[Paul S]

Well, you can't do anything about honest reaction from customers- those kids on the news. That's something the Mouse will have to tend to.

I guess what bugs me is that I'm a business owner. I would love to have that kind of advertising budget (TV), and I can't for the life of me figure out why they'd bother taking that jab. The time spent doing it is time they can't talk about what they have to offer.

Also, chances are you don't win over loyal WDW clients, and the fickle ones would visit you anyway. There's really only one probable result- you'll just tick people off that were otherwise neutral.

Universal has a lot that Disney doesn't offer. Disney doesn't have, for example, a major roller coaster park like Islands of Adventure. Instead of saying, "When you outgrow fairy tales and pixie dust..." why not say, "When you're ready for Adventure..."? (or thrills, etc). I just don't get it. :dazed

Finally, I don't think I want to pick a fight with WDW anyway. I believe that the time and money would be better spent out-serving guests. When you have enthusiastic apostles you don't have to spend so much time marketing, or advertising. It's not just the time spent ripping the competition- it's the shift in focus from working on the "WOW!" factor for your guests to dissuading people from your competitor.

Knowing that, I don't have to read between the lines, and I don't need to hold my breath for a referral. I know for certain that the Universal experience is inferior- because they told me so. ;)