“It's important to be aware of what your guests expect – and that's what we try to do. Our guests expect us to create a seamless process as much as possible,” said John Sprouls, chief administration officer at Universal Orlando Resort. “Photo validation, or facial recognition, is part of that.

Yes, in 2026, Universal Orlando Resort extensively uses facial recognition technology at the entrance turnstiles of its theme parks. This "photo validation" system is designed to replace traditional finger scans, making the entry process faster and more secure. When you first use your ticket, a camera takes a scan of your face to link it to your admission; on subsequent visits or when "hopping" between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, the system quickly verifies your identity as you walk through. Universal states that this data is stored as a series of numbers (a digital signature) rather than a raw image to protect guest privacy. However, for those who are uncomfortable with the technology, you can opt-out by notifying a team member at the front gate, though you will be required to show a valid photo ID every time you enter. In 2026, this technology has also been integrated into select lockers and is expected to be a major feature of the new Epic Universe park to ensure a seamless "frictionless" experience for the millions of guests visiting the resort each year.