Universal Parks and Resorts & Facial Technology

[Brian G.]

I know ultimately they represent the company - but USH's security is outsourced, not in-house.

 

[Jake S]

I know ultimately they represent the company - but USH's security is outsourced, not in-house.

And I think this is, generally, a big mistake. I understand why contractors are used, but I’d really try to avoid it at these big, service-oriented theme parks.

 

[Chumpieboy]

I had the complete opposite issue at Disney Springs, so they very much could train their employees to be nicer. I was ANNOYED at DS for waiting in this line which I thought they randomly made me go into. That security guard was so patient when I got to him. First off he immediately apologized for the wait, he then explained why I got stopped (scanner went off) and he even helped me discover what went off and how to prevent from being stopped next time (hold glasses case outside of the bag). It couldn't have been a more friendlier and helpful experience. I just don't think Universal trains their security staff to be nice.

My issue is more the lack of clear directions *after* the first scanner. There's a SO in front greeting guests, telling them "strollers over here, keep your backpack on, just walk through, have a nice day!" After you walk through there's nothing.

So you either continue walking into the park and then three SOs walk up to you "Sir, SIR SIR SIR!! You need to go over there for additional scanning. HOW DARE YOU TRY TO SNEAK PAST ME!!"

Next time you enter a park you walk through the scanner and await further instructions only to hear "Sir, SIR SIR SIR!!! keep walking STOP HOLDING UP THE SYSTEM STANDING THERE HOW DARE YOU!!11"

Clear and consistent instructions would avoid that.

 

[IzzyB]

My issue is more the lack of clear directions *after* the first scanner. There's a SO in front greeting guests, telling them "strollers over here, keep your backpack on, just walk through, have a nice day!" After you walk through there's nothing.

So you either continue walking into the park and then three SOs walk up to you "Sir, SIR SIR SIR!! You need to go over there for additional scanning. HOW DARE YOU TRY TO SNEAK PAST ME!!"

Next time you enter a park you walk through the scanner and await further instructions only to hear "Sir, SIR SIR SIR!!! keep walking STOP HOLDING UP THE SYSTEM STANDING THERE HOW DARE YOU!!11"

Clear and consistent instructions would avoid that.

At DS? I was pulled right away and TM told me to step to the side. They didn't have to chase me down. Where my family just kept walking and were not pulled. It wasn't confusing.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I wanted to jump back in here - we spent a week at Universal 2 weeks ago. The facial recognition worked great, and we VERY much prefer it to the fingerprint scanning.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

A lot of express facial recognition scanners are slowly being added to the parks now. Mummy, MIB and Simpsons all have it at the moment. I have to imagine they'll also have some portable versions (like at the turnstiles) as they are quite bulky at the moment.

Haven't looked at IOA just yet, but I think I recall one at JPRA.

Also, while it may be an error, a friend of mine accidently showed their HHN pass instead of their AP when trying to get into the park for S&S. I wonder if the system can finally recognize a face and still grant entry even if scanning the wrong barcode?

 

[Mad Dog]

I wanted to jump back in here - we spent a week at Universal 2 weeks ago. The facial recognition worked great, and we VERY much prefer it to the fingerprint scanning.

It worked OK for us in March, better than the fingerprint scan that we always had trouble with. And it was an improvement on the hotel express facial passes of a few years back, that worked slowly and poorly.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

We didn't use it for any Express passes, but it looked like there was facial recognition devices at every turnstile at the entrance of both parks. But not Hogwarts Express for some reason