On Jan. 13, Universal Orlando launched “Best Vacation Ever,” which shares more than a few similarities with Apple’s holiday spot, “Misunderstood.”
“Best Vacation Ever” shows a family enjoying their time at Universal, with a teenage daughter who seems to always be on her phone. At the end of the spot, it’s revealed that she was on her phone all that time making a digital scrapbook of the family’s trip, which she entitled “Best Vacation Ever.” When she sends the file to her father, her mother intones, “And you said no phones.” As you may remember, this calls to mind the big reveal in Apple’s “Misunderstood” spot, in which a seemingly aloof teenage boy puts together a slideshow for his family on Christmas.
According to our anonymous tipster, all these similarities are “completely (and unfortunately) coincidence.” The Universal spot was purportedly sold last spring, “as part of a larger effort, so it took some time to produce,” and wrapped in November. Universal decided to hold the spot until the new year, a decision they must have regretted after seeing Apple’s “Misunderstood” over the holiday season. Our tipster added this tidbit: “Universal contacted Lance Acord in October to direct, he saw the Universal boards, but he had already accepted the Apple job.” Let us know your thoughts on the similarities between the two spots in the comments section.