Walt Disney World could eventually replace its current park entrance “tapstiles” with automated gates similar to those now used at Disneyland Resort, according to an unconfirmed report shared by WDWNT.
The report cites a WDWMAGIC Forum user, The Visionary Soul, who said the potential gates could use photo validation or facial recognition. At Disneyland Resort, guests scan a ticket or MagicBand, take a photo using a built-in camera and screen, and then proceed through swinging gates. The gates are designed to accommodate wheelchairs, ECVs and strollers.
Disney World’s current RFID entry system, installed in 2012, lets guests tap a Key to the World card, ticket, MagicBand, MagicBand+, or MagicMobile pass. A fingerprint scan is used to verify the ticket holder. Disney World tested facial-recognition entry in 2021, but did not make that test permanent.
According to the rumor, a longer-term goal could be an entrance process that recognizes groups together rather than requiring visitors to enter one at a time. The report also speculates about future changes involving plastic tickets, hotel room cards, digital keys and MagicBands. None of those possible changes has been announced by Disney.
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WDWNT said it contacted Disney for comment and had not received a response when its report was published. For now, visitors planning Disney World tickets should expect the existing tap-based entry process to remain in place unless Disney announces otherwise.
