The Complete Hand Stamp FAQ

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by F1Julie
Okay, this may be a dumb question, but I want to have all my bases covered before my next trip. I have a 4 day park hopper. The first day I used it, I started out at AK and then went to MGM later that afternoon without a handstamp. I put my hopper through the slot at MGM and then went in. The CM didn't say anything and I went into the park. I just want to be sure that I didn't accidentally use up another day on my park hopper since I didn't have a handstamp. I hope this makes sense.

You didn't use up any days. I did this for 4 days one trip. I kept thinking I still had an AP and never got my hand stamped. I was NEVER questioned when I re-entered the parks ever. I finally asked a CM about it and he said that handstamping is just a deterrant to make people think you can't share passes but it won't take extra days off your pass.

 

[buzz2400]

Here is a question my ds asks me every year. We usually go every year and spend about 5 days at wdw and park hop. We get our hand stamped each time. if they are looking at the hand stamp won't the stamp from the previous days screw up what it written on that day. Ex. monday we get tigger on our hand, on tuesday they put mickey. tigger on mickey, you won't be able to read. hope this makes sense.

 

[DizBelle]

Originally posted by F1Julie
Okay, this may be a dumb question, but I want to have all my bases covered before my next trip. I have a 4 day park hopper. The first day I used it, I started out at AK and then went to MGM later that afternoon without a handstamp. I put my hopper through the slot at MGM and then went in. The CM didn't say anything and I went into the park. I just want to be sure that I didn't accidentally use up another day on my park hopper since I didn't have a handstamp. I hope this makes sense.

The computer doesn't ascertain the hand stamp, a human does. So, if some human doesn't do something to reduce the number of days on your park hopper (enter it into a computer system somewhere), your unused days are still unused.

I don't think they would ever set up a computer system to scan hands for hand stamps. From all the trouble I hear that they have with the biometric scanners for the APs, it would be so much worse for hand stamps. The various hand sizes, shapes, colors, textures would make it difficult to design a system that would work as good as the human eye.

 

[DizBelle]

Originally posted by SyracuseWolvrine
In a situation like that, first ask to try the biometric scanner again. In some cases, the biometric scanner will work the 2nd time when it didn't work the 1st. As far as the CM being peeved about accepting your ID, I don't know why they would be. The only answer I can give is that they were having a bad day. CMs are told that a photo ID is the backup identification if the biometric scanner doesn't work (and I assumed this to be true, regardless of whether or not a guest has been in a park earlier today)

I read the original post as that the AP went through and the biometric scan succeeded but the CM still asked to see a hand stamp.

The idea here is to make it so it is difficult to get in without having purchased admission.

If the ticket says that it has not been in a park yet today, then it just lets you in.

If the ticket says that it has been in a park today, then the bearer must have a hand stamp to get in with it.

So if two people go in with tickets and one of them leaves with both tickets (one of them staying inside the park) then they won't be able to give the ticket to a third person to gain admission because that third person doesn't have a hand stamp and the ticket said it was already in a park today.

To get in with a "used" ticket you must have a hand stamp which you can only get inside the park (on your way out but it is still inside) which you had to pay admission to get in to.

Of course, there are times when you "forget" to get a hand stamp but you still manage to get in another park without any trouble. It depends on the CM checking the hand stamps. Perhaps they are backed up at the turnstiles and they would rather risk letting some folks in when they shouldn't than hold everyone up. But the idea is to deter folks from trying. You could be denied entry if you don't have the stamp.

So, now the questions....

What if you manage to preserve your handstamp from yesterday? Will you be able to get into a park on someone else's used ticket? Are the stamps from day to day discernible enough for yesterday's stamp not to work today? Like the previous poster asked, won't the previous day's stamp muck up today's stamp so you're left with nothing but a glowing blob under black light?

What if you don't have hands or they are in a state such that they can't be stamped? How does that work?

 

[B'rer Karen]

Just to clarify, I did have a problem with the biometric reader. As a side note, sometimes I can get that thing to work with no problem, and sometimes I can try it 3 times and it never works.

My problem with the situation is 2 fold: 1) If the whole purpose is to make sure that two people don't use the pass, then in the case of the AP, my ID should be enough. I suppose they could argue that I let someone else use it earlier, but then that person should have had a problem with the biometric reader, and either way you couldn't prove it. I'm using the pass now and I have my ID. 2) The fact that no two CM's seem to have the same understanding of "the rules." I shouldn't have to worry about one CM telling me I don't need a handstamp and another one being upset that I didn't get one.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Originally posted by B'rer Karen

My problem with the situation is 2 fold: 1) If the whole purpose is to make sure that two people don't use the pass, then in the case of the AP, my ID should be enough. I suppose they could argue that I let someone else use it earlier, but then that person should have had a problem with the biometric reader, and either way you couldn't prove it. I'm using the pass now and I have my ID. 2) The fact that no two CM's seem to have the same understanding of "the rules." I shouldn't have to worry about one CM telling me I don't need a handstamp and another one being upset that I didn't get one.

I completely agree with #1. As far as #2, I also agree that this is a problem, and one that shouldn't happen. I think that part of the problem is that at some of the parks, there are a LOT more greeters on the line than at other parks, it's more difficult to make sure everyone knows the proper procedures. I know everyone that works on our line at DAK, but I've got a friend who's a greeter at another park who says they don't know half of their co-workers.

If you have a problem with a CM not accepting your ID as a valid substitute for the Biometric scanner, have them call a coordinator over. The coordinator will be able to "remind" the CM of the proper procedures.

As far as lfontaine's question, there are different stamps for different days. Usually, the past day's stamp will generally fade enough to make the new day's stamp more easily discernable.

If your hands are unable to be stamped (for example, allergic reaction to the stamp, or injury to the hand that would prevent it from being stamped), just explain to the CM when you re-enter, and they'll generally be accomadating.

The system does have it's problems, but overall, I think it works basically as intended. I don't think there's any solution that's going to A) be 100% effective and B) not going to slow down the park entrance procedure.