Disney World testing facial recognition at Magic Kingdom
Disney World is now testing facial recognition to make park entry easier and to keep it contactless.
Prior to the pandemic when entering a Walt Disney World park a guest would scan their ticket or MagicBand and then use the finger scannner to show that the ticket is associated with you. This started in June 2005. But with the pandemic, Disney stopped using the finger scanner.
Now, they are trying out facial recognition at Magic Kingdom, from now through April 23, to see if it is a viable replacement for the finger scanner. This is optional only if you want to be part of the test group.
Like the finger scanner, the facial recognition captures the image, converts it into a numeric number and associates it with your ticket.
Here’s how it works:
- There is a facial recognition technology test lane to try this out.
- All hats, visors and sunglasses need to be removed.
- All face coverings should remain on a all times.
- Once in the facial recognition test zone, stand facing the camera and then position your valid park admission or MagicBand close to the scanner to activate the technology. The technology will capture an image, which will be converted into a unique number that will be associated with your valid ticket media.
- If you return to Magic Kingdom park during the limited-time test you can use the same designated entry points. Re-entering through the same lanes will help Disney better understand how the technology works.
- Those under 18 can try it, but need the parent’s permission.
- The images information will only be held until after the test. After that, it will be destroyed.
On Monday, Disney cast members started testing the new Disney’s MagicMobile system at the Walt Disney World theme parks. This will allow guests to use smartphones and smartwatches to not only enter the theme parks and other uses instead of using MagicBands. This technology married with the facial recognition looks to be the new way guests will be entering Disney theme parks.
