2007 it was two fingers and you had teh squeeze them together...it wasn't really easy to do...has it changed since then?

Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Is it just one finger? When we were there in Aug 2007 it was two fingers and you had teh squeeze them together...it wasn't really easy to do...has it changed since then?

In mid 2006, WDW changed the finger scanners from the older-style 2-finger scanners to the current 1-finger scanners (it took awhile to change them at all of the gates.)

 

[fan1080]

In response to a PP who said that many of those who have a problem with it are twitter and facebook users...I have both. And so do many of my friends and none of us have a problem with it.

The post you are referring to was about those who DO have a problem with the finger scan, not those that DON'T.

 

[x.laura.x]

People worry about disney having a scan of their fingerprints? How do they think we feel, we arent allowed to enter your country without having our prints and photo on government computers. I personally dont mind, disney is disney and if they need that to let me in i will oblige. As pp's have said, if someone worry's they have a reason to be worried.

 

[denise5374]

In mid 2006, WDW changed the finger scanners from the older-style 2-finger scanners to the current 1-finger scanners (it took awhile to change them at all of the gates.)

Thanks!

 

[The Scotts]

These scanners never seem to work for me for some reason, whenever I use them it never lets me through. However, Cast Members always override the system and let me through. So it makes me wonder, what's the point?

I bet you $10 I could get through those turnstiles on anyones ticket.

 

[LexiC123]

Your librarian son should be more concerned about the unobtrusive and hard-to-spot video cameras.
And then, of course, there are the brain wave scanners...

Yep, gotta watch those librarians. A bunch of rabble rousers, they are!