Paid Express Passes; do they "scan" them?

[AlexandNessa]

Just curious, really. While we were at UO at the beginning of May, many people had paid express. The ride attendants at the entrance seemed to be initialing the back of the express cards (or writing something). They took time to study the tickets and sometimes ask the riders questions (is this the first time you've used this?, etc.) We never once saw the express cards scanned. Was this an anomoly? It was sort of a pain when large families/groups with express passes had to have each of their express tickets initialed (or whatever they were doing). It would have been much quicker to scan.

And, in at least a few cases, one person would have an express ticket (looked like a standard express ticket anyway), and the attendant would ask "how many in your party?" Sometimes it would be 3 or 5, but it looked like they all rode with one express ticket. We saw this 3 or 4 times. Was this a special circumstance, like a comped express ticket or something? I would think everyone would have to have their own ticket.

Signed, not wanting to start a debate, simply just curious.

 

[phamton]

Some rides have a scanner. Sometimes they use it and other times they just initial it. You probably saw someone entering with a GAP express. Only one person in the party has it and it includes your entire party up to 6 people. It looks similar to an express but is issued by Guest Services for special circumstances. It is not scanned or initialed.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Thanks -- I wasn't even thinking it could be a GAP pass, duh.

I don't think they used the scanners at all for our entire trip, not even for the hotel cards. Was just wondering how they tracked them.

Thanks for the info.

 

[phamton]

Hotel keys and GAP don't have to be tracked as they are unlimited. They initial the express passes so the guest can only ride once per ride. Sometimes they do scan the express plus but initialing is just faster.

 

[Future Guy]

Sometimes your paid Express pass may be initaled or scanned. Other times, you're just waived through. It depends on how busy it is, but sometimes, there is no rhyme or reason. Most of the time, it is initaled.

 

[tinatark]

At Easter, the only ride scanning the express passes was The Hulk - and he scanned both the paid passes and our hotel keys

Every ride we came to wrote on the paid passes when they were used.

 

[Akdar]

When we were there the 1st week of May, we used EPP for just one day. The only ride that initialed it was Spiderman, I wasn't complaining, that's for sure!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Now, I'm curious. Are the GAP passes the same as WDW's GAC card? I don't think this card gets you to the front of the line on all WDW rides. Although, I could be wrong. It does at UO? If so, that explains some posts I've seen.

Coincidentally, I was just talking to my DH about something along this line last night. I have arthritis & a deteriorating spine. That's one reason UO works so well for us. We can stay onsite, & when the tendons in my legs get over stressed & start to tear (this creates a loud popping noise). We can be back to the hotel to rest in 10 min. or less. I've never gotten a GAC/GAP card, because I've always felt there's many people much worse off than me. I wait in line with everyone else at WDW, & when I've had too much I leave. It's not as convenient as at UO, but it's still an option. I'll stop at that, before saying something inappropriate.

 

[phamton]

Universal has GAP (Guest Assistance Passes). You do not need a doctor's note just be able to tell them what assistance you need at Guest Services.

Both parks are ADA compliant and, as such, are wheelchair accessible. There are several types of GAP offered:
Stroller as a wheelchair (you an take your stroller right through the line without transferring to a wheelchair)
Show GAP (Special seating at shows--usually right up front)
Stairs GAP (for those rides that have stairs in the queue, you can use the elevator)
Familyroom GAP (where you wait in an airconditioned room with a few other family members while the rest of your family goes through the queue--then you join them at the front of the line)
Express GAP which is esentially like a fast pass at Disney all day (6 people maximum)
VIP Gap (back door access--mostly for Make a Wish Kids or Give Kids the World)

 

[tarheelmjfan]

phamton,
Thanks for clearing that up once again. Just curious, what would qualify someone for an Express GAP? I know this doesn't really concern me. I'm just trying to better understand some of the things I've read.

BTW, I think the VIP GAP for those circumstances is awesome.

 

[phamton]

phamton,
Just curious, what would qualify someone for an Express GAP?

Sorry, I can't answer that. It is confidential. I'm not trying to be evasive but some people may use the information to get a GAP when they don't actually need one.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Sorry, I can't answer that. It is confidential. I'm not trying to be evasive but some people may use the information to get a GAP when they don't actually need one.

That makes sense.