Shanghai Disney Resort announced on Tuesday that it will make a significant adjustment before the end of the year by introducing a real-name ticketing policy, requiring visitors to provide the name on their valid government-issued IDs in order to purchase admission tickets.
A photo captures Shanghai Disneyland in autumn. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]
Since its grand opening in 2016, a visitor to Shanghai Disney Resort could buy up to five tickets at one time using their own ID card, leading to clear loopholes for ticket scalping.
Once this new policy is implemented, each guest will be required to use their own government-issued ID to book an admission ticket, and a valid government-issued ID can only be used to purchase one ticket for the date of visit. When entering Shanghai Disneyland, each guest must bring and provide the valid government-issued ID that was used at the time of ticket purchasing. This policy also applies to guests purchasing the Shanghai Disneyland Annual Pass with each guest required to use their own government-issued ID to purchase their own annual pass. A valid government-issued ID can only be used to purchase a single annual pass.
The resort further noted that the new real-name ticketing policy will apply to all guests, including those eligible for special tickets such as children, seniors and guests with disabilities. To streamline the process of verification for children, a child's age will be the only criteria needed once this new ticketing procedure is in effect. Children from the age of 3 to 11 years old are eligible to purchase child tickets on the day of their visit to the park. Children under the age of 3 years old will receive free park admission.
Additionally, for Chinese mainland children who have not yet obtained an ID card, an acceptable ID certificate can be used to purchase a ticket and enter the park. Guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a guest who is 16 years of age or older in order to enter the park.
The official launch date and detailed ticket-purchasing guidelines will be announced closer to the policy's effective date, according to Shanghai Disney Resort's announcement for this new policy. Tickets or annual passes purchased before this date will not be affected. Shanghai Disney Resort stressed that this new policy aligns with its commitment to enhancing guest experience and supports the resort's ongoing collaboration with relevant government authorities to combat illegal activities that harm its reputation, business and normal operations.
In fact, real-name ticket purchasing requirements have been widely implemented and accepted across China for years, particularly in sectors with high visitor traffic such as popular tourist sites, cultural events and transportation, including railways and airlines. For instance, since 2015, the Palace Museum in Beijing has used real-name ticketing to combat ticket scalping. Similarly, 17 well-known tourist attractions in Shanghai as well as venues also require visitors to provide their real name in order to purchase tickets. This includes the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower, the Shanghai Astronomy Museum and the Shanghai Natural History Museum.
Shanghai Disney Resort in their announcement for this new policy urged guests to only buy its products and services through official and authorized channels, warning that purchases from other sources are likely either counterfeit or fraudulent and could result in financial loss to the buyer.