Yes, yes – we all know that the main draws of the Orlando Informer Meetup are the after-hours access to the attractions and the included food. One of the other great benefits, though – one that hardly anyone seems to talk about – is the “mix-in” period, when OI guests are able to enter Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure while daytime visitors are still, well, visiting the parks. (This period starts at 5:00 pm but ends at differing times, depending on when the theme parks are scheduled to close that night.)
This crossover time is actually a nice little cherry on top of the OI Meetup sundae, offering a couple of extra hours to settle in and take in the sights before the exclusive portion of the experience starts up – consider it the appetizer to the five-course meal that’s about to unfold. But I’d actually argue that this is more than just a mere bonus, that it could be actively incorporated into your night and help you to have a better overall experience.
Here’s how.
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Experience even more attractions
There are only a couple of rides that aren’t part of the Orlando Informer Meetup, and the four- or five-hour mix-in period is the perfect opportunity to experience them. If you have kids in your travel party, take them for a spin on Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster or let them burn off some of that OI Meetup energy by running around Fievel’s Playland and Curious George Goes to Town℠, the water play area.
Speaking of aquatic experiences, two of the biggest – and wettest – are perfect for taking advantage of before the night proper begins. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls® and Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges® are tons of fun, and by knocking them out now, that’ll only leave Jurassic Park River Adventure to complete the watery trifecta – a great final ride of the Orlando Informer Meetup if I ever saw one.
(Pro tip: if you’re staying at one of the premier hotels with our discounted rate, you can even use your complimentary Express Passes while the parks are still open to daytime guests. Score!)
Hit up the shows
I have a particular soft spot for Universal’s shows, so this is where you’ll normally find me before the advent of the OI Meetup (if I’m not helping check all of our guests in, that is). Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show is not only an all-time classic, it’s also one of my personal favorite experiences at the entire resort – stopping by here for a laugh or two before the Orlando Informer Meetup is a must.
And then there’s The Bourne Stuntacular, which doubles as Universal’s newest attraction (it just opened in June!). This is a pretty cutting-edge – and edge-of-your-seat – production, combining lots of stunts, special effects, and an unbelievably immersive 3,640-square-foot LED screen (seriously, it’s sometimes hard to tell where the set ends and the video footage begins).
Soak up the atmosphere
Even though the wait times are negligible, you might be surprised at how fast the Orlando Informer Meetup night still zips by – especially if you avail yourself of all the many dining stops along the way. (This is precisely the reason why we started to offer two nights in a row – attendees let us know the evening’s fun happens so quickly.) Why not use the mix-in time to check one of the experiential items off your list before the event proper even starts? Slow down during these two or three hours and enjoy all the various sights and sounds that the parks have to offer as you walk from Backwater Bar to Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges®. This is something especially true if you’re attending one of our winter dates – you can easily spend all of your time being mesmerized by the individualized shop decorations in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ or snapping pics of the giant Christmas tree in the New York backlot.
Are you ready to plan out your mix-in period to make for the most jam-packed and fun Orlando Informer Meetup yet? Don’t forget to buy your tickets as part of the planning!
Orlando Informer Meetup tickets are limited. Learn more and secure yours today.
Questions? Email meetup@orlandoinformer 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.
Face coverings and temperature checks will be required for all guests. For important safety information at Universal Orlando Resort, please click here.
WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s21)
Jurassic Park TM Universal Studios/Amblin. Jurassic Park River Adventure TM Universal Studios/Amblin. Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone TM Walter Lantz. Curious George ®, created by Margret and H.A. Rey, is copyrighted and trademarked by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company and used under license. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing, Inc. All rights reserved. Fievel™, Fievel’s Playland™ Universal Studios/U-Drive J.V. Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends TM & © Ward Productions, Inc. Popeye © 2021 King Features Syndicate, Inc. TM Hearst Holdings, Inc. Hard Rock Hotel ® Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2021 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.