No. This isn’t an April Fool’s Joke. I swear. The word is out and soon you might be able to show Disney your face to enter the Parks.
First up, Disney Parks Blog made a big deal about new pass options at Walt Disney World the other day. You can access Disney World parks with a credit-card-style ticket or a Magic Band, a colorful wearable that does extra duty as park ticket, room key, and payment device. Starting this week, guests can use phone apps for these services.
According to the article, the My Disney Experience app gets an upgrade this week. Now, you can hold your Apple iPhone, Watch, or other smart devices by an access device to unlock your room or enter a Disney park. You can customize your digital pass with images and designs that showcase your favorite characters, or even your status as an Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club member! Sorry, Disneylanders.
This is nothing too surprising. Disney World guests have been able to unlock their rooms using the My Disney Experience app few a couple years now. Your park tickets, PhotoPass, and other services have long been linked to the app. Add in Park access, and you can se why the Magic Band is kind of an antique. Most have a phone in their pockets already.
But EVERYONE has a face.
Probably.
Notice went out to some Disney World guests last week confirming a new and exciting method to enter the Parks: your face. More correctly, your eyes, as Disney still mandates masks at their parks. According to the Disney World site, guests visiting from now through April 23rd can choose another line option when entering. The first visit entails a facial scan. No glasses or hats, but masks are fine! Once in the zone, you will get your scan and your face will be added to the Disney database.
Return for subsequent visits and you need not worry about wearing that Magic Band, fishing out your phone, or any other methods to access your reservation. It’s all set. Show that camera your pearly eyeballs and you can go ride Space Mountain.
What do you think about this new tech? Invasive or just invasive enough? Convenient or just convenient enough? Will we see this kind of tech at Disneyland when it opens later THIS MONTH? Comment below and let’s get that conspiracy engine humming. Until then, we’ll see your masked faces in the Parks!
If you want to hear Jason and Jeremy talk about this exact thing just a day earlier, here's their show.
