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Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Wed 01, 2012 11:42 pm
by Wizzard419
I was thinking about something today, because WDW doesn't use people to take tickets and, for hotel guests, you don't use a photo or any biometrics, and no handstamps. How do they make sure someone doesn't simply split a ticket between two people? Or even try and use a children's ticket when they are an adult?
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Thu 02, 2012 7:31 am
by Amy
Wizzard419 wrote:I was thinking about something today, because WDW doesn't use people to take tickets and, for hotel guests, you don't use a photo or any biometrics, and no handstamps. How do they make sure someone doesn't simply split a ticket between two people? Or even try and use a children's ticket when they are an adult?
Well, they do have CMs watching the ticket turnstiles and those displays, so that probably cuts down on the possibility of an adult using a child ticket. And I think anyone that has a multiple day or park hopper pass does have to use the biometrics scanner. I would think they would also be able to tell if a park ticket was used to enter the gate and then enter the gate again. Good question though...I wonder if any of the CMs have any insider knowledge?
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Thu 02, 2012 1:39 pm
by Wizzard419
Unless it is something they only do at select times, I've never had to finger the machines. The only people I ever saw that had to do that were those who did not buy their tickets with the room. I'm sure it is not breaking the bank, but I am curious how frequently it gets abused? It isn't the most swift of systems since it requires lots of back and forth.
I don't know about the watching, does it signal for someone to look whenever a child's pass is used? For all we know they have a facial recognition system in place to make sure guests don't try that.
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Thu 02, 2012 5:07 pm
by dstrawn9889
IDK, when i went through with my key to the kingdom, it made me place my finger in the biometrics....
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Thu 02, 2012 7:20 pm
by Soarin08
Everyone puts their finger on the scanner unless they are a child under 3 years old. Even I have to and I show up with a Disney ID each time. With my photo on it.
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Thu 02, 2012 8:38 pm
by Wizzard419
Hmm I wonder why I've never got the chance to fingerblast the gate? I wonder if they are simply not used all the time or something? I've seen them since 2001 but it never seemed to be used.
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Thu 02, 2012 11:44 pm
by mindflipper
When I used to do day trips and purchase a one-day ticket I didn't do the finger scanner. Just put the ticket in the slot, gets dumped out the other side, and went through the turnstiles...
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Fri 03, 2012 7:55 am
by Amy
mindflipper wrote:When I used to do day trips and purchase a one-day ticket I didn't do the finger scanner. Just put the ticket in the slot, gets dumped out the other side, and went through the turnstiles...
Was it a single park ticket too? I would guess if it was a hopper, you would have to use the finger scanner so they could verify you if you used it at another park the same day.
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Fri 03, 2012 3:25 pm
by theBIGyowski
Amy wrote:mindflipper wrote:When I used to do day trips and purchase a one-day ticket I didn't do the finger scanner. Just put the ticket in the slot, gets dumped out the other side, and went through the turnstiles...
Was it a single park ticket too? I would guess if it was a hopper, you would have to use the finger scanner so they could verify you if you used it at another park the same day.
Yeah...I'm pretty sure the finger scanners are only used for Park Hoppers and APs.
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Fri 03, 2012 3:50 pm
by MmeLeota
theBIGyowski wrote:Amy wrote:mindflipper wrote:When I used to do day trips and purchase a one-day ticket I didn't do the finger scanner. Just put the ticket in the slot, gets dumped out the other side, and went through the turnstiles...
Was it a single park ticket too? I would guess if it was a hopper, you would have to use the finger scanner so they could verify you if you used it at another park the same day.
Yeah...I'm pretty sure the finger scanners are only used for Park Hoppers and APs.
We had 1 day 1 park tickets on this past trip and we had to use the finger scanners. Perhaps because it was during a busy weekend? (marathon weekend)
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Fri 03, 2012 4:48 pm
by Wizzard419
I wonder if it is only during exceptionally busy times that they do that for the park hopper tickets (whatever name they give them)? I guess it makes sense to not use the system for all people during the slow times since fraud itself is probably low due to most people planning out vacations and the payoff not being that good. Considering you would be unable to utilize FP, have to pay for ground transportation, no early/late park usage (though you could probably get by that one since they might not scan tickets for the wristband times), and the time required to pull it off. It is viable but you would have to be one hell of a cheapskate to do it.
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Fri 03, 2012 5:03 pm
by Amy
Wizzard419 wrote:I wonder if it is only during exceptionally busy times that they do that for the park hopper tickets (whatever name they give them)? I guess it makes sense to not use the system for all people during the slow times since fraud itself is probably low due to most people planning out vacations and the payoff not being that good. Considering you would be unable to utilize FP, have to pay for ground transportation, no early/late park usage (though you could probably get by that one since they might not scan tickets for the wristband times), and the time required to pull it off. It is viable but you would have to be one hell of a cheapskate to do it.
The CMs were pretty good about checking hotel IDs, and most of them actually took the time to read the valid dates. So it's not like you would get very far during EMH without a hotel ID.
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Fri 03, 2012 5:16 pm
by Wizzard419
If I recall, they only make sure the card is valid via opical inspection. Since they don't run it through a machine (to get a wristband), they wouldn't know if you were double dipping.
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Fri 03, 2012 5:19 pm
by Amy
Wizzard419 wrote:If I recall, they only make sure the card is valid via opical inspection. Since they don't run it through a machine (to get a wristband), they wouldn't know if you were double dipping.
Nope, just a visual inspection. But they make everyone show one for the most part, not just one per group. The checks get pretty lax toward the end of the time period though. I suppose they figure most of the non-hotel guests have given up by then. So I suppose if you were patient, you could sit and relax or enjoy a meal and hold out for the later hours!
Re: Ticket Fraud at WDW?
Posted: Feb Fri 03, 2012 7:44 pm
by Wizzard419
Well, it would only take a few mins. If all 3 (for this example) are in the park, two go get their bands, give the ticket to the third, then find another wristband location.