Re: The "If I have to hug one more princess" Universal ads

[Captain Chaos]

Clearly some are still having trouble understanding the difference between objective and subjective.

And clearly some are still having problems with people who disagree with your love for Universal... But since you are a know it all, please inform us that are having problems with objective and subjective... Please educate us simpletons since our brain powers are clearly less active than yours..

 

[CTXRover]

CTX thank you for that wonderful post.... Universal Studios, no matter which way it is spun, is a park with no imagination, creativity and direction.... And you all wonder why G.E. wants to dump the parks????

Thank you for the compliment, but I must disagree with your opinion that Universal has no creativity or imagination. They have developed some good things over the past few years...many a result of former Imagineers apparently. I don't think that they create an overall experience anywhere near as good as Disney, but that certainly doesn't prevent me from appreciating what they have done right. Spiderman is very innovative*. Suess Landing is very well themed...to a point (I actually think it looks a little cheap, but you can't deny it looks like you've walked into the Suess Books). They've also developed some other great attractions and environments, mostly at IOA.

However, that doesn't change the fact that they are underperforming. If they continue to blame Disney or gas prices for this, they won't make any headway. There are some fundamental things that are wrong with the Universal experience and/or with people's preconceived ideas of what that experience might be. Commercials like this one being discussed here will not work for them, imo. Blaming Disney, who are now keeping Magical Express free, will not bring people to their parks.

*As and aside, since Universal apparently didn't actually develop the ride system for Spiderman in house, its not that innovative anymore. In fact, the exact same type of ride system and attraction can now be found at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (now BG Europe) at The Curse of Darkastle.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Crap crap and crap.

You cannot tell me that the park that opened what is considered by MANY to be the most innovative and best ride in the world, the park that holds the first true dark-ride, coaster hybrid, and a park that in order to avoid straight lines actually brought in palm trees that were warped by Hurricane Andrew has no creativity or imagination. I'm not going to argue the directional aspect, but it can be justified considering the park has had three different owners since its creation 15 years ago. Turn around like that would normally have a bankrupt property immediately.

The fact that NBC/GE STILL haven't sold the parks is a testiment to their caliber. They could have dropped them immediately... but they are still making money. They are still interested in at least seeing how things play out.

Statements like what you just made, saying that there is no creativity or imagination involved with Universal is the one thing that aggrevates me more than anything in these discussions. I use to want to be an Imagineer, but I figured out that the style of my creativity is more in line with Universal. Not because I prefer the parks, but because I enjoy designing a different sense of whimsy.

Fairy tales and Pixie dust just aren't my thing.

Universal has the first TRUE dark ride??? Wasn't Disney creating dark rides before Universal Studios came to be???? If someone can point out that Universal Studios opened the first TRUE dark ride, please post it in big bold letters... And the many are refer to, are they writes of amusement park magazines or roller coaster junkies?? Because is we look at the "common folk", numbers do not lie... 6.1 million, 11.00 million total between US and IOA compared to 16 million for Magic Kingdom.... I think many more would say Disney is the best park in the world... but, hey everyone is entitled to their opinion, so I won't knock their feelings.... As fas as NBC is concerned.. I am not on the board nor do I pretend to know their inner workings.. All I know is what was reported that NBC/GE was looking to sell the parks.. Maybe their minds have changed.. I don't know... Won't pretend that I do... Do you know for FACT they are interested in seeing how things play out?? Maybe they just haven't found anyone interested in over paying for their parks....

And if pixie dust is not your thing, why are you on a Disney board???? Maybe you prefer to design roller coasters, not innovative attractions.... That's all good.. and More power to you if you can work for Universal Creative... I wish you well in your pursuit...

 

[Captain Chaos]

Thank you for the compliment, but I must disagree with your opinion that Universal has no creativity or imagination. They have developed some good things over the past few years...many a result of former Imagineers apparently. I don't think that they create an overall experience anywhere near as good as Disney, but that certainly doesn't prevent me from appreciating what they have done right. Spiderman is very innovative*. Suess Landing is very well themed...to a point (I actually think it looks a little cheap, but you can't deny it looks like you've walked into the Suess Books). They've also developed some other great attractions and environments, mostly at IOA.

However, that doesn't change the fact that they are underperforming. If they continue to blame Disney or gas prices for this, they won't make any headway. There are some fundamental things that are wrong with the Universal experience and/or with people's preconceived ideas of what that experience might be. Commercials like this one being discussed here will not work for them, imo. Blaming Disney, who are now keeping Magical Express free, will not bring people to their parks.

*As and aside, since Universal apparently didn't actually develop the ride system for Spiderman in house, its not that innovative anymore. In fact, the exact same type of ride system and attraction can now be found at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (now BG Europe) at The Curse of Darkastle.

CTX you do have some of the best posts on these boards... I respect you disagreeing with me regarding the creativity of Universal... Heck, aren't we entitled to our opinions??? At least when you disagree you don't verbally attack like others here... And I respect you for that...

Spider-Man was and still is my favorite attraction in Orlando... Yes, believe it or not... And I never backed down from admitting that... I just find the rest of the park dull... And I would respect Universal more if they stood up and said OUR PARK NEEDS WORK.. They don't admit that.. Instead, they say DISNEY is to blame, gas prices hold people back.. and hurricanes kept people away... fact is, Disney is not affected by the gas prices nor did people stay away from Disney because of the hurricanes... Maybe people have stayed away because they don't like the park either... Why can't Universal just admit their failures like Iger is now doing with Disney....

 

[wannab@dis]

And clearly some are still having problems with people who disagree with your love for Universal... But since you are a know it all, please inform us that are having problems with objective and subjective... Please educate us simpletons since our brain powers are clearly less active than yours..

I think you're getting a little out of line with your posts. Let's try to stay civil.

What you said about USF not being creative, no imagination or direction is VERY subjective.

Edited to highlight sections of the quote that are the reason I responded this way.

 

[Captain Chaos]

I think you're getting a little out of line with your posts. Let's try to stay civil.

What you said about USF not being creative, no imagination or direction is VERY subjective.

I don't think I am getting out of line at all.. I have yet to EVER attack anyone on these boards in the short time I am here.. Yet, I see plent yof attacking by others... Sorry you feel that way about my posts, but by no means were they meant to be out of line... But what I love about these boards is when someone disagrees, how fast they are bashed and made to look uneducated and unknowing... I didn't know opinions were wrong... My feelings about Universal has been stated here plenty of times.. I think I made it clear these are my feelings toward the park... I didn't know these opinions were wrong...

 

[wannab@dis]

I don't think I am getting out of line at all.. I have yet to EVER attack anyone on these boards in the short time I am here.. Yet, I see plent yof attacking by others... Sorry you feel that way about my posts, but by no means were they meant to be out of line... But what I love about these boards is when someone disagrees, how fast they are bashed and made to look uneducated and unknowing... I didn't know opinions were wrong... My feelings about Universal has been stated here plenty of times.. I think I made it clear these are my feelings toward the park... I didn't know these opinions were wrong...

take a look at my previous post. I highlighted the sections that IMO were problematic. I'd just like to see everyone in this thread stay civil.

No offense meant. :wave:

 

[coasterphil]

Universal has the first TRUE dark ride??? Wasn't Disney creating dark rides before Universal Studios came to be???? If someone can point out that Universal Studios opened the first TRUE dark ride, please post it in big bold letters

You need to really look at whats being said before getting so upset about things.

. . .the park that holds the first true dark-ride, coaster hybrid

 

[lebeau]

Wow. I can't believe people are being so sensitive.

I've never been to Universal and obvoiusly I love Disney or I wouldn't be here, but I think the commercials are funny.

Universal is just trying to set themselves apart from Disney. To show that they are an alternative for people who aren't into Disney or have gotten a little bored with it.

I think the commercials are inspired. And clearly Universal's studies show that this tactic works for them. They've been doing it for years.

 

[Captain Chaos]

take a look at my previous post. I highlighted the sections that IMO were problematic. I'd just like to see everyone in this thread stay civil.

No offense meant. :wave:

I meant no offense.. Sorry again if I upset you or anyone else.. I didn't mean for that reaction... Let me apologize now before I forget...

Coaster Phil: I took Legacy's post as saying dark ride and hybrid cooaster as 2 separate entities, not one.... So, if I made a mistake with just the one post so be it... Doesn't change my opinion about the park....

 

[Timmay]

And clearly some are still having problems with people who disagree with your love for Universal... But since you are a know it all, please inform us that are having problems with objective and subjective... Please educate us simpletons since our brain powers are clearly less active than yours..

Okay, first, I do not "love" Universal. I love my wife, my son, my mom etc, etc. I "like" Universal, but no more than I "like" Disney.

I am not, nor have I ever claimed to be, a "know it all".

Being objective means having balance and being unbiased.

Being subjective (a point of view) does not require balance and is usually biased in nature. More likely than not, based on an opinion, not a fact.

Hope that helps.:wave:

 

[Legacy]

I don't think I am getting out of line at all.. I have yet to EVER attack anyone on these boards in the short time I am here.. Yet, I see plent yof attacking by others... Sorry you feel that way about my posts, but by no means were they meant to be out of line... But what I love about these boards is when someone disagrees, how fast they are bashed and made to look uneducated and unknowing... I didn't know opinions were wrong... My feelings about Universal has been stated here plenty of times.. I think I made it clear these are my feelings toward the park... I didn't know these opinions were wrong...

Those opinions aren't wrong, but when you become sarcastic or insinuating to those who hold different views it becomes a whole different ballgame. Your response to my earlier post is an example of how eager you are to try and shout down anything that you don't agree with, instead of calming down and reading what is actually being said.

If you don't like Universal, fine. That's no skin off my nose. But considering I know some of the people who design for the company, don't ever say that there is no creativity involved. Amityville alone has heaps more imagination that DCA.

 

[CoffeeJedi]

sums up this sort of thread:
http://shortpacked.com/d/20060405.html
(link to a large-format webcomic... may include "salty" language, read at your own discretion)

 

[Captain Chaos]

sums up this sort of thread:
http://shortpacked.com/d/20060405.html
(link to a large-format webcomic... may include "salty" language, read at your own discretion)

LoL... I like that... good find

 

[Captain Chaos]

Those opinions aren't wrong, but when you become sarcastic or insinuating to those who hold different views it becomes a whole different ballgame. Your response to my earlier post is an example of how eager you are to try and shout down anything that you don't agree with, instead of calming down and reading what is actually being said.

If you don't like Universal, fine. That's no skin off my nose. But considering I know some of the people who design for the company, don't ever say that there is no creativity involved. Amityville alone has heaps more imagination that DCA.

Well, then, let me again stand up to you and apologize.. I in no way, shape, or form meant any disrespect to you or anyone else for that matter... And you are right with regard to the post when you said Universal has the first dark-ride, hybrid coaster.. I did read this wrong, read it as two separate entities and not one which you obviously meant.. Again, I apologize for that.... I do not want to come across as someone who belittles those that do not agree with me.. After all, disagreeing makes these boards interesting and lead to good debates, as long as we don't go over board, which I guess I may have done..

Honestly, I do respect everyone's opinions abotu EVERYTHING, regardless if I agree.. I just try to state my point as to why I feel a certain way about things... When someone disagrees with me, that's fine... I just felt at times I was being attacked and tried to be made to look wrong by stating my views... Maybe I read to much into your posts, and some others... I'll refrain from responding back next time.... I'll just post my feelings and people can respond. I just won't respond back to the responses in order not to make it look like I am arguing... Again, legacy, no hard feeings.. and apologies across the board...

 

[MonkeyHeadCup]

I really think those Universal ads are there to appeal to the locals. The people that have grown up in the shadow of all things Disney- it's probably smart for Universal to appeal to that part of people that roots for the underdog... Disney is just in a whole different league...