Old School WDW or New School WDW?

[Wizzard419]

You were asking about coupons. As I stated earlier if (in the highly unlikely event the system ever did exist) they did this, working barcodes can be spoofed easily because they aren't using super complex codes and it takes about 5 seconds to generate a barcode, and disney CM's are more or less pushovers with anything that doesn't break the law.

[Mousekedude]

...it takes about 5 seconds to generate a barcode...

Yeah, but from where? Your own phone? Then how are you going to get it to be valid in their system when scanned? Barcodes have to be programmed into the system so the scanner can recognize them. Ever worked stock at a grocery store....?
Unless you're talking about hacking into Disney's system online, creating your own barcode... in their system, and sending it to your phone... from their system...? Anyone that can and would do that is not likely to be someone who would be wasting the time and resources needed for such shenanigans (let alone the skills involved) on scamming for fastpasses at Disney in the first place.... all that for a stupid fastpass from a doggone $3.00 or $5.00 app...? C'mon!

[Wizzard419]

You wouldn't need to generate a unique code, just one that already exists. A barcode is a simple number, which would likely be the ride, the day, and return time. Again, to place a system in would be a huge waste of money as it doesn't have a means of creating income, if they started selling fastpasses people would be against it (why pay when you get it for free?), and it would be impossible to make "hack proof".

Never underestimate how far people are willing to go to save a dollar, an hour, etc. or even to simply "beat" a system. Look at how long it took to have the jailbreak release of iphone software (same day as they reached consumers if I recall), or to hack the kinnect, wii, etc.

[Mousekedude]

You wouldn't need to generate a unique code, just one that already exists. A barcode is a simple number, which would likely be the ride, the day, and return time. Again, to place a system in would be a huge waste of money as it doesn't have a means of creating income, if they started selling fastpasses people would be against it (why pay when you get it for free?), and it would be impossible to make "hack proof".

Never underestimate how far people are willing to go to save a dollar, an hour, etc. or even to simply "beat" a system. Look at how long it took to have the jailbreak release of iphone software (same day as they reached consumers if I recall), or to hack the kinnect, wii, etc.

Granted, if you allow for pure evil, I can see your point.
However, did any of that ever stop them from making and selling those things anyway? If businesses decided to not market a concept simply because it "could be hacked or faked", we wouldn't have credit cards, debit cards, or even store coupons! My opinion is that if Disney thinks they can make some money and/or score "geek points" with hipsters, they'll try something. The only real fly in the ointment is whether they can figure out a way to make it cost effective to implement, and how long it would take to turn a profit afterwards. That's really the strongest part of your argument.
I just like playing NaCler... um, I mean Devil's advocate... sometimes.

[Wizzard419]

It's not that evil actually, heck, you've probably done it before without even realizing it (with such things as give aways, contest entries, etc.)

it's so minor that in most locations there is no regulation on the books that could be applied. There was a guy back east who famously counterfieted a fortune (the actual numbers are unknown but it ranges from hundreds of thousands to million) casino tokens and cashed them in all over the country. When he finally got caught (the first time) they couldn't get him for a lot of the charges because most places don't have laws related to his activites. Look up Louis Colavecchio if you want the full story.

Ooohhh with credit/debit/magnetic strip cards it's not fair to say that since the notion of credit card theft and that type of fraud didn't exist when they first came out. Even the new security features make it even easier to lift information (chip and pin cards) which then sparked a new fear based industry.

I think Disney is staying out/only slowly entering of the app market for now since they just signed on with the lesser version of foursquare with a landmarks app (you go somewhere and "check in" that you've been there), it doesn't give you anything but it does give the company (and probably disney) your personal info so they can then tailor their marketing as well as sell your info.

I totally blanked on one other issue, international guests. If you've ever had to use a phone overseas you know it's crazy expensive unless you hack/pay to have your phone hacked (ok the term is unlocked but whatever) and buy a new simcard (which always is at some shady back alley place that also sells charges and meat) or end up having a $3,000 phone bill when you get back from a 2 week buisness trip.

[mindflipper]

I think Disney would be cautious with the app markets because the whole GO network fiasco years ago and wrote off millions in losses on their income statement.

[Wizzard419]

They still have and use the go network! There is only a select group of people/companies that I know would make a bad investment and then keep it going until it just totally broke down for good, and I guess Disney is now one of them.

[mindflipper]

They still have and use the go network! There is only a select group of people/companies that I know would make a bad investment and then keep it going until it just totally broke down for good, and I guess Disney is now one of them.

And look how long they kept the "Journey Into YOUR Imagination" before they revised it to add back figment?

[Wizzard419]

That's a bit different, they probably wanted Kodak to pony up the cash. I still cannot fathom why they would want to keep the Go Network even though they've more or less gutted it. (The search is powered by yahoo or google, email is gone, and I think all the user features are gone too.

[Sharonofwindham]

The majority of my visits were in the '90's, so I'm with you on the timeline. I prefer old school Epcot definitely. I think most every Epcot fan would love to see Horizons back. I do enjoy some changes, like UOE for example. Oh, and I would take WOM over TT.
I LOVE AK!! I spend alot of time there each trip. For me it's all about the animals. Have watched the gorillas for hours. When Asia was about to open and the tigers arrived, they were in quarentine and had to be examined by the vet. We happened to be at "conservation station" and were told one of them was about to be examined as soon as they could get her tranqualized and transported. We must have waited for 1 1/2 hrs at the observation window for her arrival, and when they finally wheeled that amazing creature in it took my breath away.
They can add great thrill rides, I love those too, as long as they stay focused on the most important part of the park, the animals.

[Amy]

The majority of my visits were in the '90's, so I'm with you on the timeline. I prefer old school Epcot definitely. I think most every Epcot fan would love to see Horizons back. I do enjoy some changes, like UOE for example. Oh, and I would take WOM over TT.
I LOVE AK!! I spend alot of time there each trip. For me it's all about the animals. Have watched the gorillas for hours. When Asia was about to open and the tigers arrived, they were in quarentine and had to be examined by the vet. We happened to be at "conservation station" and were told one of them was about to be examined as soon as they could get her tranqualized and transported. We must have waited for 1 1/2 hrs at the observation window for her arrival, and when they finally wheeled that amazing creature in it took my breath away.
They can add great thrill rides, I love those too, as long as they stay focused on the most important part of the park, the animals.

That is cool that you took the time to see the tigers close up!

[Satchel T]

I've found myself "missing" things from 10 years ago ... That's not old school but it gets sad at times to see things change ... However, they know what they're doing and things only get better, so I figure I'll let the pros do what they do and I'll just keep enjoying it

[theBIGyowski]

Ask me again after the New Fantasyland is done.