Oh No They Didn't !

[Feralpeg]

It's a business. Would you be upset if you saw a furniture store listing the ways in which they are better than another furniture store? It happens all the time.

I love WDW. I also love Universal. Universal has great parks. In some ways, they do have better features than WDW. For instance, I get a 20 percent discount with my AP on anything I buy in a Universal park. At WDW, I get no discounts on merchandise in the theme parks. I get a 10 percent discount at World of Disney at DTD. I love that Universal gives me this perk.

Will I continue to go to both? You bet!

 

[Spinning]

Oh my food store, Giant always has 3 baskets of food at the front door. One is the Acme with a price total, one is Pathmark and a price total and the other is Giant. Of course Giant claims they are the cheapest!

 

[Disney Doll]

And yet, it's accomplishing exactly what they want, they have you talking about it.

I'm a HUGE Disney fan, never been to USF or Islands of Adventure, and I think it's kind of cute.

True, but I am talking about it in a negative fashin, and it doesn't compel me to want to run over to Universal when I am in Orlando.

This is like negatiuve campaigning as far as I am concerned. Don't compare yourself to the other guy. Don't tell me what they do wrong. tell me what you are going to do right. If your product is good, people will figure it out for themselves.

 

[marymrg]

I like Universal, but I love the whole Disney experience.

On one of my more recent trips, DS and I spent two days on-site at Universal and then moved over to Disney where we spent the rest of the week. We really enjoyed it there - but it is not our first love.

We're kind of a mixed bag family though. Dh and older DS don't care for Universal. But, it's been a long time since they went there so they are biased. Teenage DD just wants to be at the pool and watch guys. So, she's happy wherever.

I think the sweeter the deals that Universal offers, the better it will be for Disney enthusiasts. Competition is a good thing.

 

[Feralpeg]

True, but I am talking about it in a negative fashin, and it doesn't compel me to want to run over to Universal when I am in Orlando.

This is like negatiuve campaigning as far as I am concerned. Don't compare yourself to the other guy. Don't tell me what they do wrong. tell me what you are going to do right. If your product is good, people will figure it out for themselves.

But, it is on their website. People wouldn't even see it if they weren't already checking out Universal.

 

[ead79]

I haven't seen any recent TV ads, but I did see one a while ago that mentioned visiting Universal--I think the tag line was something like "if fairy tales and princesses aren't exactly your thing." I don't think it's particularly tacky, but I do think they would be better off to advertise what they do well instead of what the other guy does "wrong."

Both parks certainly have fans, and Disney is certainly the larger entertainment enterprise, meaning that Universal must differentiate itself to compete. I think that focusing on thrilling attractions is probably their best bet, since (though Disney has some great thrill rides like Expedition Everest and Rockin' Roller Coaster) that seems to be the area that they really surpass Disney. That being said, a marketing strategy like that could backfire a bit with the family crowd that might have kids too small for the coasters or people who don't like coasters. We do not enjoy thrill rides (motion sickness, yuck!), so my husband and I don't have much of an interest in Islands of Adventure. I have enjoyed my visits to Universal, but it's not a must do for us. We enjoy Disney's parks much more. However, if we loved thrill rides, I'm sure we would head over to Universal during our Disney trips (as several of our friends to when they visit Orlando).

 

[mickeysgal]

I just saw this on another site, Disney would never go that low...and let me tell you, that is low

Shame on you universal! We don't going around saying how you stink!

I don't think this is low, nor did Universal say that Disney stinks. Its a direct comparison of package benefits. Its a fact that going to Disney is an expensive vacation and that people are doing these comparisons anyway when planning their vacations. Universal is simply capitalizing on this. This reminds me of the grocery store wars that show, at the store's entrance, shopping carts full of groceries and a detailed list showing the price comparisons of the store and it's major competitor.

 

[FayeW]

I fail to see how anybody could look at that comparative list and call it "bashing"! They accurately played up their best features, and called attention to how the other "big brand attraction" measured up. Of course they didn't mention free fastpasses, why would they, they don't offer them! It would be stupid to call attention to the fact that in one particular area, the competion has a better feature. highlighting that particular feature/benefit is the job of Disney marketing, not Universal!

 

[damo]

But that makes sense because Universal is basically the little guy going up against the Disney giant when it comes to theme parks. I don't see it as bashing so much as just having a little fun.

Here's the one glaring omission I see on that list.

Disney: FREE fastpasses available to ALL guests that let them avoid long waits for the popular attractions.
Universal: Not any more. Now the only way to get Express access is to pay $15-$30 per person per day or pay $250/night for a room at a Universal resort.

Hmmm. I'm paying $160 next week. Well worth it for a deluxe resort and express access!!!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Though I think doing a comparison like that to advertise is super tacky on Universal's part, it will not affect WDW. It just appeals to those who are already big fans of Universal and not WDW. They should be advertising their strengths, not the competitor's weaknesses.
What is so bad about enjoying both WDW and Universal? We prefer WDW but hope to add a few days so we can do Universal next time we go down to WDW.

 

[jazstar87]

All of you guys make an excellent point, I have never been to Universal/Orlando, although I've been to many other non-Disney parks, like Great Adventure (I wish the rumors of Disney taking it over were true ), I've been to Universal in CA a few times, not that great. Every park I went to, I never felt that warm, magical feeling while at these parks. Yeah they might been fun, with their rollercoasters and such, but I like the overall feeling when you are at Disney. Everything is just so magical.
When I go to Disney World, I always think of what the Walt Disney company has accomplished with the the parks. Though not many people think of this while they are there, but what has Unverisal have in their record books? Maybe Universal is jealous of Disney, you never know.

 

[ugadog99]

grow up and open your mind. there's more to life than just WDW.

Not for my girls and me! I don't care what kind of commercial Universal does. We aren't interested in going and the commercial can't change that.

Edited to add: The one thing I wish Disney would do is to provide accomodations somewhere that those of us with pets could use. I know they offer the kennels, but it isn't the same as the pet being able to stay with you. I have often thought that Disney could make a loop of the cabins a pet loop so that the pets could stay in the cabins with you. That is the only thing on that commercial that Universal "has" that Disney should look at.

 

[mickeysgal]

Though I think doing a comparison like that to advertise is super tacky on Universal's part, it will not affect WDW. It just appeals to those who are already big fans of Universal and not WDW. They should be advertising their strengths, not the competitor's weaknesses.
What is so bad about enjoying both WDW and Universal? We prefer WDW but hope to add a few days so we can do Universal next time we go down to WDW.

I respectfully disagree. I think they are playing up their strengths in showing that they can offer cheaper and affordable vacations for a family. They're strengthening their argument by comparing themselves to Disney. Travelers to Orlando - especially familes - will continue to go to Disney. Thats not going to change. What I think this advertising campaign may accomplish to to pick up those vacationers who may give Universal a try if they perceive it to be not so costly. Universal's current offer of kids staying and playing for free is going to drive people off Disney property for a portion of their overall trip - which is a revenue loss for Disney - and into Universal's financial pocket. Universal is a fun place but I think travelers curently don't hold it on the same priority level as Disney. This campaign is going to get people to stop and think...and maybe give them a try.

 

[hsmamato2]

That's the one that's based on the toys my DS plays with, the dragons of fire & ice. We want to go when he's old enough and TALL enough to ride that!

in January-Ds was too small to ride, but just going through the line setup and exiting the chicken chute is worth it! it's so unbelievable!The themimg is incredible! My guy loves his ice dragon....BTW, dk's also adore their disney characters too....
And the commercial? It's funny, but the girl is JUST like a friends' daughter, who was saying the EXACT same words a few months ago...truth is, some people do feel that way,no joke!
Me personally? I love them both!

 

[CathrynRose]

Dh and I are going for the first time to Universal in Sept. I can't wait to ride the, and I may have the name wrong, Dueling Dragons?! The one that has two different tracks. It looks like so much fun!

Islands is an awesome park - just awesome. And Hulk is actually more fun that Dueling Dragons - although thats cool too!

I, for one, am glad Universal is around. Keeps Disney on it's toes. Anyone who's been to either Univeral or Islands knows, its a perfectly "Imagineered" park. It's put together beautifully, and precisely themed. my first trip to Islands, I looked around and thought "Gee, Disney isnt keeping up with the Jones's"

You know most of the park designers were people whom worked at Disney, and got fed up.

Of course, Uni will never have that magic Disney has - but theyre trying, really hard.

 

[taylor1293]

Sorry, but I don't see what the big deal is about the link or their commercials.

Disney is great, but so is Universal! I can't believe anyone would be bothered by this.

Teresa

 

[MUFFYCAT]

We went to Universal once - hated it.
They didn't compare that the citywalk feels like a street fair with the arcade/
play and win prizes games all over.
Universal has 2 parks which can be done in a day.
Has 3 resorts, of which the "club level"(we were upgraded at check-in)
felt like anything but "exclusive".

Funny, all this makes me appreciate Disney even more!

 

[cardaway]

I guess some Disney fans would actually explode if they were to see the jabs Universal takes at Disney in the parks themselves. For example, from Jurassic Park at USH...

 

[jazstar87]

haha, i guess somebody lost their ears and made a joke out of it. But what is the yellow thing in his mouth, a disney rain poncho? Yeah that's cute in an evil way.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Don't see the big deal it's just a comparison chart, I love both Disney and Universal.