Finger scanning and searches?

[wicked_maleficent]

I've read a couple of posts that mentioned finger scanning instead of tickets? Is this true? How does it work?

I also saw a post that mentioned having a backpack searched. Do they search all of your packages on entrance to any park? Is it ok to bring your own drinks and snacks into the parks?

Also wondering..is it ok to bring your own alcoholic beverages to your hotel room?
Thanks!

 

[MScott1851]

Actually, you feed your ticket through, then place your index and middle fingers into the biometric scanner (in the shape of a "V"). Supposedly it measures the bone structure/landmarks of your finger.

Yes, all bags are searched on entrance to the park, but it is okay to bring some snacks in.

And last of all, as long as you are of age, and aren't serving to minors, you are perfectly okay to bring your own drinks into the hotel! It saves a ton of cash!

 

[wicked_maleficent]

Does each member of our party (kids included) have to scan their fingers?
Thanks for the info!!

 

[jimmybop]

Each adult will have to have their finger scaned each time they enter the park (Adult being everyone with an adult ticket, ages 10+)

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Didn't you always want to give Disney the finger? LOL

We had lunch at Mimi's Café on Friday (just east of Disney on Osceola Parkway) and took a few of those LARGE muffins in to go boxes as we were headed to Epcot for the afternoon. When our bags were searched the guard smiled and offered to take our delicious muffins for himself. We had no problem taking them in, and enjoying them near the American Gardens Theater as Davy Jones performed.

 

[Evil Queen]

They made my youngest son scan his fingers last trip. Even though he was 9 and his ticket was for the 3-9 year old range (not sure if their side of the machine tells them that or not), he's big for his age and they made him scan.

We always bring in out water bottles and a few snacks.

 

[Elysiannn]

I was just there and the Finger Scans are the worst idea yet at Disney. It takes forever due to the thin paper tickets and half the time we were there they were either sending off people to Customer Service or just having us run our tickets through and then ignoring the finger scans because of the long lines accumulating due to the malfunctions.

It didn't seem to me that the security searches took long unless you were behind a family with strollers and lots of bags. Pick your security line wisely and open all zippers ahead of time to speed through.

Finger scans - bad, bad idea Disney.

 

[ZuZugal]

When my backpack was searched as we were headed into Animal Kingdom the guard took 2 straws out of my backpack (which were for my 3 yr old) and said to me in a stern voice "NO straws are allowed into this park. I'll have to keep these!" I've never seen anything taken away during a backpack search, so I think that may have been his big find of the day. I told him I was sorry and didn't mean to break the rules.

 

[kmebee]

I don't know about taking them away but I do know that they don't allow straws in Animal Kingdom. You won't find them at any restaurant in the park. Unless of course they are the big, thick long ones that come with some animal or something on them on the souvenir cups.

 

[pixiepower1971]

AK is the only one at Disney that does not allow straws. All zoos that I am aware of, along with SeaWorld, do not allow straws in the park. They also do not allow lids for drinks(plastic kind at CS). Safety issue for the animals.

 

[nephthys43]

i haven't had a problem with the finger scans. if it doesn't read they just check your id.

 

[Evil Queen]

I was just there and the Finger Scans are the worst idea yet at Disney. It takes forever due to the thin paper tickets and half the time we were there they were either sending off people to Customer Service or just having us run our tickets through and then ignoring the finger scans because of the long lines accumulating due to the malfunctions.

It didn't seem to me that the security searches took long unless you were behind a family with strollers and lots of bags. Pick your security line wisely and open all zippers ahead of time to speed through.

Finger scans - bad, bad idea Disney.

I learned from last trip, if the scan didn't work, regardless if they asked for ID or not, go to Guest Relations.

Our first 2 parks, some of our scans and or tickets didn't read. They let us in. In MK, we were at Splash Mountain and the FP wouldn't work for two of us. Had to go back to the front to Guest Relations. Their system didn't even show us as being in the park. And same thing happened in Epcot, but to the other 2 members of our 4 member party. That wasn't so bad, we were at MS.
But again they weren't showing as in the park.

The 3rd day, only one of ours didn't scan/read, we went to Guest Relations first thing, and of course, the 1 party member didn't show in the parks.

So we decided if the scanner or ticket readers are not letting us through with ease, spend the extra few minutes to get it corrected.

 

[IWANNAGOBACK!]

why would they check your ID, if it is not an annual pass there is no name on it? Or am I wrong???

 

[Shubunk]

On busy days they don’t really scan your finger but they still make you stick your fingers in, i guess to make us feel special. I know this because my family switched the tickets around to see if they really work. One time my scan didn’t go through so they asked me for ID but I didn’t have it so they just let me through.

 

[ddiez1234]

okay this makes me nervous will this finger scanning take up like 30 minutes of my morning at disney and if I park hop do I have to go through it again

 

[kimba]

I have to say we were not thrilled with the finger scan system since it seemed to create some very large lines especially at Epcot and AK. MK seemed to get us through quicker. We had 2 people in our party that had to go to customer relations. I can see Disney wanting to be more secure with the tickets but the system seemed like it needs some TLC or extra pixie dust.
Does anyone know how long this system has been in place?

 

[jimmybop]

why would they check your ID, if it is not an annual pass there is no name on it? Or am I wrong???

along with the finger scans, everyone is suppose to sign the back of their ticket (if you look at the back it does say "Sign Here")


Overall the finger scans have been in place for years, but only since the magic your way tickets have been out have everyone had to do it. So that would be about 2-3 years or so now.


but do not worry about the time it takes to enter the park, it is not as bad as everyone is pointing out as long as you are smart and do not go to the first line you see. Check out the lines on either end of the enterence as they tend to be shorter.

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

The finger scanning wasn't a problem for us last time, When it didn't work you'd just have to try again. Push your fingers all the way up and it should work just fine. I was never let in without it working, they just told me to try again. It does not take long at all so it shouldn't be a problem.

Likewise, the bag searches were fine too. Open all bag pockets/ zippers before you get to the people, it helps a lot!!! The people were generally friendly. There is no rule against bringing food/drinks inside the parks but you can't bring alcohol in, there is no alcohol at all in the Magic Kingdom.

So don't worry, be happy like a banana!

 

[Shubunk]

the most its taken me was 10 mins and that was on a busy day. Yes every time you enter a park they "scan". Its not a big deal at all.

 

[myprinceandprincess]

I don't understand....What are the scans for? Like the other person said there is no name on it, right? And are there scans at every ride?? Very confused???