Just Back/Finger ID a Scam?

[WDWguru]

I've posted this before, back when they first instituted the finger scan, but it's worth saying again. They really need "frequent flyer" lanes! Maybe an AP line or something that would let those who have already done it, know the drill and can move through quickly to go through a different line.

Granted, you'll still get the odd occasion where something doesn't work or a ticket is demagnetized, but they could station a CM to quickly pull those folks to the side and take care of the problem while others continue through the turnstiles (maybe even have them at an "extra" turnstile they can turn on just for this troubleshooting purpose). It would just be nice for those of us who know what we're doing not to be stuck behind the family on their first trip who's trying to figure out exactly how to work it.

 

[JerJan]

LOOK OUT JER JAN's going to get flamed Here come the morality police!

BRING IT ON!!!!!!

 

[irishbosoxfan]

We will be going for the first time this summer so this finger scan business is all new to me!

We will be with 5 kids and either I or my DH will hold all the tickets so...When we get to the park does each person have to have their own ticket or do I just hand them all to a CM and everyone just scans their fingers?

Since we don't have an AP or anything like that... Will we receive our tickets from guest services when we get to the campground/hotel?---And when do they fingerprint us?--Will they do it at the hotel counter?

The last day of our trip we will be going to Epcot to the Akershus for breakfast then right back out to catch ME to the airport(airline changed our flight to an early one )...Do we need to use a ticket for that day?

And what happens to our tickets if we have days left over? Can we combine the days left over from the 7 tickets onto 1 ticket? Then what if we do that and the person whose ticket it was originally doesn't go the next time??

I am so confused

 

[Evil Queen]

I am not a fan of the finger scan.

Ours gave us problems last year. At 2 different parks we had to go to Guest Relations to have them checked out, and both times 2 of our 4 group members were not shown in the park. We went to GR on our own because we were not able to get Fast passes if the scanner didn't work (because Disney showed us as NOT being in the parks).

The CM's just said we'll take care of that, but no ID was asked for. And mine or DS10's tickets are not signed and still aren't.

 

[makinorlando]

]We both got our annual passes at the same time, same transaction, both went through the park gates to activate the finger scan one right after another, so I'm not sure if the group theory applies. Although it may be different with APs.

I do believe I have heard APs work differently. I don't have the official handbook on this, so this is pure heresay on my part.

I used a days admission on my mothers MYW ticket in error one busy Sunday morning at AK - It was a case where the pass did not appear to be working correctly and the CM overrode the finger scan!

I never realized it until I tried to us my AP to get a FP and it said the ticket was not used for entry into the park! Then realized what I did.

I wish the system would have worked that day - as I wasted a days admission (which I replaced on the way out of the park.) since I have an AP. I was wishfully thinking that if I explained that I used her ticket in error and I had and AP that maybe they could have refunded one day to her pass. It was not like I was trying to get away with anything - but Disney got extra $$$$ out of me that day!!! I figured it never hurts to ask! Mom's pass stays at home now until she visits again! I usually learn from my stupidity!!!!

OT sort of
DD and I have APs and her pass is constantly demagnetizing, the CMs will usually just run and get her another pass, run it through the machine and allow her access For this reason in both MGM and EPCOT I always go through the turnstile to the far right - closest to the terminal they use!!!! It boggles my mind, as both are passes are always together, away from all the forbidden objects! I know have a plastic credit card holder with a slot on each side - one for her pass one for mine, we will see what happens if we keep them forever separate!!!

 

[Tissa]

We will be going for the first time this summer so this finger scan business is all new to me!

We will be with 5 kids and either I or my DH will hold all the tickets so...When we get to the park does each person have to have their own ticket or do I just hand them all to a CM and everyone just scans their fingers?

Since we don't have an AP or anything like that... Will we receive our tickets from guest services when we get to the campground/hotel?---And when do they fingerprint us?--Will they do it at the hotel counter?

The last day of our trip we will be going to Epcot to the Akershus for breakfast then right back out to catch ME to the airport(airline changed our flight to an early one )...Do we need to use a ticket for that day?

And what happens to our tickets if we have days left over? Can we combine the days left over from the 7 tickets onto 1 ticket? Then what if we do that and the person whose ticket it was originally doesn't go the next time??

I am so confused

Your tickets will be on your Key to the World card that the front desk will give you when you check in. Each person in your group will get one. You will do the finger scan at the first park you go to, any children under 9 won't have to do the finger scan.

Yes you need admission to enter Epcot for the breakfast on your last day
If you bought the non expiration option then your leftover days if any will be good for future trips but they can not be combined. If you didn't spend the extra money for no expiration then the unused days to go waste.

 

[makinorlando]

We will be going for the first time this summer so this finger scan business is all new to me!

We will be with 5 kids and either I or my DH will hold all the tickets so...When we get to the park does each person have to have their own ticket or do I just hand them all to a CM and everyone just scans their fingers?

Since we don't have an AP or anything like that... Will we receive our tickets from guest services when we get to the campground/hotel?---And when do they fingerprint us?--Will they do it at the hotel counter?

The last day of our trip we will be going to Epcot to the Akershus for breakfast then right back out to catch ME to the airport(airline changed our flight to an early one )...Do we need to use a ticket for that day?

And what happens to our tickets if we have days left over? Can we combine the days left over from the 7 tickets onto 1 ticket? Then what if we do that and the person whose ticket it was originally doesn't go the next time??

I am so confused

It is not a fingerprint, but a biometric scan. It measures your bone structure etc. The first time you use the ticket and your fingers are scanned the information is linked to your ticket in the computer.

If your children are using a child's ticket (under 10) then they do not use the scan. It is only for "adult" admissions.

You will need a ticket for entry into a park every day, not matter if you spend 5 minutes or 12 hours. Akerhaus is within the park, so admission is required. If you were to go to a breakfast at a resort location, you would not be required to pay park admission - such as Chef Mickey, 1900 Park Fare, Ohana's, Cape May Cafe.

If you have leftover days, they will only be good for a later visit if you purchase No Expiration tickets. In the past I believe the days never expired, but that has changed. Tickets without "No Expiration Option" expire 14 days after the first use. If you do have "No Expiration Option" the days would remain on the individual tickets on which they were purchased, as they are non transferable.

I hope this helps!

 

[WDWguru]

We will be with 5 kids and either I or my DH will hold all the tickets so...When we get to the park does each person have to have their own ticket or do I just hand them all to a CM and everyone just scans their fingers?

Child tickets (aka for kids 9 and under) do not require a finger scan. Those who do require a scan will be one at a time. You put your ticket into the machine, slide your fingers into the scanner, squeeze, then go through the turnstile.

Since we don't have an AP or anything like that... Will we receive our tickets from guest services when we get to the campground/hotel?---And when do they fingerprint us?--Will they do it at the hotel counter?

You aren't actually finger printed. The system simply measures the distance between your fingers and knuckles, then stores that on the magnetic strip of the ticket to compare to future entry attempts. This all is stored for the first time the first time you use the ticket to enter a park.

The last day of our trip we will be going to Epcot to the Akershus for breakfast then right back out to catch ME to the airport(airline changed our flight to an early one )...Do we need to use a ticket for that day?

Yes, you will. The restaurant is inside the park and requires park admission to enter.

And what happens to our tickets if we have days left over? Can we combine the days left over from the 7 tickets onto 1 ticket? Then what if we do that and the person whose ticket it was originally doesn't go the next time??

You can't combine the extra days from multiple tickets into one ticket (though it couldn't hurt to ask). Technically, tickets are non-transferrable, but Disney isnt' likely to check for id, especially on a subsequent trip.

 

[makinorlando]

Child tickets (aka for kids under 9) .

Childrens tickets are through the age of 9

Ages 10 and up Adult
Ages 3-9 - Child

 

[FINFAN]

I have a question...DS hands get really sweaty...I mean REALLY sweaty...wil the scanner not scan?


Pam

 

[JMD]

Actualy the computer system is smarter then you think.

From what I have heard though the grapevine is that the computer system is smart enough to recognize groups of people who are together when entering the park. So in theory the biometrics scan is not just assigned to your ticket, but all the tickets in your party.

This is not true either.

I went last week, with a big group of people. Tickets were purchased completely separate, some ordered theirs online and had them shipped to their house before the trip, and I bought mine at the park about 5 minutes before we went in. All names were different so there was no way to know we were together.

Several times we switched tickets just to see if the finger scan actually worked. One time I even put my fingers in upside down so it scanned my fingernails and it still let me in.

The scan is a complete joke. I'm sure there is a very good reason behind it, but right now its nothing more than a nuisance.

 

[curiouser]

Several times we switched tickets just to see if the finger scan actually worked. One time I even put my fingers in upside down so it scanned my fingernails and it still let me in.

The finger scan measures the distance between your fingers, so putting in your fingers upside down won't stump the system.

 

[jimmybop]

This is not true either.

I went last week, with a big group of people. Tickets were purchased completely separate, some ordered theirs online and had them shipped to their house before the trip, and I bought mine at the park about 5 minutes before we went in. All names were different so there was no way to know we were together.

Several times we switched tickets just to see if the finger scan actually worked. One time I even put my fingers in upside down so it scanned my fingernails and it still let me in.

The scan is a complete joke. I'm sure there is a very good reason behind it, but right now its nothing more than a nuisance.

Hence I said 'entering' with a group.

 

[Ted and Holly]

The only issues I have with the biometric scanning are that many first time or infrequent quests have absolutely no idea how to do it. I see people sticking their whole hand in, or any combination of two or three fingers, people wiggle them, whatever. Out of selfishness (let me in!!!), I have corrected families, when a CM wasn't there to assist.

All of this creates a longer line. Then, the CM manning that turnstile (or one of a group of turnstiles) sees the line grow, so they push the button to override the scan on almost every ticket.

I have used the finger scan hundreds of times, and almost half the CM does not wait long enough for the scan to accept.

Ted

 

[JMD]

The finger scan measures the distance between your fingers, so putting in your fingers upside down won't stump the system.

Its measuring the distance between fingers? How exactly does it do that? If everyone slides their hand in the machine and presses their fingers up against the guides that are there, won't the distance be exactly the same for everyone.

 

[WDWguru]

Childrens tickets are through the age of 9

Ages 10 and up Adult
Ages 3-9 - Child

I was typing so fast I just KNEW I'd have a typo in there somewhere. I meant to say "9 and under" - and I've fixed it to say just that. Doh

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Thanks to all who helped me out with my questions and I promise to try my hardest to not hold up any lines when we go down in a few weeks!!!

 

[JMD]

Hence I said 'entering' with a group.

We used different turnstiles on different ends of the gates. So the biometric scanner recognizes all tickets used while entering at a certain time and can match those with tickets used together at different times on different days?

 

[WDWguru]

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

It explains exactly how it works and what the system is and is NOT measuring.

 

[GeologyRocks]

I wouldn't call it a scam, but it's certainly an annoyance. I guess it's because I'm always doing something new with my fingernails (or maybe I'm just unlucky) but I ALWAYS have trouble with the machine. I don't do anything wrong, I'm an APer and it's not like I'm new to it - the thing just doesn't like me. I've never been asked for ID, the CM just waves me through.