Foreigners--Did You Know?

[jba2]

We found out the hard way that Disney will not serve alcoholic beverages to people who are 21 and over who do not have their passport with them. My daughter was asked for id at Trader Sam's and when she showed her Ontario driver's license and her health card, she was told that they couldn't serve her unless she had her passport or a photocopy of it with her.
Canadians do not require a passport to cross a land border into the U.S. if they have an enhanced driver's license or a Nexus card.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

I'm not so sure that this is new but maybe they are checking more now. I've seen other posts that say they had to show their passport when ordering drinks. I know other countries require a passport as ID if you want to drink so not surprised that Disney requires a passport as ID also. I think it is great that they will accept a photo copy.

 

[bookbabe626]

It's really annoying. Happened to me trying to buy a beer at AK one time a few trips back, and I was almost 40. Guess it was the Stitch ears that made me look under 21?

I was told at the time that it's because "foreign" ID is easier to get away with forging, since the CM's aren't as familiar with how it's supposed to look. I'm not sure I agree, but there's really no way around it.

 

[minnie mum]

This has been Disney policy for quite some time, and it is enforced. We travel to WDW from Canada by car, too; but we always have our passports with us. Next time, either bring your passports, or bring a photocopy.

 

[Lesverts]

You should never walk around with your passport. Ever.

I only experienced this in Mexico. Everywhere else either didn't ID me, or accepted my Ontario driver's licence.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Yes, I feel like I have been seeing this posted for many years now.
It seems like I first saw it in person in 2002 or 2003.

 

[wilkeliza]

The rule changes in 2013.

Not sure why they wouldn't take the enchanced ID since it is a passport and all.

Note they will take a copy of your passport, if you have your regular ID with you for those scared to carry around their real passport.

 

[jba2]

I just got off the phone after speaking to a customer service rep. He said it's a federal law to require a passport for proof of age for drinking. Apparently a coloured photo copy of a passport along with a provincial driver's license is acceptable. I feel better knowing that this isn't Disney policy but rather a law.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just adding doesn't matter your age either. They are suppose to care everyone and if you are asked they can deny service if you don't have ID. At Stormalong Bay they actually refused to serve me even with my ID because my fiancé did not have his and they said they were sure that I would just be giving it to him since I tried to order the same thing. They are pretty strict at some locations and totally don't care at others. Seems to be if it is a Disney owned and operated place or if it is one of the 3rd party places at Epcot.

 

[Lesverts]

As a very, very frequent traveler to the USA, I can say that Disney is the only place I've seen this.

 

[wilkeliza]

As a U.S. Citizen with their liquor license in 2 states I can assure you it is not federal law. We just have to see an ID with age. Outside of that it is up to the establishment to determine if they feel it is real or that they need to see a passport.

 

[jba2]

Wow wilkeliza, I was lied to. My daughter had seven pieces of id. What I find strange is that our Ontario driver's license can be used as id to check into a resort. Oh well, now I know how Disney plays.

 

[22Tink]

I found out their strict ID policy after standing in line for half an hour for some wine to enjoy during Fantasmic! I was into my 30s and there's no way I looked under 21 but she was NOT giving me any wine unless I showed her my ID! DH had to go back and get my wine for me! All they required was his drivers licence though, not passport.

 

[jba2]

22Tink, that's crazy. My sister-in-law was carded when she was 50 (not at Disney but at a Target in Buffalo). She certainly didn't look under 21.

 

[cheshirecollector]

In the early days of Pleasure Island, when you had to pay to enter, my State ID wasn't enough to be allowed to drink. I needed a driver's license or passport, even as a U.S. citizen.

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

My issue with this was the inconsistency showed across the parks when it came to ID. If they all applied the rule in the same way I would have known to carry my passport, but both AK and Epcot asked for no ID at all, and then when I went to have a glass of wine at dinner at BOG they wouldn't accept my normal ID only a passport (and I'm well over 21 as well). I was super annoyed as if they would have warned me when bookin I would have carried my passport around the park that day and it totally ruined the whole dining experience (the server was not great and her handling of this only compounded it). I went to HS after the BOG dinner and they accepted my Australian drivers licence. So basically it seems to be up to whoever is serving you if they follow the rules or not but I would carry my passport at all times now just in case.

 

[22Tink]

I hate the idea of having to carry my passport around so I'm glad a photocopy is acceptable!

 

[supersnoop]

Wow wilkeliza, I was lied to. My daughter had seven pieces of id. What I find strange is that our Ontario driver's license can be used as id to check into a resort. Oh well, now I know how Disney plays.

You weren't lied to. Laws vary by state. Florida law requires a drivers license issued by a state in the nation, or a passport

 

[wilkeliza]

My issue with this was the inconsistency showed across the parks when it came to ID. If they all applied the rule in the same way I would have known to carry my passport, but both AK and Epcot asked for no ID at all, and then when I went to have a glass of wine at dinner at BOG they wouldn't accept my normal ID only a passport (and I'm well over 21 as well). I was super annoyed as if they would have warned me when bookin I would have carried my passport around the park that day and it totally ruined the whole dining experience (the server was not great and her handling of this only compounded it). I went to HS after the BOG dinner and they accepted my Australian drivers licence. So basically it seems to be up to whoever is serving you if they follow the rules or not but I would carry my passport at all times now just in case.

I believe the policy is written online and it might even be state law not just Disney. This is one of those situations where they feel like it is your job to know the written rule and of their employees aren't following it they will be caught through checks.

 

[Lesverts]

Just to clarify something. You cannot just use a photocopy (or a picture on your phone) of your passport. You have to use the picture/photocopy plus the physical driver's license.

Yes it was really annoying to go drink's around the world and run into this BS at Mexico on the 11th stop. And only in Mexico, never anywhere else. Including BOG where I did use my Ontario license without issue. Half the time I didn't even get carded.

jba2 - New York is a card everyone state. My 60+ mom gets carded every time there.