Tokyo Disneyland looks to introduce facial recognition for pass holder access

Tokyo Disneyland will introduce an automatic facial recognition system for annual passport holders starting from spring 2019, enabling them to enter the wonderland more smoothly.

When visitors hold Quick Response codes printed on their Disneyland passport over sensors installed at the entrance gates of the theme park and its sister Tokyo Disney Sea on the fringes of Tokyo Bay, the system will match their face to their stored photo.

Visitors will not need to register into the new system because it will use facial data already stored when annual passports were purchased or renewed, the operator of the theme park, Oriental Land Co..

Currently, Tokyo Disneyland staff check the faces of annual passport holders after their QR code is read.

The new system will begin to be installed as part of renovations starting from April 2018 and is expected to be completed by spring 2020.

The operator also plans to reduce its 32 face-to-face ticketing windows to six and set up 12 ticket vending machines.

Oriental Land is streamlining the systems partly to tackle difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff.

Universal Studios Japan in Osaka introduced a facial recognition system in 2007 for its annual passport holders.

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