FYI: AP Holders and handstamps

[longtimedisneylurker]

Is this new for this year?

We had AP's for 2 years, we went monthly (at least) during that time and we only had to have our hands stamped once during those 2 years. AP holders do not need a hand stamp unless the sign is up. And let me tell you, if a turnstile CM yelled at me for not having a hand stamp I would have spoken to his supervisor right away......that's inexcusable!!

Not needing a hand stamp with an AP is not a new thing.

We've had APs for the last few years and have gone at some really busy times. Those seem to be the times when the sign goes up near the exit turnstiles that even APs should get hand stamps. We've also gotten into the habit of asking as we exit if we know we're there at a busy time. We've never had any trouble with the CMs with this issue. I can remember three times in the last year when they actually insisted we get the hand stamps: spring break (which we took the week following Easter this year), at least one of the days right before Thanksgiving (I think the Wednesday for sure), and last Columbus Day weekend. We noticed though that nobody asked to check our hand stamps during any of our re-entries.

As for the stamping your hand as you enter the park that a pp mentioned, we have now seen that several times at DCA. Usually we have already been to DL anyway, so it doesn't matter. DH and I were speculating that perhaps they've seen increased park hopping with the new offerings at DCA and they're just trying to expedite this by having as many people as possible pre-stamped. Have no idea if this is why and have been curious about this new procedure.

 

[bumbershoot]

As for the stamping your hand as you enter the park that a pp mentioned, we have now seen that several times at DCA. Usually we have already been to DL anyway, so it doesn't matter. DH and I were speculating that perhaps they've seen increased park hopping with the new offerings at DCA and they're just trying to expedite this by having as many people as possible pre-stamped. Have no idea if this is why and have been curious about this new procedure.

Well the day that we did it (Columbus Day weekend, which you mentioned) they either had experienced a park closure either that day or the day before (DL not DCA) due to crowds. Probably a partial park closure, where they just limited it to those who'd already been in, not a full and complete "no one's getting in until someone leaves" closure. So they just wanted to make sure we had lots of "evidence" that we could be up on the list...staying onsite, have APs, had already been to a park...

But what do I know, things might have changed; we haven't been back since that time! Waaaaah.

 

[tholczer]

We were actually spoken to very very firmly by a CM when entering DL after spending the morning in CA for NOT having gotten a hand stamp. It was a very slow day and we even offered to walk back over to CA and get a stamp. The CM said very snidely, "I'll make an exception for you THIS time but NEVER again." We thanked the CM profusely since this was our first day with an AP and we were rookies! Now we always get one just to be on the safe side. We know we will NEVER be allowed in without one again!!! *giggling softly*

In this case I'd have to say the CM was misinformed. AP holders only need a hand stamp if the parks are so busy there may be closures, and then the stamp is used so you can show you've already been inside. The reason they hand stamp is so ticket holders can't come inside and then go back outside and hand their ticket off to someone else. AP holders have a picture on their card and that picture serves as the hand stamp, basically.

Maybe you didn't have your picture cards yet and only had the AP ticket? That's the only reason I can think of why a CM would react this way.

Tracy