**OI Meetup** June 7-8, 2024

[RocketCityMama]

Welcome to the June Meetup discussion thread!

Are you heading to your first, third, or more meetup??

We are heading back for our 6th meetup I think lol I have lost track, but I think that’s right. Our family really enjoys them, the atmosphere, the non existent crowds and walk on rides. We have such a great time. We are staying at Portofino Bay this time, first time for us. I know they are doing some upgrades/construction but I don’t think it will really affect us. We love Hard Rock, but since we waited until today to buy tickets and book hotels, PB is all that is available. I have heard some good things and will be reading their thread in the hotel board later.

Hope to chat with some more of you soon!

What's Included​

On Friday and Saturday, June 7-8, 2024, Orlando Informer is taking over Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. Beginning at 5:00 pm, you'll have access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Hogsmeade™ and Diagon Alley™, Marvel Super Hero Island®, Jurassic Park, and more.

Enjoy access to over 25 rides and attractions​

You'll have access to popular attractions, including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, E.T. Adventure, and much more.

Mouthwatering food and beverage included​

Unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages are included with your OI Meetup ticket. From vegetable pasta to slow-roasted pork bowls, come find out why our guests at the past OI Meetup rated the food 4.4 out of 5 stars. Cap off the night with unlimited delectable treats (including Butterbeer™).

Less crowds and more breathtaking, unique entertainment​

We're rolling out the red carpet for you at this private party. Just like our 18 previous Orlando Informer Meetups, we have a limited number of tickets on sale to ensure you spend more time on the rides and less time waiting for them! You'll experience the parks in an intimate, exclusive environment with good times everywhere you turn.

Experiences​

Our Orlando Informer Meetup takes place in Orlando, Florida at Universal Orlando Resort on June 7-8, 2024.

Highlights of our June 2024 OI Meetup:

• Jurassic World VelociCoaster
  Speeding through the jungle and rising high above the terrain is Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Board your vehicle for a high-speed dash through the park’s Raptor Paddock. You’ll feel the rush of the hunt as you race alongside these nimble predators, twisting and soaring above the land and water.
• NEW: Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
  It’s So Much Fun It’s a Crime… This new world-class attraction transports you to Villain-Con – the biggest criminal convention on the planet – to take part in an epic competition to see if you have what it takes to become the newest member of The Vicious 6, a notorious group of supervillains from Illumination's hit film, “Minions: The Rise of Gru.”
• NEW: start sampling earlier
  Our unlimited food service will kick off as the parks close to daytime guests at select venues.
• And more!
  No two Orlando Informer Meetups are the same. Stay tuned for more details on what makes our June OI Meetup a can't-miss experience.
• Orlando Informer Meetup hours:You can enter and enjoy the attractions beginning at 5:00 pm on the date(s) you select.Friday, June 7: Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure will close to the public at 7:00 pm. Our Orlando Informer Meetup will conclude at 12:30 am.Saturday, June 8: Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure will close to the public at 9:00 pm. Our Orlando Informer Meetup will conclude at 1:30 am.

• Universal Islands of Adventure​

  Take advantage of park access beginning at 5:00 pm. Later on, enjoy exclusive access to the following attractions.
  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Hogsmeade™(Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™, Flight of the Hippogriff™, Frog Choir, The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts™ Castle, Ollivanders™, Hogwarts™ Express: Hogsmeade™ Station)
  • Marvel Super Hero Island® (The Incredible Hulk Coaster®, Doctor Doom's Fearfall®, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®, Storm Force Accelatron®)
  • Skull Island: Reign of Kong
  • 
    
  • Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park River Adventure, Raptor Encounter, Camp Jurassic, Jurassic World VelociCoaster)
  • Seuss Landing™ (The Cat in the Hat™, The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!™, Caro-Seuss-el™, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish™)

Universal Studios Florida​

Take advantage of park access beginning at 5:00 pm. Later on, enjoy exclusive access to the following attractions.

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™ (Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™, Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees, Ollivanders™, Hogwarts™ Express: King's Cross Station)
• Minion Land on Illumination Avenue (Villain-Con Minion Blast, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem)
• 
  
• New York (Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, Revenge of the Mummy, The Blues Brothers® Show)
• San Francisco (Fast & Furious – Supercharged)
• World Expo (MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack)
• Springfield, U.S.A.™ (The Simpsons Ride™, Kang & Kodos' Twirl 'n' Hurl)
• Woody Woodpecker's KidZone (E.T. Adventure)

 

[RocketCityMama]

Anyone else going in June? I just changed our hotel to Hard Rock, the AP discount was better so I am saving $325 and we love HRH!

 

[nouvellefleur]

We're going for our first meetup in November, so I'm here for the tips and tricks to apply for Fall

 

[dez1978]

We are going in November! it will be my 4th!

 

[policycobb]

This is my too many to count meetup. We are staying at Aventura. This time we are bringing my nephew. He's 20 and I don't believe has ever been to Florida or on a plane. He's coming from Connecticut. We are going to Cocoa Beach after the meetup.

 

[policycobb]

Did everyone see the menu was posted for the meetup?

 

[MoeJ]

OOH! Thanks, good to know!

 

[khcruise]

Has anyone received the email with their tickets and information yet?

 

[Skirk6072]

Has anyone received the email with their tickets and information yet?

I have not. I was actually coming here to see if anyone else got their email.

 

[khcruise]

I have not. I was actually coming here to see if anyone else got their email.

The previous email said by May 24th so I was getting a little anxious. Hopefully we will have them by tomorrow.

 

[khcruise]

I received my email last night. This is our first meetup and I’m very excited.

 

[policycobb]

Looking forward to this. I am a big sweets person.

CROSSOVER DESSERT LOUNGE
New for 2024!
Available from 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm on Friday and 10:00 pm - 12:30 am on Saturday.

FRESHLY BAKED COOKIES & SWEETS

COOKIES
Double Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter, Heath Bar, and Chocolate Chunk
BROWNIE
BLONDIE
ICED LEMON BAR
RICE CRISPY TREAT
PEACH AND BLUEBERRY COBBLER

 

[RocketCityMama]

Looking forward to this. I am a big sweets person.

CROSSOVER DESSERT LOUNGE
New for 2024!
Available from 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm on Friday and 10:00 pm - 12:30 am on Saturday.

FRESHLY BAKED COOKIES & SWEETS

COOKIES
Double Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter, Heath Bar, and Chocolate Chunk
BROWNIE
BLONDIE
ICED LEMON BAR
RICE CRISPY TREAT
PEACH AND BLUEBERRY COBBLER

Yes, we missed checking this out at the Feb meetup, so I hope we remember this time! lol

We got our email as well, I noticed people had asked Taylor, they were behind due to the digital ticket thing they are doing this year. I am interested to see how this all plays out Did you guys see that the Hogwarts Night show will be happening during the meetup? I am excited about that, it's just magical and I will watch it at least once every time I go and it's running lol.

I am still curious how the first bites thing works. Do you have to be there with whoever is checking in so you can visit that area? A lot of times one of us goes and gets the tickets and then meet up with the rest of the family. We skipped the first bites last time and I heard it was not great the first night due to the amount of people waiting for food etc.

I am so ready, we leave next Monday to head down and arrive on Tues. Ready for fun, food, and rides!

 

[RocketCityMama]

Also side note, DreamWorks is doing tech rehearsals now if you missed seeing that! I am so excited and hope to catch it next week sometime!

 

[policycobb]

I'm not sure how the first bites works. We didn't go in February. I did read negative reviews about it. OI usually works to improve things. So I have faith it will be better this time.

We check-in at Aventura Thursday. Driving down on Wednesday. It is a 12 hour drive. I am so ready for a vacation.

We are going to do the water rides at Islands on Saturday as soon as we can get in. Go back to Aventura and change and head back to the park.

I did see about DreamWorks. Going to check that out Friday before the meetup starts. Hoping to catch Bourne Stuntacular too. I think my nephew will really like that.

 

[GhostHost24]

Yes, we missed checking this out at the Feb meetup, so I hope we remember this time! lol

We got our email as well, I noticed people had asked Taylor, they were behind due to the digital ticket thing they are doing this year. I am interested to see how this all plays out Did you guys see that the Hogwarts Night show will be happening during the meetup? I am excited about that, it's just magical and I will watch it at least once every time I go and it's running lol.

I am still curious how the first bites thing works. Do you have to be there with whoever is checking in so you can visit that area? A lot of times one of us goes and gets the tickets and then meet up with the rest of the family. We skipped the first bites last time and I heard it was not great the first night due to the amount of people waiting for food etc.

I am so ready, we leave next Monday to head down and arrive on Tues. Ready for fun, food, and rides!

Was there in Feb for the first bites. Wasn't worth it. Food was eh and people were going after thr staff like vultures when they brought out food.

They really should have just had them all on a table instead of like a fancy party where a waiter has them on a trey. They were coming out so far and few people just attacked

 

[tony67]

Was there in Feb for the first bites. Wasn't worth it. Food was eh and people were going after thr staff like vultures when they brought out food.

They really should have just had them all on a table instead of like a fancy party where a waiter has them on a trey. They were coming out so far and few people just attacked

Yeah - it was totally ridiculous - people were just waiting by the exit to get apps.

There were a few good things, but overall nothing great. One of the better things were the spring rolls and I watched as about 15 people charged the poor waiter as he exited the kitchen. I wish I had been recording. It was like watching fish be fed.

The wait staff made a great effort to run down the side lines and try to get stuff out to the back - but there was not a lot they could do.

 

[policycobb]

I may cross first bites off my to do list.

 

[RocketCityMama]

I asked Taylor about the first bites and how it was going to work, this was his response:
“Hi Frances! Thanks for your questions. Guests are welcome to enjoy our check-in bites area from 3 - 7 pm. You can come and go as much as you please once you have your OI Meetup wristband. There will be catering stations, butler-passed appetizers, an exclusive mocktail, characters, entertainment, and more. Later in the evening, there'll be plenty of desserts, including peach and blueberry cobbler. ”

I hope that there will be more food available this time around since so many people jumped on the butlers as they came out. We shall see though, as I am guessing we’ll stop in and see how it is at some point. I am going to make it a point to go to the dessert crossover though!

Also, I was surprised that June sold out, I don’t think the summer ones have sold out the last couple years, at least the ones we have been too. I always thought they were “lighter” crowds, but even sold out ones still feel empty in my opinion.

 

[policycobb]

Last day of work and then vacation time! Driving down to Valdosta, GA tomorrow and then on to Universal Thursday.