What theme park has facial recognition?

Epic Universe, the new Universal theme park scheduled to open in Orlando, Florida in mid-2025, will use a patented biometric facial recognition tool at its entry gates, according to reports from Orlando ParkStop and the Hollywood Reporter.



In 2026, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is the global leader in utilizing facial recognition technology to streamline the park entry process. Originally piloted in 2021, the system has been fully integrated at the "tapstiles" of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. This technology allows guests to simply "walk through" the entry gate as a series of high-definition cameras capture their facial features and match them with their pre-linked digital park ticket or MagicBand+ in a matter of seconds. Other major theme parks in 2026, such as Universal Studios Beijing and several Six Flags locations, have also adopted similar "face-as-ticket" biometrics to reduce wait times and enhance security. This technology is also increasingly being used for "on-ride photos"; in 2026, the Disney PhotoPass system can automatically detect your face on a rollercoaster like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and instantly deliver the photo to your "My Disney Experience" app, eliminating the need to manually scan a band at the exit.

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You can use your MagicBand, Disney PhotoPass card, theme park ticket or annual pass. When you wear your MagicBand to the park, your attraction photos will even be automatically linked to your account. runDisney photos can also be linked to your account using your bib number.

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First of all, Disney has far more photographers than any other theme park we've ever been to. That means, you'll have lots (and lots) of opportunities to get some great pics. Secondly, PhotoPass photographers will take pictures with their camera AND with yours.

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According to a Disney announcement, the facial recognition software's primary focus is to understand guest behavior. Disney has set up cameras all around their theme parks and will use this technology to monitor guests, optimize their days at the park, and enhance the Disney World experience now and for the future.

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“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.

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At the time of activation, a ticket will be associated with one Guest. Each ticket holder will have their photo taken at the park entrance. That photo will be used to verify each Guest when they use their ticket for re-entry on the same day as well as on subsequent days for a multi-day ticket.

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There are some park tickets that do require identification when you scan in through the Main Entrance Gates while others do not. If you have regular single-day or multi-day One Park Per Day and Park Hopper tickets, you will not be asked for ID.

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Q: What are the Newest Universal Attractions in 2023? A: The newest rides in Universal Orlando are Villain-Con Minion Blast, Velocicoaster and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

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Epcot, stylized in all uppercase as EPCOT, is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks, Experiences and Products division.

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