[Paul S]

...I'll what? Graduate to Comic Books, and insulting my competitors?

I was watching the New Universal advertisement on TV and I thought it looked pretty neat. I liked the jist of the ad- lose yourself, a vacation like no other, etc. I had been thinking of getting to US anyway to check out all the new attractions and entertainment.

However since they closed the ad with the line, "When you've outgrown fairy tales and pixie dust, call... and the number".

Well now I am completely turned off and I've got a suggestion for what they can do with their French owned, mung infested theme park now! Good thing Mickey doesn't have that fifth digit. I have resolved not to go back there and spend one thin dime.

I've been in business since 1995. I'm no "old pro" but I'm not a rookie, either. It used to be taken for granted that you didn't insult your competition. You can say what you have to offer that might be of a greater benefit to people. The problem you run into when you make a snide remark like "outgrown fairy tales and pixie dust" is that you don't end up insulting the competition- you end up doing what Universal Studios has successfully done in my case: You end up insulting the people that would be your customers. They might as well have said, anyone that likes Walt Disney World is an idiot- because that's how it comes across. It's a poor reflection on Universal, and I think they need to not only quit, but apologize to all of us that they'd like as new guests.

[Dana]

I can't agree more. When you say insulting remarks about a competitor, you only make yourself look bad in the eyes of the sutomer. If you publically talk about them, what in God's name do you say in private? I fine it even more curious to know what they may say about their customers too.... It's NEVER good business.

[Paul S]

I just sent them a note via the website (investor relations). I'm going to see what kind of response I get.

[Dana]

Originally posted by Paul S
I just sent them a note via the website (investor relations). I'm going to see what kind of response I get.

I am very interested in their responce. Please let me know if you think about it. Thanks!

[iluvwdw]

Originally posted by Dana
I can't agree more. When you say insulting remarks about a competitor, you only make yourself look bad in the eyes of the sutomer. If you publically talk about them, what in God's name do you say in private? I fine it even more curious to know what they may say about their customers too.... It's NEVER good business.

Absolutely correct...it's called NEGATIVE SELLING. In business, I don't like to BASH the competition unless they REALLY deserve it...;)

[Paul S]

If they really deserve the bashing- the marketplace will take care of it. I don't even take the bate when people crack open the door- I used so-and-so last year and whoa! I just sort of ignore it and go on to ask questions about what we can do for them, etc.

I forgot who said it, and the exact quote- but it goes something like this: When your enemy is destroying himself, don't get in the way.

[Paul S]

Or as my sweet Grandma says- careful when you sling mud (the polite word for it) you usually end up getting most of it on you.

[ajbdk5]

Oh that commercial would have made me mad too!:(

I haven't ssen it yet, and I hope I don't!

I am glad you sent them a note, Paul...can you give us the link or address?
This Disney fan would like to share my thoughts with them too!:madmad

[goofygal1975]

I didnt see this commercial, but this weekend as i was working around the house, i heard it on TV. I heard "when you outgrow magic and Pixie Dust" this caught my ear....and then i heard universal studios. I even mentioned it to my family when we went out to eat Sat night, i was still kinda mad about it.

[geeman]

Hmmm.. Magic and Pixie dust are terms mostly used around here! Anyone here work for Universal?:nervous :laugh

Personally, I'm not so offended by the tactic so much as the negative connotation. The trick is to make it sound "Hip!".

This makes me think back to the sad thing I posted about during the holidays -- when we had that first bad snowstorm on the East Coast last December. In case you missed it, I'll repeat it briefly here:

They showed some people who were stranded at the airport on their way to Orlando, and interviewed these two kids. The reporter points his mike at the 2 kids, who couldn't have been older than 11...

Reporter:
Orlando, huh? So you're going to Disney World?

Kid:
(Makes a disgusted face). No!

Kid's Brother: (also disgusted)
No way.

Kid: We're going to Universal!!

The reporter was dumbstruck. And I found it to be such an annoying thing to see how these kids found Disney World to be too juvenile for them.

I was half expecting the kid to say, "Silly wabbit. Disney's for kids!"

[Dana]

Geeman -

I remember you posting that back when we had the snow. It was a shame then and still is that those kids found WDW to be so "uncool". I'm still waiting for it to be uncool for me...lol I don't think that could EVER happen. Maybe those kids needed a good dunk in some pixie dust...save their childhoods. My DBF's son is just this way and it's upsetting to see an 11 year old boy to think like that. He went with his mother in 2002 and thought WDW to be for babies. I was floored by this. It's sad to hear that kids don't like the magic. I post this as I sit here in my Eeyore PJ's with matching slippers and WL robe.....lol who Am I kidding. I will never get to the point where WDW is uncool....THANK GOD! :)

[Paul S]

http://www.universalstudios.com/home...ml/contact_us/

Swarm, swarm, swarm!!!

:D

[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. ;)

[Dana]

Maybe they needed to take a swipe because they always fall short on that top ten vacation desitnations lists that is put out every year or becasue well they aren't about magic and they dont have the same morals and beliefs as us WDW lovers. Perhaps that is what is lacking in their amusements parks. I have heard many people speak about how cool the rides are etc, but have always heard them say it's just not WDW. They cannot even compete on the same level. WDW is about serivce and magic...Universal is about getting a rush...... food for thought. Thanks fo that link. I am going to save it for after work when I am exhausted and testy...lol Give it to em good. Pick on our WDW..I'll show them...*evil laugh*:devil

[inluvwithdisney]

I agree whole heartedly!!! I usually like to include Universal on our trips, maybe I will rethink that next time if they are stooping to using a "politician" tactic!! Hek I am 35 and I love fairy tales and Pixie dust more than I did when I was a kid!!! I think there are alot of us out there too!! Maybe they are worried none of us will ever out grow it?:hmmm I know I won't and they are definitely kicking me in the wrong direction!!!FAIRY TALES AND PIXIE DUST FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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