One finger ticket scanners: What's the point?

[darthjohnny]

Practically everytime I went to a park during my last trip in Christmas 2006, all the one finger ticket scanners were worthless. Everyone just slid their ticket in and I didn't have to have my finger scanned for my Annual Pass.

I think maybe once when I entered through the International Gateway at Epcot, it worked (at least I think it worked anyway).

I think the two finger scannign system was better. At least they worked.

So what's the point of having the one finger scanners? Have they, or will they ever work? It seems like it is risky for Disney because anyone could use anyone's annual pass over and over again. :veryconfu :xmas:

 

[sbkline]

I'm not sure what the big deal is if someone uses someone else's pass anyway. I know that is Disney policy, but why is it such a big deal to them. As long as someone has spent the money for a ticket, what the heck difference does it make to Disney who actually uses it?

 

[darthjohnny]

I'm not sure what the big deal is if someone uses someone else's pass anyway. I know that is Disney policy, but why is it such a big deal to them. As long as someone has spent the money for a ticket, what the heck difference does it make to Disney who actually uses it?

The deal is that people could steal the tickets, and get into the park for free, forcing the people that the tickets were stolen from would have to get new ones.

 

[MiceysBestPal]

I think the two finger scannign system was better. At least they worked.

Not so much.

That's why they replaced them all at tremendous expense.

 

[gatordoc]

Once again, although many refuse to believe me, these scanning systems are bogus. I am a big guy, and my wife is a fairly average sized woman. There are no biometric properties that could possibly match between us. Every once in awhile we switch passes just to see what will happen. If we ever got caught, it would be very easy to claim that we accidently mixed them up. But we've never failed to get in without a problem, whether it's with a 2-finger or 1-finger "scan".

 

[soccer9miahamm]

I, myself, prefer the new one-finger scanning. My family, especially my dad, always had problems aligning our fingers just right in the other one. This way, you can't screw it up as easily--not as many positions to place your finger in. We are also annual pass holders and the only problem I have is that they are still paper passes! I don't understand this--I had to have my pass replaced within the first few days because the pass itself did not respond.

 

[darthjohnny]

Not so much.

That's why they replaced them all at tremendous expense.

No, they worked. Some people didn't know how to use them though. And some need to be cleaned becuase of the grease and oils from peoples fingers. And the cast members didn't know how to help someone out when people didn't get it ("Squeeze! Squeeze!" even though really there is nothing to squeeze.)

But the one finger scanners just sit there as blinking lights.

 

[MiceysBestPal]

Once again, although many refuse to believe me, these scanning systems are bogus. I am a big guy, and my wife is a fairly average sized woman. There are no biometric properties that could possibly match between us. Every once in awhile we switch passes just to see what will happen. If we ever got caught, it would be very easy to claim that we accidently mixed them up. But we've never failed to get in without a problem, whether it's with a 2-finger or 1-finger "scan".

There are many conditions, situations and timing that can allow this to happen.

Anecdotal evidence is not very reliable research at WDW.

 

[sknydave]

My girlfriend scanned my annual pass instead of hers the other day and when she scanned her finger it returned the red light and didn't let her in...

 

[gatordoc]

There are many conditions, situations and timing that can allow this to happen.

Anecdotal evidence is not very reliable research at WDW.

Anecdotal evidence is not reliable research anywhere, actually. :animwink:

However, observational research is. I have made this observation on at least twenty occasions. Some were busy, some not. Some were early in the day, some were late. While this admittedly remains a small number, the 100% rate of success is not statistically likely. However, if anyone can present hard evidence that the scanners 1) work, and 2) are accurately utilized, I'd be happy to change my mind.:wave:

 

[darthjohnny]

Once again, although many refuse to believe me, these scanning systems are bogus. I am a big guy, and my wife is a fairly average sized woman. There are no biometric properties that could possibly match between us. Every once in awhile we switch passes just to see what will happen. If we ever got caught, it would be very easy to claim that we accidently mixed them up. But we've never failed to get in without a problem, whether it's with a 2-finger or 1-finger "scan".

Well, I don't know exactly what you are talking about, but the two-finger scanners did measure bone structure, not finger prints.

I, myself, prefer the new one-finger scanning. My family, especially my dad, always had problems aligning our fingers just right in the other one. This way, you can't screw it up as easily--not as many positions to place your finger in. We are also annual pass holders and the only problem I have is that they are still paper passes! I don't understand this--I had to have my pass replaced within the first few days because the pass itself did not respond.

It isn't necessarily your finger position, as long as you just relax. Sometimes the scanners were dirty, and you would have to wait a while, before it read your scan. And you know people are going to forget which finger they used with these new scanners.

I am not putting down these scanners, but do believe that they should be working by now.

 

[brertigger]

Once again, although many refuse to believe me, these scanning systems are bogus. I am a big guy, and my wife is a fairly average sized woman. There are no biometric properties that could possibly match between us. Every once in awhile we switch passes just to see what will happen. If we ever got caught, it would be very easy to claim that we accidently mixed them up. But we've never failed to get in without a problem, whether it's with a 2-finger or 1-finger "scan".

I believe that they link all of your group's tickets, so there would be no problem if y'all pick up the wrong ticket. This might be why you were able to switch the tickets.

 

[Monty]

Once again, although many refuse to believe me, these scanning systems are bogus. I am a big guy, and my wife is a fairly average sized woman. There are no biometric properties that could possibly match between us. Every once in awhile we switch passes just to see what will happen. If we ever got caught, it would be very easy to claim that we accidently mixed them up. But we've never failed to get in without a problem, whether it's with a 2-finger or 1-finger "scan".

It was explained to me early on that the biometric scanners accept any of the biometrics associated with tickets that were purchased at the same time by one person. Since it is quite likely you bought your wife's ticket at the same time as you bought your own, that would explain why you can swap tickets and they'll still work.

The reason the system does that is that quite often the people in a group will pool their tickets so one person can get FPs for the whole group. Since sorting out whose ticket is whose could potentially slow down progress in other scenarios, it's easier to just cross-reference the tickets that were purchased together.

 

[the-reason14]

Once again, although many refuse to believe me, these scanning systems are bogus. I am a big guy, and my wife is a fairly average sized woman. There are no biometric properties that could possibly match between us. Every once in awhile we switch passes just to see what will happen. If we ever got caught, it would be very easy to claim that we accidently mixed them up. But we've never failed to get in without a problem, whether it's with a 2-finger or 1-finger "scan".

Yea, I believe when you say that the scans aren't always on their game. Sometimes the CM gets frustrated and they just rig it to were the guest just put the ticket in and go through. If they're gonna set it up to where no one can steal it it needs to efficient all the time.

 

[illuminations25]

Once again, although many refuse to believe me, these scanning systems are bogus. I am a big guy, and my wife is a fairly average sized woman. There are no biometric properties that could possibly match between us. Every once in awhile we switch passes just to see what will happen. If we ever got caught, it would be very easy to claim that we accidently mixed them up. But we've never failed to get in without a problem, whether it's with a 2-finger or 1-finger "scan".

Ok, so you accidentally mixed them up and your ID will prove that you have your wife's and vice versa and they DO belong to you. You're not the person the company wants to watch. This system is used to protect company assets to assure that people aren't selling partially used tickets, etc.

There is a specific and well thought out system that determines when a finger scan is needed for a ticket that doesn't need to be discussed on this board. Just know that it is needed, it does work, and the single finger scan is much quicker since many Guests/Cast did not know how to properly use/instruct Guests how to use the two finger scanners.

A single finger scan works just as well and is much more time efficient at the gate.

 

[Chape19714]

During busy Time periods, such as this week, the biometric scan is bypassed by a manager to keep the lines moving.

 

[Clark Griswold]

I believe that the entire finger scanning system is bogus; it doesn't ever seem to work and it has lines backed up all the time. This is especially true at Epcot. I think something needs to be revised in order to keep park gate lines moving more fluently.

"Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantanganse alejado de las puertas."

 

[Dangeresque]

I'm not sure what the big deal is if someone uses someone else's pass anyway. I know that is Disney policy, but why is it such a big deal to them. As long as someone has spent the money for a ticket, what the heck difference does it make to Disney who actually uses it?

Because people would start time sharing annual passes like they do accommodations.

 

[Rob562]

Because people would start time sharing annual passes like they do accommodations.

Also, with the advent of the MYW passes, the price difference is only a few dollars per day (ignoring the "No Expire" for a moment). Let's say a person only needs 4 days, but buys 8. That's only about $10 difference. He uses the 4 days he needs and then passes it on to a friend who'd like to use the other 4 days next week. Disney then loses out on the money the friend would have paid for a 4-day pass of his own ($215).

Now, if you were Disney and it was your income we're talking about, which would you rather have gotten for those additional 4 days? $10 or $215?

-Rob

 

[mousermerf]

The scanners work just fine. It's wether or not they're turned on.

During peak periods, they're just not.

Either they'll be set to accept any scan. That happens a lot. Like, early morning during the rush on a "busy" day or when an evening EMH is starting.

You can tell because it'll accept your scan when your finger is only halfway on the pad.

Or, when they really wants things to be sped up, it'll just spit out your ticket and not even ask for a scan. That's what it was doing for NYE in the morning.