Quick Summary:
- Stop safely, press intercom, and request manual lift before reversing.
- Photograph the screen, ticket, and tariff board, plus your hire agreement.
- Pay only once, keep receipts, and ask the attendant to void duplicates.
- Log time, lane number, and names, then dispute any later charge.
In Orlando, many theme-park car parks use ticket scanners, barcode readers, or automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). Most of the time it is quick, but when a barrier will not read your ticket or plate, it can feel stressful, especially in a queue of holiday traffic. The good news is that these systems are designed with manual overrides and traceable records. With the right steps, you can get through the gate, reduce the risk of being charged twice, and keep evidence if something shows up later on your card statement.
This guide is written for visitors using car hire in Orlando, including common situations at Disney and Universal style parking plazas. It focuses on practical fixes, what proof to keep, and who to call if an issue becomes a charge dispute.
If you are collecting your vehicle at the airport, it helps to keep your rental documents accessible from the start. Many travellers use Hola Car Rentals for arrivals at Orlando Airport (MCO) car rental, and it is worth saving a photo of your agreement and the car’s plate in your phone before you even reach the first toll or barrier.
Why the gate fails to scan, and what it usually means
Most “won’t scan” problems are not your fault. Common causes include a creased or sun-faded barcode, a ticket printed too lightly, the reader window being dirty, glare on the scanner, or the wrong ticket type for that lane. For plate recognition, issues can be caused by temporary tags, plate frames, mud, rain, or the camera not capturing the angle because the car is too far forward or too far back.
Importantly, a failure to scan does not automatically mean you will be charged a penalty. It usually means the system cannot match your entry to your exit, or cannot validate your pre-paid parking entitlement. That can lead to a default charge at the exit, or a later adjustment by the operator. Your job is to get safely through the barrier while creating a clear paper trail.
Step-by-step: what to do at the barrier, in order
1) Stop safely and stay calm. Pull up close enough that the ticket reaches the scanner and the plate is in camera view. Keep your wheels straight and leave room for the car in front to move.
2) Try the simple rescan checks. Clean the ticket quickly with your fingers, flatten it, and present the barcode side up. If it is a QR-style code, keep it steady for a second or two. For plate recognition, ensure you are fully stopped on the sensor loop, typically just before the barrier arm. If there are multiple cameras, do not “creep” forward, that can prevent a clear capture.
3) Use the help button or intercom. Nearly all plazas have an attendant link. Press it once and wait, do not repeatedly press as it can reset the queue. Say clearly: you are in a rental car, the ticket or plate is not scanning, and you want guidance to avoid double payment. Ask whether they can see your plate on their screen and whether they can open the gate manually.
4) Do not reverse unless instructed. Reversing in a barrier lane can be dangerous and can trigger sensors incorrectly. If the attendant asks you to reposition, do it slowly and only as far as they instruct.
5) If payment is requested, confirm the reason. Ask: “Is this a replacement payment because the ticket will not read, and will the original be voided?” If you already paid earlier, explain that and ask them to check for a duplicate. If you must pay to exit, pay once, request a receipt, and ask the attendant to note the fault in their system.
6) Record the key details before you drive off. While still in the lane, take quick photos if it is safe: the barrier screen message, the ticket, the lane number if posted, and the tariff sign. If you spoke to an attendant, note the time and any name or ID they provide.
What proof to keep, and why it matters
When the issue is “the gate would not scan”, the dispute later is usually about whether you paid twice or were charged a higher default rate. Your evidence should show what happened, when, and under what terms.
Keep these items:
Photos: your parking ticket (front and back), the error on the reader display, and the posted pricing board. If your entitlement is via phone app or booking, screenshot the pass and the valid date.
Receipts: paper receipt from the exit lane, card terminal slip, or app confirmation. If you tapped a card, take a quick photo of the receipt and keep the original flat.
Rental details: your hire agreement, vehicle registration, and pickup date/time. If you rented through Hola Car Rentals, keep the confirmation email as well. People often search for Orlando MCO car rental options, but whatever provider you use, the rental agreement is what connects any later charge to the driver and vehicle.
Notes: time, car park name, lane number, and what the attendant said. A short note like “Exit lane 6, 18:42, attendant manually lifted gate after scan failure” can be enough to support a dispute.
Who to call, and when to call them
At the gate, call the attendant first. The intercom is the fastest route because they can see the live transaction and either reissue a ticket, apply your entitlement, or open the barrier.
If you are stuck and traffic is building, ask to be waved through. Explain you will follow up at the parking office. If they do lift the gate, confirm whether a charge will be applied later and what reference number to quote.
After you park, use the on-site Guest Services or Parking Services office. If you think you were charged wrongly, resolve it same day if possible while your ticket, receipt, and entry time are fresh in their system.
If a duplicate charge appears later, contact the parking operator first, then your card issuer. Parking operators can often void or refund a duplicate if you provide the timestamps and receipt. If the merchant will not help, your card issuer may request your supporting evidence.
Contact your car hire provider only for vehicle documentation questions. If the operator insists the issue is due to plate misread, your rental agreement and a photo of the vehicle plate can help clarify which car was present. This is one reason families favour larger vehicles, the plate is still the key identifier whether you are in a compact or using minivan hire in Orlando MCO.
How to avoid duplicate charges in the moment
Duplicate charges tend to happen in three scenarios: you paid on entry and again on exit, you paid in an app and the system did not link the plate, or the attendant processes a “lost ticket” fee even though you have the ticket.
Use these safeguards:
Say the key phrase: “I am happy to pay what is due, but I need to avoid a duplicate charge. Can you confirm this will void the other record?” Being polite but specific changes how staff document the transaction.
Pay with one method only. Do not pay in the app and then also tap a card at the barrier unless the attendant confirms the app was not successful and can be cancelled or refunded.
Ask for a receipt even if the gate opens for free. Some systems can log a zero-cost override. If they cannot provide a receipt, write down the time and lane and take a photo of the open gate or the screen message if possible.
Check your card notifications. Many banks show pending authorisations quickly. A pending amount is not always a final charge, but it gives you a time stamp that matches your notes.
Plate recognition problems with rental cars, and quick fixes
With car hire vehicles, plate recognition can fail if the car has a temporary tag, a plate cover, or a reflective frame. Florida rentals can also have plates that are slightly dirty from rain, bugs, or motorway spray.
Before your park day: take a clear photo of the front and rear plate, and keep it with your rental documents. If the car has a temporary tag, photograph that too. This helps if the operator later claims a mismatch.
At the entry plaza: stop squarely on the sensor, wait a second, and only then move forward when the barrier rises or the green light shows. If it fails, use the intercom and provide the plate characters slowly.
Do not try to “game” the camera. Sudden stopping, creeping, or changing lanes can create multiple partial reads and increase the chance of a wrong match, which is where unexpected charges can come from.
Ticket scanning failures, and what to do if you have an e-pass
Paper tickets fail most often because of creases and moisture. Keep tickets flat in a wallet or the car’s centre console rather than a pocket. If you have an e-pass on your phone, increase screen brightness, hold the phone steady, and angle it to reduce glare.
If the system cannot read your pass, do not immediately buy a new one if you can avoid it. Ask the attendant whether they can look up your entitlement by name, confirmation number, or plate. If you do end up buying again to keep the day moving, get a receipt and ask the staff to document that the original pass did not scan, so you have grounds for a refund request later.
After the trip: what to check on your statements
Within 24 to 72 hours, review your card app for parking transactions and any “pending” items. It is normal for pending authorisations to drop off or change slightly when finalised. What you are looking for is a true duplicate, two settled transactions for the same parking on the same day, or a “lost ticket” fee when you had proof of payment.
If you spot an issue, assemble your proof into one folder: photos of ticket and signs, receipts, your notes, and your hire agreement. If you used a major supplier through Hola, such as Avis car rental at Orlando MCO or Alamo car rental at Orlando MCO, keep the supplier name handy in case the operator asks who owned the vehicle that day. Usually the parking dispute is still between you and the parking operator, but clear vehicle identification speeds up resolution.
Common mistakes to avoid
Throwing away the ticket too soon. Keep it until your card statement shows the final, correct amount.
Paying again “just in case”. If you are unsure, ask the attendant to confirm whether a payment already exists.
Assuming a pending charge is final. Wait for settlement, but document everything the same day.
Forgetting the basics. Time, lane, and receipt are often more persuasive than a long explanation.
FAQ
What should I do first if the parking gate won’t scan my ticket? Stop safely, try one careful rescan with the ticket flat, then press the help button. Ask the attendant to manually validate or reissue the ticket and to note the scan failure.
What if the barrier will not recognise my rental car’s plate? Use the intercom and provide the plate characters slowly. If the car has a temporary tag, mention it, and ask the attendant to open the gate and log the incident to prevent a later mismatch.
Can I be charged twice if I pay at the gate and also used an app? Yes, it can happen if the system cannot link your app pass to the lane transaction. Pay only once if possible, keep receipts, and ask staff to void any duplicate record.
What proof is best for disputing an incorrect parking charge later? A photo of the ticket or pass, the tariff sign, and the receipt, plus your note of time and lane. Add a photo of the vehicle plate and your hire agreement to connect the car to the transaction.
Should I contact my car hire company about a theme-park parking problem? Only if you need documentation, such as confirming the vehicle registration or rental period. For refunds or duplicate parking charges, the parking operator is usually the first contact.
