Universal Orlando testing photo validation technology for express passes

That's almost certainly the case. I'm not aware of Express Pass fraud/abuse being a huge deal and it brings no increase in efficiency to that system. This is almost certainly a low impact way to test technology in a similar way to its intended real world use in the same, live environment, not what it will really be used for.

Also, while on the topic, I swear they messed with their finger scanners since they installed the new ones. They used to be faster than the RFID Disney touch points when those were new, and then just as fast once the Disney ones were improved. Now the Universal ones feel like they take just as long as SeaWorld's did, and I usually need to try twice at the front gates. The Hogwarts Express scanners seem to be a little quicker/less picky with my finger, so I'm guessing they have their sensitivity or whatever dialed back to keep the entrances from getting too backed up.

I was given an express passes(4) for HHN by someone leaving after using on only one house (the best one) So that might stop that. That seems to be an overkill for something that is not much of a problem. Plus how well will it work at night at HHN

Jeff:

Those numbers are associated with an account, but they're not physically part of you, and you can take it off.

Well, at least for most people…

https://mickeyblog.com/2021...o-her-arm/

Always interesting to see these threads come back. Now when you go to Disney your ride photos "magically" appear in your app.

RideMan:

I have a funny feeling that this test has nothing or almost nothing to do with Universal Express, and everything to do with evaluating a technology for which they have some other use in mind. But the Express program has the elements in place that allow for a workable test.

What if they are planning to use facial recognition, possibly in combination with a finger scan, to replace certain admission media? Right now it's slower and more cumbersome than glancing at an Express pass to see if it's valid. But what if it is faster than scanning a ticket? And perhaps more important, impossible to re-sell...

This. Epic Universe is going to operate differently than most theme parks. Each themed area will have its own entry portal, connected to a central spine that is quasi-open to the public (kind of like CityWalk acting as a hub for various immersive lands).

This technology theoretically eliminates the operational bottlenecks that would result from scanning in each time you enter a themed area, which guests will be doing multiple times per day. If your face is your ticket, you can just walk in and walk out of Super Nintendo World, Wizarding World, etc. without the need to stop and scan or swipe.

I'll wait and see, but my early take is that I'm not wild about this style of park design or the technology required to make it work for Universal to reap the huge financial benefits.

They are no longer doing the picture confirmation for express and haven’t since the pandemic (my guess is masks killed it.) Universal also just recently replaced all their turnstiles and kept the fingerprint scan so I’m guessing no changes in the near future.