Help! Why won't Disneyland (anywhere on property) accept a renewed DL or Tribal ID as Proof of age?

[Madame]

Glad I opened this thread. We're headed to DL next August and while I don't drink my mil & DH do.

Does anyone know if a Nexus card is considered acceptable ID. It would be easier/smaller to carry than our Canadian passports.

 

[StormyCA]

I know that US passport cards are acceptable. Not sure about NEXUS cards. You could call and ask but I think we all know that what we're told on the phone isn't necessarily what happens in the Parks!

I think I'd carry both for at least the first day and try the NEXUS card first, If NEXUS works 100% of the time, then I'd probably leave the passport in the hotel safe.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I worked for a store that wouldn't allow us to accept any form of ID except for California state IDs/DLs, passports, and US military IDs. I had a lot of people get very angry at me over that. But a lot of the reason for that rule was because we were only trained for those. It simplified things for the company. We also only had to card if the person appeared under 30. Although we did have to card entire groups if they all appeared to be about the same age (and looked under 30).

TSA you don't technically need ID for domestic travel. I believe that was already covered earlier in the thread that one can get through security without an ID. It's just a pain in the neck and can take more time.

I worked for a store with the same policy. It wasn't a training issue- it was more that the area was known to have problems with fake out of state licenses. I did make a lot of international students mad!when I refused to accept Asian drivers licenses- and again, that is specifically because the area had a known problem with those students passing around one drivers license for multiple kids.

I think a lot of this is a safety net. Most of the time people are legit. Then you've got the people who feel weird. 9 out of 10 of those people are trying to pull a fast one. This kid is one of the rare 10% who is legit but gets refused service because he isn't worth risking one's job over. I'm fairly good at guessing folks' ages, but I'd ID if they looked under 40 because some people really don't look their age.

 

[bumbershoot]

I guess I need to back out of this thread. My initial post expressed surprise because I was served alcohol in multiple DLR with the same pieces of ID that the OP was stating wouldn't be accepted. Perhaps their policies have changed since July 2015.

I personally think it's rotten that they didn't take the temp wa license. It's literally a printout of what will become your plastic license. There's nothing different except something like "temporary" across it. I have one of mine in a drawer and looked at it the other day. (Renewed my license last oct then lost my whole wallet in Jan so I got two of them in quick succession)

I'm guessing it's his age that's causing them to not take it like they took yours. Or there's a stronger push to check ID. Or his cm was better than yours (knew policies more) or yours was better (knew the intricacies of IDs more).

Glad I opened this thread. We're headed to DL next August and while I don't drink my mil & DH do.

Does anyone know if a Nexus card is considered acceptable ID. It would be easier/smaller to carry than our Canadian passports.

That's not on the list posted. I'd just bring the passports. I carry mine when in a foreign country, having no expectation that they would know a US license. (Though I live in WA and the people in BC have likely seen a WA license before)

 

[StageTek]

You said the number is "legion". That's what I quoted and what I'm quibbling with. Not ONE random teen but the preponderance of teens at Disney.

The preponderance of teens at Disney who want a drink will pay $10 to get a cup of beer even when they could buy a 6 pack of the same beer for the same or less. They don't want to leave DCA to buy a 6 pack. They want to drink in DCA. Not really any different that the adults who will pay higher prices for a beer in the park than they would pay at Wallmart.

 

[bcla]

Glad I opened this thread. We're headed to DL next August and while I don't drink my mil & DH do.

Does anyone know if a Nexus card is considered acceptable ID. It would be easier/smaller to carry than our Canadian passports.

Nope. First, it's not issued by a government agency inside the US, and even the US-issued version doesn't meet the California requirement for a description (i.e. height, weight, eye/hair color). The only form of ID that isn't required to include a description is a US or foreign passport, although a US passport card is also supposed to be acceptable because it is technically a passport. California made a specific addition to the law to include passports when California ABC published an interpretation that passports weren't acceptable because they typically lack a description.

Also, Disneyland is very specific about the types of ID they accept for alcohol sales. A business is allowed to be stricter than the state's requirements. Disneyland's list says only passports, US military ID, and state/territory driver licenses/IDs.

 

[Tikkat]

Hey so can someone please clear this up with me? In WDW last year I was able to use my Australian Driver license and a photo copy of my Australian passport as my ID for alcohol. Will I be able to do that in at DLR? My brother will have just had his 21st birthday and wants to celebrate at Trader Sam's so I don't want to disappoint him. I really don't feel comfortable walking around with my passport in my bag specially as a big fan of splash mountain.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Hey so can someone please clear this up with me? In WDW last year I was able to use my Australian Driver license and a photo copy of my Australian passport as my ID for alcohol. Will I be able to do that in at DLR? My brother will have just had his 21st birthday and wants to celebrate at Trader Sam's so I had to disappoint him. I really don't feel comfortable walking around with my passport in my bag specially as a big fan of splash mountain.

Doubtful, as California is more strict than Florida in how to treat I.D.'s. But it comes down to the specific situation and what the server decides to do. But they do make Ziplok bags in the size of a passport.....

 

[xxpinksaltxx]

Tikkat take your passport to the parks with you. We were there last week and they would not accept our Australian drivers licence. They insisted on our passports. Funny thing was that they accepted our Australian drivers licence at the cozy cone motel, but not at Cove Bar.

 

[Kender]

I worked for a store with the same policy. It wasn't a training issue- it was more that the area was known to have problems with fake out of state licenses. I did make a lot of international students mad!when I refused to accept Asian drivers licenses- and again, that is specifically because the area had a known problem with those students passing around one drivers license for multiple kids.

I think a lot of this is a safety net. Most of the time people are legit. Then you've got the people who feel weird. 9 out of 10 of those people are trying to pull a fast one. This kid is one of the rare 10% who is legit but gets refused service because he isn't worth risking one's job over. I'm fairly good at guessing folks' ages, but I'd ID if they looked under 40 because some people really don't look their age.

Your store may not have been a training issue, but the one I worked for specifically told us it was because they did not want to dedicate the resources to training us for even other US State IDs let alone international. I do agree it also serves as a safety net as it limits the IDs one must learn and recognize, but I only stated what was true for the store I worked for.

You'd be hard pressed to guess my age. I'm 31. I was mistaken for a 12 year old today (a little more extreme than usual, but I'm rarely identified as older than late teens). Person at the restaurant (not Disney; local buffet place) was almost insistent on giving me the child's meal price until I convinced them I was an adult. I have a friend who is only three years older than me and has the opposite issue. He has been mistaken for my father a number of times (to the point of being told his "daughter" needed to sign the child form). I've always found age guessing to be a flawed process because of this experience. I much prefer IDing everyone. A local concert venue operates under this policy. But it's not law. ID checking itself is to protect a business from unintentionally breaking the law.

Note that "looking under 30" was specific to the store I worked for. There are some stores that card if one looks under 45. Others, like the concert venue I mentioned, card regardless of age appearance.

I don't drink, but if I did, then I would rather someone refuse me than risk their job.

 

[MinnieMouse84]

I don't have a driver's license, but I have a government-issued photo ID. Will that work or should I bring my passport?

 

[grnflash]

So I just read in the local (San Diego) news last night that the Sherriff Dept. and the ABC teamed together Friday night and along with 5 underage decoys did a sting operation. None of the businesses they sent the decoys into sold them alcohol but one person was arrested for agreeing to buy a decoy alcohol. The article says that the expense of the operation was funded by the ABC. I guess it's not so crazy to be so stringent.

 

[Sandan77]

Glad I came across this , I've visited California the last 4 years and have never been asked for ID - never at Disney or in San Fran , San Deigo , LA or even at Yosemite. I have always had my Aust DL on me but never carried my PP - I will tho for trip coming trip as I want to enjoy my sparkling wine at the WOC dessert party!! - and I'm 39!!

 

[Madame]

Nope. First, it's not issued by a government agency inside the US, and even the US-issued version doesn't meet the California requirement for a description (i.e. height, weight, eye/hair color). The only form of ID that isn't required to include a description is a US or foreign passport, although a US passport card is also supposed to be acceptable because it is technically a passport. California made a specific addition to the law to include passports when California ABC published an interpretation that passports weren't acceptable because they typically lack a description.

Also, Disneyland is very specific about the types of ID they accept for alcohol sales. A business is allowed to be stricter than the state's requirements. Disneyland's list says only passports, US military ID, and state/territory driver licenses/IDs.

Thanks. I'm really glad I stumbled across this thread. I don't like being caught unaware. I made sure DH carried his DL after reading a thread about carding in WS in Epcot & just assumed it was the same in CA.

 

[Malcon10t]

Glad I came across this , I've visited California the last 4 years and have never been asked for ID - never at Disney or in San Fran , San Deigo , LA or even at Yosemite. I have always had my Aust DL on me but never carried my PP - I will tho for trip coming trip as I want to enjoy my sparkling wine at the WOC dessert party!! - and I'm 39!!

At 39, you may look "old enough". My daughter is 30, most guess her to be 18 or 19. She gets carded every time. Her younger sister (26)gets carded but when we play who's older, most guess her to be 25. She gets carded because she looks under 30.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I don't have a driver's license, but I have a government-issued photo ID. Will that work or should I bring my passport?

Which Government? A United States Federal or State ID issued by the DMV (or whatever it is called in your state) is valid.

A "Foreign" ID would not be acceptable, and you would need a passport.

 

[MinnieMouse84]

Yes, US government. Thanks.

 

[bcla]

Thanks. I'm really glad I stumbled across this thread. I don't like being caught unaware. I made sure DH carried his DL after reading a thread about carding in WS in Epcot & just assumed it was the same in CA.

The whole passport thing was added because there theoretically wasn't any way that someone from outside of the US could present acceptable ID after California ABC issued a statement that passports weren't acceptable. The law had always been interpreted as other ID (I.e. driver license) having to be issued in the US.

ftp://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_1151-1200/ab_1191_cfa_20090624_133910_sen_floor.html
https://www.abc.ca.gov/trade/Industry Advisory re 25660 amendments_2009_12-16-09.pdf

 

[Nonsuch]

...I really don't feel comfortable walking around with my passport in my bag specially as a big fan of splash mountain.

This will keep your passport safe:
Witz Passport Locker Waterproof ID Badge Holder

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Well as far as using your paper copy DL that isn't specific to California period. I live in Kansas and I got my DL renewed a few days before my birthday this past May. I turned 28 this year. I went the the liquor store and they wouldn't allow me to use my paper one there; I had folded it up and put it in the normal slot and just showed him that slot out of habit. I showed him my old one which technically hadn't expired yet and he took that (though technically they are supposed to cut off a clip from the old license to render it useless but the gal at the counter had forgotten about it).