Gate entry biometrics issue

[Uberweasle]

Last October I visited the parks and was accompanied by my mother in law who has a congenital hand disfigurement. We plan on going back this December, and I wanted to see what we could do to avoid the problem we encountered.

The issue is that her fingers do not reach the scanners and the turnstile always needs to be overridden by a CM after repeated request to "stick your fingers all the way in and squeze". This is not a disability that limits her in any fashion and though she has not said anything, I know that she is somewhat embarased to have attention drawn to her as well as holding up the line.

Does anyone know if guest relations has a fix for this issue? We never made an issue of it on our previous trip, but if there is a solution I know that she would appreciate it.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Disney is taking care of that problem. All the turnstiles at MK and MGM have been converted to a new scan that uses the index finger only and sits on top of the turnstile. It is much faster and actually more accurate than using the two fingers. By the time you get there in December all turnstiles property wide should have been converted.

 

[SueM in MN]

I just wanted to add that your mom is not alone in having problems with the 2 finger scanners. I will be really happy to see them go. My fingers are double jointed and when I try to extend them with the fingers spread apart, but squeezing together at the same time, the last joint hyper-extends and lifts off the surface of the scanner. I don't know how to explain this any bettter, but the end result is that it's hard to get a consistent scan and when the CMs are giving me instructions, it makes me nervous, which makes the fingers even harder to keep straight. It's not that I don't know how (which seems to be theri interpretation), it's that my fingers don't always work the same. I have also noticed that not all the scanners 'feel' exactly the same. A small change in the angle or height makes a difference.

Anyway, I will be really, really glad to see the end of the 2 finger scanners.

 

[slkant]

Because of limited range of motion, I think it's unlikely that either of my hands can reach the biometric scanners. What is the best way to handle this problem?

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are using a wheelchair or ECV, they won't even expect you to try to reach. I have not seen the single finger scanners yet, but you may find that those are not a problem for you.
If you can see you will have a problem, I would just be prepared to go to one of the stations that has a CM by it and say that you can't reach the scanner because of a disability. Be prepared with ID in case they ask.

 

[slkant]

Thanks, especially for the suggestion to make sure I have ID with me.

 

[Uberweasle]

Thanks for the updates. I believe that she may still be impacted, even with the new scanners. If she just has her ID on her, does that mean she can show it to the CM to gain entry, or will we need to go to guest services for some other type of solution?

 

[SueM in MN]

if she still can't use the scanners, the usual thing for the CMs to do is just ask for ID (Cheshire Figment can confirm that for us).
There wouldn't really be anything for Guest Relations to do that I can think of.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If it is a resort key or one of certain types of passes the name will be on it. If there is no name, print the name in ink in the space on the ticket. That way the greeter at the gate will have something to compare to the ID.

We are generally told to not worry about biometric scans for people in wheelchairs or ECVs, but a lot of the newer and/or younger greeters don't realize this. When I go into one of the parks as a Guest I make sure to go to a gate which is to the right of a turnstile, and use my left hand for the scanner.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I think I can help....I too have a congenital hand malformation. I was born missing all or part of 7 fingers, leaving only my thumbs and 1 pinki finger unaffected.

We were at WDW for 7 days in July and the hand scanners had me worried as well. It turned out to not be such a big issue after the first day.

The Magic Kingdom person insisted that I try to be scanned and it did not work, after 3 tries she hit the override button. This happened only because I was unsure what to say to her and seeing my nervousness they insisted that I try it. It was embarrassing and annoying but I lived (and learned.)

From that day on I slid the card into the turnstile, held up my hand to show the CM, smiled and said firmly (in a nice tone, but firmly) "Hi, It won't scan me, can you let me through?" Every CM took a quick glance at my hand and hit the override button.

It could have been embarrassing but after 34 years with these hands I can no longer be embarrassed by them. Knowing to tell them I needed help and showing them the problem allowed them to fix it quickly without any fuss.

I Hope that helps...If my situation is similar to your MIL's and you have more questions feel free to PM me.

 

[Uberweasle]

Thanks so much. That certainly seems to be the best solution, and we will advise her to go with the direct approach as well. As you said, there is certainly no reason to be embarrassed and the the CM's are there to help US out. It's just her personality to not "rock the boat". I will share your experience and I know that it will boost her confidence on the matter.

 

[lovethattink]

Something I noticed with the new one finger scanners. Wait til the light turns blue to put your finger on it, or if you have your finger on it, wait til it turns blue before you remove your finger. Otherwise they don't seem to read them.