You’re counting down the days until you attend your next Orlando Informer Meetup, and there is so much to be excited about – troves of unlimited food, over 25 attractions to enjoy, exploring Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure after hours, and more! Of course, with so many awesome experiences available over one weekend, you might feel a bit overwhelmed starting the planning process.
If you find yourself wondering, “Where do I start?” we can help! While there’s no wrong way to plan your OI Meetup, the best way is to figure out what suits the unique personalities and preferences of you and your travel party and go from there. To make things easier for you, we’ve come up with three different methods for you to choose from and use as a guide to planning your weekend. You can read through each of them below!
1. Prioritize your must-dos
I’ll start with the method of planning that I believe is the most applicable to all, and the one that I typically utilize myself – prioritize and make time for your absolute must-dos, and leave the rest of your time unstructured. It might be worth writing down a list of the rides, shows, food items, and other experiences that you simply cannot miss. Make sure you check which attractions close early and review showtimes and character times beforehand.
Once you’ve gotten your priorities in order, you should be able to loosely plan your night around them. You don’t have to set exact times or a specific order to do each thing, but at least you have an idea of what you’d definitely like to accomplish as you make your rounds. This leaves room for exploration and trying something new (or for plans to shift unexpectedly) without sacrificing any of the experiences you were looking forward to the most. While everyone’s preferences vary, this is typically a solid plan for first-timers and can be especially helpful to large parties in which each member has her own goals for the night.
This way of planning also lifts the pressure off of abiding by a firm itinerary and feeling rushed throughout the night. Even if you don’t get around to every little thing there is to do, everyone still gets to enjoy his favorites while having time to relax and appreciate the details in between. If you like the idea of a lightly structured schedule with some flexibility, then this might be the optimal style of planning for you!
2. Keep an open schedule
Do you enjoy playing it by ear? Do you consider yourself spontaneous? Do you love to try new things? If so, then you may be best suited for the open-schedule method of planning, which actually involves very little planning at all! This technique may appeal most to those looking for a super-laid-back vacation without a to-do list who are more interested in exploring the parks at ease.
The fun in planning freely is the opportunity to stumble upon a few surprises and encounters that you may not have set aside time for otherwise. Perhaps you’ll discover hidden oddities in the shadows of Knockturn Alley, or you might just sample something unexpected and delicious at Fire Eater’s Grill. Your new favorite experiences await!
While this works well for those who are ultra-flexible and who find sticking to a schedule to be stressful, I probably wouldn’t recommend it to first-timers to the parks or guests with certain attractions and menu items in mind. For those of you who are park veterans, solo travelers, or simply opposed to a strict timeline, keeping your plans (and expectations) untethered and letting the night unfold may be the ticket to your best OI Meetup ever.
3. Plan every detail
If neither of the suggestions above seem right for you, that may be because you’re the type of person who thrives on schedules – and there’s no shame in that! Thorough planning is great for those who know exactly what they want to get out of their OI Meetup experience.
This detail-oriented way of planning may be especially helpful to those with dietary restrictions, special needs, time limitations, or other factors that require a clear idea of what to expect ahead of time. Dedicate a pre-planning period to review everything you need to know before you embark on your adventure, such as menus, height requirements, ride availability, maps, and showtimes; then, you can begin crafting your vacation from arrival to departure (we’ll be happy to help with any planning questions you may have – feel free to contact us!). Think about how you’ll enjoy your day at the hotel before the night begins, which rides and shows you want to experience in what order, where to pick up some sweet souvenirs… get as in-depth as you’d like!
For the planners-at-heart, this method is a no-brainer. Just remember to keep your expectations realistic and consult with your whole travel party before establishing an itinerary. You may also find it helpful to set aside a few extra intervals of time between your main plans to avoid overfilling your schedule, just in case you end up needing some wiggle room. Creating a detailed agenda for your dream vacation can be an exciting process and is a great way to ensure you get as much done as possible each night. It’s never too early to bust out the planner, grab some multi-colored pens, and get started!
Once you’ve figured out which of these three styles resonates with you most, you can take the first (and most important!) step in planning your OI Meetup: reserving your tickets and booking your discounted hotel-room stay early, before either sells out.
Orlando Informer Meetup tickets are limited. Learn more and secure yours today.
Questions? Email meetup@orlandoinformer.com or call/text us at (855) 245-4636
Orlando Informer Meetup tickets are limited.
Learn more and secure yours today.
Questions? Email meetup@orlandoinformer.com or call/text us at (855) 245-4636.
Universal Orlando is excited to enhance your experience with the latest local health and safety guidelines. Learn all you need to know by visiting www.universalorlando.com/safetyinfo.
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