Islands of Adventure now testing Universal Express photo validation technology

Express photo validation
Universal Orlando is now testing new Universal Express photo validation technology at select attractions.

Universal Orlando onsite resort guests should get ready to say “cheese,” because the resort is now testing new Universal Express photo validation technology at select attractions.

Universal Orlando’s latest experiment involves the Universal Express Unlimited that is provided free to guests staying at its top three onsite resort hotels. For several years, guests staying at the Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific have used automated kiosks in their resort’s lobby to generate a Universal Express pass that includes a photograph of their face.

Now, instead of Universal team members manually verifying the photo identification when a guest wishes to use Universal Express, select attractions are testing new Universal Express photo validation technology, which uses facial recognition scanning to automatically verify their identity.

According to a report by the Orlando Sentinel, guests using the Universal Express photo validation system are asked to place their pass on a stand stand still for an image scan, which is acknowledged with a beep. Guests who don’t wish to use the face scanning technology can request to opt out at Guest Services.

At this time, Express photo validation is only being tested at the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and Cat in the Hat rides at Islands of Adventure. While there is no official word on how long this photo validation testing will last, this technology could eventually be integrated with the new Virtual Queue system that was recently tested at Despicable Me, and is expected to be incorporated in the new Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon attraction opening on April 6.

 

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