Non Americans - Requirement To Show Passport When Purchasing Alcohol

[wee-haggis]

My son was at Epcot yesterday. While in Germany and the UK pavilions he purchased a drink. In both locations he was asked for ID (he is 25 years old by the way). He showed his drivers licence and in both locations they said it wasn't enough ,they wanted to see his passport. When he explained that he doesn't carry his passport around they refused to serve him. He found this puzzling and asked why the Drivers Licence ID was not enough. Both locations told him that they have been told to request passport ID for all non Americans. Luckily he had a scanned copy of his passport on his phone which they accepted. Has anyone else experienced this and is it now standard throughout WDW properties ?

 

[Alesia]

It's Florida State law.

Technically, they are supposed to require the actual passport, but WDW will accept a color copy.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I'm American, but I know that technically for non Americans, the passport is technically the only VALID form of ID for alcohol purchases, as DLs are more prevalent here in the country, and easier to verify (as its probably easier to keep track of 50 states, but hundreds of countries, much harder)......in many places where there is big international tourism (like NYC and such) they only take passports as well......

 

[FastPasser.]

There are 10 unacceptable forms of ID at WDW, foreign driver’s license is one of them.

 

[AngelDisney]

This is for Food & Wine Festival but I believe it's the WDW policy on alcohol purchase:



I will be bringing my Nexus card and a copy of my passport on my iPhone just in case.

 

[DiannaVM]

Wow. Glad I saw this thread, I have only ever used my Driver's License so I had no idea. I've never been turned away using only my DL.

However, I should note that one time my sister and her friend were turned away at City Walk because of their Driver's licenses, because one of their licenses (they were both legit) was not done properly so they weren't identical and so the people at the club thought that one of them had to be fake, based on what their book said (apparently they had a book with all kinds of international dls and how to verify them).

I don't like to walk around with my passport, so I will take Alesia's advice and just use a color copy.... If they dont accept that...well I dont need a drink that badly.

 

[DaisyJ]

Yeah, I don't need a drink that badly if it requires me hauling around somehing I shouldn't be hauling around. Showing a copy on your phone is no different than showing your non US drivers license.

 

[AngiTN]

It's always been the case and even I knew it but never have understood it

Curious, because I really can't understand, why isn't a foreign DL valid as a form of ID? What about them makes them invalid but any of the 50 US states are? I realize they may be hard to read for some but heck, as US ID can be as hard for some to read too, so that is a pretty lame argument, if that's the reason given
I mean, I don't blame the foreign guests, I wouldn't dare carry my passport around either. Lucky for them Disney accepts a copy. Do other businesses in FL accept copies? Can they get a copy made at the resort, if they come unprepared?
Granted, none of these things impact me at all, I am from the US and I don't know anyone from outside the US that would ever come to the parks with me. I'm just being nosy because it amazes me this is so difficult for foreign guests.

 

[MischaOz]

It is also completely normal to be asked for ID here in the US regardless of one's age. I'm in my late 30s (and definitely do not look like I'm 21, lol) and get asked all the time.

 

[AngiTN]

It is also completely normal to be asked for ID here in the US regardless of one's age. I'm in my late 30s (and definitely do not look like I'm 21, lol) and get asked all the time.

This is one of those things that will vary significantly by state. In some states (such as here in TN) our law requires an ID be shown when purchasing alcohol by anyone, no matter if they are 21 or 121. How old you look matters not. Other states, even cities, have different laws

 

[BrianL]

It's always been the case and even I knew it but never have understood it

Curious, because I really can't understand, why isn't a foreign DL valid as a form of ID? What about them makes them invalid but any of the 50 US states are? I realize they may be hard to read for some but heck, as US ID can be as hard for some to read too, so that is a pretty lame argument, if that's the reason given
I mean, I don't blame the foreign guests, I wouldn't dare carry my passport around either. Lucky for them Disney accepts a copy. Do other businesses in FL accept copies? Can they get a copy made at the resort, if they come unprepared?
Granted, none of these things impact me at all, I am from the US and I don't know anyone from outside the US that would ever come to the parks with me. I'm just being nosy because it amazes me this is so difficult for foreign guests.

I'm sure it has to do with the fact that the standards used in issuing these ids can very greatly from country to country and there is no way to police them all. I mean, yeah, a drivers license from Canada or the UK probably has similar standards to any state, but that can't be said for all countries. A blanket policy is necessary to avoid confusion and reduce mistakes. Passports are much more heavily controlled and standardized (they have to be or they wouldn't be recognized and accepted). Disney does not want to take any chances on this issue as the State of Florida will come down hard if they are caught serving someone who is underage.

 

[wilkeliza]

It's always been the case and even I knew it but never have understood it

Curious, because I really can't understand, why isn't a foreign DL valid as a form of ID? What about them makes them invalid but any of the 50 US states are? I realize they may be hard to read for some but heck, as US ID can be as hard for some to read too, so that is a pretty lame argument, if that's the reason given
I mean, I don't blame the foreign guests, I wouldn't dare carry my passport around either. Lucky for them Disney accepts a copy. Do other businesses in FL accept copies? Can they get a copy made at the resort, if they come unprepared?
Granted, none of these things impact me at all, I am from the US and I don't know anyone from outside the US that would ever come to the parks with me. I'm just being nosy because it amazes me this is so difficult for foreign guests.

It is because there is no way to know what all country drivers ID look like and train for that. Also Disney is the only place in FL that allows a copy. I believe Universal's official stance is it has to be the real passport. They started cracking down because the non-sale if someone isn't carrying their passport is much better than the fine and loss of liquor license for serving someone with out the appropriate ID.

 

[AngiTN]

It is because there is no way to know what all country drivers ID look like and train for that. Also Disney is the only place in FL that allows a copy. I believe Universal's official stance is it has to be the real passport. They started cracking down because the non-sale if someone isn't carrying their passport is much better than the fine and loss of liquor license for serving someone with out the appropriate ID.

But can they do that for all US DL? All 50 look different

 

[DaisyJ]

It is because there is no way to know what all country drivers ID look like and train for that. Also Disney is the only place in FL that allows a copy. I believe Universal's official stance is it has to be the real passport. They started cracking down because the non-sale if someone isn't carrying their passport is much better than the fine and loss of liquor license for serving someone with out the appropriate ID.

None of the 50 states have the same ID's, either. And you don't need a drivers license to be able to buy alcool-you only need a state ID that shows your birthdate. So Disney's policy is non sensical.

 

[AngiTN]

I'm sure it has to do with the fact that the standards used in issuing these ids can very greatly from country to country and there is no way to police them all. I mean, yeah, a drivers license from Canada or the UK probably has similar standards to any state, but that can't be said for all countries. A blanket policy is necessary to avoid confusion and reduce mistakes. Passports are much more heavily controlled and standardized (they have to be or they wouldn't be recognized and accepted). Disney does not want to take any chances on this issue as the State of Florida will come down hard if they are caught serving someone who is underage.

I am not suggesting Disney change the rules, I understand they are following FL law.
I'm asking why FL has the law they do. I still can't see how FL legislature can get involved in what other countries do to require their citizens to get a DL. If that country put that birthdate on that DL, and that birthdate matches the copy of the passport why can't that work as proof for buying alcohol? Why must that person have the original passport. And no, I'm not asking you to answer, just tossing questions that someone had to ask on the state house floor
Surely FL legislatures realize how unwise it is to carry a passport around. What do they expect to do when these tourists loose said passport?
I just have to think there has got to be a better way

 

[BrianL]

I am not suggesting Disney change the rules, I understand they are following FL law.
I'm asking why FL has the law they do. I still can't see how FL legislature can get involved in what other countries do to require their citizens to get a DL. If that country put that birthdate on that DL, and that birthdate matches the copy of the passport why can't that work as proof for buying alcohol? Why must that person have the original passport. And no, I'm not asking you to answer, just tossing questions that someone had to ask on the state house floor
Surely FL legislatures realize how unwise it is to carry a passport around. What do they expect to do when these tourists loose said passport?
I just have to think there has got to be a better way

Well, I think it was established that the foreign DL AND a copy of the passport is acceptable at Disney. I cannot speak to FL law, but it makes sense that a foreign DL alone should not be accepted because the process to verify the date of birth is unknown, and possibly not a well-vetted process in some areas of the world.

 

[stayathomehero]

Surely FL legislatures realize how unwise it is to carry a passport around. What do they expect to do when these tourists loose said passport?

If you're in a foreign country, you most certainly should carry your passport around.

EDIT I may be wrong about this, but I thought that was a general rule of thumb in case the federales ask you questions.

EDIT 2: Also it's in the Amazing Race rules, and if that's not a guide to live by I don't know what is.

 

[HopperFan]

It's Florida State law.

Technically, they are supposed to require the actual passport, but WDW will accept a color copy.

THIS^

It's the law and I've seen them require passports for years. Maybe getting more tight on it. Be prepared.

Florida Statute

"3. Such person carefully checked a driver license or an identification card issued by this state or another state of the United States, a passport, or a United States Uniformed Services identification card presented by the buyer or recipient and acted in good faith and in reliance upon the representation and appearance of the buyer or recipient in the belief that the buyer or recipient was 21 years of age or older."

 

[wilkeliza]

But can they do that for all US DL? All 50 look different

None of the 50 states have the same ID's, either. And you don't need a drivers license to be able to buy alcool-you only need a state ID that shows your birthdate. So Disney's policy is non sensical.

Of course the 50 are different but there are some pretty solid standards in our state ids and drivers ids. Plus they are all in English. It isn't just Disney's policy it is the state of Florida.

I am not suggesting Disney change the rules, I understand they are following FL law.
I'm asking why FL has the law they do. I still can't see how FL legislature can get involved in what other countries do to require their citizens to get a DL. If that country put that birthdate on that DL, and that birthdate matches the copy of the passport why can't that work as proof for buying alcohol? Why must that person have the original passport. And no, I'm not asking you to answer, just tossing questions that someone had to ask on the state house floor
Surely FL legislatures realize how unwise it is to carry a passport around. What do they expect to do when these tourists loose said passport?
I just have to think there has got to be a better way

Interestingly Florida is not the only place I have seen this come up. Went out with another student in NYC years ago and the bar we were at refused to let her enter with out a passport. The reason being in NY you actually need a passport as well if you are not a US or Canadian citizen so Disney and Florida are not the only places that do this and it is always important to know the laws of where you are visiting especially since laws about alcohol consumption is a state based issue.

 

[AngiTN]

If you're in a foreign country, you most certainly should carry your passport around.

EDIT I may be wrong about this, but I thought that was a general rule of thumb in case the federales ask you questions.

EDIT 2: Also it's in the Amazing Race rules, and if that's not a guide to live by I don't know what is.

Really? I had no idea. I don't own a passport, no plans to with no plans to travel outside the US.
I thought the rule was to never carry it around. To lock it in the hotel room