POLL: Disney World Theme Parks Now Require Children to have a Biometric Fingerprint Scan

[Siren]

OS: Disney World starts scanning kids' fingers

Walt Disney World has begun requiring children from 3 to 9 years old to have their fingers scanned when they enter the theme parks, just like older kids and adults.

Disney said the new process will help block the use of stolen and shared tickets. Previously, kids' tickets would have been easy to transfer because they had no finger images attached to them.

Parents who feel uncomfortable with having their kids' fingers scanned can use their own instead.

Disney introduced scanners more than a decade ago that used "finger geometry" — pictures of several points on people's fingers.

 

[Bolt]

Who really cares.

 

[Siren]

Not everything needs a thread siren.

Hi @Sped2424! Is this not the same group of people who totally freaked out over a Disney princess costume?

I honestly thought this would be important to parents and families with small children. And, I didn't know that child tickets were being used to commit fraud like that -- it must have been pretty rampant for Disney to require fingerprints from a three year old toddler.

Anyway, since this appears to be a total non issue -- the mods can just delete it.

ETA: I see some people already voted -- thank you!

 

[TheOrangeBird01]

I think that's a good idea. If I have to have my finger scanned then so do the children. It isn't much of a big deal.

 

[livan126]

I've always been asked to use my finger for my son's ticket. Nothing new to me.

 

[Matt in the Hatt]

I don't have kids so it doesn't effect me, but i am curious what the argument against the scan would be

 

[Seanual757]

No big deal but I can see where little ones may have issues touching the finger print pad or not wanting to touch the finger print readers at that young age. I have a 2 year old and a new born so next July will be a test to see how that works out when my 2 year old turns 3.

 

[21stamps]

I've always been asked to use my finger for my son's ticket. Nothing new to me.

My son had to do it last year as well.

 

[Tom]

There are absolutely no privacy concerns to be had. But I see it becoming a logistical nightmare.

 

[montyz81]

Not sure why people are upset by this. It is a good idea to have your kids finger prints at the local PD anyway.

 

[deeevo]

My girls will get a kick out of it. It will make them feel like they are grown up. Disney already has everything they every wanted to know about me and my family so I really don't care.

 

[Jon81uk]

Also as far as I am aware it is a biometric scan but not a fingerprint record.

 

[tribbleorlfl]

There are absolutely no privacy concerns to be had. But I see it becoming a logistical nightmare.

I agree, I can't imagine why anyone would be against this, though I'm also with you in wondering how they're going to efficiently manage this with the especially younger set (3-6ish) that can't reach the finger pad. I suppose they can have the parent pick them up or use some kind of hand-held scanner, but that will slow things down. They can install shorter finger scanners, but that would take money.

I say just require an adult's finger for all and be done with it.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I won't allow it. I've read that scanning children creates autism.

 

[21stamps]

I won't allow it. I've read that scanning children creates autism.

Is this sarcasm?

 

[MissM]

How effective can it be though? Kids grow like weeds! I would think that on an AP, the scan from the beginning of the pass would be totally out of sync with the measurements by the end of the year! It seems like it might be...a challenge, let's say to get some more fidgety kids to (a) stand still enough to take the measurement and (b) put their finger back in the same spot consistently. Seems like it'd just be easier to use a parent reading. Faster too. *shrugs*

 

[Minnie Mum]

I don't see what the big deal is. If Disney wants to require scans, then, whatever. Just show your child how to stick his finger in the scanner like everyone else. Pick him up and help him/her if necessary. If it turns into a logistical nightmare, then Disney will abruptly, without notice, change the policy again.

Personally, I wouldn't use my finger scan instead of my child's. What happens at the next park if daddy is with him and I'm not?

 

[wdwmagic]

I see some kids loving the fact that they can go through the entrance just like the grown ups.

Then there will be kids that will freak out and will refuse to do it.

Kids that are too short to reach, and the parents already have their hands full with newborns etc and unable to lift them up.

Then the parents who think its a privacy issue and will refuse.

It likely all adds up to even longer waits at the touch points.

 

[matt9112]

Who really cares.

probably all the parents that watch as there children's fingerprints dont match over and over as small fingers are much harder for the scanner to work....and this is widespread so basically the entire premise is moot since so many children will simply end up linked to there parents fingerprint.

 

[matt9112]

I see some kids loving the fact that they can go through the entrance just like the grown ups.

Then there will be kids that will freak out and will refuse to do it.

Kids that are too short to reach, and the parents already have their hands full with newborns etc and unable to lift them up.

Then the parents who think its a privacy issue and will refuse.

It likely all adds up to even longer waits at the touch points.

forgot to mention all the issues with little fingers being successfully scanned. have talked to a handful of fellow pass holders with kids and scanning issues where reported by all of them.