New Universal Commercial? Kinda Rude...

[elastigirlfan]

I didn't like the commercial. I thought it was rude & the kids in the commercial acted very "bratty".

 

[Sylvester McBean]

the top 15 theme parks for 2005 based on estimated attendance. not surprisingly, Disney rules the list. however, even due to an estimated -8.5% attendance loss, UO holds it's own.

1. The Magic Kingdom
2. Disneyland
3. Epcot
4. Disney-MGM Studios
5. Disney's Animal Kingdom
6. Universal Studios Florida
7. Disney's California Adventure
8. Universal's Islands of Adventure
9. SeaWorld Orlando
10. Universal Studios Hollywood
11. Busch Gardens Tampa
12. SeaWorld San Diego
13. Knott's Berry Farm
14. Paramount's Kings Island
15. Cedar Point

spring and easter breaks are almost here. people are planning their summer vacations. UO's just getting the word out you have options. WDW's Magical Express wasn't designed to make your WDW vacation better. it was designed to keep you on Disney property the length of your vacation. fewer rental cars means fewer chances of exploration. it's a great idea. the money you'll save on a rental car is more money you can pump into the parks. UO's presence has actually been a positive for Disney lovers. you wouldn't have attractions like MS and EE if it weren't for that great resort a few miles to the east of WDW. I 'd bet that for every WDW lover that gasped when they saw that commercial, 3 others laughed.

 

[Jason71]

Wow, 10 pages here, 3 in another category, if any publicity is good publicity, then the new commercial has certainly done its job.

For the record, Universal jabs at WDW are nothing new. [Minor ride spoilers ahead]

In Jaws, you used to see a pair of mouse ears float up from the wreckage of the other boat (din't notice them last time, tho). And don't forget what happens to the Tinkerbell clone at the start of Shrek (which still makes me laugh every time I see it, I'm sorry).

Also, every time the show at Pat O'Briens becomes a bit, uhm, risque, they like to point out, "That's right, folks, you're not at Disney any more..."

 

[ozarkmom]

It's just a commercial people. I can't see getting upset about it.

We thought it was funny but my kids share my dry sarcastic sense of humor.

 

[princesstommi]

*staying away from the Universal v. Disney debate*

This type of advertising, that so many people may find "rude", is common. And it's most common from a #2 competitor. Usually, your #1 competitor has the luxury of just saying "Buy/visit/do XYZ, it's the best". But for #2, an effective way of spending advertising dollars is getting the message across that "We aren't #1". Think about the Coke/Pepsi wars. McDonalds v. Burger King. In order to try to swing dollars their way, they neet to get their differences recognized, and a quick way to do that is to highlight the negative or possibly undesirable in your competition.

 

[jaysue]

This is part of the continued sniping type of marketing approach that Universal takes - Disney does not have to respond since they are the leader

Having been to all 6 major parks (not Sea World which would make 7), they all have their plusses and all have good reasons to visit

Once my kids are older I will be taking them to USF/IOA but since we are DVC members we will be staying at WDW

I think it is a hoot and good to see both sides shall we say engaged in conversation

cheers
jaysue

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

This is way off topic, but I have to ask you -- doesn't it take a long time to capitalize the first letter of every word you type???

Haha! I noticed that after I posted it. I didn't even do that, it did it automatically! That's funny that you noticed.

 

[Marseeya]

Haha! I noticed that after I posted it. I didn't even do that, it did it automatically! That's funny that you noticed.

I know, it just really looked weird to me! I wonder why it just happened like that? How funny!

 

[salmoneous]

I Believe The Software This Forum Uses Takes Any Post That Is Typed In All Caps And Converts It To First-letter-only Caps. (note - I Typed This With All Caps).

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

IMO thats totally incorrect. Universal is totally different than any amusement park and is actually better themed than Disney in a LOT of ways. Most attractions at Universal parks you won't find similar rides anywhere else in the world. You won't find anything like Spiderman, the Mummy, MIB, T2, Poseidon's Fury, Jurassic Park River Adventure...etc.etc.

Obviously this commercial has once again brought out the people who's job it is to do Universal bashing. Great job people, Walt would be proud

Yeah, I really like the Universal parks and think they are very well themed as well. I especially enjoy IOA. The Jurassic Park land, Cartoon Land, and Dr.Suess lands are my favorites, they are absolutely adorable! I just got back from Unviersal on Saturday, I really love it there. And those Lowes Hotels on their property are fantastic! I've stayed at all three now. And they are just as well themed. The whole Universal resort I think has a lot to offer.
And I agree with the rides. I love The Hulk, Dueling Dragons, The Mummy, Jurassic Park, Spiderman,...And plus the classics like ET!
By the way, Universal had movie posters for Madagascar and Shark Tale in the parks-the same makers as Shrek. I think Universal could've done more with Shrek then a 3d movie, but I wonder if they'll do something with those other movies?

...but still a Disney girl at heart.

 

[PrincessAurora]

In general, I really don't like advertising that encourages kids that nowdays seem to have less supervision and manners to behave badly. I don't like commercials of us vs. them. However I have the power to vote with my wallet regarding their product.

That being said, I am a Disney gal. Going to Universal has never been an attraction for me. I went on the Studios Tour in LA when I was 16. Even way back then it was 20 times better than MGM Studios (my least fav. park) however that isn't enough of a draw to get me out of the Park.

They will run commercials that give them return and remember... Super Bowl Sunday is coming up. The launching pad for many funny commercials and the benchmark of what type of commericals sell product. Sad but true.

 

[pearlieq]

I think it's hysterical and very effective. Universal is pointing out, in a very memorable way, what they can offer that Disney doesn't.

It amuses me to no end how much people get their knickers in a twist whenever someone dares make the suggestion that WDW wasn't placed down on earth by God's own hand...

If you like WDW, go there. The commercial doesn't affect or harm you in any way!

 

[willis37862]

It amuses me to no end how much people get their knickers in a twist whenever someone dares make the suggestion that WDW wasn't placed down on earth by God's own hand...

 

[mom2riceboys]

I think the Universal commercial is hilarious. I love WDW, but enjoy Universal too. I can't believe anyone would be so offended by a commercial. I don't care if anyone bashes either park. That won't influence me in the least. My family always has a blast at WDW and Universal and I think we will continue to do so!

 

[phamton]

Just a couple of points and then I'm done. First they removed the mouse ears on the Jaws ride several years ago. It was a cheap shot and just wasn't funny.

Second: Several have mentioned how lousy Universal is doing because it went down in attendance last year. It's funny that the same people didn't mention that Universal went way up in attendance the year before. It's hard to rise that quickly and keep it up for the next year. Disney magical express did more than anything to keep people from Universal last year as many people chose not to rent a car. Here are the stats from 2004:


1 Magic Kingdom
- Orlando, Florida 15.2m
(+8%)
2 Disneyland
- Anaheim, California 13.4m
(+5%)
3 Epcot
- Orlando, Florida 9.4m
(+9%)
4 Disney-MGM Studios
- Orlando, Florida 8.3m
(+5%)
5 Disney's Animal Kingdom
- Orlando, Florida 7.8m
(+7%)
6 Universal Studios Florida
- Orlando, Florida 6.7m
(+14%)
7 Islands of Adventure
- Orlando, Florida 6.3m
(+13%)
8 Disney's California Adventure
- Anaheim, California 5.6m
(+6%)
9 SeaWorld Orlando
- Orlando, Florida 5.6m
(+4%)
10 Universal Studios Hollywood
- Universal City, California 5.0m
(+8%)

Source: Amusement Business

As you can see, that even with a decline of 8% this year (2005), they still have a 6% increase over the 2003 attendance.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I think it's hysterical and very effective. Universal is pointing out, in a very memorable way, what they can offer that Disney doesn't.

It amuses me to no end how much people get their knickers in a twist whenever someone dares make the suggestion that WDW wasn't placed down on earth by God's own hand...

If you like WDW, go there. The commercial doesn't affect or harm you in any way!

finally, a voice of reason.

and from phamton's numbers from 2004 vs. park rank in 2005...

1. The Magic Kingdom
2. Disneyland
3. Epcot
4. Disney-MGM Studios
5. Disney's Animal Kingdom
6. Universal Studios Florida
7. Disney's California Adventure
8. Universal's Islands of Adventure
9. SeaWorld Orlando
10. Universal Studios Hollywood

DCA's attendance probably stayed static while IOA's fell a bit. other than that, no movement in the top ten. go figure.

 

[Danthesand]

I've never seen an ad of theirs that makes me want to go to UO.

You must have misssed this one (bear with the brief, dumb Wendys' commercial that runs before the Universal one):

3/04 Universal advertisment for new "Revenge of the Mummy" attraction

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I do not like thrill rides, so IOA has nothing for me...So yes there are some of us who don't like US and IOA and have been there.

This is killing me!

If someone has actually been to US and IOA, they KNOW it isn't a bunch of thrill rides.

It is just like saying, "We don't like thrill rides, so we won't go to WDW."

If you wait to take your kids until they're old enough to ride "thrill rides," then they miss out on Dr. Seuss, Barney, Curious George, the Rugrats, Jimmy Neutron, Spongebob Squarepants, ET, the playgrounds, the Jurassic Park discovery center, the kiddie coaster, etc.

Of course, if people just want to stay at WDW, that's great. To each his own. But to make up fake reasons is silly.

Did Disney put out this idea that Universal is all thrill rides? Or is it just all their extremely devoted, loyal supporters?

And...I LOVE WDW! I just love Universal, too.

 

[peter11435]

This is killing me!

If someone has actually been to US and IOA, they KNOW it isn't a bunch of thrill rides.

It is just like saying, "We don't like thrill rides, so we won't go to WDW."

If you wait to take your kids until they're old enough to ride "thrill rides," then they miss out on Dr. Seuss, Barney, Curious George, the Rugrats, Jimmy Neutron, Spongebob Squarepants, ET, the playgrounds, the Jurassic Park discovery center, the kiddie coaster, etc.

Of course, if people just want to stay at WDW, that's great. To each his own. But to make up fake reasons is silly.

Did Disney put out this idea that Universal is all thrill rides? Or is it just all their extremely devoted, loyal supporters?

And...I LOVE WDW! I just love Universal, too.

He said IOA has nothing for him since he hates thrill rides and to be honest that is very true. I know several people who won't ride any thrill rides. When at IOA the only attractions in the entire park they will do are located in Seuss Landing.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

He said IOA has nothing for him since he hates thrill rides and to be honest that is very true. I know several people who won't ride any thrill rides. When at IOA the only attractions in the entire park they will do are located in Seuss Landing.

OK, again, this is akin to saying that if you don't like like thrill rides, the only place in the Magic Kingdom you can visit is Mickey's ToonTown (or whatever they call it now.)

There are many things for little kids, many things for everyone, and a couple of thrill rides. If you can ride the rides at WDW, you can ride the rides at Universal, with the exception of The Hulk, which is a much more intense rollercoaster than any of Disney's (or the rest of Universal's).

It just is NOT true that Universal is all thrill rides. Who put that idea out?