Earlier this year I began a transformation of our website as we, along with the Autobots, prepare to do battle with the Decepticons this summer at Universal Orlando Resort. Now we complete that transformation with the biggest announcement in our site’s history:
Starting today the OI Universal Center, home to the world’s largest and most up-to-date resource for Universal Orlando vacation planning, becomes completely free for everyone to access. That’s right, over 200 pages of content covering all aspects of Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s on-site hotels are totally open for all to read — no subscription required.
Not only does the OI Universal Center include pages for every ride, show, attraction, and restaurant across the resort, it also includes one-of-a-kind expert advice you cannot find anywhere else, such as:
- Universal vacation packages – an insider’s guide
- Everything you’ll ever need to know about Universal Express Passes
- How to ensure your trip to the Wizarding World is a success!
With over 600 updates to the OI Universal Center posted last year, and already over 100 updates posted this year, there is simply no other place on earth with more accurate and comprehensive coverage of Universal Orlando.
In addition, our wildly praised and highly detailed touring plans, handcrafted from weekly visits to the Universal parks, are also free for all to use:
- Ultimate Islands of Adventure touring plan
- Ultimate Universal Studios touring plan
- 3-day touring plan for on-site guests
And did you know you can easily view these plans on any smartphone by navigating to OrlandoInformer.com on your mobile web browser? It’s true. For those who rather not use a phone, you can also create a print-friendly version of any plan — and any other page on our site — by clicking the OIPrintMe button at the bottom of the page.
Where we’ve come from
Up to this point I have asked our readers to purchase a subscription to gain full access to everything in the OI Universal Center. I want to express the fullest gratitude to those who have done so. Simply put, I could not have operated this website for the first two years without your financial support. If you are a subscriber, keep reading for more information about how this change will affect your membership (in a good way!).
Although subscription revenue has been critical to our site’s viability up until now, I am very proud to say that the current popularity of Orlando Informer is allowing us to support our work through ad revenue alone, generated by the tremendous growth of our site’s pageviews.
And we’re not quite done yet! Over the next few months we will be adding more features that will capitalize on our new approach. This will mean even more insider information to help perfect your plans to visit Universal Orlando Resort. Then, later this year, look for an entirely new section of our site. (If you know a lot about SeaWorld Orlando, please contact me!)
Current OI subscribers
I want to state again that it is with absolute gratitude I say “thank you” for your support. Orlando Informer would have closed down a long time ago if it wasn’t for your financial contributions to our work. If you have questions about your subscription going forward, please contact me.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout our journey! To start planning the perfect Universal Orlando Vacation, click here.
Dan Hatfield
Owner & Editor
OrlandoInformer.com
Great news! You guys do a fabulous job with helping the 1st to 30th time visitors to Universal!
Congratulations Dan. The website has helped is plan our vacation last year and honeymoon this year. I’m still proud of my trip story you had to publish in 2 parts. I get excited when I write.
Dan, I tried to do the numbers and thought, “There is no way he can make a living off of just subscribers.” Ahh….I forgot about advertising revenue. That is very nice to hear. I have only been a member for a month and I know I already got my $20.00 worth for sure. I saved that alone just on the discount code for your partner hotel. You have helped me tremendously in the last month and I know my family and I will have a better vacation come this August because of Orlando Informer. Look for me. I plan on… Read more »
I’m so happy!
Congrats Dan. The help & info you provided has been worth every penny. You deserve the good fortune.
Hi Dan, I just discovered your website and it is freakin’ fantastic! I cannot believe the comprehensive amount of information on here. Thank you for all that you do and I certainly appreciate it. So glad your site has become what it is today. Keep up the great work! 🙂
Congratulations! You deserve it!
You helped us tremendously for our first trip in June 2012. We are thinking of going back June 2014, depending on what isopen! I keep my finger on the pulse of what is new at Universal through an at-least-weekly viewing of your website. I know I don’t need to look anywhere else! I also am a follower on Facebook and Twitter.
Thanks for the great job you do!
Fantastic news! I was just telling someone about OI the other day. It’s my pleasure to have been part of the membership process, and my $20 was rewarded 100 times over. What a nice idea about the accessibility for questions from members. You truly value your membership and it shows. Kudos to you Dan!
Congrats from across the pond. Love all the inside info you provide. If you ever want any thoughts from a UK fan let me know!!!!”!
Well done on your success with this site. some sites would continue to charge membership, so applaud you for now offering it for free. love this site and keep finding more and more information with such useful advice.