Phasing out paper tickets

[LondonTom]

Well the NFL has been using digital tickets exclusively now for a couple seasons. And while I can't speak for every teams/stadium entry experience I can say that for the most part entry is a lot quicker than when paper tickets were used. And you're talking about fans that on average are a little tipsy having to fumble through their phones, its still quicker. And again I can't speak to every team, but most team apps aren't designed any better than the Disney app. So its a comparable experience to Disney switching.

So I would say lets wait and see. There might be an initial learning curve especially on the CM side. But overall I wouldn't be surprised, especially once MB+ usage is included, that it does indeed speed up Park entry.

As a season ticket (though for "soccer" here in the UK). The move to all-digital tickets (and getting rid of cards for season ticket holders especially ) has led to way more queues. Now that is a demographic here that sort of skews older and not digital savvy but the amount of issues compared to when we had physical tickets and cards is unreal from the app/scanner just not working to people just not having their phone ready to scan at all. (We also use unstaffed turnstiles, with only one or two stewards on each gate of about 10 or so turnstiles, just wait until Disney tries that one )


As a less regular visitor, I like getting the physical tickets even if I don't use them on trip! They are useful backups and a nice memento of the trip!

 

[Disney Irish]

As a season ticket (though for "soccer" here in the UK). The move to all-digital tickets (and getting rid of cards for season ticket holders especially ) has led to way more queues. Now that is a demographic here that sort of skews older and not digital savvy but the amount of issues compared to when we had physical tickets and cards is unreal from the app/scanner just not working to people just not having their phone ready to scan at all. (We also use unstaffed turnstiles, with only one or two stewards on each gate of about 10 or so turnstiles, just wait until Disney tries that one )


As a less regular visitor, I like getting the physical tickets even if I don't use them on trip! They are useful backups and a nice memento of the trip!

As I said I can't speak for all teams or stadiums, which includes other sports in other countries.

But as a season ticket holder for my local NFL team I can say once past security it takes less than 5 minutes to get through the gate compared to 10-15 minutes with physical. Now this is my personal experience and maybe I've been real lucky (or maybe my local NFL stadium is just setup better, dunno), but this is now been multiple seasons having this same experience. Just know I don't expect the same thing for DLR, its a different environment. But cutting down the wait from 20-30 minutes in the morning down to 10-15 would be nice.

As I said though I would wait and see. I do expect an initial learning curve, especially on the CM side. But again overall I wouldn't be surprised to see an overall speed up for Park entry at DLR.

The personal preference on getting a physical ticket just means having to take the extra time to go to the ticket booth before heading to the gate. No one said that Disney has to make it easier on you to provide you something they are no longer providing by default.

 

[Emmanuel]

Are they still taking guests' pictures at the turnstiles?

If only they had enough CMs to have some walk down the lines helping people be ready.

Yep

There should be a faster process to this like the one you mentioned. Another idea would be to give guests the ability to take a photo of themselves (basically a selfie) at home and upload it to the website during the checkout process or have kiosks in the esplanade next to every ticket booth that allows you to take a photo and scan your ticket so it can be linked before you enter either park.

When I got my Knotts Season Pass last year I had the option to take a photo of myself at home and uploaded it during checkout so that my photo was already in their system on my first visit with my season pass.

 

[Phroobar]

Why doesn't Disney do what the rest of the industry does? Someone prints an eticket at home and they scan the bar code and let them in. Simple. Someone can show their eticket on their phone too.. Why does this have to be complicated?

 

[aaronml]

Why doesn't Disney do what the rest of the industry does? Someone prints an eticket at home and they scan the bar code and let them in. Simple. Someone can show their eticket on their phone too.. Why does this have to be complicated?

That is what they are doing now for tickets purchased online as of this past Monday.

Additionally, you can buy a MB+ to use instead, or ask at a ticket booth to have an official paper ticket printed out.

 

[Parteecia]

Yep

There should be a faster process to this like the one you mentioned. Another idea would be to give guests the ability to take a photo of themselves (basically a selfie) at home and upload it to the website during the checkout process or have kiosks in the esplanade next to every ticket booth that allows you to take a photo and scan your ticket so it can be linked before you enter either park.

When I got my Knotts Season Pass last year I had the option to take a photo of myself at home and uploaded it during checkout so that my photo was already in their system on my first visit with my season pass.

I agree. I did the same with my Knott's pass. I think lots of people would prefer to take their own photos. I did.

Look at us, solving problems for them. They owe us.

 

[DrAlice]

All of these issues would be solved if they just *gasp* staffed more turnstiles. All gates open = people can be as ill-prepared as they want and the lines will still be short.

(Insert a snarky @TP2000 comment about the VP of Guest Entry Experience here )

 

[VJ]

(Insert a snarky @TP2000 comment about the VP of Guest Entry Experience here )

As I sit here lounging on my platinum-gold chaise, martini in hand, I can't imagine how backed up the 405 freeway is right now. Cars, bumper to bumper, and here I am in my silk robe, martini in hand, on my platinum-gold chaise. I bet Ky'le from Tustin wishes he could be me right now. Too bad he was laid off in 2020.

 

[CaptinEO]

Great so if your phone dies from the battery sucking app you have no chance to re-enter.

How consumer friendly!

It's weird how Disney in the last few years went from having a few smartphone features to literally requiring it to get into and navigate the park now.

Go tell grandma how she needs to download an app and make a disney account and upload credit card information to buy her tickets and get into the park. Magical!

My sympathies to the many grandkids that are going to have to be Disneyland tech support just for their family to get admission.

 

[Emmanuel]

I agree. I did the same with my Knott's pass. I think lots of people would prefer to take their own photos. I did.

Basically all they have to do on the website is say "To make your entry into the theme parks as quick as possible, please submit a photo of yourself to be attached to your ticket or Magic Key Pass!", add in some simple rules for the photo and Im pretty sure everyone will do it.

Basically a good portion is good at taking pictures of themselves with walls so it shouldn't be a problem taking a pic in front of a blank wall at home XD

 

[CaptinEO]

Basically all they have to do on the website is say "To make your entry into the theme parks as quick as possible, please submit a photo of yourself to be attached to your ticket or Magic Key Pass!", add in some simple rules for the photo and Im pretty sure everyone will do it.

Basically a good portion is good at taking pictures of themselves with walls so it shouldn't be a problem taking a pic in front of a blank wall at home XD

Gotta love how they inconvenience every guest entering because a select few people would resell their unused multiday tickets online. The ultimate premium guest experience, photo required!

 

[Disney Irish]

Great so if your phone dies from the battery sucking app you have no chance to renter.

In 2022 any traveler on vacation that doesn't have a portable battery charger is just asking for their phone to die. They are so smaller now they can fit your pocket alongside your phone and gives a couple full charges. Heck Disney used to (they may still) sell the refillable Fuelrods for just this reason.

However with that said, back in July I went the whole day opening to closing while being in the app all the time for DAS and my phone lasted the whole day never once dying. So it is possible to do it, some may not want to but it is possible to have a phone last the entire day.

 

[Disney Irish]

Gotta love how they inconvenience every guest entering because a select few people would resell their unused multiday tickets online. The ultimate premium guest experience, photo required!

You know what they say, a few rotten apples spoils the bunch.

 

[CaptinEO]

You know what they say, a few rotten apples spoils the bunch.

I don't know. How much money was disney actually losing from the sale of partially used multiday tickets? Was it really worth it to inconvenience every guest and pay staff to do photos for every person?

Every second people have to spend waiting in line are seconds they could be in the park spending money.

 

[Disney Irish]

I don't know. How much money was disney actually losing from the sale of partially used multiday tickets? Was it really worth it to inconvenience every guest and pay staff to do photos for every person?

Every second people have to spend waiting in line are seconds they could be in the park spending money.

My understanding, based on reports on sites like this one from back in the day, was that Disney was losing lots of money due to reselling of unused tickets on the secondary market. So yeah obviously to Disney it was worth it. Now whether you think its worth it or not, well YMMV.

CMs were there anyways checking tickets, so its not like they are paid extra or hired new CMS because they now have to take pictures of the guests.

Basically any money lost by Disney is money they will try to recover either through changes to policies or through increases in price to the guest, its economics 101.

Also its not like the entrance gate was some speedy entry prior to the photos being taken anyways. So adding a few extra seconds for a picture is not the end of the world nor is it much in potential lost sales to Disney.

 

[Parteecia]

In 2022 any traveler on vacation that doesn't have a portable battery charger is just asking for their phone to die. They are so smaller now they can fit your pocket alongside your phone and gives a couple full charges. Heck Disney used to (they may still) sell the refillable Fuelrods for just this reason.

However with that said, back in July I went the whole day opening to closing while being in the app all the time for DAS and my phone lasted the whole day never once dying. So it is possible to do it, some may not want to but it is possible to have a phone last the entire day.

I will say that the battery rundown on my phone can be very unpredictable. I do usually carry a power bank but don't completely trust either. I've also had a device unexpectedly glitch. I haven't broken one by dropping but friends have. Or it could just get lost. What is DL's backup option for (re)entry with uncooperative phones? ID and begging at a booth? Or are you just SOL?

 

[Disney Irish]

I will say that the battery rundown on my phone can be very unpredictable. I do usually carry a power bank but don't completely trust either. I've also had a device unexpectedly glitch. I haven't broken one by dropping but friends have. Or it could just get lost. What is DL's backup option for (re)entry with uncooperative phones? ID and begging at a booth? Or are you just SOL?

Well if your devices are that temperamental so much that you don't even trust a power bank as a backup, well that is more a personal issue than a Disney issue. However with that being said Disney is giving multiple options here.

As was pointed out on first page of this thread Disney is still printing out paper tickets upon request at the ticket booth, its just no longer the default. So if you're that worried about your device failing, then stand in line at the ticket booth prior to entry and get a paper ticket. Or alternatively you can get a MB+ and link it to your account and not deal with your phone or a paper ticket at all. There are multiple options for anyone that isn't keen on using their phone all the time.

 

[CaptinEO]

My understanding, based on reports on sites like this one from back in the day, was that Disney was losing lots of money due to reselling of unused tickets on the secondary market. So yeah obviously to Disney it was worth it. Now whether you think its worth it or not, well YMMV.

CMs were there anyways checking tickets, so its not like they are paid extra or hired new CMS because they now have to take pictures of the guests.

Basically any money lost by Disney is money they will try to recover either through changes to policies or through increases in price to the guest, its economics 101.

Also its not like the entrance gate was some speedy entry prior to the photos being taken anyways. So adding a few extra seconds for a picture is not the end of the world nor is it much in potential lost sales to Disney.

Im thinking it adds 20 seconds minimum to each person entering, unless they are a re entry or AP holder. That's a lot of time wasted by their cast and guests.

 

[Disney Irish]

Im thinking it adds 20 seconds minimum to each person entering, unless they are a re entry or AP holder. That's a lot of time wasted by their cast and guests.

I guess it depends on the CM doing it, I've seen some do it in less than 10 seconds per guest.

But other than having a guest upload their own picture there isn't a better option given trying to prevent reselling of unused tickets. And then if you do have guests trying to upload their own picture then you have to worry about if its the right picture, if its visible, etc. Which then still would have to be verified by the CM at the gate, and possibly retaken. So that part isn't going to speed up much if at all.

Basically there is no option where a guest picture isn't going to be required to enter the park. As far as I'm aware all theme parks now, even local amusement parks, pretty much require a picture of the guest prior to entry. I would think that those that don't are more than exception than the rule.

 

[chadwpalm]

Well if your devices are that temperamental so much that you don't even trust a power bank as a backup, well that is more a personal issue than a Disney issue. However with that being said Disney is giving multiple options here.

As was pointed out on first page of this thread Disney is still printing out paper tickets upon request at the ticket booth, its just no longer the default. So if you're that worried about your device failing, then stand in line at the ticket booth prior to entry and get a paper ticket. Or alternatively you can get a MB+ and link it to your account and not deal with your phone or a paper ticket at all. There are multiple options for anyone that isn't keen on using their phone all the time.

Or better yet, before you leave on your trip print out a backup ticket from the website on paper and take it with you as a final backup to all the other backups. I still see just as many people go to the gates in the morning with paper print-outs as those who use the app. Nothing has to change in that regard.

As far as I know, whether you purchase your ticket through the website or app (or even undercover tourist) you get a confirmation email with a link to a PDF you can print. That won't (or shouldn't) change.