Taking Disney[land]'s name in vain?

[Josh Hendy]

I had an eyebrow-raising moment just now when I heard a TV ad for the province of Newfoundland with the slogan, "It's as far away from Disneyland as you can get." I found an online ad whose gist is the same.

Can you do that? Or would they argue that it's protected free speech, or that it's a matter of opinion and/or that it's a factual statement? (geographically speaking ... more or less)

 

[Terra Nova guy]

I don't get the sense that the ad is saying anything negative about Disneyland. I think the intention is to convey the idea that a Newfoundland vacation is very different from a theme park vacation, using the geographic location as a sort of "play on words".

Of course, being from Newfoundland myself, I may have some bias...

 

[EvilQueenLiz]

I agree with Jeff above. Of course, I don't exactly find this to be a big selling point!

 

[Planogirl]

I think that they are trying to appeal to people who want something that is definitely the complete opposite of visiting a themepark. I don't think that this is meant to be insulting.

I'll be honest and admit that sometimes I want that myself.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Something tells me they won't be paying to place those advertisements on the DIS. While it could be seen as a bit of a negative, it doesn't bother me. I love Disney and Yellowstone National Park (Hence my name.) for very different reasons. This ad tells me I might love it for the nature and beauty. And it makes it clear they don't have theme parks. Truth in advertising?

 

[skier_pete]

I don't think it's negative at all. There are many, many people out there that think Disneyland/World is the worst torture imaginable. Selling your travel as getting away from that type of vacation is fine by me. I DO wonder if they could be sued by Disney for using the name "Disneyland", but IMO it's not worth the bad press it would entail. Disney has gotten smart about these things, remember when those people shot their movie in DL/WDW a few years back? Instead of suing them, Disney ignored them? The movie then virtually disappeared...you can bet the filmmakers were hoping Disney was going to get up in arms. The same thing to a lesser scale applies here - this ad doesn't make any waves unless Disney gets litigous, then newfoundland gets tons of free advertising.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

An ad you will never see: Three kids, different ages, trudging down a trail in the rain, shivering with cold, they come to the car and all pile in. They are dripping wet and looking miserable. Teen, "What are we going to do next?" Dad, "We could take another hike." Middle child, "Isn't there anything else to do?" Dad, "No, this is Newfoundland." The kids all look mad. The youngest says, "We should go to Disneyland! They all grin and yell, "YES! Disneyland! Disneyland!" Narrator, "Disneyland; as far away from Newfoundland as you can get." Dad gives the camera a stupid look and nods affirmation.

This is all in jest, of course. Newfoundland is on my bucket list.