Disney implemented a lot of new health and safety measures when they reopened last year.
Hollywood Studios Face Masks Sign
Face mask requirements, no-touch entry, a lot more mobile order options, and more were all part of the new health and safety rules in Disney World. Now, one of these changes is going back to normal in the parks for the first time since Disney World reopened.
Today, on our way into Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we did something we haven’t done in a LONG time at Disney World: We scanned our finger for entry.
Finger Scanning is BACK
This was part of Disney’s entrance system before the pandemic hit, and it’s returning to all the Disney World parks one at a time. Right now, it’s only at Animal Kingdom, but according to a Cast Member, it will be returning to the other parks soon.
Finger scanning is back at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/SgHPnLp8L9
— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 23, 2021
This system was originally removed from the parks in order to reduce physical contact between guests since it’s a high-density touchpoint. From what we could see, Cast Members were not sanitizing the finger scanners between guests, but there were hand sanitizer stations available right after entry into the park.
Finger scanning in Animal Kingdom
This is another example of things returning to pre-pandemic conditions in Disney World. Keep following DFB for more news about the policies in Disney World.
Click Here to See Another Return to Pre-Pandemic Norms: Buffets in Disney World
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
What health and safety measures have you noticed around the Disney parks? Tell us in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Are they bringing back the face scanner? That was cool and also reduces the number of people touching as well.
They can check my ID
So what would be the point of having the magic bands?
The HEIGHT of delta and infections and death especially in Florida…..and Disney is putting blinders on and taking AWAY precautions one at a time.
What, exactly is going on in those management meetings??????
Do they have hand sanitizer dispensers available after the finger scanning? Or should we plan on using our own (definitely bringing our own but just wanted to check).
Thanks!
Disney bringing the finger scanner to make sure no one is using some ones ticket .The scanner is not the best way to do this there should be a better way . Most of the time your ticket is on your phone is the scanner necessary .
But we are NOT post pandemic so do not understand why Disney is being so irresponsible. Florida especially is no where near normal which is evident for the world to see.
People went NUTS the other night on IG about the finger scanner. Going on about how it’s not sanitized after each person, how its going to cause more spread. Its no worse than you going and sitting in a chair or on a ride that thousands of others have sat on all day too. Its not hard, carry sanitizer with you, sanitize your hands and move on. If it’s that big of a deal, then don’t come to Disney or any other public place. We can’t live in a bubble and we need some sort of normalcy back.
So much for health and safety!
Why would they be bringing back finger scanner especially now with Florida having a high COVID figure and especially since it is not being wiped down after each use
They operated without it what problems with not using it occurred that they decided to go back to it
Makes no sense to me
Can we opt out of the finger scanners? I do t feel comfortable doing this! Thank you AJ
I really hate to see those things back. I had a cast member berate my child with ASD because he couldn’t do it correctly. Yes I know you can scan your own finger but this was our first time using it and no one bothered telling us that at the time until I later complained to guest services . Really hate the finger scanners.
My Family also had to scan our fingers at Hollywood Studios yesterday when they opened.
Melanie, my understanding is that you can opt out. You can speak to a Cast Member at Guest Relations before you enter the Park, and they may be able to add a note to your account. Or you can tell the CM at the touchpoint that you want to opt out, and they’ll likely get a Guest Relations CM to help you. Bring a photo ID so they can verify your identity. Hopefully you’ll only have to tell them once, but keep bringing your ID every day just in case.
Why do you need to purchase the magic bands then?
Hi, PAlterBoy. We typically see a couple of sanitizer dispensers after the tapstiles/biometric scanners. They can be pretty far off to the right and left of the entrance, though, so you might have to look for them.
All this seems to do is add more wait time and longer lines at the entrance. Unsanitary and unnecessary. This weekend at AK the lines were crazy long due to this change. Is Disney trying to drive its guests and passholders away? Between this and the annual pass changes I’m just not sure all of this aggravation is worth it. Universal, here we come…