ID for Alcohol New Policy

[emsparkles]

hey, just a heads up that Disney have put into operation a policy that they will now only accept Passports as Identification to purchase alcohol. They will not accept the European driving licence cards anymore. I've Just come back yesterday and in all honesty I did not learn about this until the last day of our trip when trying to purchase alcohol in the Coronado Springs resort where we were informed that this has come into operation (as we didn't have a problem using the driving licence cards at all) . Not only is this incredibly stupid but also dangerous, as the chances of it going missing/damaged increases by tenfold. I have complained to Disney that it is unacceptable that they are forcing guests to carry such a vital document around through the duration of their trip and that I am sure numerous foreign guests would be very wary of taking it out especially to things like the waterparks! They did say if they got enough complaints from foreign guests they would probably have to review the situation again so here's hoping!

 

[nemmie]

This is ridiculous. I absolutely will not take my passport to parks or even restaurants for that matter. I just would not risk it. I am paranoid enough about phone/keys/wallet when I am out drinking let alone an official document like a passport. I wonder who we have to email to register a complaint.

 

[2Tiggies]

Wow, that would be an inconvenience for the waterparks, although that said, I used to carry mine around with me everywhere because I make most of my purchases by card and need the ID anyway. And yes, I did lose it once (along with DD's when I lost my little cross the body purse after a parade in MK )

There must surely be another way? I guess they have no real way to see if a foreign drivers license is authentic, but with the new RFID system there must surely be a way to do something - just not sure what

 

[ashearer]

Do they ask everyone for I D or just guests who look under a certain age?

 

[nemmie]

Do they ask everyone for I D or just guests who look under a certain age?

Depends on the time of year. I'm almost 30 and usually have no issues with getting carded however during F and W I get carded almost every time I get a drink and so does my husband who's 40.

 

[Chilly]

Do they ask everyone for I D or just guests who look under a certain age?

Its normally if you look under 35.

 

[Elise79]

The food and beverage is outsourced at CSR so until we have some reports of issues from elsewhere I wont be panicing however I will not be carrying my passport.

I will complain if its true - they can no easier tell if a foreign passport is fake vs a fake driving licence.

 

[kamik86]

Its normally if you look under 35.

Even this is really inconsistent... I don't think I got carded at all at Disney during Flower and Garden. (I'm 26 and don't look much older) neither did my husband who can still pass for 20.

 

[Laurafoster]

I will complain if its true - they can no easier tell if a foreign passport is fake vs a fake driving licence.

I agree!

I certainly wont be carrying mine or DHs passport around so the bars will lose our custom if this is the case.

 

[nemmie]

I agree!

I certainly wont be carrying mine or DHs passport around so the bars will lose our custom if this is the case.

+1

 

[edinburghlass]

The food and beverage is outsourced at CSR so until we have some reports of issues from elsewhere I wont be panicing however I will not be carrying my passport.

I will complain if its true - they can no easier tell if a foreign passport is fake vs a fake driving licence.

This was the case when we were there in May at Epcot as we saw people being refused without a passport. My daughter being 22 was always asked for her passport.

To be fair to the CM's I think a passport date of birth is easier to read than our driving license.

 

[edinburghlass]

There must surely be another way? I guess they have no real way to see if a foreign drivers license is authentic, but with the new RFID system there must surely be a way to do something - just not sure what

We were at Discovery Cove in May and the tickets they issued were marked prominently as over 21 for getting alcohol. As it happened my daughter forgot her passport but the lady who checked us in said she saw no reason why she would lie and ticked the box that she had seen her passport.

So it is possible that this could be done at check-in if staying onsite the same as the room key shows who has charging facilities?

 

[nemmie]

I have emailed guest relations to ask the question. I'll post their reply when they email back. If its true I will ask them to give the correct email address that I should address my complaint to.

I agree its easier to see on a passport but Disney should be putting their customer's needs before their employee's. Many a time I have been carded to have the CM look blankly at my driving licence and either just hand it back to me or have me point out where my date of birth is. If they actually turn it over, they would clearly see the key for the different dates. I don't think this is asking too much from a CM.

I personally feel very strongly about this. A driving licence is a goverment issued ID just the same as a passport. There is no difference between the two apart from one allowing you to travel and one to drive. The difference as the document holder comes if you lose your passports it is an ENORMOUS deal. I shudder to think of all the costs and time lost if one of us lost ours. Like I said I just would not take the risk. I can only imagine plenty of other people feel this way and hopefully if enough people complain Disney will see sense and go back to accepting a perfectly adequate, goverment issued, driving licence.

 

[chmurf]

I have complained to Disney that it is unacceptable that they are forcing guests to carry such a vital document around through the duration of their trip

US Laws require that you carry proof that you are legally visiting the country.

That proof is the stamp, stamped on your passport by the Immigration Officer and which bears the date until when you're admitted into the US as a visitor

US Laws require you to carry your passport at all time, in the first place.

So, sorry, but I don't really see the issue here.

 

[queendisney]

blimey..I'd be so pleased if I was asked for ID

 

[wen-tom]

I heard of this policy change and I'm really not happy about it either. It's so dangerous carrying your passport around with you! I'm sure they will get a LOT of complaints!
I'm 34 and last year wasn't asked for ID once but if they do ask I will certainly not have my passport with me!

 

[nemmie]

US Laws require that you carry proof that you are legally visiting the country.

That proof is the stamp, stamped on your passport by the Immigration Officer and which bears the date until when you're admitted into the US as a visitor

US Laws require you to carry your passport at all time, in the first place.

So, sorry, but I don't really see the issue here.

Do you have a link to the USA goverment website where it says that?
I've heard of this for parts of Asia but not the USA.

 

[chmurf]

Do you have a link to the USA goverment website where it says that?
I've heard of this for parts of Asia but not the USA.

from USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

INA: ACT 264 section (e)

Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-29/0-0-0-8289.html

so not carrying your passport could get you a $100 fine and up to 1 month in jail, plus a rap sheet in the US (ineligibility for ESTA in the future, visa required)

 

[nemmie]

from USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

INA: ACT 264 section (e)



http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-29/0-0-0-8289.html

so not carrying your passport could get you a $100 fine and up to 1 month in jail, plus a rap sheet in the US (ineligibility for ESTA in the future, visa required)

Thank you. That's interesting, I have never ever heard that before. Perhaps all travel companies should list this in their literature. I am certain not many people know this. Certainly no one I know has ever raised this with me.

 

[2Tiggies]

I get that it's inconvenient to have to carry a passport around if you don't usually have a bag or something that would comfortably fit it, but I can't say I'd refer to it as dangerous.

Most travel insurance policies cover you for loss of passport in any event. I know it would be a major nuisance but it's not the end of the world if you have adequate insurance IMO.

blimey..I'd be so pleased if I was asked for ID

Same! Wish they'd ask me ....

Go on, ask me, ask me ..... pleeeeez