Does anyone know about this? Fingerprint deal....

[Erin_Akey]

Hi guys,
My aunt and uncle have a trip planned for December and are curious about something. They want to know if they show an ID, if the park will let them in without doing the fingerprint deal.

They said they refuse to give Disney their prints and if they have to do this they will cancel the trip. To me it isn't a big deal, but i was asked to find out if there was a way to get around that?

THey said when they went in 2006, they were allowed to show an ID and get in. Can you still do this?

Thanks!
Eriin

 

[Nemo14]

First of all it is not a fingerprint, but rather a biometric measurement.

Secondly when we went in May we did not have to use it at all - I don't think they can force you too, especially now with swine flu lurking.

 

[EPCOTPluto]

Maybe some Cast Members will help you more.

As far as I am concerned, everyone needs to scan their fingerprint in order to get in the park.

But there are times when they don't let you scan it...

 

[Monty]

Hi guys,
My aunt and uncle have a trip planned for December and are curious about something. They want to know if they show an ID, if the park will let them in without doing the fingerprint deal.

They said they refuse to give Disney their prints and if they have to do this they will cancel the trip. To me it isn't a big deal, but i was asked to find out if there was a way to get around that?

THey said when they went in 2006, they were allowed to show an ID and get in. Can you still do this?

Thanks!
Eriin

They can, but they will annoy anyone behind them in line by creating a delay...

I don't do the biometric scan because I don't have fingers for them to scan. I am always embarrassed when folks behind me are delayed while the CM checks my ID.

If their objection is based on privacy concerns, you can reassure them that the machine does not scan or record their fingerprint, it measures the length and width and records that data in relationship to the ticket. Then when that ticket is used again, it compares the recorded measurements to the current measurements.

 

[CleveRocks]

Not that this will change their minds, but just in case ....

Disney is not recording our fingerprints. The scanner looks for three (or more) specific points on the fingerprint and measures the distances between them. These measurements get sent through a mathematical algorithm which results in a number.

Using the algorithm, there are only about 1,000 possible numbers. This means that, statistically speaking, you have a a 1 in 1,000 chance of having the same "number" as someone else ... this is hardly sensitive information.

But 1 in 1,000 is close enough to satisfy Disney that you aren't using someone else's ticket. And that's all they're looking for. They aren't trying to capture our fingerprints for any nefarious use.

HOWEVER, I'll bet a case of Mickey Bars that Disney uses facial recognition software at the park entrances. This has been is use for years at Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos, and other places as well. THAT captures your identity and gets you put in a database somewhere. So if they want to be paranoid about corporate/government conspiracies, tell them to forget about the finger scans and worry about the potential use of facial recognition system instead.

 

[Uncle Lupe]

Wait until they put the RFID into the tickets, then they can track your movements around the complex.

 

[Eeyore]

I think it would all depend on the cast member working the turnstiles at the time. I had a cut on my finger one trip and was wearing a bandaid, a number of turnstile cms let me through with ID but one at Hollywood studios made me switch to a different finger.

 

[Engine 51]

Please have them use IDs. And make sure that when they go to a quick service dining location, they don't even look at the menu board until it's their turn to order. And of couse, they have to have a child in a stroller in all bus lines, and they can't fold the stroller or even remove the child until they get to the door of the bus.

 

[Eljay]

HOWEVER, I'll bet a case of Mickey Bars that Disney uses facial recognition software at the park entrances. This has been is use for years at Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos, and other places as well. THAT captures your identity and gets you put in a database somewhere. So if they want to be paranoid about corporate/government conspiracies, tell them to forget about the finger scans and worry about the potential use of facial recognition system instead.

I wonder how well that works with so many people wearing hats and sunglasses in the parks? :shrug:

I always figure that I must miss celebrities all the time, because of the hat & sunglasses thing.

 

[Rob562]

I've also heard that Guest Relations can permanently set a ticket to give a "check ID" message to the CM at the gate, but have no personal experience with it. (I think it was also for an Annual Pass, but presume that it'd be possible for all of them)

MontyMon, are your tickets flagged in this way so that the "problem indicator" starts blinking for the CM right away? (Because sometimes you have one CM working multiple turnstiles) Or do you have to call over a CM or wait until the machine times out before it starts blinking?

-Rob

 

[Phonedave]

Not that this will change their minds, but just in case ....

Disney is not recording our fingerprints. The scanner looks for three (or more) specific points on the fingerprint and measures the distances between them. These measurements get sent through a mathematical algorithm which results in a number.

Using the algorithm, there are only about 1,000 possible numbers. This means that, statistically speaking, you have a a 1 in 1,000 chance of having the same "number" as someone else ... this is hardly sensitive information.

But 1 in 1,000 is close enough to satisfy Disney that you aren't using someone else's ticket. And that's all they're looking for. They aren't trying to capture our fingerprints for any nefarious use.

HOWEVER, I'll bet a case of Mickey Bars that Disney uses facial recognition software at the park entrances. This has been is use for years at Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos, and other places as well. THAT captures your identity and gets you put in a database somewhere. So if they want to be paranoid about corporate/government conspiracies, tell them to forget about the finger scans and worry about the potential use of facial recognition system instead.

Just to go further with this, its called a one way hash.

Think of it this way. Lets say it takes the measurements and adds them together. Your measurements are 4 2 and 8, so your recod has a hash value of 14. Thats what gets stored - 14. There is no way to determine from the 14 if your measurements are 1, 5, and 8 or 7, 3, and 4, or any other possible combination.

A totaly benign system, you can assure them. Trust me, I am none to happy with the governement having my fingerprints, and I happly use the system at WDW.

-dave

 

[Monty]

I've also heard that Guest Relations can permanently set a ticket to give a "check ID" message to the CM at the gate, but have no personal experience with it. (I think it was also for an Annual Pass, but presume that it'd be possible for all of them)

MontyMon, are your tickets flagged in this way so that the "problem indicator" starts blinking for the CM right away? (Because sometimes you have one CM working multiple turnstiles) Or do you have to call over a CM or wait until the machine times out before it starts blinking?

-Rob

Actually, my AP is set to simply work without the biometric scan. When I first get a new MYW or AP I have to call a CM over to hit a specific key on their pad [I know which letter they hit, but I don't do it myself :animwink:] Then I head to GR and have them set up the ticket for biometric bypass. I usually have to ask for a Manager because most front-line GR CMs don't know how to actualy code the ticket for it [some managers don't either]. After I tell them a few times that I've had it done before, they call around and usually find someone who knows how.

I keep ID handy in case I'm asked, but the turnstiles open without CM intervention when I use my ticket. A few CMs have been surprised by the turnstile letting me in when they're trying to tell me I have to use the scan, but none have actually asked me for ID. They do ask me to report if I lose my ticket right away so they can disable it.

They will not do this for someone with fingers, it is specifically for situations such as mine where it is physically impossible to scan. If you are capable of having your finger scanned and choose not to a CM will request photo ID and confirm that the name on the ID and the ticket match exactly.

 

[PBarton]

Hi guys,
My aunt and uncle have a trip planned for December and are curious about something. They want to know if they show an ID, if the park will let them in without doing the fingerprint deal.

They said they refuse to give Disney their prints and if they have to do this they will cancel the trip. To me it isn't a big deal, but i was asked to find out if there was a way to get around that?

THey said when they went in 2006, they were allowed to show an ID and get in. Can you still do this?

Thanks!
Eriin

:brick:

 

[hemloc]

You can opt out of biometric scanning, but you are then required to don a pair of aluminum foil Mickey/Minnie Mouse ears for the duration of your visit :drevil:...

 

[scpergj]

Wait until they put the RFID into the tickets, then they can track your movements around the complex.

...and the day they do that is when I buy an RFID blocking wallets. Seriously - I've been looking at them anyway. If (there have already been preliminary discussions) the state of Florida goes to RFID on your drivers license, you'd better bet I'll have one of those wallets!

 

[SirNim]

...and the day they do that is when I buy an RFID blocking wallets. Seriously - I've been looking at them anyway. If (there have already been preliminary discussions) the state of Florida goes to RFID on your drivers license, you'd better bet I'll have one of those wallets!

Beware, Beware
Be a very wary bear...

 

[macsmom]

What does the RF stand for in RFID? I assume ID stands for identification.

danna

NEVER MIND - I followed SirNim's link and found the answer! tHANKS.

 

[Monty]

Beware, Beware
Be a very wary bear...

If you carry a cell phone it's already too late!

Paranoia is amusing.

 

[justdru]

If you carry a cell phone it's already too late!

Paranoia is amusing.

As a former police officer, I can tell you that he is correct!

Just last week, the FBI caught a fella who robbed a bank in a nearby town using cell tracking technology. They pinpointed him a hotel and then picked him up the next day at a car dealership. Granted, in general, a warrant is required and the cell companies do have entire departments related to subpoenas for information/tracking. However, it's still a bit of a scary thought! Here's a wired.com article if you're interested: http://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2006/05/70829.

Also, do you have OnStar?

 

[Bluewaves]

They are probably the same people that have their home address programmed into their GPS in their car and have a garage door opener and leave the door from the garage to the house unlocked so all you have to do is get in their car, tell the gps to take you home, hit the button on the opener and then walk into their house and steal all their stuff.

Tell them to get over, #1 your on camera all the time at Disney, I am sure they use facial recognition software, which works well even with sun glasses and hats and #2 they are just making a hassle for everyone else thats there that day. Not to mention Disney does care about your finger prints they just want to make sure your ticket is yours thats all.

You know on second thought just tell them to cancel their trip so they aren't driving the rest of us nuts.