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

[eclectics]

My uninformed opinion...

I don't think the drop in attendance is a result of the ad, either. But, I think the ad is indicitive of their attitude and that's what's causing the drop in attendance.

They're making fun of the Disney "magic seekers." I am one of them, and I wouldn't go to a place that doesn't want me or is making fun of me.

I've been to US several times. I go every couple years to see what's new, then realize, they may have new "stuff" but they're the same US. I admit, they have some very promising attractions. But, there really is no "magic". It's no better than a 6 Flags. The staff is barely satisfactory - which is a huge advantage that WDW has. They tend to cater more to "thrill seekers" than WDW does. But, that gets you a lot of teens. Now, there's nothing wrong with teens, but overall (and we were all teens at one time) they tend not to be so... friendly, courteous, mature (at times), considerate, etc. That diminishes the experience for me.

When I am in WDW, I feel like I'm in another place, outside of the "real world". When I'm in US, I don't get that.

Two years ago, we went back to Sea World for the first time in probably 10 years - maybe more. Wow! Did THEY come around! I was very impressed with what they've accomplished. They're still not Disney (IMHO), but they've taken the lesson and applied it. Other than the attractions (which I think are superior at US), Sea World is more comparable to WDW than US.

I can see your point about the "magic seekers" although it's a tiny bit of a stretch. Don't get me wrong, I'm one too. I agree US appeals to a somewhat different clientle perhaps and as you admit, a lot of teens. The point I was making about the ad is teens are exactly who the ad was directed at. I can see there are a lot of US fans vs. Disney fans on this thread and I really don't want to get caught up in that. I was just commenting on the ad from a commercial dollars and cents point of view.

 

[helenabear]

The "Hurl" is an inside joke for those who frequent the Universal parks. There is a t-shirt they sell by the Hulk coaster. It has a stick figure throwing up. There is a diagonal slash through the figure signifying the universal sign for 'No". Underneath it says "No Hurling." It looks like the typical warning signs they have at rides like No wheelchairs or No one with heart problems, etc.

It's just a funny t-shirt. The shirt was sold years before the commercial came out.

Okay, why do they have to pick on princesses though with the hurl part?

Seriously? I enjoy both major roller coasters as well as Disney rides. I don't see the need to pick on one.

if you are trying to say that the whole hurling has to do with the Hulk Coaster, then I still don't get it. That is a very tame coaster by my standards. And even if it is more to do with the Hulk, then why still have to throw princesses in with it?

I've been to IoA, and I don't recall seeing those shirts. Truthfully I was totally disappointed with IoA and hope that USF is better.

 

[Lynn CC]

I didn't read this whole post, but I'd like to know if we can e-mail them about the commercial? I don't see an e-mail address on universal's home page, anyone know where I can find that.

I can't stand the choice of words they used and I'd like to let them know about it through an e-mail or I'll have to call.

 

[phamton]

if you are trying to say that the whole hurling has to do with the Hulk Coaster, then I still don't get it. That is a very tame coaster by my standards. And even if it is more to do with the Hulk, then why still have to throw princesses in with it?

The girl is standing in front of the Hulk coaster when she says that. It's an inside joke similar to some of the jokes on Jungle Cruise. You can take it two ways---one way if you know about the No Hurling at Hulk and the other way if you don't. It's just a little humor.

I've been to IoA, and I don't recall seeing those shirts.

My husband has one of the shirts.

 

[disneygal55]

Advertising is supposed to make you want to buy something. A commercial is supposed to make you think of a product in a positive light...so you will want to purchase the product, visit a destination,etc. This commercial doesn't really bother me but I find it defeats the purpose that it intended. Bash WDW
to entice people to visit its parks...I don't think so. I happen to love both WDW and Universal. This commercial only annoys most Disney lovers. That should not be the intention of a commercial. In my opinion, one of the reasons why Universal is alienating visitors because of its changes in several matters...the most blatant its charging the general public for the express passes, where before they were complimentary. This can only be viewed as negative by us "regular folks" who visit yearly or several times a year. You want to increase attendance then you keep treating the public to great perks! You don't take them away! It just doesn't seem like good business sense to me. I work with three people who are visiting the parks with their families this year {and have done so yearly for numerous years}. They have decided that they won't visit Universal because of the extra express pass charge. They have expressed to me that they are angry about the changes and will not visit Universal any more. And now we see the negative commercial. Wise up Universal and attract these former people again.

 

[disneygal55]

Sorry..repeated post

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Wow - some people seriously need to get a sense of humour!!!!

I enjoy all the Florida Parks - for different reasons - I don't bother with the 'snobbery' thing! Funnily enough, on the one holiday I made the mistake of wearing a 'mickey' shirt to US (and got the 'Rat problem' comments) but then I wore a US to MK and was told by the security guy that he couldn't let me in wearing an 'offensive' t-shirt! Guess what - they wereboth JOKING and I laughed at both of them!

Seriously - try to take off the mickey glasses and see the humour!

 

[phamton]

I didn't read this whole post, but I'd like to know if we can e-mail them about the commercial?

GuestServices@universalorlando.com

 

[willis37862]

My husband has one of the shirts.

So does my husband . I thought it was great!

For everyone that is highly offended by this commercial I have a question. Do you also get offended at other commercials that poke fun of products you like? Do you get mad at Pepsi and write them letters because you drink Coke and don't like them poking fun at Coke?

 

[mouseRD]

Love Disney; just had first visit to Universal after 5 nights at WDW. We absolutely loved it! It was just DH & I, early 40's, had a wonderful time & felt it was just too short (only 2 nights!). We did stay at the beautiful PBH & felt very pampered. We were amazed at the theming at Universal; it was incredible. Different from WDW, but very cool! We also encountered incredibly friendly, courteous staff (with the exception of the one guy who sold us some popcorn, LOL!) everywhere we went - hotel, restaurants, shops, & both parks. I would definitely go back (to both! ).

 

[MomofKatie]

Every time that commercial comes on, DD (who is NOT a Princess lover in the least- she's a Stitch girl all the way) tells me, "Mommy, that is just mean!". Universal is not making anyone in my house want to visit, even with all the freebies they are offering (kids stay, play, and eat free, and now free car rental). They just seem desperate.

Quoting myself here- I do think the ad is amusing, and it does make me remember Universal. I get that it is just an "inside joke" and that it is standard advertising procedure. I'm OK with that- not gonna write Universal to protest, and I don't feel I need to "protect" poor little 'ol Disney from them.

I just feel negative advertising, whether it is funny or not, is not very effective. There are many commercials for many products that are memorable, but I don't rush out to try their product because of a memorable ad, especially one that has a negative feel to it.

JMO, and others can feel free to disagree. While I laugh a bit every time I see the Universal ad, it definitely doesn't make me think, "Hey, I think I'll go there!".

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I haven't seen that particluar commercial, but have seen others from UO that use a similar tact. They kind of make me smile, but certainly do not entice me to go back to UO. After 6 trips to WDW we checked it out last winter when they had the "kids free" offer. Not that we were ready to start hating on UO, but we were not impressed. I suppose I 'll have to go back one day when the kids get a bit older and just insist on riding Hulk, the Mummy, or something.

 

[SadieDog]

I found the commercial quite amusing. Although we loved Disney and can't wait to go back, the girl reminded me of my daughter who does not want to see a "princess" either.

 

[disneygal55]

Advertising is supposed to make you want to buy something. A commercial is supposed to make you think of something in a positive light...make you want to buy something, go somewhere, etc.

 

[lookingforward]

Love Disney; just had first visit to Universal after 5 nights at WDW. We absolutely loved it! It was just DH & I, early 40's, had a wonderful time & felt it was just too short (only 2 nights!). We did stay at the beautiful PBH & felt very pampered. We were amazed at the theming at Universal; it was incredible. Different from WDW, but very cool! We also encountered incredibly friendly, courteous staff (with the exception of the one guy who sold us some popcorn, LOL!) everywhere we went - hotel, restaurants, shops, & both parks. I would definitely go back (to both! ).

I totally agree!
I LOVE WDW and will always spend part of my vacation dollars there. But I also love Universal/IOA for completely different things and have had many great getaways at their lovely hotels and parks. The commercial in question was hilarious in my opinion. I can't get worked up about sacrastic humor and that is what I thought it was. It wasn't hateful or wrong in my opinion. I have a 7 year old who worships the princesses and I have two teens who would threaten to "hurl" if they had to go to a princess activity. I respect all of their opinions. WDW is a corporation who seeks to earn as much money as possible. We may love the themes, adventure and our perception of magic but their ultimate goal is the same as any other corporation, including US/IOA. Disney is and always will be the gold standard, but lets not act like they are any different from any other company.
By the way, there are Disney billboards all along the Florida turnpike and over the years several have been anti universal. I am trying to remember exactly what some of them said (they were all cute/funny), and have a call in to my husband to see if I can jog my memory. And finally, US/IOA may have lost some ticket sales and may need to use freebies to increase their numbers but you could say the same for disney and their "free dining" marketing. $$$$, its all about the benjamins!

 

[ChrisFL]

US and SW will always be 2nd and 3rd to Disney. US had a terrible 1st quarter and they are expected to cut back, layoff and stop plans for new rides.

I don't know why anyone compares US to Disney. It's like comparing Disney to a carnival. They are two separate animals. Disney has mostly attractions with some rides and US has mostly rides with few attractions.

What do you mean by "rides" vs. "attractions"? Universal has several good shows, state of the art attractions, including one that Disney hasn't matched yet (Spiderman), incredible theming at IOA throughout the entire park, world class food inside the parks and outside, including the #1 theme park restaurant in the world, and is in no way similar to a Six Flags park, no matter how people try to convince themselves of that.

DCA is much closer to a six flags park that IOA or USF will ever be

 

[Patch'sD]

I love Universal and love the commercials, The comercials are correct Universal is not about Princesses and Pixie dust. It is about World Class attractions, Excellent Service, Great Resorts, Outstanding Hotel Guest Perks and so much more.

I have been to Disney in the 70s 80s and 90s. My point of reference is a different than that someone who has recently gone. The only magic left is making your money disappear. Disney has removed so many perks it's hard to even remember the Magic. What is so magical of being in traffic going from the park to park. The WDW road network sometimes looks worse than LIE at rush hour. More Shops More Shops, Cheap rides, and the all of the Major rides added over the last 10 years have had major problems and delays. On my last trip to EPCOT in 1999 more was closed than open. Was the ticket price cut in half ,no, it was doubled.


For Me, If I see another refrence to the magic, I am going to hurl.

 

[Lynn CC]

GuestServices@universalorlando.com

Thanks for the e-mail!

On a positive note...I usually enjoy US commercials, especially the lady screeming while she's hanging on to her kids while she's on the rollercoaster ride. I'll mention that one too!

 

[disney4us2002]

I can't say I like the commercial but then I like very few - that's the time to hit the fridge and potty, afterall.

We went to Universal/IoA last trip and my boys really liked most of the rides. Of all the rides in all the parks I have to admit my new favorite is Revenge of the Mummy (sorry RnRC). It was soooo freakin' fabulous (quoting my then 8 yr old)!!!

Anyway, back to the ads. I think it's meant in fun, teasing, etc. We wore our Disney tees on our Universal day and got singled out a few times, but then my oldest wore his new Shrek shirt on a Disney day and Mickey "threw a fit" when we were posing for pictures. It was great fun and hilarious on video to replay.

Disney has my heart and vacation time but I'll give a couple days and dollars to USF.

 

[HollisterSweetie]

I love Universal and love the commercials, The comercials are correct Universal is not about Princesses and Pixie dust. It is about World Class attractions, Excellent Service, Great Resorts, Outstanding Hotel Guest Perks and so much more.

I have been to Disney in the 70s 80s and 90s. My point of reference is a different than that someone who has recently gone. The only magic left is making your money disappear. Disney has removed so many perks it's hard to even remember the Magic. What is so magical of being in traffic going from the park to park. The WDW road network sometimes looks worse than LIE at rush hour. More Shops More Shops, Cheap rides, and the all of the Major rides added over the last 10 years have had major problems and delays. On my last trip to EPCOT in 1999 more was closed than open. Was the ticket price cut in half ,no, it was doubled.


For Me, If I see another refrence to the magic, I am going to hurl.

You must be hurling all the time then seeing as you`ve been on a DISNEY board for nearly 7 years .

Just my two cents, we didn`t like US the first time we went but decided to try it again a couple years ago. One of the few good rides there, the jaws one, was closed down the whole entire time plus we weren`t too thrilled by most of their "rides" being motion simulators. The people there were VERY rude, food wasn`t of great quality. Perhaps I just went on a bad day but we did vow never to waste our money on US again, it leaves a lot more money for added days at DISNEY !