To hand stamp or not to hand stamp.....

[DizBelle]

If you have an AP then you don't need a hand stamp when hopping parks, right?

Should you get a hand stamp just to avoid any hassle when there are CMs that think you do need a hand stamp when entering the park with an AP? Or are there no such CMs and were the posts I read misleading?

 

[safetymom]

No hand stamp needed for a AP. There are times when it is busy that I still get one.

 

[CarolA]

If they are standing there giving them out, I get one. It is just easier. If they aren't there I don't.

If you do not have an AP GET ONE! I have seen people refused entry twice. And don't forget to bring back the ticket. (One guy tried to get in with just the hand stamp???)

 

[HollyJoy]

So even if you have a Park Hopper, you need to get your hand stamped?

 

[seashoreCM]

Especially with a hopper pass, ask for a hand stamp.

(Unless you can count on remembering the time and name of the CM at the turnstiles incorrectly insisting you don't need it.)

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[oogieboogie]

APs don't need hand stamps. PHs do need handstamps.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by oogieboogie
APs don't need hand stamps.

DH and I have this arguement EVERY time we go to WDW.
Some CM say "yes we do"
some say we don't.



I say I like to get stamped just so I can go into a blacklight attraction and figure out what it is.

 

[HollyJoy]

Glad I saw this thread then! So silly that you need your hand stamped with a Park Hopper! We'll be sure to get our hands that prized stamp!

 

[oogieboogie]

My reasoning is this:

APs can go anytime anywhere right? So what good is a handstamp?

Plus I think we've only gotten a handstamp 15% of the times we enter a park. They don't bother checking it either.

I do like to get it sometimes but because the kids love getting stamped!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

APs do not need a handstamp UNLESS you are planning on entering a 2nd park (or re-entering your 1st park) within an hour of your previous entry.

Park Hoppers, Park Hopper Plusses, and Ultimate Park Hoppers ALL require a handstamp.

Reasoning: If you run your ticket through a second time in the day, our computer will show us "Already Used". We (turnstyle CMs) now know the ticket has been in a park, the hand stamp makes sure the same person is using the ticket all day. APs thus don't need a handstamp because they have the biometric finger scan as ID.

(On a similar note, the FL resident passes (play 4 days, and season pass) that have a biometric finger scan also don't need handstamps)

Always get a handstamp if you are planning on multiple entries within an hour, because the turnstyles will reject the ticket as being "recently used", and not even get to the point of the biometric scan. Seeing a handstamp allows us to override it.

And yes, we do check handstamps. The blacklight is positioned such that we can often see a handstamp without specifically asking for it. And yes, you could be denied admission if you have a pass that needs a handstamp and you don't have the stamp.

 

[Brian Noble]

They don't bother checking it either.

You might be surprised. I thought they weren't checking them at DCA when I was last there, as the cast member never seemed to be looking. But, she stopped the guy right behind me, who apparently didn't have one.

 

[Feralpeg]

I was told that you need a handstamp even with an AP. The purpose of the handstamp is to allow entry if something happens to their system. Even though you have the AP in your hand, they will not let you in if the system cannot verify it and you don't have a handstamp. What's the big deal? It takes two seconds.

 

[DizBelle]

I think I'll just always get a hand stamp when leaving a park. Even if I don't need it, I like the idea of glowing on attractions that have black lights.

Potential for hassle is minimal. But get a hand stamp and it is nil.

 

[lark]

So silly that you need your hand stamped with a Park Hopper! [/B]

Ahh -- you obviously lack a devious or criminal mind!

Without the hand stamp, multiple people could get into the parks on the same day without buying their own passes.

 

[Stitchfan]

Even if I don't need it, I like the idea of glowing on attractions that have black lights.

I have an AP and I always get it done just for that reason. It's fun to see if you can make out what the stamp says. Once my stamp said DUMBO another time it was ALICE though most of the time its just a big gloppy smear on my hand.

 

[seashoreCM]

Originally posted by lfontaine
Even if I don't need it, I like the idea of glowing on attractions that have black lights.

I really don't like the idea of glowing on attractions that have black lights. But I don't know where to get laundry detergent that does not make my clothing so glow.

I have long suggested getting a handstamp when leaving each park. This eliminates the problem of washing off such as during a waterpark stay, but unfortunatley also makes it impossible to tell whether the stamp says "Alice" [in wonderland] or "Dumbo".
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[magic kingdom park]

we were just there in Oct. trust me ap or hopper get your hand stamped. the system went down at the mk but because we had our stamp we got to go through, those who did not had to wait til the system came back up

 

[sha_lyn]

So silly that you need your hand stamped with a Park Hopper! We'll be sure to get our hands that prized stamp!

Why is it silly for WDW to try to protect itself against fraud?

IE I could enter a park with 2-3 family memebers, gather their tickets, go out the gate and hand off the "extra" tickets to other family memebers/friends

 

[laurajetter]

or just do what I do and get a hand stamp no matter what...it's not like it takes that long or anything (at least at the times of the year when we go) and you're covered either way.

 

[Lucky4me]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
Why is it silly for WDW to try to protect itself against fraud?

IE I could enter a park with 2-3 family memebers, gather their tickets, go out the gate and hand off the "extra" tickets to other family memebers/friends

Wow you must have a devious mind.
Just kidding Sha lyn, but I can't imagine anyone doing this.
I guess Disney has it covered. Good for them.