Disneyland Warns Theme Park Guests It Will Store Their Identities in Advanced Software
Disneyland Resort has installed new signs warning guests about the facial recognition technology it uses at its theme parks. Here’s what to know before your next visit to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park.
Facial Recognition Warning Signs at Disneyland Resort
On April 21, WDWNT reported that new signs had appeared in the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure at Disneyland Resort, informing guests that facial recognition technology will be used for theme park entry. The signs, located after the security checkpoint and before tram boarding, tell guests which lane to use if they want to opt out of facial recognition:
“Facial Recognition at Park Entry
Disneyland Resort park entries use facial recognition technology. Use of these lanes is optional.
If you do not wish to participate, please enter the line lane with the following overhead signage:”
These signs will likely eventually be installed in the Pixar Pals Parking Structure and other parking areas at the Southern California Disney destination.
How Does Disneyland Resort Use This Technology?
At Walt Disney World Resort, guests use their fingerprints to connect their theme park tickets to their individual identities. Disney doesn’t store fingerprint data; instead, it links each fingerprint to a numerical code that corresponds to a given guest, ensuring that theme park tickets aren’t stolen or shared.
Although Disneyland Resort recently updated its theme park entry points to allow MagicBands and other digital tickets, it still doesn’t have fingerprint scanners. Instead, Disney cast members take a photo of every guest on their first visit to the theme park, which is then matched every time they enter using facial recognition technology.
Guests who don’t want their image in the facial recognition software can have their photo manually checked by a Disney cast member to confirm their identity. Similarly, Walt Disney World Resort guests who wish to opt out of fingerprint scanning can have their photo taken and manually verified by a Disney cast member every time they enter the theme parks.
Should Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort be using facial recognition technology? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments!
