The NEW best way to visit Universal Epic Universe was just announced

Early Park Admission, Express Passes or VIP Tours, all are great ways to enhance a visit to Florida’s newest theme park, Universal Epic Universe. But the newest announcement by the Orlando Informer team may offer the best possible way to experience the park and it is happening for one-night-only on November 13. What is the Orlando Informer Meetup and why is it an amazing option? Let me explain…

The Orlando Informer Meetups are not new, they have been hosting park buyouts at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure for years. These tickets are priced higher than a standard theme park ticket, but they make the visit like a VIP experience. Unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages combined with park-to-park access and a lowered capacity. So you get shorter waits, tons of food and that feeling of visiting a theme park from years ago when “slower days” with minimal crowds felt possible in the months of January and September. Now, for the first time ever, that perk is coming to Universal Epic Universe.

Orlando Informer Meetup at Universal Epic Universal

Part of a two-day meetup package, fans can visit Universal Epic Universe as day one of their event line-up. 7.5 hours of fun inside of the park, with 4.5 of those hours being entirely dedicated to the event. That means you get the advantages of arriving early and seeing the sunset, watching the recently announced fireworks show and exploring attractions with shorter waits, then you also get the VIP experience of the after hours event.

Pros

• Significantly shorter waits than a standard park ticket would offer
• Unlimited snacks and non-alcoholic drinks inside of the park (yes, that does include Butterbeer)
• Late night operations for those who prefer to sleep in during their vacation
• A very rare, publicly offered park buyout ticket to Universal Epic Universe

Cons

• Does not include full day admission for those who seek to arrive to the park prior to 5 p.m.
• Requires buying a two-day event ticket, locking in visitors to both November 13 & 14
• Will (probably) set unrealistic expectations of how cool a theme park can be with VIP access and make you want to only experience it that way
• Initial price sticker shock of $450 (more to explain on this later in article)

Who benefits most from Orlando Informer Meetup events?

Orlando Informer Meetup events could work for technically anyone, but it has an audience that could benefit most. Those are the yearly or less-than-yearly visitors. Current Universal Orlando Resort Passholders already have access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. And those who visit the parks 2-3 times per year may already feel they get “enough” to not warrant wanting a special night of lower crowd levels.

But, for those who visit less often, the Orlando Informer Meetups turn the park into your own personal theme park experience. The feeling of “being VIP” is definitely the benefit I would mention the most for these events. Checkout the photo gallery above to see the crowd levels. It’s not just shorter lines, its less crowds, less packed walkways and easier access to everything from restaurant to restrooms. The event makes the park visits just feel so much more relaxing, which sounds funny for an event which offers short lines on world-class roller coasters going 55+ MPH into multiple inversions. Relaxing on VelociCoaster is a difficult task, but possible if that is your type of zen.

Price, Value and Expectations for Orlando Informer Meetup

The price for this event experience is $450. That has to be said upfront because it will probably shock people at first before they understand what it comes with. If you are someone that is looking for the lowest possible price (I get it, I am a Frontier Airlines frequent flyer) then this might not be your first choice. Let me explain why the pricing could make sense for you if you are looking to try it all.

To buy a standard park admission to Universal Epic Universe on November 13 & 14 and have a Park-to-Park ticket to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure is $394.99 before taxes and fees. If we look at just tickets, the Orlando Informer Meetup is only $55 away from being the same price. But the Orlando Informer Meetup also comes with unlimited food and non-alcoholic drinks. Using the standard ticket you get Universal Epic Universe park access at (up to) full park capacity for 11 hours or you get 7.5 hours of access with the Orlando Informer Meetup, most of which will be with reduced park capacity.

If you believe you will eat at least two meals and get a single snack at the park each day you will easily spend $55 per person. I love Hot Butterbeer, but I have had to purchase them less often (yes, I even got them during warmer months) as an Annual Passholder because getting a $9.49 drink each-and-every visit adds up when you visit as often as I do. These events allow you to get your favorite food item, your go-to drink and then you can also try 10+ other options for the heck of it, because it’s all included. That is where the VIP Experience aspect comes back. It feels a lot like a vacation where you can just go wherever or do whatever because the lines are short and the food is “free” (pre-paid).

Getting off on specific dates can be difficult with school, work and life in general. If this November date doesn’t work, there are some options. Orlando Informer Meetups are also happening in December. Or, we have a guide to visiting Universal Epic Universe without Express for those looking to maximize a day without maximizing the price. For those looking to sell their spouse, significant other, parent, sibling or whoever on a Universal vacation, check out their new ads.