Surprise!!! Where should we meet?

[Tootles]

So, I'm planning a surprise for my kids (DS11 and DS9) when we go to Universal Studios. We are driving 19 hours to Florida for Halloween, and the kids know our "plan" and are very excited. My Dad and Step-mom, who live in the same town as us and see the kids very regularly, will be arriving in Orlando a week before us, and are staying for 6 weeks. This, the kids don't know. As busy as we will be this trip, my Dad and his wife have decided to "meet" us at Universal Studios, spend the day with us, and totally "surprise" the kids. So my question, for those who have done it, how easily came you find someone at Universal? I was thinking of meeting at the Universal Globe, but it's been over 12 years since we were there last, and I was hoping someone could fill me in on how "busy" of an area this is, or whether there is a better place to meet. Open to all suggestions! Thanks all!

 

[truck1]

I can think of a few places.
1. After you park your car, and walk towards the parks, as soon as you come off either of the parking garages, theres a terminal. Theres restrooms and a snack bar there.The restrooms would be a good spot, or the snack bar.
2. Theres a Cinabons, after you leave the terminal, along with a movie theatre, either of which has room for someone to stand and be out of the way, but still be visible.
3. Theres a bridge just before US on the main walkway.
4. On the right just before the bridge, is a Race Car Cafe. I dont remember the name off hand, but someone can stand by the cars,(on the left across from the rest) and watch the people coming in.
5. The archway to US.Someone could stand there, and come up behind the kids before they knew they were there.
6. The globe like you said.
7.After you walk under the arch, theres a gate that is used occasionally in the summer and during special events.

 

[Tootles]

Thanks! So MANY great ideas.... Hmmm.....

 

[Tootles]

Anyone have an idea?

 

[damo]

How about in one of the huge gift shops. At least the waiting party will have something to do while they wait.

 

[truck1]

Just thought of another. As soon as you enter the park, there are a few photographers taking pics of the guests comming in. If you dad and step mom can get in before you they can wait by the candy shop, and have it prearranged that a certain photographer will greet you and your parents came also get in the pic.

Thanks Damo for the idea.

 

[j9000]

when you come from the car park you walk down the row of shops in citywalk (towards fossil) before you turn towards Universal or keep walking towards IOA
if my memory serves me, there is a hotdog stand there, as you're on the way to the park, text your parents, and get them to go buy a hotdog when they see you coming down the escalators, if they are looking for you, they will spot you, but its too far for your kids to see them and recognise them.
then you 'bump' into them by accident.
or the could hide in a shop and just walk out of the shop infront of you pretending to mind their own business.

 

[Tootles]

Oh my gosh!!! I LOVE ALL these ideas.....I am SO excited to surprise the kids! I'll have to remember to add this to my trip report (and add a "SURPRISE" pic!)

Disers are the best!

 

[donaldduck352]

Just thought of another. As soon as you enter the park, there are a few photographers taking pics of the guests comming in. If you dad and step mom can get in before you they can wait by the candy shop, and have it prearranged that a certain photographer will greet you and your parents came also get in the pic.

Thanks Damo for the idea.

That is a good idea!

 

[truck1]

Thank you. They got me on a good day.

 

[Tootles]

I'm going to print out all these responses and give it a lot of thought....hope we can pull off a fabulous "surprise"!!! Thanks to all!

 

[damo]

Tootles, I saw a great place for you to meet today. As you go into IOA, right before Croissant Moon restaurant (on the right in Port of Entry), there is a rickshaw that is meant for a photo-op. It would be real cute to have your parents sitting in there as you approach.