**Winter OI Meetups ** November & December 2024

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

I've done both thr Dec one and the Feb one.... The Feb one was way more crowded than the Dec one. Think many just wait til actual holidays to come down to uo so they don't do this and also with it spread over 4 weekends

I tried the February once and agree it seemed much more crowded. I also found the pools unbearably cold versus just fine in December. I did enjoy the Mardi Gras part of the February though.

 

[PPFlight75]

About 2 weeks before your Meetup, you'll receive an email from OI with a lot of the logistics details. Check-in begins at 3pm and takes place in a production building next to Hard Rock Cafe on CityWalk (there's a little path on the right-hand side of the restaurant, aka to the north, I think it used to be the Blue Man Group building?). There will be plenty of big signs/flags and staff members directing you to the exact spot. If you have daytime admission, you can check in at the US park next to the Minion Mayhem ride (there will be signs and staff there as well to help guide you).

You have the choice to begin with whatever park you want - if you want to watch the Holiday Parade, start with Universal Studios. Some people recommend starting with watching the shows like the Bourne Stuntacular or the Horror Makeup, which don't run during the Meetup.

We're going the 15th-16th which won't have the parade, so we're probably going to check the ride times on the app at 5pm and decide from there whether to hit US or IOA first. We're probably going to grab a snack from the check-in bites and hit a few lower wait rides in that 5-7pm timeframe. A lot of people in the FB group recommend doing one park per night, but I think we're going to play it by ear a bit - our top priorities are Hagrid's, Velocicoaster, Gringotts, and Mummy. Everything should be a walk on (or close to it) after 7pm, except Hagrid's, so I'm trying to chill and not overplan (despite my anxiety dreams where I somehow don't have time to ride a single ride haha... ha...).

Thanks so much! This is super helpful. Your top picks are the same as ours. Any idea how long Hagrids is during the meetup? Have a great time at your meetup!

 

[AussieFan8]

Thanks so much! This is super helpful. Your top picks are the same as ours. Any idea how long Hagrids is during the meetup? Have a great time at your meetup!

We waited about 25-35 minutes for Hagrids at a few different meetups

 

[PPFlight75]

We waited about 25-35 minutes for Hagrids at a few different meetups

Thank you! This is helpful to know.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

Does anyone know if they're doing the lottery with the Pteranodon Flyers?

 

[GhostHost24]

Does anyone know if they're doing the lottery with the Pteranodon Flyers?

The ride has been closed since April and hasn't reopened.

 

[sachilles]

We are going Saturday. Our family's first trip to Universal. Sort of a last minute deal, had dvc points to burn(and we actually found a room two weeks out). Airline miles to burn.
Go from Disney which we know like the back of our hand to a new place is kind of odd. Content to let it surprise us.....but was good to read about the parade causing an entry issue. Guess we'll start with IOA first.
I don't believe we got that follow up email with the logistics of the event yet.

I think I saw on some video from last years event they gave folks a $15 food voucher you can redeem before they open the free food distribution. Is that a thing still?

 

[GhostHost24]

I think I saw on some video from last years event they gave folks a $15 food voucher you can redeem before they open the free food distribution. Is that a thing still?

They got rid of that when they switched to the food offerings at check in unfortunately. I liked getting those gift cards

 

[sachilles]

They got rid of that when they switched to the food offerings at check in unfortunately. I liked getting those gift cards

Can you clarify for me? We can check in at 5 on Saturday I believe. Are you indicating you can get the complimentary food at 5:01? I thought 8pm was the earliest?

 

[GhostHost24]

Can you clarify for me? We can check in at 5 on Saturday I believe. Are you indicating you can get the complimentary food at 5:01? I thought 8pm was the earliest?

When you go check in the building behind hard rock cafe where you get your wristband etc... I believe that starts at 3. You can enter park at 5

The last time I did it, it was a Charlie foxtrot so I don't know if it's improved

 

[nouvellefleur]

I don't believe we got that follow up email with the logistics of the event yet.

You should have received that by now - if you email Orlando Informer (meetup@orlandoinformer.com), they'll re-send it to you. It will have your QR code tickets, check in instructions, and the food, ride, and entertainment maps & times.

 

[nouvellefleur]

Can you clarify for me? We can check in at 5 on Saturday I believe. Are you indicating you can get the complimentary food at 5:01? I thought 8pm was the earliest?

Check in opens at 3pm. There is a large soundstage building at check in that will have free snacks and drinks available until 7pm. You can enter the parks at 5pm. The restaurants and snack carts will begin opening at 7pm (Friday) and 8pm (Saturday).

This link has the rundown of food locations and times - https://help.orlandoinformer.com/hc...e-Orlando-Informer-Meetup-unlimited-food-menu

 

[GreyStr0ke]

Got my tickets and information for the Dec 6-7 meetup yesterday!

 

[sachilles]

Check in opens at 3pm. There is a large soundstage building at check in that will have free snacks and drinks available until 7pm. You can enter the parks at 5pm. The restaurants and snack carts will begin opening at 7pm (Friday) and 8pm (Saturday).

This link has the rundown of food locations and times - https://help.orlandoinformer.com/hc...e-Orlando-Informer-Meetup-unlimited-food-menu

Thank you!

 

[sachilles]

We went on this passed Saturday. Glad we did it. It was our first visit to Universal, and I think this was a good way to do it. We got everything in but Hagrid's. Bummed we didn't do Hagrid's but we had some unlucky choices and found ourselves up against the noise ordnance shut down and had to either pick Hagrid or Velocicoaster. Our 15 yo son wanted velocicoaster. I think we were the 2nd to last load. Smooth and fast, enjoyed it, but don't think I'll ride it again. Certainly not after a full night of free food in my belly.
Food offerings were good and plentiful. If we had more experience in the parks, I feel like we could have accomplished a bit more. The thing that caught me off was that you didn't have the opportunity to criss cross within each parks, or at least I didn't figure out how effectively.
Would have spent lest time riding and more time eating if we didn't have a 15 yo ride addict who was presented with a bunch of new rides to experience. Many differences between Disney and Universal, some I liked and some I didn't. I felt it was a good experience and I'd consider it again.

 

[GhostHost24]

We went on this passed Saturday. Glad we did it. It was our first visit to Universal, and I think this was a good way to do it. We got everything in but Hagrid's. Bummed we didn't do Hagrid's but we had some unlucky choices and found ourselves up against the noise ordnance shut down and had to either pick Hagrid or Velocicoaster. Our 15 yo son wanted velocicoaster. I think we were the 2nd to last load. Smooth and fast, enjoyed it, but don't think I'll ride it again. Certainly not after a full night of free food in my belly.
Food offerings were good and plentiful. If we had more experience in the parks, I feel like we could have accomplished a bit more. The thing that caught me off was that you didn't have the opportunity to criss cross within each parks, or at least I didn't figure out how effectively.
Would have spent lest time riding and more time eating if we didn't have a 15 yo ride addict who was presented with a bunch of new rides to experience. Many differences between Disney and Universal, some I liked and some I didn't. I felt it was a good experience and I'd consider it again.

I know this won't help you now, but for anyone else who is going to UO for first time for the meetup, there are 3 ways to switch parks

1) Just walking out the front and walk across to city walk
2) Hogwarts Express is open during the OI meetup
3) there's a walkway that they open up during the OI meetup that you can walk backstage between the parks. In IoA it's in Dr Suess land behind cat in the hat and all that, and goes across and you come out behind Rip Ride Rocket in the Studios side.

 

[sachilles]

I know this won't help you now, but for anyone else who is going to UO for first time for the meetup, there are 3 ways to switch parks

1) Just walking out the front and walk across to city walk
2) Hogwarts Express is open during the OI meetup
3) there's a walkway that they open up during the OI meetup that you can walk backstage between the parks. In IoA it's in Dr Suess land behind cat in the hat and all that, and goes across and you come out behind Rip Ride Rocket in the Studios side.

In our case, we had taken the hogwarts express from IOA to UO early in the night. Walked right up, got on the train no wait.
We decided to return that way as wanted to do Haggrid's. Only to take one mile walk in the queue to get to the loading deck and find that there was technical difficulties and the transport wasn't likely to have a spot for us on the first ride even if it did restart. So we backed out of the queue and looped around to the pass through near Rip Ride Rocket.
Wasted a bit more time than we had hoped, but it was still ok.

 

[elizagust]

In the past I have checked in my entire party is that still possible or do I have to drag everyone there even if they arent looking for the early food offerings?

 

[GhostHost24]

In the past I have checked in my entire party is that still possible or do I have to drag everyone there even if they arent looking for the early food offerings?

Last time I did it in Feb the whole party didn't need to be there. I think as long as the person who bought the tickets is there checking in