Why is there this misconception that Disney is for young children?

[Merlin]

Ok, ok I really work for the city of Edmonton clearing sewer drains

I didn't ask what you do for a living. I asked about your "business education" which I'm fairly certain you made up.

IT'S NOT A BENIFIT OR CAPITALIZING IF YOU AIN’T MAKING MONEY OFF OF IT! :hammer:

That's not correct. And that's my point...you would know that if you truly did have this so-called "business education" which you claim to have.

All that aside, how do you know Universal isn't making money by capitalizing on Disney? Attendance at Universal is DOWN, it's not nonexistent. But then again, with your "business education" you shouldn't need to be told that.

 

[Slosh]

two things.

1- the simple existence of a Universal park in Orlando is capitalizing on Disney- if someone spends 10 days in Orlando and only 1 in Universal they're still getting business they wouldn't have if they had built in Atlanta for example.

2- a number of people on these boards think Universal is launching a smear campaign against Disney with these ads, while some of those same people smear Universal for having "nothing other than rollercoasters." News flash. There are 6(six) roller coaster tracks on Universal property, two of them are for kids only and are about as thrilling as a car ride to the mall. Of the remaining rides, they are all well themed or unique in some way. The Six Flags in my backyard is a dumb rollercoaster park with nothing but cheap thrills- Universal is not the same thing.

I love Disney. I stay at Disney whenever I can afford it, and I could live at Epcot. I've been going there for almost 24 years. But while Disney is #1 I have a lot of fun at Universal too, and it does fill a little tiny bit of the hole in my heart.

 

[jmicro59]

I didn't ask what you do for a living. I asked about your "business education" which I'm fairly certain you made up.



That's not correct. And that's my point...you would know that if you truly did have this so-called "business education" which you claim to have.

All that aside, how do you know Universal isn't making money by capitalizing on Disney? Attendance at Universal is DOWN, it's not nonexistent. But then again, with your "business education" you shouldn't need to be told that.

Yeah, you're right. Got not one ounce of business education in me. :hammer:
Let’s pretend for a moment that I do have some knowledge of business just for a second. So by your book Universal would do something that cost a set amount at the begining, say a park opening and expect a return on said expense, an expense that goes up due to ride/park maintenance, employee benefits, competition, new ride development and the like, that makes it impossible to recoup said cost without the only influx of revenue??
And Attendance doesn’t have to become non-existent to affect the bottom line of a corporation like Universal. But it does have to decline enough to shrink the accepted rate of return on the capital expense. Expenses in this type of environment increase roughly 17% in a four quarter fiscal year and if the revenue stream, attendance lets say, only produces a 12% influx then a deficit occurs causing a cash flow into the negative or red ink occurs.
Now lets say I have access to numbers for both companies, numbers that share holders obtain on a yearly basis to let them know where the money the invested is going and how it is being spent and on basic fiscal health of said companies.

 

[Timmay]

Okay, I admit I'm confused then. What did your mom do while she was there? Are there some shows or parades or things that she got to watch?[

I have not been to US because I've heard from most of the people in my demographic that it's a waste of time and money. You are obviously quite bothered by the fact that so many of us aren't interested in Universal

I am not bothered in the slightest...same as I am not bothered by people that "don't get" WDW...more room for me.

What I do find odd is that you made a comment about how US has "excluded" several types of people, yet you admit you have never been there yourself to see it with your own eyes...you take the word of others.

My mother and father both do not ride "thrill type" rides...yet they found plenty of attractions at the two US parks to have a great time...just like at Disney.

 

[jmicro59]

two things.

1- the simple existence of a Universal park in Orlando is capitalizing on Disney- if someone spends 10 days in Orlando and only 1 in Universal they're still getting business they wouldn't have if they had built in Atlanta for example.

2- a number of people on these boards think Universal is launching a smear campaign against Disney with these ads, while some of those same people smear Universal for having "nothing other than rollercoasters." News flash. There are 6(six) roller coaster tracks on Universal property, two of them are for kids only and are about as thrilling as a car ride to the mall. Of the remaining rides, they are all well themed or unique in some way. The Six Flags in my backyard is a dumb rollercoaster park with nothing but cheap thrills- Universal is not the same thing.

I love Disney. I stay at Disney whenever I can afford it, and I could live at Epcot. I've been going there for almost 24 years. But while Disney is #1 I have a lot of fun at Universal too, and it does fill a little tiny bit of the hole in my heart.

I can see what you're saying in your first point but from a business stand point that is a flawed stance or business model. This is exactly why Disney captures more business. You need to make your park a destination point not an also visit point. You can never capitalize on this monetary wise.

I totally agree ith you on your second point. I actually like Universal but I don't go every trip down to Orlando and that's my point.

I love Disney too and we go go at least once a year and have also been going since 1978 and that tiny bit of your heart is not what Universal wants. They want you to stay 10 days in the Hard Rock and visit IOA and Universal for 9 of those 10 days.

 

[disneylands]

Only, that is not what you implied earlier at all...




I am a huge fan of the Disney parks...I love it when we get to go, it is in a calss for sure, we all know that. Most of the people I know like to enjoy all the things there are to do while in Orlando, the people you folks know may not...doesn't make it right or wrong either way.

Back on topic, whether you like it or not, there is a perception Disney is for kids, and because of that perception, which I agree with Merf on (US didn't create this perception) US will try to take advantage of that in their advertising.

Befor our trip, my brother's best friend said "Ugh, your not going to Magic Kingdom, are you?? That's just for little kids, especially girls". The guy had never stepped foot in the palce in his life...so where did he get the perception...perhaps all those cute comercials we see showing a princess and a little girl all happy together. Out here in Colorado, we don't see the ads the folks in Florida see with EE, SM, M:S and others...we get a princess and pixie dust and fairy tale music.

Really though, why care about US ads...what are they to any of us. Number two will always try to make fun of number one. I would worry when US does stop trying to make fun of Disney.

No, I did indeed imply that, however it is apparent that we perceive things in different ways.

However I do agree with you that Universal did not create the problem, they did however perpetuate the problem by their advertisments targeting people who dont know any better, I also agree that we shouldnt care about US ads at all.

You are a good debate partner and although we may not see eye to eye on everything you make good and valid points and I respect your opinion.:wave:

 

[jmicro59]

No, I did indeed imply that, however it is apparent that we perceive things in different ways.

However I do agree with you that Universal did not create the problem, they did however perpetuate the problem by their advertisments targeting people who dont know any better, I also agree that we shouldnt care about US ads at all.

You are a good debate partner and although we may not see eye to eye on everything you make good and valid points and I respect your opinion.:wave:

Thanks Disneylands for posting something like this. This is exactly what I should have posted in my debate with Merlin. I guess watching a close Superbowl and posting on this board should be avoided whenever possible.

 

[Merlin]

IThis is exactly why Disney captures more business. You need to make your park a destination point not an also visit point. You can never capitalize on this monetary wise.

No, that's not true. Disney has chosen to make their resort a destination and they've done quite well. Many other businesses (hundreds, including Universal) are capitalizing on Disney's success. This does not need that they need to be just as successful as Disney in order to be considered successful.

 

[disneylands]

Thanks Disneylands for posting something like this. This is exactly what I should have posted in my debate with Merlin. I guess watching a close Superbowl and posting on this board should be avoided whenever possible.

I, too was watching the Super Bowl, and now you know that if you do get into a debate, there would be no debate unless they were bringing up some respectable points, and at the end, in my opinion, it is only fair to aknowlage them for it.

 

[Merlin]

Yeah, you're right. Got not one ounce of business education in me. :hammer:
Let’s pretend for a moment that I do have some knowledge of business just for a second. So by your book Universal would do something that cost a set amount at the begining, say a park opening and expect a return on said expense, an expense that goes up due to ride/park maintenance, employee benefits, competition, new ride development and the like, that makes it impossible to recoup said cost without the only influx of revenue??
And Attendance doesn’t have to become non-existent to affect the bottom line of a corporation like Universal. But it does have to decline enough to shrink the accepted rate of return on the capital expense. Expenses in this type of environment increase roughly 17% in a four quarter fiscal year and if the revenue stream, attendance lets say, only produces a 12% influx then a deficit occurs causing a cash flow into the negative or red ink occurs.
Now lets say I have access to numbers for both companies, numbers that share holders obtain on a yearly basis to let them know where the money the invested is going and how it is being spent and on basic fiscal health of said companies.

I noticed it took you a while to respond to that last post....just long enough to get on the Internet and look up some fancy-sounding business terms. :lol: My, your business vocabulary certainly has changed quite a bit since I first questioned you about your "business education" (which you still haven't defined....I wonder why).

By the way, you apologized to CHAPPS for calling ME a name. I would appreciate an apology from you.

 

[Skovdaddy]

Capitalizing on it?!?!? :hammer:
With lower attendance figures, parks that look un-maintained and nothing really special about any of the rides! That’s a great business plan. Let me know how that works our for them. :lol:

I'm sorry, but Universal is much better than what you give it credit for. Yes Universal's attendance was down last year, much of that can be blamed on Disney's huge push of its 50th anniversary, and their new attractions.

Disney added Soarin, Lights Motors Action, and Cinderellabration last year, while Universal added the show Fear Factor Live. If you were a repeat customer for both companies, which parks would you choose to go to this year? I would probably choose Disney, because Universal hasn't come out with anything major since Revenge of the Mummy. Many people chose Disney this year because of the 50th and everything that came with it. Universal's attendance will boost back up when it delivers another major attraction.

Now IOA is not just a coaster park, it also has very good shows and water rides. IMO, the structural theming of the IOA islands beats any of the scenery at the Disney Parks. Instead of having themed buildings here and there, Islands of Adventure competely transformes everying to fit the islands story and theme. Just walk down the streets of Lost Continent or Suess Landing and you will see what I mean.

Jmicro59, you also stated that there was nothing special with Universal's rides. Have you never experienced Spiderman? Spiderman is without a doubt my(and many other people's) favorite attraction in Orlando. I prefer it over Mission:Space, Tower of Terror, and Expedition Everest. Theme Park Insider has rated Spiderman #1 ride in the world for four years in a row. http://www.themeparkinsider.com/columns/robert/237.cfm

Also, I think most people would agree that:

IOA's Popeye river rapids ride is much better than DAKs Kali River Rapids.

Universal's Men In Black Alien Attack is far superior to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.

WDW and UO are both great places to visit, each offering their own unique product. Disney is more widely known, and Universal is using that fact in a new marketing campaign to try to get noticed by more visitors. This isn't the first time that Universal has talked trash about Disney, if you don't believe me just go to Shrek 4-D and check out all the signs about the "Happiest Dictatorship on Earth (well the 2nd happiest)" and the "Enchanted Tick Room."

While I love WDW like most of you, I also love Universal Orlando, and I feel like it is a much better place than an un-maintained park with non-unique rides.

 

[Nicole]

I am not bothered in the slightest...same as I am not bothered by people that "don't get" WDW...more room for me.

What I do find odd is that you made a comment about how US has "excluded" several types of people, yet you admit you have never been there yourself to see it with your own eyes...you take the word of others.

My mother and father both do not ride "thrill type" rides...yet they found plenty of attractions at the two US parks to have a great time...just like at Disney.

Your point is well taken. However my point STILL is that I have yet to see or hear anything from anyone that makes me willing to spend my hard earned vacation money at Universal instead of Disney. I have read many guidebooks, and heard many first-hand reports. If it were free maybe I'd try it, but I have been to the one in California (many many years ago - so not a valid comparison I'm sure) and to various other theme parks around the world, and still my vacation preference is Disney.

I am glad Universal is in Orlando. I know they meet a need for people who like a break from Disney on occasion. I am just not one of them. I am sure that I would have a fine time if I were to go to US, although we tried SeaWorld (for free) and left feeling like we didn't get our money's worth. I like theme parks, but I love Disney. I'd be more likely to go to Universal if it wasn't in Orlando, because to go to the one there I'd have to give up a day at Disney.

This thread started out as a discussion of the perception that Disney is for kids, which is perpetuated in the current ad campaign Universal is running. By choosing to make veiled references to Disney in their tv spots, Universal has gotten my Disney defenses up. As a consumer, that type of advertising has the opposite effect on me than what I think the Universal people were hoping for.

 

[jesserin]

My Boss said it best...

Universal leaves you feeling harassed...
Disney leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy...

With Universal - you can spend one day and need to recover....
With Disney - you can spend a week and create lasting memories...

Though both parks have excellant attractions - I think it's true that the majority of the Universal rides are "gonna come and get you" kind of rides - where Disney's are more "let's create memories together" - sounds silly but overall I think it's a pretty acurate description...

 

[Slosh]

I love Disney too and we go go at least once a year and have also been going since 1978 and that tiny bit of your heart is not what Universal wants. They want you to stay 10 days in the Hard Rock and visit IOA and Universal for 9 of those 10 days.

no, its not what they want, however it IS what they were originally built in Orlando for. They've changed their business strategy, and thats why they're failing.

 

[d43boy]

Interesting points....

I think it all comes down to a very interesting question. Were you raised on Disney? Or have you recently 'discovered' the magic?

Now, this is not a blanket statement here, but in my opinion, most people who were raised in a 'Disney' home (for lack of a better term) have a special place in their hearts for WDW. I was one of them. Disney is my childhood. I cannot watch a parade, Fantasmic, Wishes, etc without getting choked up and thinking of all the wonderful memories my family has had at WDW. Therefore, now that my sister and I are adults, we still adore it, and love sharing those times again with our parents, in a whole new way!

Now, many of my friends, who were not 'raised' on Disney, have a very different view of it. Some simply don't like it. It isn't, um, ingrained in them? you know? Once or twice at WDW is enough for them to last a lifetime! One friend who had never been took her husband and child and they HATED WDW! (i know, makes me very illl too) but there you have it.

This is not to say that those who have never experienced Disney before and do so later on in life won't love it. Many many many do! But there is a whole section of people out there who could care less for Disney. So, US is a viable alternative, and US knows this. ("Fairy tales and pixie dust not your thing?")

What do you all think of this perception? :veryconfu

Also, if you try to book a trip on US website, it has a whole LIST of things and compares it to Disney! :hurl: Especially the ticket prices and days and so forth. Check it out.

 

[Mimi]

If I may... I would like to include my opinion. Forgive me it has been previously expressed but I stopped reading through the bickering posts choosing instead to give my simple answer to the OP's query. You are all invited to resume your debate...


I think that WDW has inherited the stigma of being for children from its "predecessor": Disneyland.

 

[jmicro59]

No, that's not true. Disney has chosen to make their resort a destination and they've done quite well. Many other businesses (hundreds, including Universal) are capitalizing on Disney's success. This does not need that they need to be just as successful as Disney in order to be considered successful.

So why then build the Hard Rock hotel if you're not expecting people to make your park/resort a destination?

 

[jmicro59]

I noticed it took you a while to respond to that last post....just long enough to get on the Internet and look up some fancy-sounding business terms. :lol: My, your business vocabulary certainly has changed quite a bit since I first questioned you about your "business education" (which you still haven't defined....I wonder why).

By the way, you apologized to CHAPPS for calling ME a name. I would appreciate an apology from you.

Hey thanks for timing me Honey. I learned a ton in only a matter of minutes. Did you know they have the internet on computers now? :lol:
You know why I haven't defined it, you called me a liar said I made it up so if I did make it up wouldn't I just lie again so the point is moot, right?
As for the apology, are you holding your breath?? Good keep holding it. :wave:

 

[jmicro59]

no, its not what they want, however it IS what they were originally built in Orlando for. They've changed their business strategy, and thats why they're failing.

So then what is their business strategy?

 

[Mr Bill]

I haven't gotten through this entire thread yet, and I don't have time at the moment, but after four or so posts, I just have to mention that advertisements that bash competition turn me away from their product. I haven't had Pepsi at all since they started going after Coke in all of their ads.