In between the hustle and bustle of preparing to welcome guests to our 12th Orlando Informer Meetup this winter, it feels appropriate to take a look back at how it all started. Nowadays, our OI Meetup spans the entirety of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, but it all started in a single room.
How it all came to be
Before there was any official Orlando Informer Meetup, our community had met up several times prior. Bonded by their love for the parks, people from across the world who met each other through Orlando Informer would enjoy the rides and some meals together. Many of these early community members still talk regularly six years later, and one pair is even married!
As things progressed, the party size and difficulty coordinating reservations increased. It was time to reach out directly to Universal. Conversations commenced on the morning of May 8, 2015; by the end of that month, we were considering a dinner event at Universal CityWalk’s Red Coconut Club or on the second floor of Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food.
Discussions and planning continued over the summer, until mid-August, when we decided on Islands of Adventure’s Navigators Club.
Our first Orlando Informer Meetup
If you’ve visited Islands of Adventure, you’ve passed the Navigators Club. The private dining room is perched above Confisco Grille and has an epic view of the theme park’s different islands.
The first Orlando Informer Meetup took place on September 28, 2015, from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Fifty-three like-minded Universal fans gathered for an after-hours dinner overlooking the closed park, and since it was the fall, some creepy decor was even added to the room.
Today’s OI Meetups feature over 75 food and non-alcoholic beverage options, all included with your ticket. However, this first one only had five possibilities:
- Spicy chicken wings
- Butter pecan shrimp
- Chili lime salmon skewers
- Sirloin of beef (slow roasted and seasoned to perfection, of course)
- Bites and slices of cheesecake (rocky road, blueberry, strawberry, and cappuccino)
No two Orlando Informer Meetups are the same. We spend months carefully planning exclusive additions, such as our Voodoo Lounge in February 2020. The special feature of our first OI Meetup was far simpler: an ice sculpture with color-sanded text in orange with a blue background. At the time, this was a huge splurge for us, and it provided a great photo opportunity for our guests.
Now it’s your turn
Much has changed since our first Orlando Informer Meetup. Our next goal was to host one in an actual area of the theme parks, which, at the time, seemed like an incredibly ambitious and difficult goal to achieve. Thanks to your incredible support, we did that – and much more since. You’ve provided us the opportunity to expand and perfect the experience over the last six years.
Our purpose behind the OI Meetup hasn’t changed: we want to cultivate an environment that allows you to make memories that will last a lifetime. Thousands of guests have, indeed, done just that, using our Orlando Informer Meetup as the backdrop for lifelong memories with friends and family.
And we’re just getting started. I hope to have the opportunity to welcome you this winter!
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.
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