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

[AnaheimGirl]

Agreed.

(and I do love the Fantasyland comment. )

But, if you remember, when Roseanne and fam went to WDW, everyone ended up happy and sappy- even grunge fan Darlene went skipping around with Winnie the Pooh, even "exchanged addresses" at the end.

True to lifers and fantasy worlders both enjoyed that.

Hey! I never saw that episode! How cute!

I actually didn't watch the show much, I always thought they were too obnoxious, even though the Universal commercial doesn't bother me!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Hmm, I bet if we pointed out that WDW has more miles of concrete than Universal, people would argue that's a good thing, because it means it's bigger!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Hey! I never saw that episode! How cute!

I actually didn't watch the show much, I always thought they were too obnoxious, even though the Universal commercial doesn't bother me!

I think I've watched every show that filmed an episode in WDW and I bet I have most on tape:

Roseanne
Full House (my favorite)
Step By Step
Golden Girls
Blossom

etc.

 

[kayeandjim00]

I love DIsney and I love Universal. Some of you people are WAY too uptight Stay at Disney less lines for me when I foray over to US.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

So you admit you've never seen the place, and yet you claim that there's miles of concrete? Wow, that's absoutely incredible. Do you have psychic powers?

BTW, Universal Studios opened in 1990, Islands of Adventure opened in 1999.

This is a collage from Islands of Adventure, where do you see miles of concrete?
So you're still claiming that you walk only on grass there?
How do I have to actually go there to know that there are miles of pavement?
So does WDW. So does just about every other theme/amusement park.

Unless the entire park only has 1 mile of pavement in total, it has to have miles of it.

Jeez. You'd think I insulted you when I was joking.

I also noticed how convienently most of the walkways where cut out of those pics.
btw: Here's some pics I found on the net USO Quick thanks to whose ever these are (I don't know since I got them off the net):




Sure looks like a lot of concrete to me.

 

[momrek06]

I will admit I have not read this entire Thread...that being said...My fam LOVES US/IOA as well as LOVES WDW

I have seen the commercial ...but does anyone think maybe it is a result of their crowds not being what they want or need of lately?

We have stayed at Portofino Bay !!! We have stayed at Hard Rock !!! It is a great park...but I think their #'s are down??

 

[lookingforward]

So you admit you've never seen the place, and yet you claim that there's miles of concrete? Wow, that's absoutely incredible. Do you have psychic powers?

BTW, Universal Studios opened in 1990, Islands of Adventure opened in 1999.

This is a collage from Islands of Adventure, where do you see miles of concrete?
So you're still claiming that you walk only on grass there?
How do I have to actually go there to know that there are miles of pavement?
So does WDW. So does just about every other theme/amusement park.

Unless the entire park only has 1 mile of pavement in total, it has to have miles of it.

Jeez. You'd think I insulted you when I was joking.

I also noticed how convienently most of the walkways where cut out of those pics.
btw: Here's some pics I found on the net USO Quick thanks to whose ever these are (I don't know since I got them off the net):




Sure looks like a lot of concrete to me.

I have to enter in here. There IS a lot of concrete because those pics are of Universal Studios which is just that...a MOVIE studio. The pictures are of various areas designed to resemble an urban area for filming backdrops. MGM studios looks quite similar, actually.

I have been to US/IOA tens of times (lost count) and it is no more or no less "concrete" looking than WDW (which I love). Just very different theming. Looking at internet pictures of a few areas does not acurately portray the theme parks at all. I could just as easily post pics of MGM or Epcot and make it look as cold and stark when in reality NONE of them are. Lets be real and base opinions on fact and experience. All due respect but how can you argue about something you claim to have never experienced or seen first hand?

 

[eclectics]

Lets be real and base opinions on fact and experience. All due respect but how can you argue about something you claim to have never experienced or seen first hand?

lol. Words of wisdom. And I thought the people that actually experienced both were getting into it hot and heavy! To be honest I really don't see why there has to be so much side taking. They are two different parks with two different experiences. I wouldn't even compare the two (and yes, I've been to US) as I don't think they are alike enough to be able to compare them against one another. I might compare the US part to Disney MGM but not to the whole of WDW. IOA doesn't really have a WDW counterpart, imho.

 

[pooch]

gotta be one of my all-time favorite commercials!!! I love WDW and have only been to US/IOA once (we'll be back on this trip). But this comercial is priceless!!! They have captured the true Disney fanatic (I'm only a novice WDW fanatic) to a tee. I don't think the kids are rude or offensive. What a way to advertise a difference. Marketing genius!!! We HAVE to get over ourselves.

PS: the first time I saw this commercial, I laughed so hard, I had to go change if you get my drift!!!!

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I have to enter in here. There IS a lot of concrete because those pics are of Universal Studios which is just that...a MOVIE studio. The pictures are of various areas designed to resemble an urban area for filming backdrops. MGM studios looks quite similar, actually.

I have been to US/IOA tens of times (lost count) and it is no more or no less "concrete" looking than WDW (which I love). Just very different theming. Looking at internet pictures of a few areas does not acurately portray the theme parks at all. I could just as easily post pics of MGM or Epcot and make it look as cold and stark when in reality NONE of them are. Lets be real and base opinions on fact and experience. All due respect but how can you argue about something you claim to have never experienced or seen first hand?

lol. Words of wisdom. And I thought the people that actually experienced both were getting into it hot and heavy!

Are you people deliberately overlooking this part of my statement?

So you're still claiming that you walk only on grass there?
How do I have to actually go there to know that there are miles of pavement?
So does WDW. So does just about every other theme/amusement park

Unless the entire park only has 1 mile of pavement in total, it has to have miles of it..

Jeez. You'd think I insulted you when I was joking.

To be honest I really don't see why there has to be so much side taking. They are two different parks with two different experiences. I wouldn't even compare the two (and yes, I've been to US) as I don't think they are alike enough to be able to compare them against one another. I might compare the US part to Disney MGM but not to the whole of WDW. IOA doesn't really have a WDW counterpart, imho.

Exactly what I was trying to say in my previous post!

Get a grip people! Every park has to have miles of pavement/concrete unless you are walking only on grass (or dirt)!
Now. Do I really have to go to a place to actually know that?
Do you? I thought it was fairly common knowledge unless you've never been to any park.

 

[Planogirl]

OK so all parks have miles of concrete so why this insult:

If you want miles of concrete with a few coasters to make you throw up, go to US.

I see this as nothing but slamming a place that you've never even been to. I never have understood the logic of that.

Universal has three (3) yes THREE coasters for those who comment that the parks have nothing but coasters. Oh, and one kiddie coaster. They also have two stationary simulators for the person who said that Universal has so many of those.

All of the misinformation is incredible!

 

[lookingforward]

OK so all parks have miles of concrete so why this insult:


I see this as nothing but slamming a place that you've never even been to. I never have understood the logic of that.

Universal has three (3) yes THREE coasters for those who comment that the parks have nothing but coasters. Oh, and one kiddie coaster. They also have two stationary simulators for the person who said that Universal has so many of those.

All of the misinformation is incredible!

Exactly. I guess it is all in how you state your opinion.

 

[lookingforward]

I may not like it either. But hey! It's free advertising for Disney!
It's basically saying that if you really want magic, go to Disney.

If you want miles of concrete with a few coasters to make you throw up, go to US.

Call me crazy but simply stating there is a lot of concrete would have been one thing, but depicting US/IOA as miles of concrete with a few coasters to make you throw up is quite another. Forgive us for wanting to clarify the "real" US/IOA. It is so much more than some coasters and concrete.
Bt the way, I have a grip.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Every park has to have miles of pavement/concrete unless you are walking only on grass (or dirt)!
Now. Do I really have to go to a place to actually know that?
Do you? I thought it was fairly common knowledge unless you've never been to any park.

Wow - how fast can one person back peddle? You must be a world record holder for backward cycling?!!!

IF your original post was meant as a joke then it's common practice to add a few smilies to try and indicate that you were joking! You didn't do this so people will take what you read as a serious comment! As a serious comment your post is both rude and inaccurate - and you were found out on the second part of that! IMHO IOA has the best themeing of ANY park in florida - Disney should look and learn!

 

[JLTraveling]

I really tried to sit on my hands and not get involved, but after slogging through all 12 pages of posts, I have to bring up an issue that a lot of people have come close to, but no one has really hit on.
Let me start by saying, I was raised at the parks. I have worked off and on for Disney (in various roles), Universal (in various roles), and Sea World, since 1992. What a lot of people on this board seem to miss is this: Yes, you're all wonderfully well informed. You spend time on the forums. You know what's what, and what's where, and have touring plans and dining schedules and all that stuff. You are all in graduate school compared to the kindergarten knowledge of the average person who is contemplating an Orlando vacation. Your average person out there on the street thinks that central Florida is Disney. Sea World, Universal, Busch Gardens...all owned by Disney, according to Joe Schmoe vacationer.
I can't count the number of times, while working at Animal Kingdom, I was asked for directions to Spiderman. Or while working at Universal Studios, asked how to get to Dinosaur. Or while working at Epcot, asked where Jaws was. People are confused. They try to get into the Magic Kingdom with their Portofino Bay room key, and hand the Universal Team Member at Earthquake a Fast Pass from Space Mountain.
And for every person who actually came to Orlando and is experiencing that confusion, there are hundreds who won't vacation in Orlando at all, because "it's all Disney" and "Disney is for kids (or sissies, or what have you). That's the group that Universal is targeting with their commercials. Letting Joe Public in another state know that there is an option. Obviously, Joe Public isn't a Disney fan, and his kids may well have made similar comments to those of the kids in the commercial. If they were Disney fans, they'd already be in Orlando. But they're not, and they have no idea that Universal offers a completely different experience. And that's the advantage of that type of marketing. Taking what the person *already believes to be true* about Disney, and turning that into a chance to show that Universal is different.
It's unbelievable how much backlash this commercial series has generated. But like another poster said, the key to marketing is to be remembered, and they've certainly done well with that. But to the poster who made snide comments about Universal Team Members, I just have to ask: Do you really believe that I have some sort of multiple personality? When I'm wearing a pin trading lanyard and playing with your kids outside a Disney attraction I'm awesome, but when I'm playing with your kids outside a Universal attraction I'm trash? Think about that one for a moment.
Go ahead, flame away.

 

[momrek06]

I really tried to sit on my hands and not get involved, but after slogging through all 12 pages of posts, I have to bring up an issue that a lot of people have come close to, but no one has really hit on.
Let me start by saying, I was raised at the parks. I have worked off and on for Disney (in various roles), Universal (in various roles), and Sea World, since 1992. What a lot of people on this board seem to miss is this: Yes, you're all wonderfully well informed. You spend time on the forums. You know what's what, and what's where, and have touring plans and dining schedules and all that stuff. You are all in graduate school compared to the kindergarten knowledge of the average person who is contemplating an Orlando vacation. Your average person out there on the street thinks that central Florida is Disney. Sea World, Universal, Busch Gardens...all owned by Disney, according to Joe Schmoe vacationer.
I can't count the number of times, while working at Animal Kingdom, I was asked for directions to Spiderman. Or while working at Universal Studios, asked how to get to Dinosaur. Or while working at Epcot, asked where Jaws was. People are confused. They try to get into the Magic Kingdom with their Portofino Bay room key, and hand the Universal Team Member at Earthquake a Fast Pass from Space Mountain.
And for every person who actually came to Orlando and is experiencing that confusion, there are hundreds who won't vacation in Orlando at all, because "it's all Disney" and "Disney is for kids (or sissies, or what have you). That's the group that Universal is targeting with their commercials. Letting Joe Public in another state know that there is an option. Obviously, Joe Public isn't a Disney fan, and his kids may well have made similar comments to those of the kids in the commercial. If they were Disney fans, they'd already be in Orlando. But they're not, and they have no idea that Universal offers a completely different experience. And that's the advantage of that type of marketing. Taking what the person *already believes to be true* about Disney, and turning that into a chance to show that Universal is different.
It's unbelievable how much backlash this commercial series has generated. But like another poster said, the key to marketing is to be remembered, and they've certainly done well with that. But to the poster who made snide comments about Universal Team Members, I just have to ask: Do you really believe that I have some sort of multiple personality? When I'm wearing a pin trading lanyard and playing with your kids outside a Disney attraction I'm awesome, but when I'm playing with your kids outside a Universal attraction I'm trash? Think about that one for a moment.
Go ahead, flame away.

Ahhh..well said, JL!!!

And man, that must be hysterical when you get asked where is Spidey at WDW or having someone attempt to use a FASTPASS for SM at Earthquake...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

One thing I have to add--we had the best customer service at a Universal park. We we happened to sit down at a table at IoA one morning that had been cleaned with a bleach solution, which got on our clothing (a shirt of mine, my sister's pants, my son's shirt) and as soon as we realized it we found an employee who took a report and allowed us to pick out new clothes to replace what was ruined, gave us a free towel since we'd used the borrowed hotel towel to clean ourselves up, etc. All that I suppose it to be expected. However, their attitude was outstanding! There was never even a hint of, "didn't you notice the smell of bleach before you sat down?". Which of course we didn't until after we sat down. Never an argument or attitude from them. We were very impressed with them. They made sure that we had everything replaced that we needed replaced and that we were as happy as we could be given the circumstances. They then walked us over to Spiderman and walked us on the ride (it wasn't busy, but my son and my elderly mother enjoyed the treatment).

Yes, I've been treated well at WDW, too. But the feeling that Universal employees or that the company doesn't care is so untrue!

 

[JLTraveling]

One thing I have to add--we had the best customer service at a Universal park. We we happened to sit down at a table at IoA one morning that had been cleaned with a bleach solution, which got on our clothing (a shirt of mine, my sister's pants, my son's shirt) and as soon as we realized it we found an employee who took a report and allowed us to pick out new clothes to replace what was ruined, gave us a free towel since we'd used the borrowed hotel towel to clean ourselves up, etc. All that I suppose it to be expected. However, their attitude was outstanding! There was never even a hint of, "didn't you notice the smell of bleach before you sat down?". Which of course we didn't until after we sat down. Never an argument or attitude from them. We were very impressed with them. They made sure that we had everything replaced that we needed replaced and that we were as happy as we could be given the circumstances. They then walked us over to Spiderman and walked us on the ride (it wasn't busy, but my son and my elderly mother enjoyed the treatment).

Yes, I've been treated well at WDW, too. But the feeling that Universal employees or that the company doesn't care is so untrue!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I hope you took the time out to mention it to Guest Services as well. Universal has been on a huge employee empowerment kick recently, which really seems to be paying off. Not to knock WDW in any way, but it has been my experience from working at both, that Universal has removed a lot of the impediments on front line employees, enabling us to do things like what was done for you with a minimum of paperwork and hassle for both the Team Member and the Guest. And the company looks seriously at guest comments, both positive and negative, when considering Team Members for promotions, raises, etc. Thanks again for sharing!

 

[lookingforward]

I really tried to sit on my hands and not get involved, but after slogging through all 12 pages of posts, I have to bring up an issue that a lot of people have come close to, but no one has really hit on.
Let me start by saying, I was raised at the parks. I have worked off and on for Disney (in various roles), Universal (in various roles), and Sea World, since 1992. What a lot of people on this board seem to miss is this: Yes, you're all wonderfully well informed. You spend time on the forums. You know what's what, and what's where, and have touring plans and dining schedules and all that stuff. You are all in graduate school compared to the kindergarten knowledge of the average person who is contemplating an Orlando vacation. Your average person out there on the street thinks that central Florida is Disney. Sea World, Universal, Busch Gardens...all owned by Disney, according to Joe Schmoe vacationer.
I can't count the number of times, while working at Animal Kingdom, I was asked for directions to Spiderman. Or while working at Universal Studios, asked how to get to Dinosaur. Or while working at Epcot, asked where Jaws was. People are confused. They try to get into the Magic Kingdom with their Portofino Bay room key, and hand the Universal Team Member at Earthquake a Fast Pass from Space Mountain.
And for every person who actually came to Orlando and is experiencing that confusion, there are hundreds who won't vacation in Orlando at all, because "it's all Disney" and "Disney is for kids (or sissies, or what have you). That's the group that Universal is targeting with their commercials. Letting Joe Public in another state know that there is an option. Obviously, Joe Public isn't a Disney fan, and his kids may well have made similar comments to those of the kids in the commercial. If they were Disney fans, they'd already be in Orlando. But they're not, and they have no idea that Universal offers a completely different experience. And that's the advantage of that type of marketing. Taking what the person *already believes to be true* about Disney, and turning that into a chance to show that Universal is different.
It's unbelievable how much backlash this commercial series has generated. But like another poster said, the key to marketing is to be remembered, and they've certainly done well with that. But to the poster who made snide comments about Universal Team Members, I just have to ask: Do you really believe that I have some sort of multiple personality? When I'm wearing a pin trading lanyard and playing with your kids outside a Disney attraction I'm awesome, but when I'm playing with your kids outside a Universal attraction I'm trash? Think about that one for a moment.
Go ahead, flame away.

Amazing and great response. I had no idea! Thanks for sharing your expert observations. Personally, I have found excellent customer service at WDW and UA/IOA. They both rock!

 

[mum4jenn]

I can't believe that I read all 12 pages of all this bashing!!!!
I laugh everytime I see this commercial!!

I LOVE WDW and I LOVE IOA/US!!! Folks it IS possible to love both places!!! Also in all 12 pages I find is truly amazing that no one has mentioned the DISNEY commercial that made a "humorous knock" at Universal. It came out about the same time the "hurl" commercial did way back(I think it originally came out in the fall.....it HAS been around for a while now) Seems funny all the people so appauled at the hurl commercial has conpletely forgotten the Disney one where they poked fun at "Superheroes"!!!


Does ANYONE remember this one???? I do ...but then I am with the group that has an open mind!!


BTW.....Are all of the bashers of this commercial all haters of the movie Shrek or Shrek 2????? There was TONS of little FUNNY jabs at Disney and it was funny and made LOTS of money.