Trouble with AP's in fast pass machines?

[Clay&Matt'sMom]

Just wondering if anybody else has had this problem. We were in the world the 3rd week in June. I have an AP and had trouble almost everytime I tried to get a fast pass. I put it in frontwards, backwards, you name it. The machine would take my AP, then give it back without a fast pass. Then when I would try it again, I got back a pass that said it was not my "valid" time. The machine thought it already gave me one. Luckily, most of the area's had a CM close by I could tell. But on a few of them, I had to go and hunt somebody down. I saw several other people with AP's and they were having the same problem.

Has anybody else experienced this???

Kim

 

[DebbieB]

I have an AP and was there in April & May and didn't have a problem. Do you have problems going through the turnstiles? Maybe it's not reading it properly.

 

[Clay&Matt'sMom]

The first few times I went through the turnstiles I didn't have any trouble. Then I had trouble the rest of our trip. I always had to show my license. IT was so frustrating. I always felt like I was holding everybody up.

I too have thought it wasn't reading it right. But I don't know how to fix that. I wish they made the AP's out of plastic instead of paper.

Kim

 

[bunnyfoo]

I have had that problem before when the finger scan wasn't working properly for me. I was told at guest services the CM at the gate pretty much waived me through ... ie. he let me through the gates without scanning my pass. Since he didn't scan my pass, the FP machines didn't recognize my AP has being in the park for that day.... so when I tried to get an FP, it said my pass wasn't valid.

 

[Clay&Matt'sMom]

That's very interesting. So I guess you have to ask the CM to scan it for you when you walk in if your finger scan doesn't work. But it was strange because sometimes it would work, and sometimes it wouldn't. I started getting nervous everytime I walked toward the FP machine. I would go ahead and look for a CM, and ask them to stay close by because I would probably need them.

 

[tar heel]

We got one of our son's AP replaced at guest services b/c it never scanned properly at the gate and thus wouldn't work at the FP machines.

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by bunnyfoo
I have had that problem before when the finger scan wasn't working properly for me. I was told at guest services the CM at the gate pretty much waived me through ... ie. he let me through the gates without scanning my pass. Since he didn't scan my pass, the FP machines didn't recognize my AP has being in the park for that day.... so when I tried to get an FP, it said my pass wasn't valid.

I have had that same problem. The CM at Guest Services told me there is more than one way that the turnstile CMs can over-ride the turnstile if your scan doesn't work. One of them sort of says "Ignore the fingerscan, but read and record the pass." The other one just sends the pass thru and advances the turnstile like they do for children under 3. If the CM doesn't do it the correct way (the first way), the computer doesn't realize your pass has been used that day and you won't be able to get any fastpasses with it.
If you are having lots of trouble with your pass, it may be getting de-magnetized. I was told to make sure never to have 2 magnetic strips (like 2 passes, or a pass and a credit card) touching each other.

 

[Disney Fool]

Ditto!! Where are you storing your AP? If you put it in your wallet next to a credit card, it will demagnetize. I had that problem and had to have a new one issued before it would work properly. Ever since, I've put it back in its jacket.

 

[DebbieB]

I have a friend whose AP kept demagnetizing, she couldn't figure out why. she kept getting new AP's and they would work once and then not work again. Turned out her purse had a magnetic snap.

 

[Clay&Matt'sMom]

That could be it. Although I had it in the little paper packet they give you, I still had my credit cards either behind it or in front of it. Can they issue a new AP at your hotel, or do you have to do it at guest services at one of the theme parks?

 

[FatCow]

This is what I'm worried about.

I don't understand why they use regular plastic card for UPH but only cardboard for AP.

I'm also worried that these AP problems will hamper the smoothness of my trip in December.

 

[Magickndm]

Yes they can get demagnatized very easily...and they really aren't just cardboard. We use our AP's a few times a month and have never had one even look worn, so they are tougher than they look.

 

[FatCow]

so everytime there's a failure we have to go to a certain office (and waste our time) to have the problem 'fixed'?

ps: I know it's not cardboard. They are plasticized and magnetized paper. My dad used to sell the machine that makes these type of card to be used as phone-cards and key-cards for hotels. They are designed NOT to last long (only for several months with care, or several weeks with regular usage).

 

[Safari Steve]

Just as a caveat, the plastic stock is used for tickets that are mailed because they hold up better in the mail. They demagnetize just as easily as the paper ones and the parks don't have the facilities to issue plastic stock. Even if they did, they would have to be reissued just as often as the paper ones.

It doesn't sound like your AP is demagnetized, but it sounds like the Biometric scanner didn't recognize your fingers. This can happen for many reasons: if you used a different hand on your last visit, if your fingernails changed length considerably since your last visit, if you are wearing different rings, if you are moving your hand inside of the scanner instead of holding it still, or if your hand is angled slightly differently. The alternative to using the finger scanner is the photo ID, and you should always carry your photo ID just in case. Next time you enter a park, approach the turnstile with your AP and your ID together, show them both to the CM, and ask them to make a "New Template".

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by FatCow
...I don't understand why they use regular plastic card for UPH but only cardboard for AP.

The main reason for that is because your resort ID which contains your UPH is also your room key. The paper stock would not work in the doors more than one or two times before becoming damaged.

Couple that with the facts that the resorts are the only ones who issue plastic at WDW and that they do not sell AP's.

I'm also worried that these AP problems will hamper the smoothness of my trip in December.

Why stress over things you cannot control? It takes but a few minutes at Guest Relations to fix any AP ticket should one even occur.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by Clay&Matt'sMom
...Can they issue a new AP at your hotel, or do you have to do it at guest services at one of the theme parks?

The Guest Services at the resorts cannot do anything with AP's. You would need to go to a Guest Relations location at the parks or at DTD.

 

[FatCow]

The paper stock would not work in the doors more than one or two times before becoming damaged.

The above is not true. The AP-type card was originally DESIGNED for room-key and phone-card. No, this is not designed by Disney, but by the inventor of this system. It was first used in Japan about 15 years ago and still widely used by hotels around the world. Hilton Hotel chain is one of the many hotels that uses these type of card-key.

It takes but a few minutes at Guest Relations to fix any AP ticket should one even occur.

That is not true. Even walking back and forth from even the nearest FP machine to Guest Relations will take 15 minutes plus the lineup. Everytime this thing happen, you will lose at least 30 minutes of your time at the park. More if the Guest Relations was busy.

During our last trip we waited for over 30 minutes at the office just to ask a question (they claimed that I have no more $$ on my room-key account although I've just put $500 earlier in the morning). The trip from CRT, and back, the wait and the process of straigthening everything out took about 90 minutes!

 

[disneyholic family]

if your AP isn't scannable, you can request a replacement...

 

[erikthewise]

Safari Steve is/was a CM and as usual his advice is right on the money.

The bit about using a "different" hand is a little strange though. It would not be easy to use your left hand instead of your right, unless you put it in the wrong machine...

The trick is to memorize exactly how you place your fingers the first time you go through (or whenever you make a "new template"), and try to duplicate that position. Works for me anyway.

I took our two boys to Epcot one morning, and ran all four APs through the Test Track FP machine as usual. I was shocked when it didn't accept DW's AP! Then I realized why -- she was still back in our room, resting! I guess they don't like to give FPs to people who aren't in the park.

 

[Clay&Matt'sMom]

Wow, lots of opinions and different strategies. I think my next trip I will ask them to make a new template and see how it goes. If I still have trouble, I will make a stop at guest services on the way out.

Luckily, at most FP machines, there is a CM hanging around, especially on the more popular rides. I just always made eye contact with them and asked them to stay close by because I seemed to be having a lot of problems. They were always very nice. On the occasions when there wasn't a CM, I just walked up to the CM at the FP entrance and told them the problem and they radioed somebody to come.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has had this problem.