Quick Summary:
- Enter your plate at the entry barrier screen or pay kiosk prompts.
- Type letters and numbers only, no spaces, dashes, or state name.
- For temporary tags, use the printed plate number, not VIN.
- Screenshot confirmations and keep garage ticket photos if OCR errors occur.
Disney Springs parking is usually straightforward, but car hire plates can trip up the automated system, especially when your rental has a temporary tag. The goal is simple: make sure the car park system records the same registration that is physically on the vehicle at the time you enter. This article explains where the prompts appear, what format to type, and what proof to keep if the camera or kiosk misreads your plate.
If you picked up your car at Orlando International Airport (MCO), it is worth checking the plate before you even leave the rental lot. Many car hire vehicles are registered out of state, and some use temporary tags in the rear window. If you are collecting via Hola Car Rentals, these airport guides help you plan pickup so you have a moment to verify the plate and paperwork: Orlando MCO airport car rental and Orlando car hire at MCO (UK).
How Disney Springs parking recognises your plate
Disney Springs uses automated parking workflows that commonly rely on licence plate recognition (LPR) cameras at entry and exit points. In practice, that means the system attempts to read your plate from the camera image, then matches it to your session as you move through the car park.
Most of the time, you do not need to manually enter anything because the camera read is clean. Manual entry is typically needed when:
The plate is temporary, displayed behind tinted glass, wrinkled, or partially obstructed.
The plate frame blocks characters, or the plate is dirty from rain or motorway spray.
The vehicle has a front plate mount but no front plate, common on Florida rentals, and the camera angle catches reflections.
Characters are easily confused, such as O and 0, I and 1, B and 8, S and 5.
Knowing where the prompts are located helps you fix issues on the spot, rather than discovering later that your parking session is tied to the wrong registration.
Exactly where to find the registration prompts
There are three places you are most likely to see a “plate” or “licence plate” prompt at Disney Springs parking. The wording can vary, but you are looking for any screen that asks for your vehicle registration, plate number, or tag number.
1) At the entry lane barrier kiosk
Some entry lanes have a screen and intercom. If the camera cannot confidently read your plate, the kiosk may prompt you to confirm the plate, or it may show a “plate not read” message with an option to enter it. If you see a prompt, enter the registration exactly as shown on the physical plate or temporary tag.
2) At the pay-on-foot kiosk in the garage
If you need to pay or validate at a kiosk, the screen may ask for your plate number so it can pull up your parking session. This is a common moment to discover the camera misread. If it cannot find your session after you type your plate, try the common correction steps in the next section.
3) With a parking attendant or help button support
If the kiosk offers a help button, support may ask you to confirm the plate over the intercom. They might also ask for entry time and garage name. If you are unsure, photographs and screenshots become your best backup.
Tip: when you enter Disney Springs, quickly note which garage you used (Orange, Lime, Grapefruit). If there is a mismatch later, this detail helps support locate your session.
What plate number to use for a car hire vehicle
For car hire, always use the plate that is physically displayed on the vehicle at that moment. Do not use the registration on your rental agreement if it differs from the plate on the car. In rare cases, paperwork can lag behind a plate swap, especially if a vehicle recently changed tags.
Before you park the first time, do a 20 second check:
Look at the rear plate first, that is the one most systems read. Note the characters.
Check the front, some cars may have only a rear plate, that is normal in Florida.
Confirm whether it is a permanent metal plate or a temporary paper tag, this changes what you should type.
If you are still at the airport, it is easier to resolve plate confusion before you drive away. These pages are handy references if you are arranging an Orlando pickup point or supplier: Car rental Orlando MCO.
Exact format to type at prompts (rentals and standard plates)
Most parking systems want the simplest possible version of your plate, with no extras. Use these rules unless the screen explicitly shows a different format requirement:
Type letters and numbers only. Do not include punctuation.
Remove spaces. If the plate displays a space, type it without spaces.
Do not add the state name. Do not type FL, Florida, or any other state.
Do not add “USA”, “Rental”, or any decal text.
Match the plate order exactly as shown. Some states use stacked designs or separators. Ignore separators and keep the character order.
Be careful with lookalikes. If it fails, retry swapping O with 0, I with 1, S with 5, B with 8.
If the prompt allows only a certain number of characters and your plate is longer, type the full plate if possible. If the field blocks you, type what appears to be the core plate number, then use the help button and explain the character limit.
How to enter a temporary plate (paper tag) correctly
Temporary plates are the number one reason Orlando visitors run into Disney Springs parking errors. A temporary tag is often a paper sheet placed inside the rear window. Cameras can struggle with glare, tint, and reflections, and the tag may include multiple numbers that look like “plate numbers”.
Use this process:
1) Find the label that clearly says “TAG”, “TAG NUMBER”, “PLATE”, or “LICENSE PLATE”. That is usually the value you want.
2) Do not use the VIN. The VIN is much longer and often printed on temp paperwork. Parking systems generally cannot match a VIN.
3) Do not use the stock number or unit number. Rental agreements may list internal fleet numbers that are not plates.
4) Copy the tag number exactly, letters and numbers only. Ignore spaces, slashes, or hyphens.
5) If the temp tag has an expiry date and an issue date, ignore both. Dates do not belong in the plate field.
If the temp tag is behind heavily tinted glass, consider turning on your cabin light when stationary, or shading the glass with your body when photographing it for your records. You are not trying to improve the camera read at the gate, but you are making sure you have a clear reference if the system disputes what the plate was.
What to do if the system misreads your plate
Misreads happen, and you can usually correct them without drama if you gather proof early. The key is to assume you might need to show what the camera should have read.
Step 1: Take a quick plate photo when you park. Stand behind the car and capture the entire rear, including the plate. If it is a temporary tag, take a close-up as well. This helps if the kiosk later claims it cannot find your session.
Step 2: Save any on-screen confirmation. If a kiosk or attendant screen confirms your plate or shows a “session found” message, take a screenshot or photo of the screen. Include the time on your phone in the image if possible.
Step 3: Keep the entry ticket if you received one. Some systems still issue a ticket or a printed slip. Photograph both sides and keep it until you are fully done with the car park.
Step 4: Retry with common character swaps. If the kiosk cannot find your session, try the likely alternatives: O and 0, I and 1, Z and 2. Also remove any spaces you typed.
Step 5: Use the help button before you exit. It is easier to fix while you are still in the garage than after you have left. Provide your actual plate, garage name, and approximate entry time.
If you are in a larger vehicle, such as a people carrier, pay extra attention to the rear plate visibility. A bike rack, luggage carrier, or even a tailgate lip can partially block the view. If you are travelling with family and chose a larger car hire category, this guide may help with choosing the right size for Orlando: Minivan rental Orlando MCO.
What screenshots and receipts to keep (minimum proof pack)
If you want a simple, reliable evidence set, keep these items in your camera roll until your trip is over:
1) Plate photo at Disney Springs. Ideally with a recognisable background in the garage.
2) Temp tag close-up (if applicable). Make sure the tag number is legible.
3) Parking kiosk screen photo. Any screen showing your plate, a validation, or a payment confirmation.
4) Payment receipt photo. If you paid at a machine or got a printed receipt, photograph it. If payment is linked to a card, keep the receipt or on-screen approval confirmation.
5) Rental agreement plate section. Not because it always matches, but because it shows the vehicle and rental dates, which can help reconcile disputes.
This “proof pack” is also useful if your car hire company receives a later query about parking charges tied to an incorrect plate, or if you need to explain why a charge does not match your actual tag.
Common Disney Springs plate entry mistakes to avoid
Typing the plate with a space or hyphen. Many systems store plates without separators, so “ABC 123” should be “ABC123”.
Using the wrong number from a temp tag. Temp tags often show several identifiers. The one labelled as tag or plate is what you want.
Assuming the paperwork is right. Always trust the plate on the vehicle over any printed contract field.
Mixing up 0 and O. If your session cannot be found, this is the first swap to try.
Waiting until exit to troubleshoot. If something is wrong, sort it at a kiosk or via the help button before you head to the exit lane.
Planning your Orlando car hire pickup to reduce plate issues
Many plate problems start at pickup, not at Disney Springs. At MCO, take a minute to confirm you know exactly what your plate is and whether it is temporary. If you are comparing suppliers for your Orlando stay, these provider pages can help you understand what to expect from different desks and fleets: National car rental near Disney Orlando MCO and Payless car rental Orlando MCO.
Also, keep the rear plate clean. Orlando weather can flip from sun to rain quickly, and a dirty plate is more likely to be misread at night under garage lighting.
FAQ
Where exactly do I enter my plate at Disney Springs parking? You may be prompted at the entry lane kiosk if the camera cannot read your plate, or at a pay-on-foot kiosk when it asks for a plate to find your session. If neither appears, the system likely captured your plate automatically.
What format should I type for a car hire plate? Use letters and numbers only, in the exact order shown on the plate. Do not include spaces, hyphens, state names, or any extra text from the plate design.
My rental has a temporary paper tag. Which number do I use? Use the number explicitly labelled as the tag or licence plate on the temporary tag. Do not enter the VIN, stock number, barcode numbers, or dates shown on the paperwork.
What proof should I keep if the system misreads my plate? Keep a clear photo of the rear plate or temp tag, a photo of any kiosk confirmation or error screen, and any receipt or printed ticket. Also note the garage name and approximate entry time.
What should I do if the kiosk cannot find my parking session by plate? Retry with common character swaps like O and 0, remove any spaces, then use the help button to speak to support. Provide your actual plate as displayed on the car, plus your entry time and garage name.
