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Credit: DisneyMost security measures, in this day and age, make sense. Walking through metal detectors at every entrance is no longer taboo. But, one of Disney World’s measures still leaves people uneasy: the fingerprint scan.
Why does Disney World ask for our fingerprints? Do I have to scan my fingers to visit the parks?
Let’s answer those questions once and for all.
Only Walt Disney World asks Guests to scan their fingerprints at the Park entrances. Disneyland does not. Disney does not keep your fingerprints. They do not use the scans to track you around the property. Here’s what happens:
- When you scan your fingerprint–a biological definition of your individuality–Disney assigns you a number that becomes connected with your Park ticket.
Disney does this to fight ticket fraud, primarily for park-hopper and multi-day tickets. Assigning you an ID number ensures they know you and only you continue to use your key. For example, if you visit Walt Disney World for a week, that ID number is assigned when you first enter the Park by scanning your ticket and finger. Every subsequent time you scan your finger at a Park entrance, it simply verifies that it is you. This is a measure intended for efficiency and security.
Related: Technical Difficulties Allow Crowd to Enter Magic Kingdom Without Scanning Tickets
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But if scanning your fingerprints still scares you, there is a way to opt-out of having to do it. While Disney does keep this low-key, you can show a photo ID to a Cast Member instead.
This is the second time Inside the Magic has addressed this rumor. You can read our original coverage where we debunk other Disney rumors by clicking the link below:
Read More: Disney World Debunked: The Truth Behind the Parks’ Most Popular Rumors
You can also familiarize yourself with Walt Disney World’s privacy policies here.
Did you know why Disney World scans your finger? Do you opt out whenever you go? Let us know in the comments!