Disneyland Resort constantly tests out new approaches and policies to improve the guest experience, and that includes the first impression guests have as they enter the parks.
The entry process at the front gates of Disneyland is currently testing a major change that could lead to a faster experience for guests by utilizing updated technology. Keep reading for all of the details on this new change. Disney also shared specific details on the test that you can see below. At Mickey Visit, we cover the latest Disney news, like the announcement of Disney’s new head of theme parks and a Disneyland ride closure being extended over and over.
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Technology Test at Disneyland Front Gates
The Disneyland arrival experience can sometimes take a while. By the time guests actually step foot onto Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park or Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure, they’ve already waited in lines for parking structure trams, the security checkpoint, and the ticket-scanner at the entrance of the theme parks.
Anything Disney can do to quicken any step of this process leads to guests entering the park faster. In this spirit, Disneyland Resort is currently testing facial recognition at the front gate of Disney California Adventure.
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During the facial recognition test, guests still scan their park ticket under a computer screen. If it’s the first time guests have visited and used facial recognition, the camera on the computer will scan their face and save it as that guest’s profile. If the guest has used facial recognition before, the computer will quickly verify the guest’s face and admit them into the park.
We assume that in the future these face scans will allow you to enter into the theme park without scanning your ticket at all. This should be quite helpful, especially with the large Magic Key Annual Pass Holder population.
This differs from Disneyland Resort’s typical theme park entry process, which changed last year when new entry gates were added into the resort. Now, guests walk up to the gate and scan their ticket bar code and on a screen in front of them they position their face in a circle to be confirmed that the face and ticket match. If there is not yet a photo associated with the ticket, the screen will prompt the guest to take a photo to connect it to the ticket or pass. Once confirmed, the new gate opens in front of you.
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This test is only taking place at certain entry lanes, and only during select hours, according to @disney.sme on Instagram, who participated in the test.
Here’s what that Instagram user shared about the experience:
“The testing was happening around 12:30 pm today and was no longer set up at 4pm when I went through the DCA gates again. Ever the voluntary guinea pig, I walked through one of the two gates they were doing the testing. Everything started pretty normal with scanning my Magic Band and the normal facial recognition, but the CM then had me pause before the gate opened for about 10 seconds, which I assume is when the facial scanning was occurring. There was a lot of “suits” around taking notes and monitoring these two gates.”
When the test is underway, a sign is posted at the entry lane letting guests know what’s happening. The sign reads, “Participation in this test is optional. Please use another lane if you prefer note to participate.” Guests can also can a QR code on the sign for more information.
Disneyland says they are testing facial recognition at park entry “to help facilitate ease of reentry into our parks and to help prevent fraud.” The test has been ongoing since December 2025 and will continue through March 2026.
Disney has shared this full information on the facial recognition scans about the test:
The Disneyland Resort is offering a limited-time test of facial recognition technology at certain entrance lanes at Disney California Adventure Park and/or Disneyland Park. While dates are subject to change, the test is expected to be offered periodically between December 2025 and March 2026. The test (i) uses images of your face taken by a camera at the entrance and the image of your face that was saved upon first ticket use, (ii) employs biometrics technology to convert those images into unique numerical values, and (iii) deletes those numerical values within 30 days of their creation.
Children under the age of 18 who wish to participate may do so with the consent of a parent or guardian.
This technology is being evaluated as a method to help facilitate ease of reentry into our Parks and to help prevent fraud. Participation in this test is optional. Signage will be posted at the entrance lane(s) engaging in this test. If you do not wish to participate, you may use another lane.
The security, integrity and confidentiality of your information are extremely important to us. We have implemented technical, administrative and physical security measures that are designed to protect Guest information from unauthorized access, disclosure, use and modification. From time to time, we review our security procedures to consider new technology and methods, as appropriate. Please be aware that, despite our best efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable.
Facial Recognition and Theme Parks
Disneyland tested facial recognition at park entry about a year ago, and the current test indicates Disney is interested in continuing to improve this feature. Seeing as it’s still a test, this also implies Disney is continuing to adjust the process before confidently rolling it out permanently.
As an alternate method of verifying guests’ identity, Walt Disney World theme parks have long required guests to scan their fingerprint upon park entry in addition to scanning a park ticket. Disney World has tested facial recognition in the past, but the technology has not become permanent.
Universal Orlando Resort integrates facial recognition much more than any Disney destination. Facial recognition is a regular procedure at the entry gates for Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe. Universal also uses facial recognition for some Express Pass ride entrances, their equivalent of Disneyland’s Lightning Lane.
Having just opened in 2025 as a brand-new park, Epic Universe also utilizes facial recognition technology in other ways, like unlocking lockers when guests retrieve their belongings after riding an attraction. Rather than entering a numerical code or scanning a park ticket, guests simply step up to their locker and the facial recognition technology identifies the guest and automatically opens their locker accordingly.
TSA is also now rolling out a face ID program where a boarding pass and ID do not need to be shown to make your way through security. It is seamless and speeds up the entire process.
For now, the Disneyland facial recognition process remains a test. We’ll report on any further progress on this and other Disney theme park projects right here on Mickey Visit. What do you think of the test? Would you like to see this happen all the time for all park gates?
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