I just got to take a survey about a Universal ad

[Rock'n Robin]

I take Harris surveys online occasionally and today it was one looking at a prospective ad for universal.
Now I've never been to Universal Orlando--I went to the LA one but it was in 1982. I think about going sometimes, maybe 2 days Universal and 5 WDW, but this next time we will have been away for 2 1/2 years, and I don't know if I can force myself to spend the time at Universal.
Anyhow, this ad had two interesting things as far as I was concerned:
1) it showed a girl, maybe a "tween", saying "if I had to go on vacation and hug another princess, I was gonna hurl". (side note--the "people" were all in the drawing stage). Then kids jumping into a pool saying "who goes to bed at 7?" (does someone go to bed at 7 at WDW? We never have!) and a boy on a coaster saying "yeah I was into fairy tales...when I was like, 5!" Then it went into the Universal message. So I'm going into it ticked off. I like fairy tales and princesses...and I'm 42! The hidden, unspoken subtext, IMHO, was "if your kids are older and you go to WDW you are an idiot". The message on the ad was "your family has evolved, isn't it time your vacation does too?" Since I'm planning a trip I was slightly insulted.
2) The other interesting thing, though, was the special offer--or maybe this is true now and I haven't heard about it--"Universal Orlando, where kids now stay, play, and eat for free!" I would be MUCH more likely to spend a couple of days over there if the kids got free tickets and ate for free! If this offer does pan out, we may spend a day or two over there after all. I know WDW never matches this kind of deal...but I would love it if they did...even though as far as WDW is concerned only DS is a "kid"--DD#2 will be 11 and that is over the hill.
Anyhow, just thought the whole thing was interesting, and I gave them MUCH more feedback than I usually do.
Robin M.

 

[Planogirl]

I do Harris surveys too and I wish that I'd get that one!

We LOVE Universal and go every time now. The ads don't bother me, they're just being edgy which is their style.

That special offer sounds amazing! Their passes are already so inexpensive and free food would be nice.

 

[Sandy V.]

The key thing to enjoying Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is not to go there making mental comparisons between how they do things at Universal as opposed to how Disney does them. The same could be said in reverse. If you're always thinking, "But this isn't how it works at Disney", I think that you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Each park is unique in a good way.

We love Disney and Universal. With teenagers (17 and 15), Universal is especially fun and relaxing for us. We always stay at the Hard Rock Hotel and just walk to the parks in less than 5 minutes. No driving or waiting for busses. We buy a 2-day, 2-park pass so when can go back and forth between US and IOA as much as we want.

The best part about Universal (to me) is the Front of the Line access. You can't imagine how fun it is to ride Men in Black 10 times in a row without a wait.

I hope that you give Universal a try; the parks are well worth it.

 

[Snoopymom]

I'm a new Universal fan, just as clean, easier to park and get around, got AP's with the lottery ticket deal for about $100 each! I agree, I like the edginess, died laughing when I saw Shrek for the first time, and the Spiderman ride is worth the price of admission! I could go on, but ya know, I like that it's not as crowded as Disney, LOL!