The biometric(?) machines are a problem

[wrwrwrwreee1971]

I went to WDW with a party of 6 and these machines really hinder crowd flow. The cm's did a great job keeping their patience. At one point they were just letting people come into MK without sticking your fingers in. You could have stuck a credit card in it and they would let you through. I have an AP and I accidentally stuck my room key in and I got in with it. I understand the purpose of the machines, but I think they need to think of something else.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

With all due respect, we have been a couple times since the scanners have been implemented for all passes and haven't run into the delays that some have brought up. Just a question, what would you prefer WDW do to insure that each guest is using their own pass and not using someone elses? Show a drivers' license or some other form of ID? If you want serious delays, that would be a great way! Or maybe, they could just go back to selling attraction tickets (A-E ticket rides) at ticket kiosks throughout the parks, like in the 70's? As AP holders we have been using the biometric scanners for years and have never had these problems. Could it just be that my family and I are just incredibly lucky, or maybe the problem is not as widespread as some may make it out to be. Just a thought.

 

[wrwrwrwreee1971]

I agree with you laugh, but when you are allowing people to bypass the machine, is the system actually working in the first place? Maybe I just saw a small blip on the radar.

 

[jwfla422]

I understand your frustration all too much because I am one of those AP holders who needs to do that biometric thing everytime and some of the machines are more sensitive than others. With some of them it takes several attempts until it registers and I get annoyed myself, not to mention those people behind me that get irritated with me (which it's not really my fault).

I don't know what other options they have other than the photo ID. Now some years back we had a plastic AP with our photo on it and there was a code on the back (like a UPC) that was scanned when you entered the park. I'm guessing that many people got away with using other people's passes because they "looked" similar to the photos (not to mention the extra time and hired help it took to have the AP photos taken) otherwise they'd probably still be using this method.

 

[peter11435]

I agree with you laugh, but when you are allowing people to bypass the machine, is the system actually working in the first place? Maybe I just saw a small blip on the radar.

The system does work. However they will sometimes deactivate it when crowds start to build up to much.

 

[DebbieB]

They had the machines turned off on Mother's Day morning at Epcot. I knew it because my ticket shot back out before I stuck my fingers in. Just knowing they may use it is enough of a deterent for people to sell tickets.

 

[Luv2Roam]

The machines were turned off yesterday when we entered Epcot. And a week ago today when we were in MK.
We have noticed on busy days they just let the cards pass through.
They must be being read though, otherwise the FP machines would not acknowledge the guests being in the park. Just just seem to be bypassing the biometric reader portion.

 

[peter11435]

The machines were turned off yesterday when we entered Epcot. And a week ago today when we were in MK.
We have noticed on busy days they just let the cards pass through.
They must be being read though, otherwise the FP machines would not acknowledge the guests being in the park. Just just seem to be bypassing the biometric reader portion.

That is exactly what they are doing, and you are right about FP.

 

[civileng68]

With all due respect, we have been a couple times since the scanners have been implemented for all passes and haven't run into the delays that some have brought up. Just a question, what would you prefer WDW do to insure that each guest is using their own pass and not using someone elses? Show a drivers' license or some other form of ID? If you want serious delays, that would be a great way! Or maybe, they could just go back to selling attraction tickets (A-E ticket rides) at ticket kiosks throughout the parks, like in the 70's? As AP holders we have been using the biometric scanners for years and have never had these problems. Could it just be that my family and I are just incredibly lucky, or maybe the problem is not as widespread as some may make it out to be. Just a thought.

While I agree with your points, I think there needs to be a better way. If you haven't experienced what some have, then you really can't understand. It really gets bad sometimes. I think the process needs to be improved. First of all, with the confusions I've run into, showing ID would be quicker, believe it or not.

However, I'm not here to propose overhaul. I think the current setup needs to be improved. When it doesnt work one time, they make the guest try like 5 times before going to "Plan B". I say, if it doesnt work once or twice, show id and move on. Have a sign before you get to the scanner that says "Please have ID available if needed" and just keep it moving.

The congestion isnt really from when it doesnt work once or twice, it's when they keep the guest trying for about 5 times or more. Honestly, it really does get frustrating, especially if you're on a time limit to get to a PS or want to see a show and everything takes forever to get through, just to get into the park.

HOWEVER, if one thing is going to be slow it needs to be security. Often times, security guards just pass you through, and you could have anything. What if I had a gun in my pocket? They dont check that. It's funny that it takes longer to get through the ticket system (which affects Disney financially) than it does to get through security. (which keeps us safe).
Disney should have airport baggage scanners set up. If they are going to take more time to get through something, it should be security. You throw your bags on a conveyor belt and let them go through the machine while you walk through a metal detector. I know Disney doesn't want to do this as the higher level of security looks bad. However, I think security at Disney is non-existent. If I knew they were doing security and wanted to get a gun in, I'd simply put it in my pocket or pants. Easy enough.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

With all due respect, we have been a couple times since the scanners have been implemented for all passes and haven't run into the delays that some have brought up. Just a question, what would you prefer WDW do to insure that each guest is using their own pass and not using someone elses? Show a drivers' license or some other form of ID? If you want serious delays, that would be a great way! Or maybe, they could just go back to selling attraction tickets (A-E ticket rides) at ticket kiosks throughout the parks, like in the 70's? As AP holders we have been using the biometric scanners for years and have never had these problems. Could it just be that my family and I are just incredibly lucky, or maybe the problem is not as widespread as some may make it out to be. Just a thought.

I personally don't have a problem with showing my drivers license every time through. I always have an AP, so more times than not if the readers aren't working they ask to see my i.d. anyway. I just have it ready as part of the process. If this is how the system worked and everyone was ready, I don't see this going any slower. It would go slower on the days that Disney just turns off the machines, but if they hired extra people to work the gates it would make more people actually pay their way into the parks instead of using other people's AP's. Unless Disney's attitude is let them in, jack up the price for the honest people, and we'll get the others on the concessions and other stuff.

 

[safetymom]

That's nice requiring a driving license to show but how many people carry their license to the park? I do but I have read many stories here of those that leave the license in the hotel safe. If they got to the park and didn't have a license and was refused entry I can see the delay being much worse than the current way.

 

[rantnnravin]

I think that a big part of the problem is that the majority of people are simply not familiar with the equipment itself. For myself, for instance, I am not an AP holder, so i had never had occasion to use to scanner. I knew about the procedure from reading the boards and such before our family went, but until you actually experience it, it can be confusing for people. I knew waht to expect and still had to think about what to do and where.
Perhaps some signage along the way to the turnstiles, or a brochure that comes along with the tix when you buy them, explaining what needs to be done and where on the machine to put everything would alleviate some of the confusion. Perhaps, a demo on DTV or and info sheet with resort check-in materials...

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Perhaps some signage along the way to the turnstiles, or a brochure that comes along with the tix when you buy them, explaining what needs to be done and where on the machine to put everything would alleviate some of the confusion.

You mean like this?...

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

That's nice requiring a driving license to show but how many people carry their license to the park? I do but I have read many stories here of those that leave the license in the hotel safe. If they got to the park and didn't have a license and was refused entry I can see the delay being much worse than the current way.

As an AP holder I think they mention that you may be required to show ID to enter the park. I don't feel comfortable leaving my ID in the room anyway. You never know when an emergeny will pop up. I think it would be a minor hassle in the grand scheme of things. When you think about the fact that while all the major media outlets are reporting the rise in identity theft in this country, yet I'm still hardly ever asked to show my ID when I use a credit card. This kind of upsets me. I have my DL out every time I use a credit card. It wouldn't make the transaction any longer if they looked at that while the card was being approved. I just think that people should get what they pay for and pay for what they get.

 

[jordgubben]

You mean like this?...

Laugh - Love the picture. That's exactly what I was thinking.

Not to mention, the machine actually has lights that blink to highlight what part you should be doing. When I saw that in April I thought, "well they've really gone out of their way to make sure everyone knows what their doing..."

We had an AP and never had a problem with the finger scanners.

 

[rmontgo892]

On another thread someone said something along the lines that it isn't rocket science. All I can say is...never say never. I "never" had problems until pretty recently.

I know the drill...my problem has been with the finger part. Until you experience it don't judge harshly. I was told to relax, take a deep breath... Guess what, I still had to go to guest services...probs again...I wasn't gonna spend my whole trip at Guest Services.

So when I post I do have probs...take into account for years I "never" did.

I have seen people having probs with just inserting the tickets back when no finger scan thing was required. I was told it has to do with demagnetizing?? Ever have a room key not work??? It has only happened maybe 3x in 30+ trips but it has happened.

Why no problems for years with my AP and voila?

I liked the old AP's with pics. "Never" had a prob them.

 

[FreeTime]

We have had AP's in the past and never had an issue. I wondered why a few weeks ago we were finger scanned in the MK, but then Epcot and MGM didn't scan us later in the day. It didn't make any sense to us. The only concern that I have is that on our next trip I will be the FP go getter for 12 of us. I guess I better write everyone's name on their ticket to make sure that we don't slow down any lines on reentry. Glad I read this post!

 

[rantnnravin]

You mean like this?...

actually, no.
The images don't put anything into context or perspective. If you are going to use a visual, it needs to have these two things.

also, the flashing light thingies are lovely, once you notice them. What I am suggesting is is education prior to guests arriving at the turnstiles.

When it was AP users only who needed to use the scanners, the few extra seconds it took to direct them for their first use and to wait for the scan, try again, etc. was rarely a big deal. But exponentially, with EVERY park guest, many of them foreign, many of them children (adult tix for 10 & up), many of them never having seen such technology, education prior to experience is the key.
laugh all you want, but try to put yourself in the perspective of an 11yr old from Chile who is trying to visit WDW for the first (and probably only) time, with hundreds of guests behind her on line hemming and hawing about how long it's taking her to "figure out" what to do by trying to find the things that she may or may not have seen 12 feet above her head, watching for flashing lights, and waiting for the thing to actually do what it's designed to do.
Do you really think that a brochure or 2 minute video on DTV is that unreasonable??

 

[Rozzie]

this last trip my AP would never want to work, usually took 2 attempts. Never had a problem with them before, but will be glad to get a new AP this time. I would go to another turnstile and it would work fine. Come to find out, the strip on the back was messed up......., so those people in front of you sometimes may not be really idiots, it may be no fault of their own.

 

[lsteadman]

You mean like this?...

I was thinking the same thing. Thanks for posting! They do offer explanation but people don't take the time to read them. It was 3 simple instructions and I don't see how you need more instruction than what is provide on that picture. It not ROCKET science. I saw these instructions too and followed them and entered the parks without any problems.

I used an AP for the first time at the beginning of May and I didn't have any problems with the finger scan. I didn't feel delayed or anything. I expected the crowd. I know I was at Disney and expect the crowds to come with the terrority.

I am going to forward this to my best friend she will love this post. A picture is just worth a thousand words!!!!!