It’s the kind of interaction that leaves you blinking in disbelief. You’re wrapping up your day at Walt Disney World, exiting Hollywood Studios, when a stranger approaches and casually asks: “Are you leaving? Can I have your ticket so I can go in?”
That’s exactly what happened to one Annual Passholder who took to Reddit to share their strange encounter. And they’re not alone—dozens of commenters chimed in with stories, insights, and a resounding message: this might not be a scam in the traditional sense, but it’s definitely not how Disney tickets work.
Confusion or Something Shadier?
The original poster explained that the request caught them completely off guard. They informed the person that their ticket is digital and tied to an Annual Pass. But what seemed like an odd one-off encounter quickly gained traction online, with others saying they’ve witnessed or heard of similar interactions around Disney gates.
“That’s really shady. That hasn’t been plausible in a really long time,” one user replied. “That said, I remember a time when group tickets didn’t get biometrics.”
While some chalked it up to good old-fashioned confusion, others suggested this type of behavior could be inspired by policies at other theme parks, where transferring wristbands or tickets is more feasible.
“Someone taking their Six Flags ideology to Disney,” a commenter joked. “My local park is Canada’s Wonderland and there’s always multiple people waiting outside the gate asking for used FastPass wristbands.”
The Biometrics Barrier: Why Reusing Tickets Is Impossible
What these would-be opportunists may not realize is that Disney has long implemented biometric scanning at all four theme parks in Florida. This means each park ticket is linked directly to the user’s fingerprint and My Disney Experience account. Even physical tickets are paired with guest-specific data, rendering them non-transferable.
Attempting to use someone else’s ticket won’t get you inside. At best, it will trigger a security flag at the touchpoint; at worst, you could be questioned by security, escorted off property, and banned from returning.
“I’m guessing a first-timer possibly buying tickets at the gate (can you do that?) and not realizing the ticket is connected to your fingerprint,” one commenter speculated.
Another added, “As a teenager, I had a dad leaving with his kid hand us their tickets. Made our day—but that was 20 years ago. Can’t imagine that working now.”
Cast Member Speaks Out: “This Happens More Than You Think”
A verified Cast Member chimed in to confirm that this kind of interaction isn’t rare.
“It’s not a scam to you, though it would be to Disney,” they explained. “We do have people who show up and don’t realize how the tickets work, so they try this.”
In this particular case, the CM confirmed that security was alerted and observed the woman who made the request. She eventually went to Guest Relations and bought a valid ticket, so no further action was taken.
“We also have people who show up with ‘extra tickets’ and try to sell them,” they warned. “If you buy it and try to use it and it gets flagged as stolen or fraudulent, you are the one investigators will be questioning.”
The CM encouraged guests who witness suspicious behavior to alert a Security Cast Member immediately.
Flashbacks to Earlier Eras of Ticket Abuse
Several longtime fans shared memories of the era before biometrics and digital linking, when ticket sharing and resale were more commonplace.
One user recalled that in the 1990s, Disney began issuing plain, barcode-only paper tickets to Cast Members for seasonal giveaways in an effort to reduce resale abuse:
“They didn’t say ‘Disney’ on them at all. They were wildly unpopular. CMs often gave them as gifts, and who would want a plain piece of paper with a barcode, even if it was a real ticket?”
The attempt to reduce ticket abuse through unbranded designs was one of several methods used prior to today’s highly secure, fingerprint-linked ticketing ecosystem.
What to Do If It Happens to You
Related: I Almost Got Scammed $1000+ a Day by Fake Disney Tickets, Here’s What to Never Do
While it may feel awkward, the best course of action if someone approaches you asking for your ticket is to politely decline and alert a nearby Cast Member or member of Disney Security.
Sharing or reselling tickets is strictly prohibited and can result in disciplinary action for all involved. Even if the person asking seems friendly or confused, it’s best not to engage.
As Disney’s theme parks continue to grow in popularity, and as guests from around the world flock to the gates, not everyone arrives with a full understanding of the rules. Whether it’s a misunderstanding or something more calculated, it’s clear: borrowing a Disney ticket just doesn’t work anymore.
