The Walt Disney Company just got government approval for a new project, and it’s not a new ride or theme park -- it’s a foot scanner. 

  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issues patent for foot scanners
  • What Disney would use the scanner for is unclear, though it appears to be for the theme parks
  • Disney has not commented yet

The US Patent and Trademark Office issued Disney a patent for a new kind of technology that can track guests throughout the park by scanning their feet at the entrance.

While at the happiest place on earth, Disney strives to make every moment a magical experience. Starting at the entrance guests scan their Magic Bands, but a new step could be coming next. A rendering from the patent shows a person standing in front of a robotic machine that scans the bottom of their feet, forming a 3-D color image stored in the Disney database.

“Is this for the guest experience or is this for some kind of security?” said Jamie Copenhaver, a former Orange County sheriff’s detective.

Copenhaver, who now works as a private investigator, said the patent is similar to the Magic Bands that are already used in the parks. Many guests sport the bands as a way to make purchases, use fast passes for rides and access hotel rooms.

But at the same time, Disney collects data on purchases and behaviors. It’s a research tool that Dr. Kevin Murphy, the chair of UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, said means big bucks for Disney.

“Figuring out how to sell more and how to maximize their guest visits,” Murphy said.

According to Disney’s patent, the technology could track patterns throughout the parks and which attractions are getting the most traffic. It’s a system that is meant to create a customized guest experience. But as security experts suggested, it could also be extremely helpful.

“If it’s a lost child or someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s that’s misplaced or gets lost from their loved ones, this certainly could aide in tracking that person as well,” Copenhaver said.

But just how does Disney plan to “imagineer” that tracking ability? Cameras? Floor sensors? The patent doesn’t explain it all.

“Ultimately, Disney is going to put their money into technology that will increase their sales and protect their guests,” Murphy said.

In the past year, Disney increased security with the use of metal detectors and wands, so experts said this technology could be another way of knowing just who is walking through the turnstiles.

“The climate that we’re living in today, we need everyone watching our backs,” Copenhaver said. “Including Disney.”

We reached out to Disney for comment, but have not heard back.