***OI Meetup***June 2-3, 2023

[RocketCityMama]

Like I said, I will be happy to "follow along" and cheer!! I will learn as he grows, I'm sure.

Eeekkk....a month and half away?? I need to get planning.

I get that, I coached rec volleyball for about 8 years and I can see how people are confused about sports. Heck I still get confused at high school games hahah their rotations are crazy IMO!

We’re coming in from the UK on the Monday, staying offsite and have the Friday night at Surfside. We’re so looking forward to this as it’s a first for us with an after hours event and staying at a Universal hotel.

I figured it would be better to stay until the end and then be able to collapse in a hotel room rather than trying to drive back to our villa. I take it the shuttles are still running back to the hotel at that time are they?

Yes the buses run after, which I would take my time easing back to the bus lines, because when it first closes there was a pretty long line for us for DS/SS since they share. The second night we hung out in City Walk for a bit, just enjoying the atmosphere and let the bus lines die down just a bit.

---

Guess what?? Just 35 days away and we'll be having our first night of meetup fun!


I made reservations yesterday, so far we have Antojitos, Hard Rock Cafe (kids choice), Finnegans, Cowfish. I tried to make reservations for Bubba Gumps (kids choice) but it wasn't accepting reservations or either they are fully booked.... I am going to try again closer to time. I thought maybe it was just too far out.

I am still trying to figure out if we are going to do the buy 3 get 2 free deal or splurge on the AP's again. I just don't know that we'll make it back again...but if we have them, we'll force ourselves to go back one more time lol What do do, what to do????
Price differences:
OI Price- 2 Park/3day/2Day Free(5 days) - $1417
AP's 4 Season Passes - $1811
AP's 3 Seasonal/1 Preferred - $2029

AHHHHHH It's so much LOL What frustrates me is my dd could have told me this is where she wanted to go BEFORE our AP's expired last year, we could have renewed at cheaper price and saved the 20% but now it's too late. BOOO kid lol So really the question is the $400 difference between the OI b3g2 free deal and AP seasonals do not include the merch/food discounts (avg 10% off) worth it "in case we go back, we have tickets", or the 3 seasonal/1 preferred will have a 10% merch/food discount...but is it worth paying $600 more?? That's the real question.


​

 

[Krisshay13]

I am still trying to figure out if we are going to do the buy 3 get 2 free deal or splurge on the AP's again. I just don't know that we'll make it back again...but if we have them, we'll force ourselves to go back one more time lol What do do, what to do????

OMG...that is a tough one.
Our APs expire around Thanksgiving. And the Seasonal has block out dates now for the week in Nov we always go. So, this may force us to visit other parks this year. I'll have to decide by then.

 

[Krisshay13]

because when it first closes there was a pretty long line for us for DS/SS since they share.

What's strange.......I don't remember having lines. I swear, I remember the Disney lines from the past 10 years. I've never experienced those type of lines at Universal. That's part of why I love Universal.

Just 35 days away and we'll be having our first night of meetup fun!

I AM SO READY!!! 35 days is so close!!

Today is DGD's 15th birthday. She passed her driver permit test this morning!!..... And right now, she is in Atlanta at the Taylor Swift concert with her birthday crown & sash on. She even painted some white keds & bejeweled them (do they call it that now adays??? LOL). I'm so excited for her.

The Universal trip is a couple days after DGD #2's birthday so, we'll celebrate there!!! DGS turned 7 yesterday & said all he wanted was $100 so "He would be rich"...LOL

 

[Krisshay13]

I made reservations yesterday, so far we have Antojitos, Hard Rock Cafe (kids choice), Finnegans, Cowfish. I tried to make reservations for Bubba Gumps (kids choice)

Hard Rock Cafe is one of my favorites. Everything I've gotten there, has been awesome. So, I like you "kid's choice"...LOL
BUT, the last time I was there, the bartender tricked me into buying the hurricane glass. I totally didn't catch his sales pitch. After we got our drink, my DH said "you do realize you are buying the glass with the drink, don't you?".........NOPE, I missed that part. I am NOT a glass collector so, if anyone wants a Hard Rock Hurricane glass, I think I still have it somewhere in the garage...LOL.

 

[RocketCityMama]

Hard Rock Cafe is one of my favorites. Everything I've gotten there, has been awesome. So, I like you "kid's choice"...LOL
BUT, the last time I was there, the bartender tricked me into buying the hurricane glass. I totally didn't catch his sales pitch. After we got our drink, my DH said "you do realize you are buying the glass with the drink, don't you?".........NOPE, I missed that part. I am NOT a glass collector so, if anyone wants a Hard Rock Hurricane glass, I think I still have it somewhere in the garage...LOL.

I've not ate at one since our honeymoon uhh almost 23 years ago! lol I am sure it'll be fine, they just want to go for the experience Haha that's funny about the glass, but I have one from our honeymoon, on purpose!

I am officially done with classes, turned in my last final this morning! No more finals, no more class! Just student teaching in the fall, and walk in December! I cannot wait! So now I can focus on the meetup and all the fun to come. Hope everyone is having a beautiful Saturday!!!

 

[MamaKate]

I've not ate at one since our honeymoon uhh almost 23 years ago! lol I am sure it'll be fine, they just want to go for the experience Haha that's funny about the glass, but I have one from our honeymoon, on purpose!

If you have a Sam's Club membership, they offer $100 in Hard Rock Cafe gift cards for $79.98. Plus if you have a Discover Card, they are offering 5% cashback on Warehouse purchases.

I always get a set of these gift cards for our trips. Even if we end up eating a light meal or sharing and have some of the gift card leftover, my daughter will buy a sweatshirt or something in the gift shop.

 

[RocketCityMama]

If you have a Sam's Club membership, they offer $100 in Hard Rock Cafe gift cards for $79.98. Plus if you have a Discover Card, they are offering 5% cashback on Warehouse purchases.

I always get a set of these gift cards for our trips. Even if we end up eating a light meal or sharing and have some of the gift card leftover, my daughter will buy a sweatshirt or something in the gift shop.

Ohh I do! Good to know, I'll have to swing by and grab one, thank you!

 

[Krisshay13]

am officially done with classes, turned in my last final this morning!

CONGRATS!!!
I know you are so happy!! That is a great accomplishment!!

 

[Krisshay13]

If you have a Sam's Club membership, they offer $100 in Hard Rock Cafe gift cards for $79.98.

Thanks for that info. I haven't checked there for gift cards.
That's a good percentage off........I may have to think about eating there

 

[MamaKate]

Ohh I do! Good to know, I'll have to swing by and grab one, thank you!

I've never looked for them in the store. I've only seen them online, but it is free shipping...

 

[Krisshay13]

Does Hard Rock Cafe not take reservations???

 

[RocketCityMama]

Does Hard Rock Cafe not take reservations???

I made one the other day!

 

[Krisshay13]

I made one the other day!

On the Universal site? That's where I've made the others. But, I don't see a place to do it for Hard Rock.

**Update....I went to the restaurant website & was able to make a reservation. Got my EGift Card!!! Whoo Hoo!!

 

[rstan]

Does anyone know if it’s possible to transfer tickets from this event to the winter meetup? We’ve unfortunately had something come up and will most likely not be able to attend, but would be free for the winter dates. I plan to call tomorrow, but wanted to see if anyone had experience first. Thanks!

 

[georgina]

Does anyone know if it’s possible to transfer tickets from this event to the winter meetup? We’ve unfortunately had something come up and will most likely not be able to attend, but would be free for the winter dates. I plan to call tomorrow, but wanted to see if anyone had experience first. Thanks!

I doubt it, but please report back. I decided I couldn't attend in Dec 2020 because of covid, and was not able to get any credit for my tickets.

 

[RocketCityMama]

I doubt it, but please report back. I decided I couldn't attend in Dec 2020 because of covid, and was not able to get any credit for my tickets.

Wow that is sad to hear. I have heard of many being able to change theirs because of covid or other health related issues. A friend of ours had to change her Nov to Dec due to her dads health problems/was in hospital etc.

@rstan all you can do is try!

 

[rstan]

They were very accommodating, but clear that it's not guaranteed or in their policy. They offered a credit for the amount paid to be redeemed at any event scheduled within this year.

 

[georgina]

Wow that is sad to hear. I have heard of many being able to change theirs because of covid or other health related issues. A friend of ours had to change her Nov to Dec due to her dads health problems/was in hospital etc.

@rstan all you can do is try!

Yeah, it still bugs me a bit when I hear they did it for others but I was just out of luck in 2020. I attended in Dec 2021 and Dec 2022

They were very accommodating, but clear that it's not guaranteed or in their policy. They offered a credit for the amount paid to be redeemed at any event scheduled within this year.

Good!

 

[RocketCityMama]

Yeah, it still bugs me a bit when I hear they did it for others but I was just out of luck in 2020. I attended in Dec 2021 and Dec 2022

I totally get that and it would frustrate me as well! I am sorry that happened

 

[goofballs]

One month to go!
Is anyone else surprised that OI hasn’t released shirt orders or info if there will be dining gift cards included? Just because they haven’t said anything, I am almost expecting the dining cards to be a no-go.