ID for Alcohol New Policy

[Elise79]

We always carry our passports with us. I don't see the big deal.

A passport doesn't fit in a wallet and isn't waterproof - 90% of the time I don't carry a bag in Orlando. I wouldn't want to risk dropping them or them getting damaged.

 

[BigMommaMouse]

Florida State
Acceptable Forms of ID: Acceptable Forms of ID:
An valid driver's license containing a picture, and date of birth, issued by any state or United States Territory.
A state issued ID
Military identification card
Valid Passport

 

[2Tiggies]

We always carry our passports with us. I don't see the big deal.

yeah I've always been very relaxed about it as well. I wasn't trying to be cheeky earlier in the thread. I genuinely didn't get the big deal until some posters explained their own concerns. I'm still likely to be a bit lax about it because it's not something I'm programmed to worry about. I keep it in a separate zip compartment of a small bag and there is nothing else in there with it, meaning it is only opened if I actually need the passport.

A passport doesn't fit in a wallet and isn't waterproof - 90% of the time I don't carry a bag in Orlando. I wouldn't want to risk dropping them or them getting damaged.

Really? Ours have been through the wash a few times and came out fine lol. I thought they were made of special paper - like money I shall be more careful with checking pockets in the future!

 

[1andrea]

I'm always losing things so I wouldn't want to risk losing my passport, but if I lost my passport does that mean I'd have to stay in America........FOREVER YAY!

 

[BethEJo]

This is something that I encountered on our trip in May. For the first few days, my drivers licence was getting refused more often than not and we were told countless times that they would only accept a passport if you didn't have a US ID. This was a huge turnaround compared to 2011 where out of a total of three months, my drivers licence was refused just one time in Bongos in DTD, and never in a park.

So, wanting to still sample all the beautiful cocktails or to cool down with a beer this trip, I just started to carry my passport around with me. I think the worry about losing it was with me for all of 20 mins before I realised that I'm pretty vigilant with my bag anyway containing camera equipment, money, bank cards etc etc so what was going to change now it had a passport in it? It's just about looking after your possessions.

So, as someone who would never go without a bag, then I have to say that this really isn't a big deal to me. For those who won't take a bag, then there are always money belts. Them's the rules now it seems. It's obviously being implemented for a reason, and a few CMs chatted to us about the fines and penalties in place if they were caught selling alcohol underage. I assume the change in policy is partly due to this, and standardising the process so that only passports are accepted, well that's ensuring that the staff are looked after. A PP said that WDW should put the guest's needs before it's employees... How nice.

I have no problem in complying with this. I agreed with the majority of you previously; I didn't fancy carrying my passport around with me. But after doing so this trip, then it doesn't bother me now.

 

[MrRomance]

For me, leaving my passport in the room, even in a safe, is more risky. While you're enjoying yourself in the parks with your passport in your room, it is out of your sight and therefore you don't know what could happen to it. However you may feel about it, you are not the only person with access to your room or the safe.

 

[Elise79]

For me, leaving my passport in the room, even in a safe, is more risky. While you're enjoying yourself in the parks with your passport in your room, it is out of your sight and therefore you don't know what could happen to it. However you may feel about it, you are not the only person with access to your room or the safe.

If they came into our room there is a lot easier money to be made by stealing the 2 MacBooks and 3 iPads that most likely would be on the table than trying to open the safe to steal my passport

 

[flortlebap]

If they came into our room there is a lot easier money to be made by stealing the 2 MacBooks and 3 iPads that most likely would be on the table than trying to open the safe to steal my passport

That made me lol!!

Our ipads won't go in the safe either... And at home we always keep them out of sight! It's funny how complacent you get on holiday isn't it? Not that there's much choice!

I had a bag with £300 of make up in go missing from a UK hotel a couple of months back, but for some reason it feels safer to leave stuff in WDW. No idea why!

 

[chmurf]

showing your driving license to purchase alcohol has absolutely no relation to drink driving whatsoever

I'm with you here - I don't get the relevance.

you're right, there is no relevance as both things are unrelated.
But it's the irony around the fact of using what allows you to drive to purchase something that should prevent you from driving.
For me it is like working at a butcher's and using your professional card to register for a vegetarian club. There would be nothing wrong to it, it'd just be ... weird or awkward.
you're right, it's a cultural difference. And even though it's common practice to you (and absolutely ok) from my standpoint the "tool" doesn't fit the "job" but from MY standpoint only

If they came into our room there is a lot easier money to be made by stealing the 2 MacBooks and 3 iPads that most likely would be on the table than trying to open the safe to steal my passport

For immediate money, yes, probably.
But a passport means a fake identity, immigration, work, and other benefits. In the end it's worth so much more than a few ipads ...
Now, as a PP mentionned a US passport is worth a lot on the black market. But I doubt a UK or European passport be worth as much. After all our passports are only valid for stays in the US for 90 days without a visa. So they're probably of a lesser value.

 

[nemmie]

Fair enough chmurf and each to their own.

Everyone that this doesn't affect, that's fab for you guys and no bother at all. Everyone that it does I'll post back when Disney respond to me.

I wonder if the Canadians know they need to carry their passports for ID. Being WDW's largest tourist sector (I believe we are second) this will of course effect them along with the rest of the worlds visitors that wish to purchase alcohol.

 

[wilkeliza]

As someone pointed out it is a state thing not a Disney thing. Florida law states only US issued Drivers license or IDs are ok (including military IDs) any other country must use their passport. I'm sure Disney probably got in trouble so is cracking down to prevent fines.

 

[Lucys dad]

Absolutely zero chance of me carrying my passport at all times in WDW. If I am refused a drink because they do not accept a drivers licence then so be it. No big deal for me but I imagine it will be more of a deal for WDW's profit and more importantly the tip for a server if he were to refuse you. ( and by that I mean your final check will be less. I am not suggesting a lesser tip percentage because he is enforcing policy) The UK licence fits easily in a wallet which is all I take out.

If visitors to WDW are routinely forced to carry passports, the F & W festival would become a dreamland for pickpockets. Passports in the wrong hands are worth a fortune, much more so than a drivers licence. I don't think I'm being cynical, I have worked in this field before.

On a happier note, I have to say I did get asked for ID when I was 37 and was absolutely delighted. My 33 year old wife on the other hand was furious NOT to be asked when she bought the next round.

 

[starrysky]

Would they accept a colour photo copy or would it have to be the original?
I'm not bothered if I have to take it with me just wondering if a copy was an option

 

[Chilly]

Would they accept a colour photo copy or would it have to be the original?
I'm not bothered if I have to take it with me just wondering if a copy was an option

I tried a colour photocopy that was laminated at the Comedy Warehouse years ago, 2007 or 2008, and it wasn't accepted.

 

[BigMommaMouse]

It has to be the original.

 

[arieliwish]

On our last visit in 2005 I carried our passports with us the whole time and remember being asked for them many times, although I can't remember where and why! (I think it was on entrance to the WDW & Universal parks?)

 

[Laszkowicz]

I'm thinking if taking a vary small ruck sack for our first trip.
Is pick pocketing an issue in the parks out of interested.

 

[Chilly]

I'm thinking if taking a vary small ruck sack for our first trip.
Is pick pocketing an issue in the parks out of interested.

Not that i've heard or experienced.

 

[klangkat]

I'm thinking if taking a vary small ruck sack for our first trip.
Is pick pocketing an issue in the parks out of interested.

My advice would be to behave the same/take the same precautions as you would in any big city/crowded place.
No need for paranoia, but no need to be naive and think only happy things happen in Disney either!

 

[emsparkles]

When I asked to see The manager at the Rix lounge after the service refusal he said that up until last week, they were allowed to accept the driving licences as valid ID but that an email had gone round management to say that the policy had changed and that is was now just passports. I explained that I had been in WDW the whole of the previous week and had not any issues anywhere else with my driving licence (and believe you me, I drank in many many places) to which he was quite surprised at. He still gave me the drinks as he recognised us from the previous nights but said that he completely understood our position and he would feel the same and would pass on my comments. I asked that why couldn't they just put on the keys to the world cards that I was old enough to drink but he said that it could be passed around as there is no photo on the cards to show it belongs to that that individual. In all honesty I think its all a bit hit and miss and is obviously depending on the individual server and if they are listening to that email or not. But it still needs to be made very clear and consistent what their policy is. I keep all my important travel documents in the safe along with any money and I do trust mousekeeping (at the end of the day its their job on the line). Potentially if I had rented a car, maybe were staying off Disney property then I may be tempted carry it round me a bit more. It is the first I've heard about That 'law' about having to have your passport around with you at all times and ive been traveling to Florida for years, I think the police would understand if you had it in the hotel safe, you are a tourist in the biggest tourist attraction on earth its not like you cant produce it at all if they require it, especially if you are able to offer another form of immediate id such as your driving licence!