Disneyland Confirms Guests Can Opt Out of New Facial Recognition Entry System

Disneyland Confirms New Facial Recognition Entry is Optional

Disneyland Resort is now using a new way to get guests through the gates and into the magic a little faster. If you’ve visited the parks recently, you may have noticed the debut of a facial recognition entry system. While the tech is designed to streamline the arrival process, Disney has officially confirmed that the program is completely optional.

Here is everything you need to know about how the system works and how you can choose to skip it.

The technology is currently being utilized at select entry points. When a guest scans their theme park ticket or MagicBand at the turnstile, a camera captures an image of their face. That image is then converted into a unique numerical code, which is linked to the guest’s ticket.

The goal is to eliminate the need for Cast Members to manually take photos of every guest upon their first entry and to prevent ticket fraud by ensuring the same person is using the ticket for subsequent entries or Park Hopping.

For guests who prefer not to use facial recognition for privacy reasons or personal preference, Disneyland has made it clear that you do not have to participate.

If you wish to opt out, simply follow these steps:

• Inform the Cast Member: As you approach the entry gate, let the Cast Member know that you would like to opt out of the facial recognition scan.
• Manual Entry: You will instead be asked to show a valid photo ID that matches the name on your theme park ticket.
• Traditional Photo: A Cast Member will then validate your entry using the traditional method of taking a standard guest photo or checking your ID manually.

Disney has emphasized that the data collected through this system is handled with security in mind. The numerical codes generated by the scans are encrypted and are not shared with third parties. Additionally, the data is typically deleted within a short window after the ticket or pass is no longer valid, according to Disney’s privacy policy.

This move follows similar technology already implemented at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. By automating the identity verification process, Disney hopes to significantly reduce wait times at the main entrance, allowing guests to spend more time in the parks and less time in line.

Whether you’re a tech-savvy traveler ready to breeze through the gates or you prefer the traditional manual check-in, Disneyland is ensuring that every guest feels comfortable as they begin their day at the Happiest Place on Earth.

What do you think of the new facial recognition technology?

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