If I have to hug one more princess, I am going to hurl!

[AnaheimGirl]

It's always in bad taste to bash the competition in a commercial, but it's done ad nauseum by many, many different product manufacturers, and even more so by politicians. I don't see why Universal should be held to a higher standard... just because it's Disney being "bashed"?

True, Disney doesn't have to stoop to this level in it's commercials, they are already the best-known in the business. But they use other tactics to keep people away from other parks, such as charging $3.00 a day for those last few days on your park-hopper pass (why spend another $100+ to visit Universal or Sea World when you can go back to a Disney park for next to nothing?) and Magical Express (if guest don't rent a car, it's harder to leave the property to go to other parks or restaurants).

I know some here think Disney just does this to be nice to their guests, but I'd call that naive. They do it to keep you on their property.

 

[Chicago526]

USO has the right message, just the wrong delivery system. Their message should be that they are a park that is geared towards kids 10+ (especially teens) and adults that just aren't into Mickey and Bambi so much. USO does big, fast, scary rides very, very well and I wish Disney would do more of them (not all rides have to be family friendly afterall).

But where USO goes over the line is insulting (in an obvious way) Disney. There are many ways to promote USO as a place ideal for older children, teens, and adults without resorting to putting down Disney. Heck, if you just show film of roller costers, water rides, 3D dark rides and movies, and characters from comic books, the viewer will get the idea that this isn't a place 4 year olds will get much out of and that teens will most likely love.

 

[disgram]

We are not fond of the commercials either. If Universal wants people to come there, they should take a page from Disney. Their hotels, while beautiful, are WAY too expensive for a week's stay, IMO. If they had some mods or values, it might be a little easier to go. When we are at Disney, we stay there because it is cheaper in the long run. We are Disney people forever, too, but if things were cheaper there, we might take a couple days out of our trip to go. They really need to rethink!!!!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I never saw anything wrong with the commercial. I much prefer WDW and haven't been to USO in about 12 years (but that's mainly because roller coasters and thrill rides just aren't my thing). But it's just a commercial. None of it really matters in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Negative advertising rarely works. It made me think of Princess Fiona and I thought US was being hypo-critical.

No mas, on US.

 

[Captain Brain]

I hate that commercial. I think that it is very rude and makes me hate Universal.

 

[tiff13]

My mom cringes and shrieks, "Little Brat!" everytime it comes on. And I laugh and tell her to chill, Universal will never surpass Disney.( I've performed at both, Disney is way better )

 

[Contemporary_Man]

I actually think many of the Universal Studios commercials are funny and pretty good advertising. They are differentiating their product. Lets face it, most of the DIS Community is never going to go to Universal no matter what they say or do. We are not part of their target segment. As much as I love Disney World, there are a lot of people out there who think it is sickening and Universal is just trying to appeal to those people.

 

[Mister Incredible]

Universal would be better off buying the DVC list, or another Disney mailing list and offering 2 for 1 coupons if they want to boost attendance numbers.

The message of the commercial isn't too far off, but they could have presented it better. For example, my son just turned 11, I think he needs more big thrill rides. Universal maybe in our plans for the next trip.

I think Universal should build on the Islands of Adventure park for teenagers in their next commercial. Of course I haven't been there in years, so I couldn't tell you what's over there.

 

[DaisyD]

That ad has been playing for a while. I must be the minority but I think it is very funny! I love Disney and really don't bother with US except for the Spiderman ride but I just think it is funny.

 

[Magickndm]

This is a repeat topic, but I still think the commercial is funny.
I'm guessing the people who are offended by it must have really loved the segment on SNL a couple of weeks ago.

 

[babieemelly]

I love the commercial. I think people need to lighten up. We're talking about theme parks here, they're there for your entertainment. You don't need to defend Disney to the death. Disney is a COMPANY. They want your money, and they'll do all they can to get it. It's not about pixie dust, it's about dollar signs. You all just choose to blindly buy into it, I guess. I know my cousin isn't into princesses and pixie duest - she loves Shrek and Dr. Suess. So she likes Universal better. Not all people obsessively love Disney... it's not a big deal.

 

[kaw1218]

I love the commercial. I think people need to lighten up. We're talking about theme parks here, they're there for your entertainment. You don't need to defend Disney to the death. Disney is a COMPANY. They want your money, and they'll do all they can to get it. It's not about pixie dust, it's about dollar signs. You all just choose to blindly buy into it, I guess. I know my cousin isn't into princesses and pixie duest - she loves Shrek and Dr. Suess. So she likes Universal better. Not all people obsessively love Disney... it's not a big deal.

Well said! I agree. Its just like Home Depot/Lowes, Target/Walmart, Pat's/Geno's (its a philly thing ) they will say anything they can to try to lure customers to them. Its all about personal prefrence.

I do LOVE disney though!!!!

 

[hellokitty86]

I like Universal, I've only been a couple times but it is the place my DH would prefer to go to instead of Disney (Why did I marry this man?? )

Ofcourse this commerical is not going to stop me from going there, but I did think it was in poor taste. I've never seen Disney bash Universal, so I don't get why Universal would bash Disney?? But I know some people who love Universal and hate Disney- They are the ones that think this is so funny.

 

[redshoes]

The commercial makes me think of the group that we saw at our last trip to DW. They all had shirts on that said, "your shirt says princess, but your face says troll". I thought I was going to have to pick my DH up from main street, he was laughing so hard. As for Universal, we went and found it didn't appeal to us like Disney. It was alright, nothing wasted and now we know.

 

[thelionqueen]

I really dislike that commercial as well. Universal is all about bashing Disney. Just go to their website, they have a link where you can compare Universal to Disney. I have actually never been there, but my family (minus me) went there last year. They did not like it at all and said they will never go back. Nothing like Disney!

Here is the link if anyone is interested:
http://www.universalorlando.com/disney_comparision.html

I have the same feelings as your family. It was not an enjoyable experience for us at all I don't plan on going back anytime soon.

I thought the commerical was tacky and desperate.

The sales are slipping significantly @ US. To offer basically free tickets (kids are free w/paying adult +3 extra days) AND free rental car, to me screams desperation. It's not Disney for sure and some people like it for that reason, just not me.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

That ad has been playing for a while. I must be the minority but I think it is very funny! I love Disney and really don't bother with US except for the Spiderman ride but I just think it is funny.

I think they're pretty funny too! Not everyone is crazy about Disney - those commercials cater to those people. I don't see what the big deal is. I love Disney, it's the happiest place on earth - not the ONLY happy place!

Besides, I'm sick of the princess stuff too! I'm so glad that you can walk into the Disney store and see all the Cars and Pirates stuff. They're finally catering to boys!

 

[princess pooh]

I'm not a Universal person but I still think the commercial is funny . I don't see what the big deal is???

 

[rayelias]

The way I look at it...

If that's the type of person they want to market to, and who they want visiting their parks, good for them.

Keeps them out of WDW and makes my stay more magical!

 

[TigerKat]

If it's the same commercial I've seen, it also implies that WDW shuts down early!? I believe a little boy says something to the effect "Who goes to bed at 7:00 anyway" before jumping into a pool.