How does Disney prevent AP "sharing"?

[missypie]

I had a WDW related conversation yesterday with an acquaintance...the type of person who sees nothing wrong with sneaking the 5th person into their room at All Stars, etc. He was trying to figure out an angle to use someone else's APs at their next trip to the World. That made me start wondering....how DOES Disney prevent this type of fraud? Are there photographs on APs? If so, are they decent sized pictures? (The pictures on our local swimming pool season passes are so tiny and poorly lit that I bet that just about anyone of any age, gender or national origin could use them!)

 

[contempgal]

Don't know what the current procedure is but when I had an annual pass a couple years ago, I had to scan my fingerprint when I first got the pass at WDW and every time I entered the park, I placed my fingers into this scanning machine to check my fingerprint. I had to show ID once when it wouldn't scan.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by contempgal
Don't know what the current procedure is but when I had an annual pass a couple years ago, I had to scan my fingerprint when I first got the pass at WDW and every time I entered the park, I placed my fingers into this scanning machine to check my fingerprint. I had to show ID once when it wouldn't scan.

That's still the current procedure.

Tell your friend that it's not worth it to risk it. If they catch you trying to cheat the system, they can confiscate the Annual Pass. That's $400 right down the drain.

 

[DebbieB]

http://allearsnet.com/pl/fingerscan.htm

 

[missypie]

Wish I'd known that to tell him...or it may be fun to contemplate how he'll feel when he shows up at the gate and they ask to scan his finger prints...

I just read the allearsnet article. Actually, that kind of scares ME...sounds pretty complicated, esp. for kids to do right...and if you screw up you can't get Fast Pass...now I'M worried about when we buy our legit. APs!

 

[candykisses]

When the finger scan doesn't work, they check photo ID against the info on the AP.

 

[DizBelle]

It isn't fingerprints that they use, it is a biometric finger scan - just some measurements of your fingers.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by missypie
Wish I'd known that to tell him...or it may be fun to contemplate how he'll feel when he shows up at the gate and they ask to scan his finger prints...

I just read the allearsnet article. Actually, that kind of scares ME...sounds pretty complicated, esp. for kids to do right...and if you screw up you can't get Fast Pass...now I'M worried about when we buy our legit. APs!

There are two ways to override an AP. I'm sure GoldenOldie will be along to correct me, cause I usually get this stuff wrong, but here goes anyway...

If the biometrics don't work, there's two ways they can override the system. One acknowlegdes that you used your admission, and will allow you to use fastpass.

The other way to override it lets you through without validating the admission. I'm not entirely sure how that works, but you won't be able to use your admission.

If you end up in the latter case, just explain to the CM manning the fastpass what happened and they'll be able to override the Fastpass machine and issue you one.

 

[Geoff_M]

I just read the allearsnet article. Actually, that kind of scares ME...sounds pretty complicated, esp. for kids to do right...

Kids 9 and under don't have to do the scan. Our 10 year old learned "the system" in no time.

 

[missypie]

Well my kids did pretty well on the Metro and the RER in Paris, so I guess they can do APs...but we did have a couple of scary moments when they moved too quickly...

 

[scanmom]

At DLR they have your pic on the AP. It is a computer generated pic, not all that great, but the CM does look at it pretty carefully while you go thru the turnstile! I imagine 2 ppl who look ALOT alike could pull off an AP share plan, but they would have to look an awful lot alike!

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by SnackyStacky
There are two ways to override an AP. I'm sure GoldenOldie will be along to correct me, cause I usually get this stuff wrong, but here goes anyway...

LOL, you did very well Dan. You're a good student.

 

[Jen4974]

On a ten day trip in Feb. my dh and I probably entered the parks 25+ times and never had one single time when it didnt read correctly. The CM may tell you to move your fingers up a little, but it is quick and painless. Definitely nothing to worry about!!

It is a little metal finger shaped thing, you just set your fingers on top of it and it takes about five to ten seconds to clear. Your kids will do fine. But, we never one single time went into a park without needing to scan. I cant imagine how you could possibly share an AP. I have an identical twin sister, and I wouldnt even bother to try.

 

[DebbieB]

I rarely have problems with the biometrics but my mom often does probably due to arthritis. They usually tell her to try again or they push a button and waive her through, they occasionally ask for ID. We've never had a problem getting a fastpass.

The easiest way to explain it is to make the peace sign with your right hand and insert those 2 fingers (nails up) into the box and squeeze the posts.

 

[BethC1952]

my mom often does probably due to arthritis.

I frequently have trouble, too, and I never even thought about my arthritis! We use a similar system here at work, and at the end of the week when they check all of our scans, there are days when it looks like I didn't come in (or didn't go home, we have to scan in and out).

At least once a day at WDW a CM has to let me in because I just don't scan!

Beth