Thought you guys might like to know...

[MrPromey]

I just started posting some pictures from my trip to Universal. I saw some not so nice things while I was there...

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=44104#post44104

 

[Maria]

I think that what is disturbing is seeing the themeing being ruined. The modern cars don´t fit with the themeing on certain areas of the park. They are not from the same "time".

When I worked at Epcot, the Ambassadors in costume from WSC were not allowed to walk around the pavillions in Future World or go inside other countries in WSC because it would ruin the themeing of each area. I agree on that.

 

[MrPromey]

Re: Did you go on the 19th?

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
I was there on the 19th, If you were you more then likely seen me there. I had a Fred Flintstone shirt on.

As for the cars around the park, it's no big deal. It's not. It's just advertising. Disney does it too. They put banners on the monorails, banners on the trams, they have McDonalds in the parks, so it's the samething. What's the damage? Seeing cars inside the park who is that offending or hurting?

Seeing these few cars in the park is that going to ruin your trip. Make you sick to your stomach. Make you leave the park with your head down in shame of what you seen.

NO! so it shouldn't be something as you said "not so nice things"

Mike

First, I feel the need to point out that Disney does not advertise anything at all on either their trams or monorails. I can confirm that this isn’t something they just started doing because I was there today. There are advertisements inside the buses but they are for other Disney products such as Downtown Disney, a Disney water park or a Disney movie or ABC television show. You will not see ads for General Motors or any of the other Disney sponsors in these places. The McDonalds served in the parks is done in a very low-key manner with the vending, being themed to match the environment. The simple fact that they provide a usable product that some might prefer to Disney’s other counter service offerings legitimizes it that much more. I am not against sponsorships in the least. I have no problem with the Toyota emblem featured on the vehicles of the Spiderman ride, in fact, I think that it was a pretty slick idea to make them Toyota vehicles. I do have a problem with the showroom cars on the back lots for a number of reasons, though. First is the fact that I felt tricked when I walked up to this car. It was sitting there alone and from a distance I could see the little sign to the side of it that looked a lot like the ones you see in the ‘bone yard” in front of other vehicles that were used in movies. This is what got me to go up to it – I wanted to see what it was. Once I got to it and realized what it was, I felt like I had been duped into swallowing their advertisement. I sort of look at this the same way that I look at SPAM e-mail. Not only are they giving me an unsolicited advertisement at a time and a place I don’t want it but they are also using my resources to feed it to me. In the case of the email, it’s my computer and my internet connection. In the case of Universal, it was my time and energy for walking half way down the block to look at this stupid car. In the time that I was there taking pictures of it, I saw several other people walk up to it and when they got around to the side where they saw it was just an advertisement, they all walked off with a discussed look in their faces – they had been duped into looking as well.

Okay, now to take this a step further, let’s says that you were actually interested in the car. You can’t sit down in it or even get a better view of the inside than can be seen from the windows because the doors are locked (I tried them). Also, should you have any desire for more information than the basics as shown on the sticker in the window, you wouldn’t be able to find out more there. There was nobody to ask a question to about this car and there was no indication of any place to get more information about it other than the sign directing you to your local dealer or their website (quick got a pin to write this down?). Now let’s compare this with Disney. Disney also has an automobile sponsor. General Motors sponsors Test Track. This is of course and individual pavilion and not an entire resort but Disney does it with a lot more class and logic. First, the only way to even know these cars are there is to go into the pavilion. If you don’t go into the pavilion about cars, you never see the cars. Second, it’s set up to look like exactly what it is – a manufacturer show room. They have the cars open and completely accessible and there are people there that can answer questions about the cars right there on the spot. They also have literature that you can take with you and they even offer to send you literature through the mail about a particular vehicle or brand of vehicle should you so choose. All of this is done with absolutely no pressure. The nice thing about Test Track is that as I said before, the cars are out of site from the rest of the park(s) where they would seem out of place; they are set up in an environment where their roll there is obvious (in a pavilion about cars); you can walk straight past them without a second thought because they provide a clear exit that does not require you to spend any time looking at the cars at all and unlike Universal, they do not attempt to trick you into looking at any of the cars.

All in all, with the invasive method of advertising for Toyota that Universal has opted to use, I don’t see how this is effective marketing. The cars look out of place where they are located in the park; They trick people into looking at the cars (I didn’t go up to any of the others in the park after I realized what this first one was) causing distrust by the consumer; they only allow you to see a ‘parking lot’ view of the car which may peak initial interest but takes it no further because… ; they don’t have any information or immediate indication of where information can be found in a timely manner.

Their ‘call to action’ on the part of the consumer where they suggest you go to your local dealer will be very weak for most tourists who are on vacation and may not be home for a week or more after which point, that sharp looking car at the theme park probably won’t be the first thing on their minds – I took pictures of it because I live around here and because I have over 300 megs of storage on the memory in my camera so I had plenty of room and wasn’t going to be taking more than a days worth of pictures to begin with. I’m guessing that the average person on vacation with a digital or traditional camera would not be wasting their film or memory taking pictures of these cars to remember them by.

Perhaps the thing that upset me the most about these cars though, would be that a normal person would pay over $50 to get into this park any day. (including this one where there were limited operating hours and obviously limited unprofessional staffing. Many of them act very unprofessionally weather the park is busy or not but when they don’t even have enough of them…) and that I as a consumer who paid good money to get into this park am being given a second experience.(the roped off areas that were being resurfaced all over the park and the smell of tar that hung in the air all around them, was a nice touch, I thought) Then, on top of that, I’m being force fed their blatant advertisements.

I am almost certain that Universal lost money in both parks that day. I find it hard to believe that the amount they made in ticket and merchandise sales between the two parks could have covered operating expenses and I know that they probably need money from sponsors like Toyota now more than ever but there has to be a better way to get those sponsorship dollars than to resort to such cheep tactics as are now currently in use. I went in there that day with an annual pass. If I were a vacationer from out of town, a day like that in the park could have been enough to make me think twice about including Universal in a visit next time unless I got a really good deal on the tickets. Things like that have given me reason to think twice about renewing my annual pass which expires this month.

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
First off Disney does have avertisments inside the Trams & On The Monorail. I have beem to Disney way more time then you and I can tell you for a fact they do.

As for McDonald alot of people hate them in the parks. People in California startes a boycott because they don't want a Super McDonald inside Disneyland.

As for this tar smell, roped off areas, and so on when did you go? you didn't tell me. I was there on the 19th and saw construction on a resturaunt. I also saw a man fixing a sign at Twister.

If you are going to even complain about that I'll be more then to show pictures of People at Disney Painting Main Street USA.

As for paying $50 a day to go to USF is Stupid because only if your an idiot you would spend the $50 and not through in the extra $49 to get a "2" Park Annual Pass to both IOA & USF.

People seem to think Disney is so perfect and Universal is this crappy place.

But I did this before so I'll post it here "Universal Orlando" Was Named the #1 Theme Park in the USA for 2001 by The Travel Channel.

Also lets just do a small reality check here.

Walt Disney World has right now 28 rides that is in all "4" Parks.
Universal Orlando just 2 parks has 24 rides.

I think that the loyal Disney people love to hate Universal. I use to be a loyal Disney Fan, Until 1998 when all my favorite rides were destroyed. Epcot once my Favorite park is now my worst park. I've been to Disney at least 1,100 if not more. I grew up there and I see the cheap things there doing there.

Lets see, Epcot's Future World opens at 10am and closes at 7pm and World Showcase opens at 12pm and Closes at 9:30pm. That sounds cheap to me.

How about this for Cheap, Low Blows Walt Disney World on Walt Disney's 100th Anniversary shuts down the only Walt Disney Originally Created ride left at Walt Disney World "Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress" Thats cheap. Lets celebrate Walt's birthday and lets slap him in the face by shutting his ride down.

Okay, I’d LOVE to know how you know you’ve been to Disney more than I have? Hmm? I have had an annual pass almost since I can remember and while you’re at it, I’d LOVE for you to tell EXACTLY where on the courtesy trams and monorails they advertise? There are no signs at all inside the cars of the monorails save for the emergency ones and there is nothing for Disney sponsors on the outside at all. The same goes for the Trams. EXACTLY WHERE ARE YOU SEEING THIS? Please tell me EXACTLY where I would look at I board either one so as not to miss these “banners” on the monorails and trams. They don’t even have advertisements in the monorial or courtesy tram stations.

The McDonalds is a mixed bag. I hear some people complain about them but I always see people buying the product when they are in the parks? We hear some people complaining but if there are people waiting in line to buy McDonald’s fries, there must not be too much of a problem.


They were doing the streets on Sunday, December 16th. Yes, Disney does construction while the parks are open as well. At any opportunity, they completely cover the front of the building while they do it, though. The Italy pavilion and new addition to Main Street are two perfect examples of this. In the case of Italy, they actually covered it with a facade painted to resemble the building underneath so that the work in this part of World Showcase would be less obvious. I’ve also seem them paint pavilions in Epcot that they could not cover due to their shape. What I have NEVER seen them do is block off large areas of the streets of a park in volume in the middle of the day while the park is open.

As for your remark about paying $50 a day, I’d like to remind you that I stated in my response that I have an annual pass that expires in a few days. Second, if you are a person from out of town vacationing once for the year, why would you want the annual pass if you were only going there for 1-2 days? You could get the two day ticket for about $10 less and save the hassle of having to get the whole picture taking thing done. Not everyone lives in Florida, you know. I should also point out that not everyone is a AAA member that lives near an office that stocks these tickets, too. Oh, and I should also mention that this is a limited time offer good only through the end of next month so if someone like Jay were to come down, they wouldn’t be able to use it because the tickets must be redeemed before the end of February. So for a person in a situation that was not exactly like your own, it wouldn’t necessarily be “stupid” not to buy the AP meaning that such a person would not be the “idiot” that you say they would be.

I wouldn’t exactly call it “crapy” but I don’t see how anyone can claim that Universal is better than Disney in the overall guest experience. That’s great that the travel channel named Universal Orlando the #1 theme park in the USA. Funny that all the other parks they mentioned were AMUSMENT PARKS and that Disney was not mentioned even once. I think just about anyone who has ever been to Disney can say that even if they don’t think it’s “#1”, it should have made the list somewhere. Oh and lets not forget that the Travel Channel, is wholly owned by Discovery Communications Inc., a partner with Universal Studios, even having an attraction at the Universal Studios Florida theme park.

I would also LOVE to know where you get your numbers from in your “Reality Check” saying that Disney has only 28 rides in all four of its parks. Here is the list from MK alone: Astro Orbiter, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tomorrowland Indy Speedway, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm, Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel, “it’s a small world”, Walt Disney World Railroad, Peter Pan’s Flight, Show White’s Scary Adventures, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Liberty Belle Riverboat and the tomorrowland Transit Authority. That’s 21 in the magic kingdom alone not including the more questionable “rides” such as COP which IS operating as I type this and the trolley and cabs along main street. That doesn’t even go into attractions such as Alien Encounter that aren’t technically rides but are attractions, either.

Now, let’s look at Universal: Okay, I’m reading over a map from both parks for last week. I see the attractions that are ‘rides’ for Universal Studios listed as: The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera, Kingfrontatoin, Earthquake – the big one, Jaws, Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, E.T. Adventure, Men In Black and Back to the Future the ride. For the studios that’s a total of 8.

According to their own park map, for IOA we have: Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, Storm Force Accelatron, Incredible Hulk Coaster, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Pteranodon Flyers, Dueling Dragons (Yes, I know this counts as two), They Flying Unicorn, The Cat in the Hat, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and Caro-Seuss-el. That brings IOA to a total of 14 ‘rides’. Which if you do the math (14+8=) comes to a total of 22. So where are you getting your numbers for Disney with a total of 28 rides resort wide and Universal with 24 between the two parks?

You want to knock Disney for their hours at Epcot? Well, that’s still two and a half hours of total park time MORE than Universal Studios offered on the same date and Epcot still features Illuminations each and every night.

I was only trying to point out two things in my post. 1- that universal seemed REALLY SLOW the weekend I was there and 2 – they seemed to be taking their sponsorship advertising a little too far in the park. In my original post of the pictures the only comparison that I made between Universal and Disney was the fact that Disney was much busier on the same day. All I said was that Universal seemed to be hurting more because of the economy and after the Sept. 11 attacks than Disney. The next time you decide to start and argument, at least check your facts.

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder

I've been to Disney at least 1,100 if not more.

I think what happens is that you´ve been there way too many times... stop going for a while and you´ll see how you will enjoy Disney more than ever! You are probably too used to it. :animwink:

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by Maria



I think what happens is that you´ve been there way too many times... stop going for a while and you´ll see how you will enjoy Disney more than ever! You are probably too used to it. :animwink:

Maria, on his yahoo clubs site, he says that he’s 23. Unless he’s including each time he’s gone to a different park during a single trip, he would have had to have gone to Disney at least once a week every single week he’s been alive in order to have gone over 1,100 times. If he worked there this might be a realistic figure because it could be met in a few years but seeing as how he lives about 45 minutes away, I doubt that. I think his statement was a bit of an excited exaggeration. I think he was just trying to say that he’d been there many, many times

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
Your right, your right. I'm sorry. Please forgive me for my stupidity and for causing an argument.

I know that you followed the link from your group over here and that you haven’t spent much time on this forum. We reserve terms such as “stupid” and “idiot” for only the most deserving and even then, we usually only say them in private … I know this thing with the cars was a hot issue because I saw someone in your club disagreeing with you on it as well. I’m not trying to say that there is anything at all wrong with liking Universal. There are plenty of things wrong with Disney. I was upset when they changed Journey Into Your Imagination, too. I agree that it was a big mistake. Don’t let me scare you off the forum just because I ran some of my own numbers. I’m sure that there are PLENTY of people here that will benefit from your knowledge of the Universal parks

 

[NowInc]

I am sensing a trend here..this is the 2nd time in a month that someone got a bit "touchy" over their favorite park...geez..its not like YOU built it..relax...

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by Maria

I think what happens is that you´ve been there way too many times... stop going for a while and you´ll see how you will enjoy Disney more than ever! You are probably too used to it. :animwink:

MrPromey,

I know... I even find harder to believe that someone has count the times he´s been to a place, if they are so many.... I was being a little sarcastic.... sorry!

But I still believe that too much of something is not too good... you get used to things and stop appreciating them too much... at least, that´s my humble opinion... don´t throw rocks at me please!!

 

[NowInc]

Originally posted by Maria


MrPromey,

I know... I even find harder to believe that someone has count the times he´s been to a place, if they are so many.... I was being a little sarcastic.... sorry!

But I still believe that too much of something is not too good... you get used to things and stop appreciating them too much... at least, that´s my humble opinion... don´t throw rocks at me please!!

Thus why I dont go everyday

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by Maria


MrPromey,

I know... I even find harder to believe that someone has count the times he´s been to a place, if they are so many.... I was being a little sarcastic.... sorry!

But I still believe that too much of something is not too good... you get used to things and stop appreciating them too much... at least, that´s my humble opinion... don´t throw rocks at me please!!

Sorry my dear Sometimes I forget how you are

 

[Scooter]

I think Maria brings up a good point.

Has anyone noticed that it seems that the people who go to the Theme parks more often are the ones who are the most critical?

Every person that I have ever talked to that has been to Disney World or Univeral Studios for the 1st time always talks about what a wonderful time they had. The only complaints I ever hear are the same two I always hear...expensive...and long lines. Until you learn the ropes and best times to go to avoid the crowds, this will always be a concern.

Sometimes we forget what we are there for and we become judgemental. Once in a while we should stop and look into the eyes of the children and see what they see. Not the peeling paint, or the light bulbs that are out, not the bad audio or the jerky movement of the rides...but the FUN and the magic that these parks create. Aren't we there to forget our worrys and just have a good time?

Lets dwell on the GOOD things in the parks..not the bad. There's something good in every ride or attraction.

Remember...Even a broken CLOCK is right twice a day.

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by Scooter ]

Remember...Even a broken CLOCK is right twice a day.

Unless it's an LCD in which case it's just blank :lol:


I know what you mean, though. You're right. I think that the thing is that those of us who go more often either know what it’s like when the problems don’t exist or have been enough to look past the obvious and be pickier. The other people are the ones that these parks are really there for, though. I do understand what you mean, though. It’s like watching an Illuminations that isn’t 100% because they don’t do the shooting star in the beginning or the shots don’t come from the center torch at the end. Nobody who hasn’t seen it do these things realizes there’s anything wrong and even though it isn’t a ‘perfect’ show, it’s still pretty amazing. Sometimes those of us who get used to it, forget that.

 

[MrPromey]

Re: THE AMOUNT OF VISIT'S I MADE TO WDW

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
I HAVE HELD AN ANNUAL PASS TO WALT DISNEY WORLD SINCE 1986 IN 2002 IT WILL BE 16 YEARS I HELD AN ANNUAL PASS.

I WENT TO THE PARKS ALMOST EVERYDAY AS A KID.

I ALSO DIDN’T ALWAYS LIVE 45 MILES AWAY. I HAVE LIVED IN APOPKA, ORLANDO, MOUNT DORA, JUPITER, PORT SAINT JOHN, AND NOW IN CAPE CANAVERAL.

I WENT AT LEAST EVERY DAY DURING THE SUMMERS .

MY PARENTS WOULD LET ME SKIP SCHOOL IF RELATIVES WERE IN TOWN SO WE AS A FAMILY COULD GO TO DISNEY.

I APOLOGIZED AND SAID I WAS SORRY FOR SHOOTING MY MOUTH OFF BUT NO!!!! YOU PEOPLE STILL GO ON ABOUT HOW MANY TRIPS I HAVE MADE.

I WENT TO UNIVERSAL 53 TIMES THIS YEAR AND IOA 19 TIMES THIS YEAR AND I WILL BE GOING TO IOA THIS WEEKEND MAKING MY IOA TOTAL 20 TIMES THIS YEAR. DO YOU WANT TO QUESTION THAT TOO?

MIKE
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/universalstudiosclub

Dude, take a chill-pill. Nobody is trying to attack you. All i said was that your statement was probably a "bit of an excited exaggeration". I also went on to clarify that you were probably just trying to get your point across that you'd been many times. No offense but being as "off" on the other numbers as you were, I didn't take you to mean that you'd seriously been more that 1,100 times. If you have documented the number of visits that you have made to WDW and it totals over 1,100 more power to you.

Perhaps you should have looked around here a bit before you launched into full argument mode with your very first post. Most of us are all friends and not every post disagreeing with you is someone wishing to become your mortal enemy. If you can calm down a bit and relax, I'm sure we will all gain from your knowledge of Universal. If not, you might want to think about sticking to the message board on your Yahoo Club. Personally, I hope that you you choose to stick around with us. Maybe you should check out the Chit-Chat section to get a better feel for us if you aren't interested in the Disney sections.

BTW, I think your caps lock must be stuck. Someone who didn't know better might think that you were yelling that whole statement.

 

[JAY-ROD]

Re: Re: THE AMOUNT OF VISIT'S I MADE TO WDW

Originally posted by MrPromey


Dude, take a chill-pill. Nobody is trying to attack you. All i said was that your statement was probably a "bit of an excited exaggeration". I also went on to clarify that you were probably just trying to get your point across that you'd been many times. No offense but being as "off" on the other numbers as you were, I didn't take you to mean that you'd seriously been more that 1,100 times. If you have documented the number of visits that you have made to WDW and it totals over 1,100 more power to you.

Perhaps you should have looked around here a bit before you launched into full argument mode with your very first post. Most of us are all friends and not every post disagreeing with you is someone wishing to become your mortal enemy. If you can calm down a bit and relax, I'm sure we will all gain from your knowledge of Universal. If not, you might want to think about sticking to the message board on your Yahoo Club. Personally, I hope that you you choose to stick around with us. Maybe you should check out the Chit-Chat section to get a better feel for us if you aren't interested in the Disney sections.

BTW, I think your caps lock must be stuck. Someone who didn't know better might think that you were yelling that whole statement.

You've just gotta understand Mr.P He's just a dick head!:lol:

Only kidding buddy!

 

[MrPromey]

Re: Re: Re: THE AMOUNT OF VISIT'S I MADE TO WDW

Originally posted by JAY-ROD


You've just gotta understand Mr.P He's just a dick head!:lol:

Only kidding buddy!

... and you've just got to understand Jay. He runs around all day putting little statements like that in because he wants to beat out Marky for the #1 place with posts and he can't think of any other way to do it!

 

[JAY-ROD]

Re: Re: Re: Re: THE AMOUNT OF VISIT'S I MADE TO WDW

Originally posted by MrPromey


... and you've just got to understand Jay. He runs around all day putting little statements like that in because he wants to beat out Marky for the #1 place with posts and he can't think of any other way to do it!

lol Now you know if I really wanted to I would! I mean come on Mr.P I've posted only 10 times in the past week and Marky is taking a little vacation now! Now give me a break!:king:

 

[JAY-ROD]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
I don't care about how many posts I make, I don't care about holding a #1 title. I don't know where that came from.

I also don't like being called a "Dick Head"

Mike

Hey Mike get some glasses and go back and read my post again and then you'll feel like a dick head!

 

[JAY-ROD]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
I did and it still is made out to say I'm a Dick head.

You reposted MrPromey post to me, then under that you said

You've just gotta understand Mr.P He's just a dick head!

Only kidding buddy!

Kidding or not I don't like being called a Dick Head.


http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/universalstudiosclub

Actually no it didnt! I was telling YOU that you gotta undertand Mr. P, that He (meaning Mr. P) is a and then underneth I was telling Mr.P I was only kidding

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
I don't care about how many posts I make, I don't care about holding a #1 title. I don't know where that came from.

I also don't like being called a "Dick Head"

Mike

Honey, relaaaaaax.... noone called you that!

The number of posts is under your name and it comes from every time you post something on the boards except for the chit chat section which I encourage you to visit! :animwink:

Excuse me if I offended you with the amount of times you have been to WDW... I still find hard to believe that someone can keep track of them being so many, but I didn´t mean to doubt about you. If you say you´ve been there more than 1,100 times, that´s fine with me.

I don´t mean to get u more excited but I think that if you were there everyday in the summer, that´s the reason you got bored with Disney! Nothing new for you to discover by being there everyday......... but, lucky you who have that chance!
:animwink: