is the vip tour at universal studios hollywood worth it

Insider Look at the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience

Posted on Last updated: January 3, 2024

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Heading to Universal Studios Hollywood in California? Scroll to find out everything you need to know about the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience.

This universal studios hollywood post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, i will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. all opinions remain my own..

My husband and I have been debating bringing the kids to Universal Studios for a while. I’d never been and my husband had been many years ago.

Since our kids are 4 years old and 1 year old, I had a feeling they might not be able to do most of the rides.

So, when my Mom offered to fly up to watch the boys, my husband and I decided to live it up in Los Angeles for the weekend! And top on our list was a day at Universal Studios in Hollywood !

Find amazing Universal Studios Hollywood deals here .

We spent a lot of time comparing the ticket options. I read a lot of blog posts about what people recommend. Friends gave me their advice.

But, my husband is the one who convinced me to get the VIP Experience .

I’m a movie and TV nut and the Universal Studios VIP tour gives guests a more in-depth studio tour. Plus, guests jump to the front of all the ride lines (even after the VIP tour ends.)

My husband was really stoked about the free breakfast, gourmet lunch, and valet Universal Studios Hollywood parking. And they gave us ponchos and little amenity kits. Oh and all the bottled water we could drink!

Since we only had one day to explore Universal Studios without kids, we decided this was the way to go!

Don’t miss these Universal Studios Hollywood tips

Checking In

So when you drive into Universal Studios, head to the Frankenstein Parking Lot. It’s the one closest to the park entrance. Pull into the Valet area and then simply walk up the stairs to get to the park.

After security, head to your right and you’ll see a door marked VIP. That’s where you want to go.

After checking you in, you’ll be sent upstairs to their VIP Lounge . We had about 20 minutes to eat breakfast. They had juices, tea, and coffee. I was also impressed at an assortment of pastries, croissant sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, oatmeal, etc.

After we ate, our guide Chris came over to talk about our schedule for the day. He also gave us ponchos for Jurassic Park and an amenity kit that had mints, wipes, lip balm etc.

Insider tip: Don’t eat TOO much because the first things you will do are rides!

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Universal Studios Hollywood Rides

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The first place we went at Universal Studios Hollywood was to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter . In preparation for this trip, we binge-watched all the Harry Potter movies !

I’m so glad we did because walking through Hogsmeade was incredible! There are so many things to do at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter !

Since we were on a tour, we quickly walked past the amazing shops in Hogsmeade to get closer to Hogwarts. Our guide Chris positioned us in the best place to get photos in front of Hogwarts. Then, we hit the ground running!

FLIGHT OF THE HIPPOGRIFF

First up was Flight of the Hippogriff . It’s touted as a family-friendly roller coaster. The ride is about 21 seconds long. I’m a total chicken when it comes to rides, and it made my stomach a bit wonky. I’m glad I ate a very light breakfast!

HARRY POTTER AND THE FORBIDDEN JOURNEY

Then, we headed straight to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey . The ride line takes you through the inside of Hogwarts, which lives up to the hype!

We watched the paintings of founders of each house talk to each other! I assumed it would look like a projection or video, but it seriously looked like the images in the cracked paintings were moving on their own! So cool!

Once we got through Hogwarts, we handed our bags to Chris. You can’t have anything loose around you.

Trust me: we got kicked off because my husband had a camera around his neck. Thankfully, we were able to get right back on. For those not doing the VIP tour, there are lockers for you to store your stuff.

The ride itself is pretty cool! You sit in line and you get to fly around Hogwarts. I started to feel a bit dizzy about half-way through, so I just closed my eyes on and off.

The ride is a bit longer than I expected, but a must-do ride for Harry Potter fans!

Lower Lot at Universal Studios

When they say “Lower Lot” they really mean that you’ll be going down countless escalators to the valley below! I was shocked we were still at Universal Studios!

After doing the previous rides, even the escalators felt a bit intense! But, I’m not really a ride person I guess! I took a time-out from rides in the Lower Lot, but my husband did them all!

JURASSIC PARK—THE RIDE

This is a boat ride that ends in an 84-foot plunge. Our guide Chris helped guests get into their ponchos. I walked all the way to the entrance with the group and then Chris walked me out so I could take photos.

My husband enjoyed the ride and thought the plunge was fantastic! His shorts got pretty wet in the front row (he failed to wear his poncho.) And it made him want to rewatch Jurassic Park and Jurassic World .

REVENGE OF THE MUMMY—THE RIDE

Revenge Of The Mummy—The Ride is just a few yards away from Jurassic Park—The Ride . This time, a few other guests opted to sit the ride out.

We spent the time taking photos of the dinosaur character hanging around. My husband again had a great time because he’d seen The Mummy ! And he told me I definitely wouldn’t have enjoyed it!

TRANSFORMERS: THE RIDE 3-D

I opted to take photos with Bumblebee instead of the ride. I had a blast dancing with Bumblebee! My husband is a huge Transformers fan and he thought the ride lived up to his expectations.

He got to fight alongside his idol Optimus Prime in an epic battle of war.

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Waterworld Show

We headed back up the endless stream of escalators to make our way to catch the 12:15pm Waterworld show.

The last time I saw Waterworld , I was in middle school. So, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was kind of thinking how weird it is when movies become live-action musicals. I was wondering how they’d pull this off.

What’s awesome about this show is that they set the stage with a bit of backstory. So, if you haven’t seen the movie, it doesn’t really matter. The show starts even before everyone is seated. Actors start spraying water at late guests and joking with the crowd.

Then, the show starts with jaw-dropping special effects! There are jet skis, water skiers, motor boats, etc. And lots of fire! You’ll see actors swinging from ropes and little gondolas.

Oh and a plane lands in the water at the end of the show! It was insanely cool! And the actors in the show are also characters in well-known TV shows.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

My 4-year-old is a HUGE Minions fan, so I felt a little guilty going on this ride without him.

We went in a little room to watch a video to set the scene. Then, we headed into our row, put on our 3-D glasses and started the ride.

Our scene was where little Agnes was trying to give a present to Gru to celebrate the anniversary of their adoption. Super cute story, but I did have to close my eyes a few times with all the simulated drops.

Insider tip: I heard from other guests that the story changes throughout the day, so it might be worth doing this Universal Studios ride twice.

VIP Lunch in Private Dining Room

Universal Studios Hollywood has a whole restaurant dedicated to serving VIP guests lunch .

It’s a buffet lunch featuring sushi, seafood, meat, salad, soup, and just about every other type of food. Lots of options for kids, vegetarians, carnivores, picky eaters and everyone in between.

Plus, they had an array of desserts! The food was delicious and it was nice to sit outside in the undercover patio and rest a bit.

Insider tip: Use the restrooms here. They are HUGE!

During lunch, the character of Lucille Ball was walking around chatting to the guests. She was super fun to talk to and to eavesdrop on while she was talking to other guests!

Apparently, she travels to Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jameston, NY for their annual Lucy Comedy Fest.

Our guide Chris gave us a full hour for lunch, which was plenty of time to leisurely enjoy our meal and use the restroom. And we had extra time to check out the Minions merchandise in a gift shop and take photos with the kids from Despicable Me .

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Universal Studios VIP Studio Tour

Ok, so this was the part of Universal Studios I’d been waiting for!

Instead of riding in a huge 4-car tram like the regular studio tour, we got to ride in a private open-air trolley. We teamed up with another VIP group, so I think there were 20 of us in total.

Since our trolley was small, we were able to squeeze through narrow alleys and get a lot closer than the trams. Plus, we were able to load and unload quickly, maximizing our time!

Champions Set

The first place we explored was the set of the upcoming TV Show called Champions . It’s produced by Mindy Kaling and premieres March 8 on NBC!

The set we toured was a boxing gym that seems to be the main set of the show. They had filmed earlier in the day and were going to film later that evening, so we had to be extra careful not to touch anything. It was AMAZING!

I love Mindy Kaling and we knew we’d be watching this show, so it was really exciting to get a sneak peak! The only downside to exploring this set is that we couldn’t take any photos. Or touch anything.

My husband and I used every morsel of self-control to keep from taking a Jolly Rancher from the dish on the counter!

Courthouse from Back to the Future

Next, we got to walk around the courthouse featured in Back to the Future . It was right next to a street used in Hairspray Live !

The clock part was up just for tourists to take photos. I guess it’s such a recognizable set that they usually have to take down the clock if they want to film there.

New York Street

Another cool area we got to walk around was New York Street. It’s also decorated to look like London, Chicago, and countless other cities. The ends of the streets curve so they can connect it to other streets when editing.

As we were walking around, I kept wondering how many times I must have seen this street in TV, movies, and commercials!

Prop Warehouse

One of the coolest places we stopped on the tour was the prop warehouse. It looks like a thrift store warehouse filled with all kinds of knick-knacks, furniture, and memorabilia.

It would take hundreds of hours to really look at each item and we didn’t have that long. So we did a quick walkthrough and our guide Chris pointed out some cool items.

I spent most of the time looking down the narrow aisles seeing what kinds of treasures I could find. I also started reading as many tags as I could.

As we were heading out, I noticed a lady just standing in front of a cart. I was a little annoyed since I maybe wanted to take a photo and she was in my way. After all, I’m a tourist and my job is to take photos of everything!

But, then I realized she was standing in front of a cart marked This is Us and she was pulling items for it! Like most people in their 30s, This is Us is one of my favorite shows!

It brought me back down to realizing this was a working prop warehouse and all this stuff has been used (and will be used) for television and films.

The Good Place and Little Europe Sets

My husband and I are borderline obsessed with Kristen Bell’s show The Good Place . So, when we saw a set filled with yogurt shops, I squealed!

We got to get out and explore the set, which was amazing! Each shop sign was funny and smart! And they had the train station. I could have spent 30 minutes wandering around here taking photos.

That set is also used to replicate Europe. They just swap out the signs for ones in another language. With all the little alleys and nooks, it has a European feel. The set definitely felt like we were walking through a side street in Paris.

It made me think a lot about our trip to Paris last spring !

King Kong 360 3-D

So by now you know I’m a total ride junkie, right? NOT the case. So, when I was told King Kong 360 3-D was the most intense 3-D ride in the world, I was a bit nervous.

But, I actually kept my eyes open for the whole ride. You are kind of in a tunnel and there are screens on both sides. You’ll see dinosaurs and King Kong and he will move from one screen to the other. You wear 3-D glasses and it’s pretty cool.

Earthquake: The Big One Ride

Our trolley drove into a subway area used in an episode of Bones .

Inside, our trolley shook as we experienced an “Earthquake” and flood situation. It was pretty incredible to see how they did it for the show! We even got a bit wet when the water gushed in.

Had it been a real earthquake, I would have panicked over being sprayed with “subway water,” but this felt pretty clean.

Flood Scene from Big Fat Liar

We drove through the set of a Mexican town and got to see how they simulate rain. We saw the sprinklers, water on rooftops, simulated lightning and a flood!

Afterward, we watched the clip from Big Fat Liar (starring Frankie Muniz and Amanda Bynes) to show the scene that featured the flood.

I was surprised how realistic the rain looked. And I’m a Seattle girl, so I KNOW rain!

Fast & Furious—Supercharged

Another ride is this 3-D experience featuring the cast from Fast & Furious . The video was really incredible because it looked like the actors were outside our trolley.

The ride was mostly us chasing bad guys. The trolley shook a bit, but not too bad. It was cool, even if you aren’t a big Fast & Furious fan.

One of the last rides we experienced was Amity Island on the set of Jaws . The town sits on a man-made lake. We watched a guy get eaten by a shark and then the shark came right up to our trolley and sprayed us with water.

The Bates Motel

I’m not a Psycho fan, but I’ve heard of Norman and The Bates Motel. It’s an actor who is shown putting a body into the trunk of his car and then he notices us. Naturally, he comes toward us with a knife.

Nothing too scary, but very cool to see an actor on this tour.

War of the Worlds Set

Something really cool for my husband was exploring the War of The Worlds set. He’s a Boeing engineer so it was interesting for him to see how they destroyed the Boeing aircraft for the movie.

It was crazy to see all the destruction and we thought the set was eerie.

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End of VIP Experience

The simpsons ride.

After the Studio Tour concluded, we headed to The Simpsons land. We were able to get a quick photo with Krusty the Clown before heading into The Simpsons Ride.

Our guide Chris was able to get us into Car 6, which put us right in the middle of the screen. Super helpful since this was a virtual reality roller coaster ride. I used to love The Simpsons , so I did this right.

However, I had my eyes closed during a lot of it.

The Walking Dead

This experience uses real actors and they take 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off. I knew The Walking Dead wouldn’t be up my alley. So, I went to the entrance and Chris walked me to the exit.

It’s a super quick walk though experience.

By the time I got to the exit, our group came out about 30 seconds later. Half the people exiting looked freaked out while the other half laughed.

VIP Experience Finale

After The Walking Dead , our Universal Studios VIP Tour was officially over. Chris reminded us that we could still use our passes to go to the front of the line for any other rides until the park closed.

The whole VIP experience lasted more than 6 hours.

Hogsmeade at Night

My husband and I had thought the Hosgmeade looked a bit funky in the bright California sunshine. So, we opted to head back to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as the sun was going down.

This gave us the opportunity to get a quick photo with the train conductor.

I always rave about how people should experience Cars Land at Disney California Adventure at night. Hogsmeade takes the cake! It was magical and felt so true to the movies!

We sipped a Butterbeer and just soaked in the ambiance. It was the ultimate way for us to end a whirlwind day at Universal Studios Hollywood.

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Final Thoughts on the VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood

In the end, we thought the VIP tour at Universal Studios Hollywood was definitely worth the money.

There’s no way we would have been able to do all the rides we did without that VIP pass. We also would have wasted valuable time looking at maps and trying to figure out where to go.

And the in-depth studio tour lived up to my high expectations! It was exactly the type of Hollywood experience I wanted for our kid-free getaway.

We were also very appreciative of the valet service to pick up our car on the way out. We had our car 2 minutes after leaving the park exit.

Insider tip: Ask for Chris to be your tour guide. He guides all the celebrities around Universal Studios and EVERYONE knows him. You’ll really feel like a VIP!

Where to Stay at Universal Studios Hollywood

Hilton los angeles/universal city.

The Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City hotel is just a block away from the entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood and minutes from Hollywood.

They even have a complimentary shuttle available daily to Universal Studios Hollywood. And then cool off in their large outdoor swimming pool. Check the latest rates and availability.

SHERATON UNIVERSAL HOTEL

Sheraton Universal Hotel is uniquely and centrally situated in the Hollywood Hills, right next to Universal Studios Hollywood and the Universal Citywalk.

You can easily drive to Universal Studios, Walt Disney Family Museum, Warner Brothers , and Paramount, as well as numerous production companies. Check the latest rates and availability .

BLVD HOTEL & SPA

This hotel has an awesome location! The BLVD Hotel & Suites has the intimate appeal of a boutique hotel in Hollywood with California-cool characteristics.

Its Hollywood and Highland location in Hollywood, CA makes attractions like Universal Studios and the Los Angeles Metro Station walking distance away and close proximity to all the major attractions in Hollywood/Los Angeles area. Check the latest rates and availability .

Check for the best Universal Studios Hollywood deals here .

Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience Wrap Up

After we visited Universal Studios, it’s no wonder why this is one of the top things to do in Hollywood ! It’s such an immersive experience and a great way to learn a bit about movie magic!

Looking for more Southern California content? Check out our guide to Universal Studios Hollywood at Christmas and Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood !

Unlock Your Free eBook

Our exclusive eBook, Top 10 Unforgettable Family Adventure Destinations , is your ticket to a world of wonder and excitement. Get your free copy today!

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Friday 27th of April 2018

I am struggling if I go for VIP. They are expensive. After reading your review I think it must be a good choice. I will go with my parents in law who are 85+, first time traveling out from San Francisco, two young kids 7 and 12. Do they have a VIP expert guide only us ? Or do we combine into another family? Does VIP experience including parking that means we don’t need pay extra? Thank you for your in/depth and lively review.

marciecheung

Great question! They keep the tour group pretty small. I think we ended up with 9 people and the maximum is 12 people, I believe. Yes, VIP includes valet parking, so you won't have that additional cost. I'm so glad this post helped! Please reach out with any additional questions. Thanks!

Thursday 12th of April 2018

We're heading to SoCal this July for 6 nights and 5 days. We were thinking of doing a 3 day hopper for Disneyland, 1 day for Knott's Berry, and 1 day at Universal. Oddly and funny enough, we also have a 1 year old and a 4 year old (well, soon to be 5 in a couple of months). But, unlike you, we're bringing them.

If I'm reading the online stuff correctly, under 5 is not allowed for the VIP experience at Universal. Do you know if this is true? If not, would you still recommend a VIP experience for a 5 year old (and the baby)? I know mom and dad would enjoy it :)

Also, does that sound good to you -- 3 days Disney, 1 Knott's, and 1 Universal?

Any other thoughts, comments, feedback, and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Yes, under 5 is unfortunately not allowed for the VIP experience at Universal. That's part of the reason we decided to do it when we were kid-free because it would be 4 years until both kids are old enough. My neighbor took her 5yo daughter and they had a blast! You might look into the Universal Express tickets for your family. It will allow you to jump ahead in line. Summer is a busy season, so that would save you hours and keep spirits high. And indulge in the Butterbeer :) They also have a rider switch option (just like Disneyland) that will be helpful since your 1yo won't be able to go on most of the rides. And Universal is much larger than I anticipated, so I'd suggest doing one area at a time. The upper and lower lots are really far apart.

I think your plan sounds great! Will you have any down days during your trip? Your kids might have sensory overload (and you might be exhausted) and need a day to rest in between the theme parks. It took me a few years to realize how helpful it is to lay low every few days to let the kids refuel.

Have an incredible trip! I have a few posts about Disneyland with babies, toddlers and preschoolers and feel free to ask any other questions you have. I'm here to help!

Tuesday 20th of March 2018

I have annual passes and I've never thought about buying VIP tickets! Sounds like you had a lot of fun! I should think about it for sure!

OMG the VIP experience was incredible!

Ava Crosier

I LOOOOOOOOVE Harry Potter and I have been to Harry potter world be4 and its amaaaaaaaaaaaaazing I love it! thanks 4 the cool writing??????

*!!!!!! not ??????

I was seriously impressed with how amazing all the Harry Potter stuff was!

Tyffani Duvall-Stone

Tuesday 20th of February 2018

This was a great read! my husband and I are going in June for our 10 year wedding anniversary. I am so glad we came across your blog.

Wednesday 21st of February 2018

Oh what a fun way to spend your 10 year anniversary!

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Guide to the VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood

What’s better than being a guest at Universal Studios Hollywood ? Being a VIP guest at Universal Studios Hollywood. Don’t get us wrong , every day at Universal feels like magic. But the VIP Tour feels like…well, extra cushy magic.

So what, exactly, does it mean to be an A-lister at Universal Studios Hollywood? In the VIP Experience , you’ll explore the theme park with a super knowledgeable tour guide, in a maximum 13-person group. The tours last a minimum of five hours and include one (truly delicious) meal, an extended Studio Tour , unlimited Express Pass access, and — well, let’s just get into it, shall we? Here’s everything you need to know about the VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood.

THE PRE-TOUR PERKS

When you hear the words “VIP,” it’s fair to assume you’re about to be peppered with sweet, sweet perks. The VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood is no exception to the rule. And, lucky for you, those fun little bonuses begin the second you arrive at Universal. Here’s what you can expect before you even start the tour:

• Valet parking. This is a huge perk! Just roll up to the main entrance to the Jurassic Parking garage, hand your keys over to a Team Member, and they’ll take it from there. No fretting over losing your keys or forgetting where you parked — you’re a VIP now. 
• Complimentary refreshments. Enter the VIP lounge (just look for the red carpet to the right of the entry gates after security) for a comfortable, air-conditioned waiting area before your tour. There, you can enjoy a complimentary spread including bagels, coffee, and other light bites.
• Sun protectants. You’re about to spend a full day in a theme park — there’s no such thing as enough sunscreen! Guests have access to complimentary sunscreen ,lip balm, and ice water in the VIP Experience Center.

Once your group is assembled, fed and sunscreened up, it’s time to explore Universal Studios Hollywood — VIP style!

The tour guides are what make the VIP Experience truly one-of-a-kind. First, they’re perhaps the most knowledgeable folks you’ll ever meet about all things Universal. As your tour guide leads your small group through the theme park, they’ll hit you with factoid after factoid. It’s an inundation of anecdotes to use at your next cocktail party.

Do you know which other major studios you can see from the escalator on the way to the Studio Tour? Or what iconic 80s film the facade of Saul & Sons in the New York section of the theme park is based on? Or who dubbed Universal “the strangest city in the world”? Your VIP tour guide does.

Beyond a sky-high Universal IQ, the tour guides are there to help make your experience exactly what you want it to be. Each VIP Tour is different. Your Guide is given an allotted time to take your group to three things: the Studio Tour, the WaterWorld show, and lunch. Other than that, they have room to improvise. That means there’s lots of time for rides via Express Lanes. While you can’t completely tailor the experience to every little thing that you, personally, would like to do — you are on a group tour, after all — the guides are able to take your input into consideration.

THE STUDIO TOUR

The Studio Tour is your chance to see the ins and outs of how movies get made. But on the VIP Experience, the Studio Tour brings you just shy of straight-up making the movies yourself. While General Admission guests stay on the tram, VIP guests get to hop off and walk the sets. The exclusive access of movie and TV sets — plus certain luxe amenities — make this unlike any other Studio Tour you’ve experienced. In addition to all standard Studio Tour experience, VIP guests have access to:

• The VIP Trolley. Forget the tram, you’re a trolley rider now! Part of being very important means riding on a special trolley, complete with complementary ice water.
• Soundstage stop. Learn how movie magic comes to life inside one of Universal’s massive soundstages. You might walk through rooms that look totally real — until you learn all the walls are removable for lighting and camera access.
• Edith Head Costume and Prop department. Named for the legendary 20th century costume designer, this building homes hundreds of props used in iconic films throughout time. Just one rule: you break it, you buy it. So I’d keep my hands to myself. 
• Walk on a real set. VIP guests get to hop off and explore iconic movie sets on foot. It could be New York City, or Courthouse Square, or Colonial Street, but each tour is slightly different.

NOTE: These are all real, working sets! Therefore, all VIP Experience tours are subject to availability based on production schedules and other factors. Each tour is a little bit different.

VIPs? Wait in long lines? What a ridiculous concept! With your Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience comes an Unlimited Express Pass, meaning you get to use the Express Lanes on every ride in the theme park. That means less time waiting, and more time riding. We made it onto seven rides during my VIP Experience.

And the best part? The VIP Experience is the only way to bypass the general queue for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge . The regular Express Pass doesn’t come with that perk.

But the VIP Experience isn’t just about skipping lines, it’s about the little things. It’s all about removing friction from your day. Here are a couple examples of little luxuries on the rides:

• No Ride Locker Necessary. VIP guests can just hand their bag to their tour guide as they hop on a ride, who hands it back when you get off. Easy peasy. 
• WaterWorld Seats. Snagging seats for this crowd-pleaser is no sweat when you’ve got VIP seats waiting for you. 

PRO TIP: Your VIP lanyard functions as an Express Pass for the remainder of your day at Universal Studios Hollywood! If you’re a real thrill-seeker, snag a spot on an early tour — then hit the rides via Express Lane until the theme park closes. 

You’ve done everything at Universal Studios Hollywood, you claim? Bet you haven’t eaten at VIP Dining. If you haven’t already done the VIP Tour, you definitely haven’t. I mean, I hadn’t, and Iwork here.

VIP Dining, tucked in the Parisian (so you know it’s fancy) portion of the Upper Lot, is the VIP-only dining room. During your VIP Tour, you’ll enjoy a one-hour, all-you-can-eat experience here. And I do mean enjoy. VIP Dining has (arguably) the tastiest food available at the theme park and CityWalk. The whole buffet is delicious, but I especially recommend the mushroom risotto, the melon and prosciutto, the caprese salad, the asian cucumber salad — I could go on. And, you know what? I will: Don’t forget to save room for gelato, cheesecake and cookies.

The elevated menu, plus free phone charging stations and visits from Universal characters, makes VIP Dining the perfect oasis at which to refuel during a jam-packed day at the theme park.

THE DETAILS

Here are the nitty-gritty details you need to know:

• VIP Tours start at various times throughout the morning. The number of tours per day varies by season and day of the week.
• Tours are capped at 13 guests each.
• Tours run for a minimum of 5 hours.
• Children must be at least 5 years old to attend, and 17 years old to attend without an accompanying adult.
• Book your VIP Experience here.
• VIP Private Experience tours are also available. Call (818) 622-8477 to reserve yours.

THE SPOOKY VERSION

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the combination of two of the best parts of Universal Studios Hollywood: VIP + Halloween Horror Nights. It’s called the R.I.P. Tour. (Genius.)

The R.I.P. Tour differs slightly from the regular VIP Experience, but the bones (har-har) are the same. You’ll get a guided walking tour of the event, one-time express entry to each haunted house and available attractions, the Terror Tram backlot experience in a VIP trolley, and gourmet dining experience, and more. Check out the full details her e . But basically, it’s the VIP Experience, plus a whole lot of guts and gore and jump-scares. Hell really is a place on Earth.

THE VERDICT

So, should you splurge on the VIP Experience? The short answer: yes. But let’s break it down and see if it makes sense for you. The VIP Experience is awesome for…

• Universal superfans. If you want to soak up every last thing the theme park has to offer, the VIP Experience is an absolute must. As I mentioned, certain experiences, like VIP Dining and the up-close Studio Tour, are only available to VIP guests.
• Folks who want a cushier experience . Treat yourself! Theme park days can be long ones — make yours a truly relaxing visit with the VIP Experience.
• Entertainment buffs. Even the biggest film nerds can learn a thing or two from the brainiac VIP tour guides.
• Parents of young ones. Tired of planning every single little detail of the family vacation? Your VIP tour guide has got you covered. Parents will appreciate someone else taking the lead for a jam-packed day!

Overall? Going VIP totally elevates the Universal Studios Hollywood experience. Whether you’re a first-timer or have an Annual Pass, put this one on your bucket list.

What part of the VIP Experience are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below.

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Grace Perry

Senior Editor, Universal Studios Hollywood. Lisa sun, Smithers rising, Disco Stu moon.

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24 comments.

I am thinking about doing the Vip experience on my own on Jan 19, 2024. Well I still have fun?

We think you’ll have the best time! 🤩

Hello, I booked a VIP tour for January 30, since WaterWorld will be closed what will the tour substitute?

Hi Naomi! We recommend reaching out to our VIP Team at (818) 622-8477 with any questions you may have regarding your specific tour!

We did it one time..WAS AMAZING.

was amazing , you really feel like a VIP

We’re so glad that you had a great time!

I spy Greg! He was our tour guide for RIP last year and was amazing. Looking forward to going again this year with fingers crossed we get him as our guide again!

We’re so happy to hear you had a great time on your tour, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon!

We have a 5 year old. Would he enjoy the tour or be bored? I worry about the backlot portion?

Hi Sandra! For any questions or assistance with our VIP Experience, please feel free to reach out via phone at (818) 622-8477. We hope to see you soon!

Where and how we can get VIP experience..

Hi Rosita! To book a VIP Experience, we recommend contacting our team at 1-866-346-9350 as they would be more than happy to answer any questions and provide further assistance. We can’t wait to see you at our parks soon!

Goedemiddag,

We hebben vandaag ook deze tickets geboekt alvast voor komende zomervakantie in Augustus. Maar weet iemand ook of je met deze tickets voorrang krijgt om op de foto te gaan met de karakters die in het park staan/lopen?

Hi Marcel, we’re so excited to hear of your upcoming visit and VIP Experience! This tour does not include expedited access to our character meet and greets.

Does the unlimited express include the Bowser Mario Cart ride, or is it only once while on the actual tour?

Hi Michael, the only way to bypass the general queue for that attraction is the VIP Experience. Universal Express Unlimited does not include that attraction.

Is the Toadstool Cafe included with the VIP-Tour, or do I have to make a reservation?

Hi Moni! We recommend reaching out to our VIP Experience Team at 1 (800) 864-8377 for more information regarding your tour offerings!

Hi! Can we upgrade VIP tickets to platinum passes should we decide to become pass holders that day?

Hey Liz! If you had any questions regarding upgrading your ticket packages, we recommend reach out via phone at 800-864-8377. We hope to have you visit soon!

I see that during April-Aug, general admission tickets also can get off the tram and experience the movie sets. What am I paying extra for besides food and rides? This was a major draw for my family of 4 booking the vip tour and being able to leave the tram.

Hi Ramon, while Celebrating 60 Years of the Studio Tour, Guests will be able to step off the tram for about 10 minutes. During the VIP Experience, Guests get a much more in-depth look at some iconic movie sets on foot when stepping off the VIP trolley.

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Is the VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood Worth the Price?

What you need to know about the vip experience at universal studios hollywood.

The VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood includes a gourmet meal, unlimited express access to rides and shows (with a guide), and a special VIP Studio Tour with exclusive access that you can't find anywhere else.    

If you're headed to Universal Florida soon and wondering if the VIP Experience there is worth the cost there, be sure to read all about out our recent tour experience in Orlando, Florida:  What You Need to Know About the VIP Tour Experience at Universal Orlando

The VIP Experience is a limited capacity product with up to 18 guests per tour, with children needing to be at least 5 years old to attend and at least 17 years old to attend without an accompanying adult.  Pricing for this experience ranges from $349/person to $449/person.  

The VIP Experience is valid for a selected date and time and includes valet parking, 1-Day Park admission and unlimited (per day) express access to each ride, attraction, and seated show.  

You'll start the day at the VIP lounge, where you'll check-in and then have access to light snacks and refreshments, before meeting your guide for the day, where you'll discuss the overall itinerary for the day.  You'll break for an exclusive gourmet meal (lunch or dinner depending on your start time) and then continue on with the day with the guide.

Now that we've discussed a high level overview of what the VIP Experience covers, you're probably looking for more details to see if the VIP Experience justifies the extra price, so let's dive into it:

Exclusive Backlot Access

• Tour the movie industry’s busiest sets in a special private trolley where you can disembark to explore some of the famous outdoor sets.
• Enjoy VIP privileges with escorted express access to rides, shows and attractions, such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
• Begin your day in the exclusive VIP lounge with light snacks and refreshments.
• Savor a gourmet meal in the private VIP dining room, prepared by Universal’s very own executive chef (alcoholic beverages excluded).
• Unlimited Universal Express access to all open rides and priority seating for select shows.
• Enjoy complimentary valet parking and VIP entry to the Park.
• The expert VIP guides will immerse you in the past, present and future of Universal’s Backlot during the exclusive Studio Tour.
• The VIP guide will escort you through the express line at rides and attractions.
• They will also find you the best seats at seated shows.

Our VIP Experience

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I've done 4 VIP tours at Universal Studios and have another booked for $3,500. It's an incredible deal that comes with huge perks.

• I've visited Universal Studios parks for 30 years, and I think its VIP tours are worth it.
• I've done four VIP tours with Universal and already have another booked for $3,500.
• The special ride access and unlimited food alone make it worth the price, in my opinion. 

Many are aware of the VIP tours at Disney parks , but Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort also offer various levels of VIP tours daily.

These VIP tours are guided and allow for quick and private access to all attractions and unlimited food. There are a few types of VIP tours and price varies based on date and demand. Tours last around seven hours and you can choose between a fully private tour or a mix-in tour where you're paired with up to 20 other guests.

I've done four fully private tours, which guides customize based on your interests, and the price has usually been around $3,500 to $4,500. If you have a big group, this breaks down to a few hundred dollars a person. 

Here's what my most recent tour was like and why I think they're worth every penny. 

My most recent private VIP tour was at Universal Studios Hollywood.

My most recent private VIP tour was at Universal Studios Hollywood, which is the only way to gain special access to Super Nintendo World and its working back-lot studio.

We checked in at a private VIP lounge at the front of the park and were presented with a special lanyard we'd get to keep as a souvenir.

Theme-park food can be expensive, but guests on the VIP tour receive complimentary bites.

There were two meals included with our tour. We began at a VIP lounge where we checked in for the experience and were treated to a continental breakfast and expansive coffee bar.

Halfway through our tour, we enjoyed a robust gourmet lunch buffet that had many delicious options. This was hosted in another swanky VIP lounge that offered sweeping views of Los Angeles and even some mingling with characters, like Dracula.

After breakfast, we headed to Universal's back lot and got to walk around.

I've ridden the World-Famous Studio Tour tram that goes through Universal's filming back lot many times — it's my favorite attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. But as a VIP, I got to walk on the lot for the first time.

The back lot is part of Universal City, a working film studio that's large enough to have its own fire station. Many popular movies and television shows of past and present, like Netflix's "Never Have I Ever" and cult-favorite "Desperate Housewives," film here at its many soundstages and practical sets.

This was a bucket-list experience for me.

As we explored, we were even able to visit the iconic courthouse and clock tower from "Back to the Future," a highlight for me.

We also walked along the cobblestone streets of the famous Little Europe back lot, a memorable filming location of "The Good Place" and Universal's classic monster films of the 1920s.

As we went behind the scenes, we also got to ride around on a special bus.

During the back-lot portion, we rode around to different parts of the studios on a specialty VIP motorcoach.

We also visited Universal's top-secret prop warehouse but weren't allowed to take photos. 

All in all, we spent around two hours exploring the sets.

I loved walking along the set of Jordan Peele's 2022 thriller "Nope." The theme park from the film, Jupiter's Claim, was relocated to the back lot and we had free access to roam around it. 

During the back-lot portion, we also experienced classic things regular guests experience from the World-Famous Studio Tour tram, like the set of "Jaws" and a 3D adventure on King Kong 360.

Walking through the sets was a huge highlight of our day. 

Next, we headed to Super Nintendo World and skipped lines.

After the back lot, our VIP tour arrived back at the theme park for lunch. Then, we made our way to the new Super Nintendo Nintendo World on foot.

Universal Studios Hollywood's VIP tour is the only way to enjoy special access to Super Nintendo World. This meant we were able to be escorted directly to the front of its headliner attraction, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, which had a 90-minute wait time during our visit.

Super Nintendo World has proved immensely popular since opening this year, and sometimes it's so crowded people must enter a virtual queue for a chance to enter the land. As a big fan of the immersive land, I'm glad my VIP status guaranteed me access to it.

After Nintendo, we were escorted directly onto some major attractions.

With our VIP-tour ride access, we were quickly whisked directly to the front of lines — usually via backstage shortcuts — and onto attractions.

Our tour guide took charge of our itinerary but guests are able to make requests if they desire. Ours included the indoor roller-coaster Revenge of the Mummy — The Ride.

He also mentioned guides have the ability to bring tour guests into special experiences, like the popular Ollivander's Wand Shop in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter , or attempt to get reservations at the new Toadstool Café inside Super Nintendo World.

Personalized details like this added even more value to my experience. 

After the tour, I used my unlimited Express Pass to enjoy more rides on my own.

I was surprised that VIP guests also received an unlimited Express Pass, valued at about $200 to $300, to enjoy after the tour.

After the tour, I used my pass to enjoy expedited access to attractions I wanted to ride again, like Secret Life of Pets: Off The Leash.

This pass was especially great because in-demand Universal Studios Hollywood attractions like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey can garner lines of well over an hour on busy days. 

I highly recommend a Universal VIP tour.

I believe price alone is a reason to book a VIP, especially when comparing it to the cost of an Express Pass and all the additional perks we received. 

After all, tours include unlimited front-of-line access to all rides, shows, and attractions, along with valet parking and all-you-care-to-enjoy meals.

There wasn't just one highlight but many, and favorites included the special access to Super Nintendo World and the walking tour of the back lot. Our entire group felt like VIPs and loved the personalized attention we received. It felt like a truly special experience and a great value. The complimentary food was also surprisingly delicious.

The quick access to rides was amazing and allowed us to ride everything in a single day, which usually can't be done with a regular ticket.

Plus, our tour guide was funny and a wealth of knowledge. He was on hand to not only escort us to the front of attraction queues, but also to share insider info and park secrets .

I've already booked another VIP Tour — this time, for Halloween season.

As big fans of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights , my family was exploring options to gain quicker access to the haunted houses during the event, where wait times can sometimes be over 60 minutes.

After calling Universal's dedicated VIP phone line, we discovered that a 10-person fully private tour would cost $3,500 total on our desired date of visit, breaking down to $350 per person.

When comparing the price to an Express Pass, which can cost up to $200 per person during Halloween Horror Nights, it was a no-brainer for us to spend a little more and book the VIP tour.

Named the "RIP" tour during the Halloween season, this VIP package also includes a guide, food, private lounge access, and unlimited access to all attractions — including haunted houses.

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Is the Universal VIP Experience Worth It?

A few years ago, VIP tours at theme parks like Universal and Disney were only available for a select group of theme park guests, like public figures and celebrities . Today, any guest (with the proper budget) can book a VIP tour to experience white-glove service during their theme park day. Boasting benefits like front-of-line ride access, a private tour guide, peeks into backstage areas, and complimentary meals, Universal VIP Experiences are the gold standard when it comes to VIP tours. Universal VIP Experiences are well worth the price and are one of the best ways to spend a stress-free day while visiting a theme park. Here’s why Universal’s VIP tours are worth the splurge!

The Basics: What are Universal VIP Experiences?

Before we discuss why Universal VIP experiences are awesome, let’s go over what they are and what they include. Universal VIP tours offer multiple options with a private tour guide who spends the day escorting you around Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, allowing you to skip ride lines and giving you peeks of exclusive places and backstage areas. Food is included in some tours, as well. Universal offers two types of VIP experiences: Group Tours and Private Experiences. Group and Private Tours are then broken up into 1-Park and 2-Park options. Tip: you’ll get the best experience by booking a 2-Park Tour. During a Group Tour, you and other members of your party will be placed in a group of up to 12 guests. Your Tour Guide will escort your group around the parks, giving front-of-line access to at least eight attractions, sharing insider stories, and offering glimpses backstage. Private VIP experiences, on the other hand, allow you to craft a completely customized itinerary with a private tour guide just for your party. Tours can range between five and eight hours, depending on the type of tour and how many parks you’ll visit.

Ready to visit Universal Orlando in 2024 ? Our friends at The Vacationeer can help you plan the perfect trip! They’ll answer all your questions and make your reservations. And best of all, there’s no fee to use their planning services!

Get a free, no-obligation quote today and start planning your Universal Studios vacation with The Vacationeer !

Why Universal VIP Experiences are Worth It

Reason 1: included benefits.

Here are the perks that are included with every Universal VIP Tour :

• Dedicated tour guide
• Behind-the-scenes tours and experiences
•  Front-of-the-line access to attractions
• Valet parking
• Reserved seating at in-park shows
• Universal Express Unlimited passes for the rest of the day
• Discounts on merchandise and food
• Free admission to some clubs at CityWalk
• At least one complimentary meal (all 2-Park Tours)

 Private VIP tours include everything above and:

• A private tour guide for just your party
• Customized itinerary
• Dinner voucher
• Three-Day Photo Package (with unlimited digital downloads and free prints)
• Ability to use Child Swap
• Complimentary stroller rental

The number of perks and the numerous options available for VIP tours at Universal makes them an excellent choice for first-time VIPers.

Reason 2: Attraction Access

One of the main reasons people choose to book a Universal VIP Experience is to receive front-of-line access to rides. On average, you’ll wait less than 15 minutes to ride some of the park’s most popular attractions. Universal guarantees priority access for a minimum of eight rides for 1-Day, 1-Park Tours and ten rides for 1-Day, 2-Park Tours. However, guests often ride between 10 to 14 rides during a tour. You’ll also get an Unlimited Express Pass to enjoy for the rest of the day.

Although it’s never guaranteed, booking a VIP Experience may be the only way to skip the standby line at attractions that aren’t included with Express passes — specifically Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ and the VelociCoaster, which are the two most popular attractions at Universal right now. Just ask your VIP guide if these rides are available for priority access on the day of your tour.

Reason 3: Flexible Options

Universal allows a wide range of guests to experience a VIP tour, with Group and Private tours and multi-day options at different prices. Group Tours start at $189 per person (on top of theme park admission), making them potentially much more affordable than Disney’s Private VIP Tours , which are charged a flat hourly rate that starts at $450 per hour (with a seven-hour minimum requirement).

Reason 4: Complimentary Food

All guests on 2-Park VIP Tours have at least one complimentary meal. ( Note: food is not included with Group 1-Day, 1-Park Tours.) Not stressing about where and when to eat (and how much it costs) during your VIP tour day allows you to maximize your time with your guide and creates a relaxing experience.

Guests on tours that begin before 11 am are treated to a hot buffet breakfast at Cafe La Bamba at Universal Studios. View the breakfast menu . Cafe La Bamba is the official VIP Experience headquarters—it’s where you’ll check in for your tour, meet your guide, and plan your day. You can even check your children’s height in advance to save time once you arrive at the attraction queue. You’ll return to Cafe La Bamba for a buffet lunch later in the day. See the lunch menu here.

Those who book Private VIP Tours will also get a dinner meal voucher for a sit-down restaurant at one of the theme parks or CityWalk. Dinner includes non-alcoholic drinks, an appetizer (for every two people in your party), an entrée, and dessert. VIP Tour Guides are known for their ability to *possibly* pull some strings and secure reservations at some of the park’s most sought-after dining experiences, like the award-winning Mythos at Islands of Adventure or Bigfire at CityWalk. Be sure to ask your guide what options may be available on your tour date.

Common Questions About Universal VIP Experiences

How much does a vip tour cost.

Group Tours start at $189 per person. Exact prices vary depending on the time of year and crowd levels. Pricing does not include theme park admission, which needs to be purchased separately to participate in a VIP tour. Private Tour pricing also varies, but can be upwards of $3,000 per day for up to five guests.

Do you get to skip lines during a Universal VIP tour?

Yes. One of the best perks of a VIP tour is the ability to ride Universal’s top attractions with virtually no wait. Typically, you’ll wait between 5-15 minutes for each ride while on a VIP tour. You’ll get to skip lines at all Universal attractions, even ones not included in Express Passes, like Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure and VelociCoaster. Skipping lines for these two attractions is never guaranteed and is subject to availability.

Where do you eat during a VIP tour?

A buffet breakfast (for tours beginning before 11 am) and lunch are provided for all 2-Park Tours at Cafe La Bamba at Universal Studios. Dinner is included for Private Tours at a sit-down restaurant at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, or CityWalk.

Are VIP tours kid-friendly?

All Universal VIP Experiences are kid-friendly, but Private VIP tours are better suited for families with young children. Private VIP Tours offer more flexibility when traveling with kids, as you can pick your itinerary and move through the parks at your own pace. During a Group Tour, you may feel like you’re playing a game of catch-up to stay with the rest of the group. Another disadvantage of doing Group VIP Experiences with children is that you won’t be able to take advantage of child swap. This could be a huge drawback if you have young children who can’t go on many of the big rides (which means someone in your party wouldn’t be able to go on them, either). Stroller rentals are also included with Private VIP Tours, which is an extra perk.

What behind-the-scenes experiences are available?

The backstage areas you’ll see largely depend on your individual tour guide and your goals for the day. If getting a sneak peek behind the scenes of Universal attractions is important to you, let your guide know so they can build that into your itinerary. Backstage experiences could include a private tour of the Immigration Floor at the Men in Black™: Alien Attack™, the egg-hatching facility inside Jurassic Park™ Discovery Center, and actor meet-and-greets after the Horror Make-Up Show. Private VIP Tours may experience a private show at Ollivanders™ Wand Shop.

Do you tip your tour guide?

Tips are never expected but appreciated for a job well done. If you wish to tip your VIP tour guide, it’s customary to tip 15-20% of your total tour cost in cash (you most likely won’t be able to add a tip to your initial tour cost).

Group vs. Private VIP Tour — What Should You Pick?

Private VIP Tours are the way to go if you want one-on-one attention, a dedicated tour guide, and the ability to plan a custom itinerary for the day. Private VIP tours are also ideal for traveling with young children. A Group VIP tour is your best option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to experience a VIP tour and don’t mind being in a group with other families.

How Do You Book a Universal VIP Experience?

For a stress-free, no-hassle way to book your Universal VIP Experience , use an experienced Universal Travel Agent like the ones at The Vacationeer . As a Universal Preferred Travel Agency, The Vacationeer has knowledgeable agents who are up to date with all Universal offerings. They will offer advice and book the tour for you! The best part? Their services are free to you!

If you don’t mind handling all of the planning logistics yourself , Group VIP Experiences can be booked online (based on availability). To book a private VIP Experience or book a group tour with a child under three, call the VIP Center at (866) 346-9350 between 9 am and 7 pm.

For VIP experiences at nearby Disney World , see our articles on whether Disney Private VIP Tours are Worth It , Five-star Disney Hotels , Michelin Guide Dining at Disney , and The Ultimate Luxury Disney Vacation .

For more Universal planning tips and tricks , check out our Universal Crowd Calendar and learn about the Best Times to Go to Universal Studios . View our Best Rides for Kids list and a breakdown of the Most Popular Universal Rides . Then, check out our guides to the Best Universal Hotels and Universal’s Best Restaurants .

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We are blessed to have wonderful neighbors with kids almost the same ages as our boys, and we jointly decided to spend Memorial Day weekend 2022 together in Los Angeles. One of the cornerstones of our long weekend was the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP experience , which none of us had done before. The VIP experience offers exclusive access to the theme park that you can’t get as a member of the general public. From an exclusive VIP lounge at check in to an expert guide who takes you around the entire park with VIP privileges and a studio tour that gives you up-close-and-personal access (you get to go inside some of the sets!), is the Universal VIP Tour worth it? Read on for our comprehensive, unvarnished opinion of the Universal Studios VIP Experience Tour.

Want to see the rest of our LA itinerary? See our  review of the Beverly Wilshire hotel  and our list of  kid-friendly restaurants in LA.

Universal VIP Experience Tour Logistics

Universal Studios VIP tickets range in cost, depending on the time of year that you book. We visited over a holiday weekend, making our tickets more expensive than other times of the year. We spent $389 per person, the same for kids and adults. You will get the best deal visiting on a weekday in low season, but the prices don’t go lower than $369 per person, so you’re not saving much by going at off-peak times.

Booking was an easy process, and I completed the whole thing online. You do have to enter the names of each guest when you book, so you need to have finalized your group prior to booking tickets. You get an email confirmation with QR code tickets, and you will need to bring the tickets along with the credit card used for booking on the day of your tour.

When you book your Universal Studios Hollywood tickets, you choose your date and entry time. They recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour start time so that you can get checked in and have something to eat before heading out on the tour. In reality, I don’t think 30 minutes is enough, especially if you have a large group.

Included with your ticket price is:

• 1 day park admission with an expert VIP guide
• Unlimited Universal express access (per day) to each ride, attraction, and seated show. Express line access is a separate line with a shorter wait time at each ride, attraction, and seated show. (Does not apply to food and retail locations or non-seated shows.)
• Free valet parking (but not free self parking)
• VIP access on the studio tour on a private trolley, the most exclusive way to see the movie and TV sets from some of the most famous shows on film, like Desperate Housewives and War of the Worlds
• Light breakfast and gourmet lunch

How Old Do You Have to be for the Universal VIP Pass?

Visitors on the VIP tour must be at least 5 years old, and at least 17 years old to attend without an accompanying adult. My kids were 5 (almost 6) and 8, and our neighbors’ kids were 7 and 9. I do think that 5 is the minimum age to visit, and older would be better. Our 5 year old liked a few of the rides, but some of them (like Transformers) were terrifying for him. He spent the entire ride screaming and burying his face into my chest…pretty traumatic for everyone. 

Universal Studios VIP Cancellation Policy

The cancellation policy on the VIP experience is pretty strict – tickets are non-transferable, non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Requests to change your reservation must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Before you book, be sure of your group, your date, and your time.

Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Food

The Universal Studios Hollywood VIP experience includes a light breakfast and a gourmet lunch. The breakfast was served upstairs in the exclusive VIP lounge, which you reach after walking a red carpet into the check-in area. Options included coffee, tea, juice, and water to drink. Breakfast food options left a lot to be desired, so if you care about nutrition or need to fuel up before a long day at the park, you may want to eat beforehand. I would compare it best to a respectable buffet at a budget hotel. If you’re looking for a VIP experience, you’re not going to get it with the breakfast. 

I also found that the staff couldn’t keep up with demand, and many of the platters were completely or nearly empty. This wouldn’t be an issue, as I assume they continually refill them, except that you are on a tight schedule, and when your group gets called to go into the park, that’s it. You don’t have another chance to eat until lunch (unless you bring your own snacks, and…really, who wants to do that when you’re paying this much for a VIP experience?)

On the day we visited, the breakfast options included:

• ham and cheese croissant
• egg and cheese croissant
• smoke salmon croissant
• caprese tartlet
• plain croissant
• pain a chocolat
• raspberry danish
• apple danish
• blueberry muffin
• raspberry cream cheese puff
• chocolate chip cookies
• fruit salad

Lunch was more impressive, with lots of cold and hot options, though I don’t seem to have photos of the lunch buffet. I do remember that adults and kids alike had lots of options, and everyone could find something they liked.

Overall, the food experience feels a little rushed, but then I suppose the point of the day isn’t necessarily to enjoy a leisurely meal – it’s to experience as much of the park as possible. Part of how they do this is to keep things moving quickly from one ride to the next, and to optimize your break periods to give you just enough rest to keep going until the next break. 

VIP Experience with Food Allergies

If you have food allergies, the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP experience will leave a lot to be desired. My son is anaphylactic to eggs, all nuts, and peanuts. This made it almost impossible to find food for him to eat at either breakfast or lunch. The staff was unable to give us clear guidance on what ingredients were in the breakfast options, which left my son with instant oatmeal and yogurt as his breakfast options. Not terrible, but when the buffet was full of breakfast sandwiches and pastries that he couldn’t eat, it’s a tough sell for a 6 year old. 

It may seem like a small thing for guests who don’t deal with allergies on a daily basis, but for us, it’s a constant stressor when traveling, and we often seek out luxury options ( like in Israel ) because they can easily – and happily – accommodate us. I mistakenly assumed we could receive similar treatment on the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP tour, and visitors with food allergies would do well to have proper expectations going in.

My husband is allergic to gluten, and his options were similarly limited. The majority of the breakfast items contained gluten, but he isn’t much of a breakfast eater anyway and he adapted ok. 

Lunch was even more disappointing (on the dessert front particularly). There were enough entree options to manage our allergies (hooray!) Dessert, however, was a frustrating experience. There were many dessert options, but the ONLY one that was egg-free…was covered in peanuts. That left my son literally no dessert options. Any parent knows how excruciating it is for a kid to watch a table full of other kids eat dessert and have nothing to offer them. 

What was most disappointing for a VIP experience and a supposedly gourmet meal was that even after the staff was aware of my son’s allergies and that there was nothing for him to eat, they did not offer to get him something different or bring in something from elsewhere in the park, which frankly I would expect at this price point. 

Instead, he and I left the private VIP dining room and ventured into the park to find an ice cream stand, where the very kind cashier let me check the ingredient labels on all the packaged ice cream treats until I found one my son could eat. She asked why the heck we were buying ice cream when our lanyards indicated that we were VIP guests and offered us a discount when she learned of our situation. It was far kinder than the service we received in the private dining room, and I very much appreciated it.

I suppose if you don’t deal with food allergies regularly, this might not be top of mind, but I hope Universal’s executive chef takes a second look at the offerings and makes some simple adjustments to make the menu significantly more allergy-friendly. As all of our allergies are in the Top 8 allergens worldwide, one would assume we aren’t the only VIP visitors with dietary restrictions to accommodate.

Universal Studios VIP Tour Experience Review

One of the first things you should know as a VIP guest is that you might think that you have a completely private tour, but you don’t (unless your group is large enough). We had 8 people in our group (4 adults and 4 kids) and we were paired with a family of 4, for a total of 12. Their kids were similar ages, and the kids ended up hanging out for the day, which was fine. I would have preferred a fully private group, especially since we were already 8 people, but it didn’t detract from the day.

Best Rides for Kids – Pets, Minions, Simpsons

Our private guide led us to each attraction, starting with the Pets ride. This one was good for littler kids, with interactive elements that weren’t scary. Both my kids liked this one a lot, but it was boring for adults. 

One of the additional VIP benefits that you get in addition to a private guide is skip the line tickets, which saves a lot of time standing in line. Our guide led us to the front of the line and we got right in.

The second ride we did was a crowd favorite, as it was Minions. There were lots of special effects but toed the line of being great for kids and being too scary. Again, the skip the line benefit got us quick access to the ride, though there was some waiting to get into the actual room. The ride is set up like stadium seating, and you go in a single file line, so it’s possible to be separated from your group (if you are in the third row, for instance, you may be in the third row of 2 different ride machines, as our group was – they don’t take your group and do rows 3 and 4 of the same equipment). Our kids were old enough (and with friends) where this wasn’t an issue, but if you have a little one who may need a helping hand, make sure you pay attention to where you are in line. 

One of the last rides we did was the Simpsons, which my kids really enjoyed despite having never seen The Simpsons before. We all enjoyed it, though it wasn’t one of the television shows I was allowed to watch as a kid, and it doesn’t hold any nostalgia for me. 

Scary Rides for Kids – Transformers and Jurassic World

I loved the Transformers ride personally, but my 5 year old thought he was getting actually attacked and completely lost his mind. I couldn’t wait to get off this ride because of how panicked he was, and our entire car was giving us sympathetic looks and trying to calm him down. We opted out of the Jurassic World ride for that reason, because our guide steered me away from it. Our older son and my husband went ahead, and they loved that this one ended with a literal splash!

The big hiccup we had with the Mummy ride was that you have to store your gear in a locker. It is supposed to be smart and save you time by giving you a keycode to use to open it rather than a physical key…except that my husband’s code wouldn’t open the locker at the end. We ended up waiting a long time while they had to get park maintenance to come open it for him, which put a damper on the day. We did feel that bringing a backpack was critical for our day, but it did get annoying on the rides where you couldn’t bring it on. 

Want to know what else we packed for our day at Universal Studios? Check out my  packing list and what to wear at Universal Studios Hollywood.

One of the nice perks of the VIP tour is that they think of the little comforts that make your day more pleasant – they provide bottled water (crucial for those hot days!!) as well as ponchos for the water rides. I loved that we didn’t have to carry everything ourselves, but yet we had everything we needed at just the right time.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Our tour ended with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which was just as well, because I sure as heck didn’t want to leave once we got there. The physical embodiment of one of the world’s favorite movies, Harry Potter World is nothing short of magical. Whether you’re a Muggle who has never experienced Harry Potter or you know just which house you belong to, you can’t miss Harry Potter at Universal.

Our guide obligingly took photos of us at the entrance, and found us the best way to skip lines on the many rides within the bounds of Harry Potter. The whole world is magical, from Ollivander’s wand store and RFID-enabled wand activities throughout Hogsmeade to Hogwarts Castle and the Forbidden Journey ride (my favorite – I did it twice…but my stomach wished I only did it once). I loved that our VIP tickets for us unlimited express access, so I was able to zip through the castle…more or less…while my husband took the kids for food. 

My kids preferred the Flight of the Hippogriff ride, and they tolerated the long line (even in the fast pass line) well. So well, in fact, that they opted to ride it twice, one of the only rides they wanted to do again.

I did find that lines in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter were longer than in other parts of the park, but they make the experience so immersive that you sort of forget you are waiting in a line, especially while going into Hogwarts Castle. 

Live Show on the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Tour

To switch up the pace, we attended a live show during our day as VIPs. Our guide led us to the best seats, which had been reserved for VIP visitors only. They were farther up than I would have expected in the amphitheater, but we had a great view and we didn’t get hit with water like the lower rows. The show was a combination of daring stunts, acting, and audience participation. It was entertaining, believable, and very well executed. I wouldn’t have chosen to attend the show if it weren’t part of our itinerary, but it was a nice way to rest from all the movement of the day, and our kids loved it!

Universal Backlot Tour

After a full morning of rides, our entire group went together for our back lot tour. You are combined with other VIP groups to visit the set pieces and sound stages of the world’s largest movie studio. I didn’t love that we were put with a larger group, but it was generally ok. The tour on the bus (really more like an open-air trolley) is narrated by Jimmy Kimmel, and your expert tour guides get off the bus with you and explain more about the sets, like how they design them for camera angles, and how they achieve optical illusions in the filming process. We even got to go inside one of the houses on Wisteria Lane!

One of the most interesting parts was hearing how they adapt the same set for different productions with just small tweaks, and seeing how you could turn the corner on the bus and go from gritty downtown Chicago to a rural Mexican shootout town, showing just how efficient and immersive they can make a single “street.”

Visiting iconic sets of Hollywood movies isn’t the only activity on the backlot tour. There are several “rides” you experience as well – from King Kong to Fast and the Furious. My kids didn’t love these rides, and I did a lot of snuggling and reassuring that no, we weren’t going to catch on fire, and no, the giant ape wasn’t going to attack us. Another indication that 5 is definitely the floor for visiting Universal Studios…older ages may have a better, less scary time.

My favorite part of the backlot tour was the War of the Worlds section. Despite it being a plane crash, it somehow felt the most “real” to me, with sirens going off sporadically, and “smoke” emanating from the wreckage of the plane. My kids were freaked out a bit, it felt so real. After some reassurance, they loved seeing the wreckage spread out before them.

Best Spots for Photos at Universal Studios

There are several great spots for photos during the unique experience of being a Universal VIP. My favorites were the following:

• Red carpet leading into the check in area – don’t get shepherded in too quickly – your arrival is the only time you will be here. Take a moment to grab a photo!
• The Universal Studios fountain leading to the private VIP entrance – this one if FULL of people, so don’t expect to get a photo without a ton of people in it, but it is a classic photo with the Universal logo
• Standing at the gates of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Standing at the entrance of Hogwarts Castle
• Hanging out of the special trolley for VIP guests – this is a good place to get a family photo…if you can arrive early and each pop into a window seat, you can hang out the windows and get a cute photo
• The fake Hollywood sign setup on the backlot tour – the background is surprisingly real-looking, and you can crop your photo to make it look like you’re really there!
• On set on the back lot tour – pick your backdrop based on your favorite tv shows and movies…Wisteria Lane is possible, as is some of the Jaws set, the courthouse from Back to the Future, or just wandering down the various streets used to make movie sets look like anywhere but Hollywood – old Mexico, Chicago, and more. 

Is the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience Worth It?

Admittedly, I haven’t been to the Disney World VIP tour or to Universal Studios Orlando, so my review has to stand alone for the Universal Studios Hollywood. That said, yes, I would absolutely recommend it . You get a completely different backlot tour than you can get with a regular ticket, and the VIP guide helps you save a ton of time throughout the day. It’s great having the little things taken care of, like ponchos and water, and to have someone who can help you navigate lost items (RIP sunglasses) and hold bags at certain rides. 

The experience fell short for us on food, but when your time is limited, the VIP tour experience is a really solid value. With regular tickets starting at $109 and skip-the-line tickets starting at $199, the $369 starting price for VIP isn’t too much of a stretch. 

What do you think – is the VIP tour right for you?

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Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience Review – Are the VIP Tours Worth it?

Universal Studios Hollywood is one of California’s top tourist attractions and with several top rides, some great shows, quirky food, and of course the world-famous Hollywood Studios Tour, not to mention the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World , it’s not hard to see why. But there is an alternate way to experience that park and that is via the VIP Experience.

The Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience takes you on a VIP tour of the Studios, showing you behind-the-scenes areas and locales you just would not otherwise get to see. Along with this, there are a host of other perks of being VIP and offering a full premium experience when visiting the Park. However, these packages are not cheap! They can run at 3-4 times the cost of a base ticket. So are the VIP Tours worth it? With the Opening of Super Nintendo World, the park has gotten busier than ever and the Queue Skipping privileges of the VIP are even more important. We headed back to the park to see how the VIP tour plays out with the New Land in operation.

What is the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience

The VIP Experience is a full-day package where you experience a personalized tour of the Studios along with a guided tour of the Themepark (forget about queuing!) and access to VIP lounges where you can enjoy breakfast and lunch.

From the moment you arrive via the red-carpeted VIP Entrance, you are treated as a VIP and given the real star treatment. It is a totally different way to experience a theme park where every need is catered for and the usual hustle and bustle of visiting a themepark are consigned to the scrapheap!

Are the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experiences Worth IT?

This really a pretty complex question, and while we can give a one-word answer, YES, That’s not particularly helpful. We need to explain that a bit better and give the reasons why.

This article is here to take a deep dive into exactly what to expect, what you get, and how that translates into Value and Worth. But for those wanting a pretty short version, The VIP Experience is actually only around $70 more than paying for the things you get separately and offers an incredible amount of extra on top of that.

It is a totally different way of visiting a themepark, There are simply no Queues, no hassles, no crowds to deal with, no low-quality overpriced Themepark food to the stomach, No spending hours on your feet, and lots and lots of extras and behind the scenes treats that no-one else gets! That’s about as short as we can make it, let’s go for the LONG answer:

How Much is the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience

Prices vary based on Expected Attendance and Surge Pricing, Mid-Week and Off-Season being the cheapest.

Prices Start at $369 and go up right to $519!

You will find Base Tickets mirror this pricing structure along with the Express Pass, so it’s all relative.

Where to Buy The VIP Experience at a Discount?

We have a full article on purchasing discounted Universal Studios Tickets and this also covers the VIP Experience There is only limited scope for discounts as Universal protects its ticket prices closely.

The best choice for purchasing the VIP Experience is:

Undercover Tourist

Undercover Tourist is one of the leading Re-seller sites. There Buying power means you can usually save an extra 5-10% over the Online price. It’s not a lot but every little helps.

What is Included with the Tour?

• VIP Studio Tour
• VIP Tour of the Themepark including Ride WALK-ONS!
• VIP Access to Super Nintendo World + Walk-on Access to Mario Kart: Bowsers Challenge
• Personal Tour Guide for the Day
• Complimentary valet parking
• VIP Entrance to The Park
• VIP Lounge with “Light” Breakfast

Gourmet Lunch

• Free Bottled Water All-Day
• Free Poncho for Water Rides

As you can see there are a lot of perks thrown in with the VIP Experience, it’s far more than just an upgraded tour of the Studios. But seeing a list of perks is not really the same as knowing if they are valuable so let’s dig into that a little.

Our Day at At Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience

Let’s Walk you through our day at the Park and show you exactly what we received, what we saw, and how our day went. This will give you the best idea of whether this experience is for you or not and if it works out as good value. It is worth noting a lot has changed on the Tour since the Arrival of Super Nintendo World and fitting the new land into the Tour has meant some sacrifices.

We arrived at the park quite late, we were relocating From Anahem and didn’t want to battle the L.A. Traffic more than necessary. Our tour was for 10:30 and we arrived just before 10 am. The Included Valet PArking was a godsend here as we had all our Luggage in the car and just leaving this in the regular Parking Lot could have been an expensive mistake. The care and all our belongings were nice and safe in the monitored Valet lot.

The next perk was the VIP Entrance. With the massed hordes pouring through the turnstiles, it was a very welcome treat to head to our private entrance, complete with Red-Carpet, to be greeted by a personal welcome and a calm and relaxed check-in process. A million miles away from the usual crush of theme park entrances!

Here we were presented with our VIP Lanyards and Passes, something that would end up as really prized possessions by the end of the day, and were assigned a personal Host. Who we would meet later on.

*The time before this we stayed in a local hotel and this actually meant we missed out on one of the Perks, Enjoy complimentary valet parking with a $50 value ($30 for regular parking), however, it meant we could hit the park nice and early before it got too busy or too hot.

Light Breakfast and Host Greeting

The Breakfast is served in the VIP Suite at the entrance to Universal Studios. It’s a pretty wonderful space and overlooks the park entrance so you can see the hordes pile into the park, while you sip your coffee.

The Light Refreshments on offer is a very poor description of the breakfast selection, but in a good way, there was a large and varied selection of food on offer and far more than anyone could ask for. We think the light refreshments mean basically not to expect a hot cooked breakfast but other than that there was everything you could wish for!

There were various filled croissants (ham cheddar, smoked salmon, egg, and cheese), assorted pastries muffins and cookies, cereals, fruit, juices, and of course tea and coffee. We grabbed a table on the terrace overlooking the main plaza and just kicked back waiting for things to get going.

While we sipped juice and coffee overlooking the mayhem, below in the warm Cali sun Danny came by to introduce himself. He was to be our tour guide for the day. The first order of business was tailoring our tour to suit our specific interests and wants. This worked very well for us as Danny was able to cater pretty exactly to our wishes.

One of the whole reasons for us taking the tour was to get to visit Colonial Street. This small culdesac is well known from several TV Shows and movies but is best known as Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives. Every time we have visited the studios, for one reason or another we have not been able to visit the area, usually as they are shooting there, but the chances of getting to see the street are vastly improved by going VIP and Visiting on a weekend. We did both.

Danny was delighted to ensure that we would be able to visit the Street and get out and explore, he also highlighted the problems with visiting the Street as it would be closed for all visitors from tomorrow as the set is being dressed for filming! More on the Lane later on.

Danny also explained how the day would work, first off, in the morning we would visit the themepark, then break for lunch, before heading out into the Studios for the afternoon. Finally, Danny had reserved seats for us at the Water World Show. We would say goodbye but we would still have 5-6 hours in the Park to use our Express Passes to re-ride anything we wanted.

While this is a VIP Tour, it’s not a private tour and our group consisted of 3 couples (including us) and a family of 4, so 10 people in total, and to be honest it was nice to share the experience with others.

Tour of the Universal Studios Park

Note – We did the tour of the Park before lunch and the Studio tour after, but this is not always the case, they split the groups up to limit the numbers in the studios, which gives you a more intimate experience, so you may do the studio first and the park second, but there is really no difference other than the order.

After Breakfast, we headed out to the Park. It was crazy busy and the big rides were all closing in on 2hour+ Queues however armed with our Express Passes this would be no problem. However, we had something even better…Our Tour Guide.

The tour of the park basically involves your guide walking you right to the front of every ride and getting you whatever seats you want, front row, back row, hiding from the water on Jurrasic World, whatever, just ask. He also knows the Park like the back of his hand so you automatically take the easiest and shortest routes between the rides meaning much less time on your feet.

The Start of the Tour took us straight to the Lower lot to hit the 4 Biggest Rides:

• Transformers – 3D
• Mario Kart: Bowser Challenge
• Jurrasic World
• Revenge of The Mummy: The Ride

We hit Transformers first and walked straight onto one of our favorites in the park. After this, we headed to Super Nintendo Land. The park was as busy as we have ever seen it with 2-3 hours queues building fast, and there was a Reservation System in place to even get into Super Nintendo Land. Our VIP Tour Guide got us straight in.

We got a bit of time to explore the land, have a go at the Power-Up Band challenges, and a good look around, but there is so much going on we knew we had to come back to properly appreciate it, the tour only allows a taster, but the VIP Pass would get you straight back in later.

The VIP Pass is also the only way to skip the Queue in Mario Kart and with the Queue showing 180mins when we skipped it, that is one heck of a benefit.

Overall, the whole of Super Nintendo World had taken us well over an hour, It takes nearly 40min to get into Mario Kart, even skipping the line as there are several Preshows to break up the Queue which takes time. This added time means a few rides and attractions we got walked onto last time were taken off the list. Minion Mayhem , Secret Life Of Pets , The Simpsons Ride , and the Water World Show were all dropped from the tour. However, your VIP pass would get you to the front of the queue later.

After Super Nintendo World we walked straight onto Jurrasic World and The Mummy. The Guide held our stuff for both rides and provided Ponchos so we stayed nice and dry on Jurassic World. We then Headed back up to the Upper lot and into Hiigsmeade for the Two Big Harry Potter Rides:

• Flight Of The Hippogriff
• Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey

Taking Stock for a moment, we had hit the 4 biggest rides in the Park, along with both Harry Potter attractions. Our Tour started at 10:30 and it was now 1 pm. We took a look at the Queue times and calculated this would have involved 7+ hours of pure queuing plus time in between rides, and we had done it in 2.5 with almost no queues, it would have been even faster without the hours in Super Nintendo land, but still, we had essentially knocked out a full day at the Park in a little over 2 hours and we still had the highlight of the tour to come!

As a final treat in the Park, we also go a walk onto Olivanders Wand Shop as we were still a little early for lunch. There is no Express pass line here so skipping the queue here was a nice touch and we had some real Harry Potter nuts in our group.

Overall this was the easiest, quickest, and most satisfying way to visit a theme park. We had most of the rides ticked off with zero queues and had an absolute blast. At this point, we think the VIP had probably been worth it, and we still had a whole heap of perks remaining including the main event the VIP Tour.

Lunch was served in the Moulin Rouge restaurant which is only open to VIP Guests and is a really beautiful restaurant. We were greeted by Doc Brown from Back to the Future, for some reason, and shown to our seats out on the Terrace. The outdoor patio overlooks the Lower Lot and the San Fernando Mountains and is covered by vines, reminiscent of a Napa Valley Terrace.

Foodwise we were really blown away. Themepark food is not the best and even the most Gourmet of Universal’s Dining options leave a lot to be desired. But the All-You-Can-Eat Gourmet Buffet was stunning!

We had a full hour to relax take in the setting and really enjoy the food. Roast Chicken, Roasted Salmon, Pizza, Amazing Salads, Chicken Tenders, Various Vegetables, Chicken Tikka masala, Roasted Pork Loin, and Mac and Cheese. There was also Fresh Scampi and the most wonderful Lobster Rissoto and fresh roasted Beef Tri-Tip!

For dessert, there were a host of mini-desserts, muffins, and Creme Brulees along with warm chocolate chip cookies and Nutella Crepes! And if that is not enough there was some amazing Gelato too! There was also a chilled drinks cabinet where you can help yourself and some large fountains with chilled pink lemonade and fruit water!

We also got some fun visits from Characters, Doc from Back to the Future and Dracula turned up to chat while we dined which was great fun,

It was seriously impressive and really tasty! We got a good hour to enjoy our meal and endless soft drinks before we headed back to meet up with Our Guide and the group once more.

VIP Tour of Universal Studios

With all the perks and added extras, it can be hard to remember what the REAL reason for the Vip Experience is, the extended and personalized tour of the Studios. We love the Universal Studios’s tours , but they are really a kind of glorified ride and half of the experience is made up of choreographed set pieces, and you kind of glide through some of the most interesting parts of the studios with a brief pause in front of choice locations with just a moment to take it in and grab a photo.

The VIP Tours are completely different. You are seated on a much smaller Tram Vehicle with two VIP Hosts and a driver, who take you on a custom tour of the Studio and stop the tram at various locations to let you out and really explore and take in the setting.

The VIP Tour Tram is super plush with comfy seats, a cooler filled with water, and great views out from both sides and it is quite a bit narrower than the monster articulated trams of the main tour. The number here doubles as two groups from the morning are pulled together on the tour and the two guides combined for double the knowledge.

It’s worth saying the Tour takes in exactly the same locales and attractions as the main tour does, you do not need to come back and do the tour as a ride later. You still get the attractions such as Kong Skull Island and The Fast And The Furious, and you get all the set pieces such as Jaws, The Earthquake Simulator, The Flash Flood, and the attack of Norman Bates ( read more on this here ). You get everything you expect, you just get more besides.

As the tour is personalized the locations will always vary slightly, but some are practically set in stone, such as Courthouse Square and the Plane Crash Site.

Courthouse Square

Aka …Hill Valley from Back to the Future. You pass through here on the regular tour and try to snatch a glimpse of the Town Hall from the Trilogy, trying to snap a shot from the wrong side of the tram!

But on the VIP Your we pulled up and had a good look around and were even allowed to peek inside!

New York Street

Again, the main tours get a look at this famous street but got to get out and have a good look around these facades that have been featured in hundreds of movies and T.V. shows! Far more than you can recognize and probably more than is ever filmed in actual New York!

Little Europe

France was a little uninspiring for us as many of the productions shot here we had not seen but it’s a lovely little set. Recently used in “The Good Place”, It is a lovely set, however, and was nice to hear the tales and history of the locale provided by our guides.

Plane Crash

The Plane Crash set was used in the 2005 feature War Of The Worlds with Tom Cruise. The stars wake up after a huge explosion to find a 747 had landed on their house. To film this Scene, Speilberg purchased an actual 747 jet and had it cut up to mimic a real plane crash. After the filming, there was little use for the wreckage so the Park thought it would make a great attraction on the Tour.

We stopped here and got to have a really good look around, it is seriously freaky just wandering around the charged mangled mess of a real Jumbe Jet. We thought it creepy from the Normal Tour Drive-bys, but to actually see it up close makes it feel even more so!

Erm, I think that’s it…or was there somewhere else we went…I can’t remember…

Wisteria Lane!

Ahh yes, The home of Desperate Housewives, one of Kate’s most loved shows and the point of much disappointment in the past. Finally, we were here, and no quick drive-by! We were treated to a good 10-15 minutes on the Lane seeing all the houses, exploring the interiors of some and the back gardens of others, and generally getting a really deep and thorough look around this iconic lane!

We got some great shots of both the interior and exterior of all of the most famous houses. It really was a thrill for Kate just being here…at last!

It’s not just Desperate Housewives that are filmed here: Munsters, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Why Him, Deep Impact, Sliders, Superstore, Gremlins, Casper, and many many more ! Often whenever “suburbia” is needed in a film or TV show Colonial Avenue is used. We are getting really good at spotting it too, recently seen in the new Bel Air series on Peacock.

Visiting the lane was our main objective in taking the VIP Tour and it was really great to finally make it here. Kate was really in her element and loved finally getting to one of her favorite streets. It really is hit or miss if the tours come here, so we were super happy to make it.

For your best chance of visiting the Street visit on a weekend and do the VIP tour.

After 2.5 hours of exploring the Studio, the VIP Experience was drawing to a close. and we headed back to the park.

Waterworld Show

The final perk we experienced was premium seating at the Waterworld show. When we visited last year this was part of the tour but this time it had been dropped, our Guide was more than happy to help organize a time to head to the Show. Instead of the Show, we got walked onto one final ride which was the Simspons Ride, but these things are fluid and you may get the Show instead. Either way, we think its worth seeing and you get premium seats with your VIP pass.

The show itself is unmissable. It’s one of those things that really doesn’t make immediate sense why it’s still running! Waterworld is best known as being a bit of a flop and we never really cared for it when it was a big thing, now, nearing 30 years later when half the audience does not even know there ever was a Waterworld film it’s still running as the headlining show at a major themepark…Why?

Because it’s just so good! Forget about the theming, forget about the story, and just enjoy the amazing stunts and the incredible special effects. Watch the sparks fly as machine guns pepper the gangways, watch the jetskis and airboats blast around the stage and soak the unwitting guests who chose to sit too close. Marvel as people fall several stories into the waters below and hear the thud as your jaw hits the floor when the Airplane arrives!

This show doesn’t get old and that’s why it’s still running. It really is like watching a movie happen right in front of your eyes!

Unlimited Express Pass

With that, our VIP Experience was over, but the day was not done. We met up with Our Guide one final time where he offered advice on what to do and see next and offered us another poncho for Jurassic World.

We still had 5 hours+ to explore the park and the VIP Passes were our unlimited Express passes to skip the line on any rides. So we tipped our awesome host generously and headed off into the park!

We got in many more rides before calling it a day ( read about this here ) and could have done a lot more as we baled out early, content with an incredible day!

The final perk was the feeling in our feet! After a day at a themepark, we are typically dead on our feet. That dull thumping ache in the soles of your feet that remains you, you have been on them all day was just not there! It was a long hard day, but not a typical theme park day, and when we headed back to the hotel we were tired but still had energy left despite leaving no stone unturned!

Pure Numbers

First, we are going to break down the Pure Numbers to see if simply adding up all the stuff we got was equal or lesser value than paying separately. This is more for interest than a real measure of importance as there are things we got we just can’t put a price on, which is where the real value lies, but we still were curious to see how it all add’s up…

*Remember these prices fluctuate in terms of the ticket price and express passes but we chose a Moderately priced day to give the best balance.

Ticket Price: $125

Express Pass: $145

Complimentary Valet Parking : $30 (we have just priced for General Parking here as not many would use Valet unless they were VIP, but was actually a godsend for us)

Breakfast: $15 – Our breakfast was worth Way more than this, but we are just assuming you would buy a regular breakfast from Starbucks or at the Hotel if not on the VIP

Poncho x2 : $0 – Seriously, no one bought these not on the VIP tour so we are not counting them as value, but would have been $ 10+ Each!

Water x3 : $18 – We had unlimited bottled water all day, and with Bottles costing $4 from a concession stand, that adds up quickly. We are not sure how many we drank, but three sounds pretty reasonable, and we got free drinks with our lunch as well

Lunch: $30 Again, the lunch we got was mind-blowing, we would have happily paid $50-60 for it, but most people are not going to spend that, but they will need to eat somewhere, and we got unlimited drinks so we think $30 is about the right amount.

Total: $362

VIP Experience Price: $389

Difference: -$27

So no, in Pure numbers there is a shortfall in cost, but really we can’t state enough how much extra we got that you can not argue the value. And its value is worth far far far more than $27!

The Incredible Tour Guide, being walked onto Rides, Tailored VIP Tour of the Studio, Getting out and walking around sets, Reserved Seating for the Waterworld Show, VIP Lounge, Stunning Lunch Venue, and The Quality of the food: all definitely add up to more value than $27 could ever represent.

It is worth considering how much extra money you usually spend in a Park. Apart from a Duff Beer and far too much money spent in that Harry Potter Gift Shop, we didn’t spend a dollar all day. Everything we required was covered by the VIP Experience!

Seminal Realisation

Let’s be clear, visiting Universal Studios Hollywood via the VIP Experience caused us to reevaluate how we view visiting theme parks! There are moments in your life when you suddenly realize you have been doing it wrong all these years!

I used to regularly visit soccer matches in the UK and sit in the cheap seats enjoying the game and paying heavily for any extras such as watered-down beer and terrible hotdogs. Then the company I worked for got a hospitality package to woo customers, and we were allowed to use it when it was available. Visiting the ground on a hospitality package, with a comfortable lounge, a 3-course meal, unlimited wine, and guest appearances, suddenly made me realize how poor the regular experience really was!

The VIP Experience is like this. It makes you realize how much better themepark visits really can be. Forget the fighting with the masses, the hours in queues, the greasy fried food, $6 for water, and wandering around with a paper map trying not to look lost!

It’s awful! And with the VIP Tour that all goes away!

It was also really sobering to note the effect the tour didn’t have on our bodies. As we mentioned, visiting theme parks can be utterly brutal! For a comparison, just a few days after this we headed to Disneyland and were left dead on our feet.

At Disney, we clocked up 32,117 Steps over 16.2 Miles and were greeted by a 5 am alarm call. VIP At Universal meant a much later start, a measly 17,111 Steps – 8.6 Miles, and being back at the hotel in time for dinner! And we saw everything the park had to offer and more!

It really is just a more civilized way of doing things!

In summary, the VIP Experiences are utterly fantastic, but we do need to temper this somewhat. This review has come across as pretty gushing, and this is because the experience really is top-of-the-line. You get an awful lot for your money!

But let’s be clear, you do have to hand over quite a lot of it!

In our financial assessment, we show how close the VIP is to buying things separately, but you don’t HAVE to buy everything to have a great day at the park. Visit on a weekday, in the offseason, secure some discounted tickets , DIY Breakfast, snacks for lunch, and lots of queueing and you can see 80% of what we did for less than $100 per person!

The VIP tours also really come into their own on busy days. The Express Pass is great but at times Universal can be pretty quiet, we have been where queues were less than 15 mins for popular rides and we simply walked onto many. The value of a product that allows you to bypass a 15 min queue is considerably less than one that allows you to bypass a 2-3 hour queue!

The Addition of Super Mario World has changed the tours quite a bit and we don’t find the new format as pleasing, but the amount of time saved by walking straight into the world and onto Mario Kart is amazing. We saved so much time and Mario Kart still does not have an Express Pass Line it’s the only way to avoid that 2-3 hour queue!

We really are going to struggle to visit again without the VIP privileges, it really was that good we don’t want to go back to the regular tickets but the high costs mean we certainly will still visit as muggles most of the time.

The biggest selling point, the main reason for plumping for the VIP Experience is the Studio Tour. This was so much better than the regular tours that it’s hard to put a value on it. For this reason, we think the VIP is well worth it, especially if you are only going to visit once, or if you are a regular and just want the next level!

While the VIP Experience is expensive, at no point during our visit did we wonder or even question whether it was money well spent! Really if you want to experience the Park in the absolute best way possible the VIP Experience is worth every penny!

Have Your Say

Have you done the VIP Experience at Universal? What were your thoughts and impressions on the Experience? Did you find it good value? Did you get your money’s worth? Did you see everything you wanted? What did you make of the food? Maybe you had a bad experience, we would love to hear about that. Whatever your thoughts we would love to hear them in the comments below.

And if you have any questions just fire away in the comments too.

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8 thoughts on “Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience Review – Are the VIP Tours Worth it?”

I did the VIP and backlot tour about 5 years ago. After the backlot tour we pretty much were on our own, do they make you stay with a tour going on all the rides? There are the ones I don’t want to go on and some I want to do several times. I also don’t want to see Waterworld again. Is there leeway?

I think it’s totally worth it.

We did the tour of the themepark first, and did all the rides once. We stayed together but the tour guide walked you onto the rides, so if you did want to skip one, you would just have to wait 10-15 mins while everyone did it. Its worth it just so the guide can walk you on the rides, zero queue

After lunch we did the tour, but it can be the other way round, if so you “could” leave the group and do your own thing, but dont, having that walk on and guided tour is well worth hanging round out side any rides you dont want.

After that you get the best seats at waterworld.

Finally after all that you get VIP passes and can go back and do anything you want to do again. VIP passes are not as good as the walk-ons the guide gets you but stil very short waits.

Its such a good day, and such a good way of visiting a park, we struggle to do it the old way now!

Thank you for this comprehensive review. We’re planning on visiting midweek (Tue or Wed) in early December 2023. So it’ll be mid week, off season. However the exchange rate (we’re from New Zealand) is not in our favour so the VIP would be a huge cost for us. I’m trying to work out if it’s worth it or not and this write-up really helps 🙂

Oh yeah, we know all about the exchange rate, it’s so bad for us right now as we have a weak £ and a strong dollar so it’s a double whammy!

We understand everyone is different so the best way to show you if it’s worth it is just to explain honestly what you get and you can make the decision. We really love the VIP experience and think it is definitely worth it, BUT it is a big chunk of cash for just one single-day experience!

We are still trying to decide if out next visit in May will be VIP or Vanilla!

Hope you have a great trip, whatever you decide

VIP Experience at Universal Hollywood is the way to go (with the right guide). We’ve done it several times, with the latest tour being the best day ever! Our guide, Donald, was superb in every way. A VERY skilled “people person,” knowledgeable, friendly, and funny. An over-the-top professional!

Yep totally agree, we loved out guide, and we can see if you had a mediocre guide, the experience would not be quite as good, but it still is pretty awesome. We are back in May, and just couldn’t bare doing it the “basic” way. It really isn’t that much more than Entry+Expresspass and what you get for the xtr is awesome.

Hi Steve, I really appreciate and enjoyed your article. For the VIP what time is lunch and what time does the tour end? I’m asking per we are going in October and the park closes early for the Halloween Horror Night so I’m debating if VIP is worth it. Also, what is a good tip to give the tour guide for a family of 4? Aloha, Kevin

The timings do depend on which time you book as they stagger things out throughout the day, otherwise the Lunch Venue would be overly busy. On the early tours (9am) we had lunch around 12pm and on the later tours (10-11) lunch was later on, around 1:30.

Again the tour end is a little dependent on if you do the Studio tour first or the Park Tour. On or last tour our tour finished at 4:30 (park closes at 6pm), this was a later tour (10:30 start) and when we did the earlier tour this wrapped up around 3:30. This does not give you a huge amount of time to use the Express Pass afterwards, but we do find the tour of the ark gets you on most of the big rides and we find we don’t spend that long in the park after the tour. If you are going to do it in October definitely make sure you do as early as possible start time to maximize the day.

We tipped $20 per person for our tours, and this seemed to be the going rate, we went last and clocked what others were tipping. Some might say that is too much, other too little, it’s very subjective. And while all guides are amazing, some are more amazing than others…

Have a great time what ever you choose.

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9 Reasons You Must Book The Universal Studios VIP Experience Tour

I have been lucky enough the past few years to attend the Family Forward conference that is, in part, sponsored by Universal Studios. The Universal Studios VIP Experience was included in our conference fee last year, and I cannot recommend it enough. In fact, I might be just a touch spoiled from our guides now. My kids don’t want to visit the park any other way.

Here’s the thing. The Universal Studios VIP Experience isn’t cheap. You reserve this experience in addition to your park passes. You can choose to book which of the two parks to visit during your VIP tour or book both parks. Honestly? Go with both parks. During the six hour tour, you hit a minimum of 8 major attractions in the parks, and we accomplished far more than that. With the no wait experience, take advantage of the variety across both parks to see the biggest and best Universal offers. The price difference between one park (starting at $209 per day) and two parks (starting at $219 per day) isn’t enough to leave out a park.

With a group of six or fewer people, book a group tour where you get paired with up to twelve total people in the group. You pay per person, with peak season prices climbing to $399 per person. With more than six people – or if you choose to stay just with your family and friends – you can book a private VIP tour for a flat fee (again with a limit of twelve per group). With the private tour, you have more control over what rides and attractions you visit, while the group tours tend to be slightly more set and require negotiation with others in the group if you wish to (for example) ride Escape from Gringotts a second or third time. In a row.

No matter what, you will see more, learn more, and have a far better theme park experience with the Universal Studios VIP Experience. I admit, I had doubts when we first learned that we had this planned starting at 10am during the conference. I’ve been to Universal Studios and knew what rides I liked. Staying onsite at the premium hotels gives us Universal Express Passes, so our lines already decreased from the standard queue in most cases. Why did I need to be a part of the Universal Studios VIP Experience?

Oh, I learned my lesson. I will never again question the value of the Universal Studios VIP Experience.

9 Reasons You Don’t Want to Miss the Universal Studios VIP Experience

You skip the line entirely..

Fast passes at Universal Studios are great (better than many competing parks). You don’t make reservations and simple go in the Fast Pass entrance with a significantly shorter queue. With the VIP tour, you skip the line. You walk in the back and get on the ride. You wait for no one. No. One. This factor alone means you get on more rides in less time, making your visit to the park more productive.

Another fun aspect? With no one in line ahead of or  behind you, you can get some fabulous photos you otherwise can’t. We walked up the side of the line in Escape from Gringotts, then stopped to take photos of our favorite goblins with no stray people. While some areas of the park don’t allow photos behind the scenes, this tour lets you capture fabulous images you may otherwise miss.

You skip every line, even the ones that don’t have Express Pass lines.

A major bummer of the Express Passes? They don’t work at some of the major attractions. My kids love Escape from Gringotts, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Hogwarts Express, none of which accepts the Express Passes. Those lines tend to be longer than my patience to wait in them. Hogwarts Express – a fun way to get from one park to the other – can easily have a wait of well over an hour, and I’ve seen it over two hours. With the Universal Studios VIP Experience, you walk straight onto those rides. For us, this became the only time we rode those rides due to the wait times.

You visit behind the scenes locations.

The Men in Black ride continues to be one of my favorites. When you walk through the queue, you see the setup with the aliens in the work room below you. On our tour, we went onto the set. We sat in the chairs and saw everything up close and personal while others watched with jaws agape from above. My kids loved that they even got to sign the alien log book, a memory they treasure.

We had a similar experience with Revenge of the Mummy. At the end, we exited through a back way, under where the cars travel. Near the end, our guide had us pause to watch the screen that shows the final scene riders see as they travel. There is a secret extra bit that riders miss because the car continues that we had the pleasure of seeing because we remained stationary. Those little nuggets of secrets make the day even more fun.

Learn the park secrets.

I love knowing all the fun facts and details. The tour guides know so much more about the parks than you might expect. As you walk through the park with your guide, they share information about the history, the building, the speed, and more. Those little tidbits really add to your experience as you realize how much effort it takes to create such an amazing park. This is how you learn where to sit on the rides for the “best” experience or where to watch the parades. The nuggets like where to find Stan Lee in the Amazing Spiderman ride? My kids loved learning these facts and storing them away for “next time” they come. Our tour guide answered every question we asked, and we tried to stump her!

The tour includes lunch.

The “real” tours actually include a complimentary continental breakfast at check-in, though we ate breakfast offsite as part of our conference and didn’t partake. Partway through the day, the tour schedules a break for lunch. Our tour stopped at Cafe La Bamba, which happened to be open only for tours. We enjoyed a fabulous sit meal from a buffet filled with more choices than I expected. Desserts all included dairy, and our tour guide quickly offered to run down to get my daughter Dippin’ Dots (which contain no dairy in many flavors).

Generally, the tour includes  lunch at a quick service dining option. Your group stops near wherever you happens to be when it’s time to eat. You choose an entree, a non alcoholic beverage, and a snack.

You don’t have to worry about the rain.

Florida is notorious for its rain. The day may start out perfectly sunny, but at some point, the clouds come and it pours. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten soaked in Florida from afternoon showers. With the Universal Studios VIP Experience, your tour guide procures ponchos for the group at no additional charge, as needed. They know what shops have them, ensuring you don’t panic as you try to track down an elusive poncho in a store that happens to not carry them.

Bonus? When you go on water rides at Universal Studios where you will get wet, your guide offers to provide ponchos for guests who don’t want to drip dry the next couple hours. It happened to be sunny when we visited Jurassic Park River Adventure. We all opted for ponchos, which still meant we got wet – just not soaked. After the ride, we held onto our ponchos, and later that day, the skies opened. We counted our blessings that we had our ponchos then.

The fun doesn’t end when the tour does.

After the tour – yes, you have to say goodbye to your fabulous tour guide eventually – your Universal Studios VIP Experience lanyard stays with you. That lanyard continues to provide benefits for the rest of the day. It acts as a Universal Unlimited Express Pass, so you shorten your wait for rides that accept the pass. It isn’t the skip the line entirely from the tour, but this provides a perfect opportunity to revisit your favorite rides and experience them again without a full wait. The tour lasts 5-7 hours, leaving you plenty of time to explore at your leisure.

Enjoy discounts at the shops.

I almost missed this, but your VIP tour lanyard provides a discount at many dining and stores within the parks. When my daughter visited Ollivander’s Wand Shop, she was the lucky child chosen to have a wand select her. Of course she wanted to buy that wand afterwards (with her own money). We received a 10% discount on the purchase because we bought it the day of our VIP tour. Who doesn’t buy souvenirs when on vacation? Remember to buy all yours the day you book a Universal Studios VIP Experience to save money and help offset the cost of the tour.

Receive complimentary valet parking.

If you aren’t staying onsite, this becomes another winning bonus. Valet parking costs $40, but it makes getting into and out of the park easy. The first time we visited Universal Studios, we parked our rental car. At the end of the day, we spent well over a half hour searching the lot with two tired and cranky children before finding it. I would happily have paid any amount for easy access to my car at the end of the day. Valet parking also decreases the walk from the parking structure to the theme parks significantly, which again makes life easier on a day when surpassing 20,000 steps isn’t a surprise.

Have I convinced you to try the Universal Studios VIP Experience yet?

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What happens when toddlers in the group want to see Dr. Suess and the teenagers want to be on roller coasters?

You either need to go together from one to the other (which with the no waiting in line thing, this becomes much simpler) or split into separate groups and get individual tours that focus on those specific areas. If you want to direct where you go, you need to do your own VIP tour versus joining another group, so there is an additional cost there.

Thank you for all the helpful information! I really enjoyed reading your blog about your experience with the VIP tour.

Thank you! I love hearing things like this. We really enjoyed it – it was so convenient, but we learned so much, too 🙂

[…] 9 Reasons to Book VIP Tour at Universal Orlando […]

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Complete Guide to the Universal Studios VIP Experience

This article is your complete guide to the Universal VIP Experience! We are going to cover everything about the Universal Studios Orlando VIP tour and of course the Universal Studios VIP pass in Hollywood. There are some major benefits to the Universal VIP pass which include front-of-the-line access to all of the major shows and rides, free meals, free parking, and your tour guide for the day. We have done the Universal Studios VIP, and have a lot of good things to say, as well as downsides for the extra cost.

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted Universal Orlando tickets which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando be sure to check out our Universal Crowd Calendar!

 Universal Crowd Calendar

What Are The Universal VIP Tours?

The Universal VIP tour offers an unparalleled experience for guests. This tour is guided by an expert through the park’s top attractions and shows, and is available at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood! This exclusive experience includes significant perks like the Universal Express Pass , allowing you to bypass lines at most attractions. The tour is offered in both private and non-private formats and provides the flexibility to customize your visit. Whether you enjoy the Universal Studios Orlando VIP experience or the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP tour, you’re guaranteed priority access, expert insights, and a memorable, comprehensive way to enjoy Universal Studios, making every moment unforgettable!

How Long Does the Universal VIP Tour Last?

• 5 – 7 hours

The duration of the Universal VIP tours varies between 5-7 hours, depending on the type of tour package you choose. The Universal Orlando VIP tour typically spans 6-7 hours, while its counterpart, the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP tour, usually lasts between 5-6 hours.

How Early Should You Arrive for Your Universal VIP Tour?

• 45 – 60 minutes before the tour begins

One of the most useful tips and tricks we can provide to get the most out of your Universal Orlando VIP tour is to arrive at least 45-60 minutes before your tour even begins. One of the main reasons is it will take you some time to get through security at Universal. And once you do arrive at the park gates, your group will still have to check in to your VIP experience. We also enjoyed getting to meet with our Universal VIP tour guide and coming up with a game plan for how the entire group would prefer to tackle the parks.

Related Post: Complete Guide to Harry Potter Orlando Vs California 

Universal Orlando VIP Experience Express Pass

The Universal VIP experience provides guests with front-of-the-line access to both of the main Universal Orlando parks. Out of the many perks that the Universal Orlando VIP ticket also includes, the free Universal Express Pass ticket is our favorite one! The second biggest pro to the VIP experiences at Universal Studios Orlando is that they include the two most popular rides in Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the VelociCoaster.

It’s important to point this out as although both of these rides are included with early park admission, they are not included with the Universal Orlando express pass ticket.

Does Universal VIP include Hagrid’s?

• Yes, all VIP experience Universal offers front-of-the-line access to every ride and attraction within the theme parks, including Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure!

The significance of this feature cannot be overstated, especially considering that this ride is not covered by the standard Universal Orlando Express Pass. So when you decide to go for Universal Studios VIP tickets, you’re gaining an advantage that goes beyond the usual benefits!

Related Post: Complete Guide to Universal Studios Orlando Shows

Universal Orlando Non-Private VIP Tour Overview

You can purchase tickets for up to six guests for the Universal Orlando non-private VIP experience. Then you will be combined with other parties to form a group of up to twelve people for the day’s adventures. The non-private Universal Orlando VIP tour typically begins at 11:00 AM each morning and typically lasts between five and seven hours. We will also say that even though guests follow the Universal tour guide lead on average they are guaranteed to get an average of ten rides.

One key distinction between the non-private and private Universal Orlando VIP experience is the role of the tour guide in selecting the day’s attractions. While the guide will make the final decisions, they typically conduct a group poll to gauge everyone’s interests. Given this, we strongly recommend engaging in a discussion with the other members of your non-private VIP experience Universal Orlando tour before it starts! This will allow you to align your ride preferences and ensure a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

What is Included in the Universal Orlando Non-Private VIP Tour?

• Free Valet Parking
• Front-of-the-line access to Universal Orlando shows and rides
• Backstage tour and knowledge from your tour guide
• Universal Express pass for after
• Complimentary breakfast and lunch

Does the Universal Orlando VIP Experience Cost?

Another common question we receive is, how much is the Universal Orlando non-private VIP tour?  The Universal Orlando non-private VIP tour for 2 parks over 1 day starts at  $189.00 per person plus sales tax. It’s also important to note that a valid Universal Orlando park-to-park admission ticket is required as well to participate in the Universal Orlando VIP tour.

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Private Universal Orlando VIP Tour Overview

This option is mandatory for groups of seven or more who are interested in upgrading to the Universal Orlando VIP experience. The most significant difference between private and non-private VIP tours lies in the level of control you have over your itinerary. In a private VIP tour, the guests have the final say on which attractions they’ll visit during the eight-hour tour.

This level of customization can be a game-changer. For instance, if your private tour group is enamored with H agrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or the VelociCoaster , you have the freedom to ride these attractions as many times as you’d like. This makes the VIP experience uniquely tailored to your group’s preferences.

As for the Universal Private VIP Experience cost , it’s worth noting that while this option may come at a premium, the personalized nature of the tour often makes it a value-added choice for larger groups or those seeking a bespoke experience at VIP Universal Studios .

Overall the private Universal Orlando includes the same private Universal tour guide to bring guests to the front of the line on all shows and attractions. It also includes free valet parking, a Universal express pass for after the tour, and two full-service meal vouchers which can be used inside the theme parks or at CityWalk. Non-private VIP tours also come with a 3-day Universal Orlando photo pass. 

What is included in the Universal Orlando Private VIP tour?

• Front-of-the-line access to Universal Orlando shows and rides which you select
• Universal express pass for after
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• 3-day Universal Orlando photo pass
• Additional discounts on food and merchandise

Private VIP tour Universal Orlando Cost?

So, what is the Universal private VIP tour cost? The Universal Studios private VIP tour costs start at $3,099 for the two park-a-day private VIP experience for up to five guests, and additional guests will start at $375 per person each. The private VIP tours at Universal Orlando can accommodate up to ten guests. It’s also important to note that these are the starting costs and the final price can fluctuate based on the time of year that you are visiting.

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Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Tour 2024

Now, let’s shift our focus from Florida to California and address the question: What is the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP pass ? Much like its Orlando counterpart, the Universal Hollywood VIP ticket represents the pinnacle of exclusivity, offering front-of-the-line access and behind-the-scenes experiences at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The VIP offerings at Universal Studios Hollywood come in two flavors: the non-private VIP tour and the Universal Hollywood private VIP experience. Both options provide an elevated way to explore the park, but they cater to different needs and group sizes.

The non-private option is similar to the Orlando guided tours , where you join a group of up to twelve people and follow a pre-determined itinerary set by your tour guide. On the other hand, the private VIP experience is more akin to Orlando private tours , offering a customizable agenda that you and your group dictate.

If you’re considering the Hollywood option, you might be interested in looking up a VIP experience Universal Studios Hollywood review to get a sense of what past guests have thought of their experience. For those who are still weighing the pros and cons between the two coasts, comparing this with a private tour from Universal Orlando could provide valuable insights into which experience might be the best fit for you.

What are the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP tours?

• Non-private Universal Hollywood VIP tour
• Private Universal Studios Hollywood VIP tour

Related post: Discount Universal Hollywood Tickets

 Universal Studios Hollywood Non-Private VIP Tour

So, what is the Non-private VIP tour at Universal Studios Hollywood? The non-private VIP tour at Universal Studios Hollywood is a limited-capacity experience with up to eighteen guests per VIP tour. It will provide guests with a backstage tour of the famous Universal Hollywood backlot, free parking, an unlimited Universal Hollywood express pass with priority seating for select shows, light snacks and refreshments in the morning, and a gourmet meal for lunch.

What’s included with the Non-private Universal Hollywood VIP Tour?

• Backstage tour of the famous Universal Hollywood backlot
• Free parking
• Unlimited Universal Hollywood Express Pass
• Snacks and gourmet lunch

How much does the Universal Hollywood Non-private VIP tour cost?

Now that we have gone over the details, how much does the Universal Hollywood VIP tour cost? The Universal Studios Hollywood VIP tours start at $379 per person and each group can accommodate up to eighteen people. We would say one of the biggest differences between the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP and the Orlando VIP tour is with Hollywood the cost of admission is included in the purchase price.

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Private Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Tour

Okay, now that we have covered the non-private you might be wondering what is the private Universal Studios Hollywood VIP tour. And, the private VIP tour at Universal Studios Hollywood includes guests a backstage tour of the famous Universal Hollywood backlot, free parking, an unlimited Universal Hollywood express pass with priority seating for select shows, light snacks and refreshments in the morning, and a gourmet meal for lunch. However, the biggest difference is it will only be for members of your group, and you will not be paired with any of the groups that day.

How long is the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP tour?

Another common question we receive is, how long is the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP tour?  As a general rule of thumb, the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP tour is approximately 6 hours, however, it is important to note that guests can stay in the park until closing to take advantage of their unlimited Universal Hollywood express pass.

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Is the Universal VIP Tour Worth it?

One of the most frequently asked questions we encounter is: Is the Universal Studios VIP tour worth it? As a general guideline, if your goal is to maximize your time and experiences, the Universal VIP tour is often well worth the investment. This is particularly true if you’re already considering an upgrade to include the Universal Express Pass ticket.

The reason for this is quite compelling. In the case of Universal Orlando, three major rides are not covered by the standard Express Pass but are included in the VIP tour Universal . This offers families a significant level of flexibility. You won’t need to worry about arriving for early park admission, which can sometimes be as early as 7:00 AM, to benefit from shorter wait times at the most popular attractions.

So, when considering a tour of Universal Studios Orlando, the VIP option provides a comprehensive and convenient way to experience the park. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned theme park veteran, the Universal Studios Orlando VIP and Orlando VIP experiences offer a premium, hassle-free way to enjoy all that Universal has to offer.

From a budgeting standpoint families will also be surprised to learn that the non-private VIP tours can make sense when you add up all of the extra benefits. We believe the fact that an unlimited Universal express pass is included with your Universal VIP ticket is huge as it will allow you to get onto so many more rides within your day. We also find that the Universal express pass is typically 60-70% of the cost of the non-private VIP tour anyway. So once you add the free valet parking and meals to your budget it might not be that much more to upgrade to the Universal VIP tour.

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Universal VIP Tour FAQ

Does the Universal VIP tour include VelociCoaster?

As a general rule of thumb, the Universal Orlando VIP tour does include the VelociCoaster. It’s important to note that the VelociCoaster is not included with the Universal Express pass so you will be sure to want to ride this attraction during your tour throughout the day.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our   Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar  is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We breakdown the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you’re ready to plan your trip to  Universal Studios,  be sure to check out  Universal Orlando Tickets! Not only will you save money vs buying direct, but all of our Universal Orlando tickets come with some amazing benefits that can help save you up to three hours in the parks!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at  Themeparktoday.com!

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What Really Happens on a $3,000 Universal Studios Private VIP Tour

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Paying hundreds — even thousands — of dollars to wait in long lines for rides at a major theme park can seem kind of ridiculous. The rides and attractions are great entertainment, but waiting around with squirmy kids is hardly the highlight of anyone's day. There are FastPasses, Express Passes and touring strategies to significantly reduce the ride wait time (and maximize your time spent actually enjoying the attractions).

But for travelers willing to increase their theme park budget, well, a lot, there is another option behind a velvet-roped door. In fact, there are a number of VIP tours available at virtually every major theme park, including Disney World and Universal Studios .

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Theme park VIP tours and experiences can range from less than $100 per person to thousands of dollars per day. I've done a handful of Disney World VIP experiences with my family, for example, including the VIP Classics Tour ($199 per person) and Early Morning Magic, which is arguably the best $69 per person you can spend at Walt Disney World.

Related: Best Credit Cards for Theme Parks

Why we splurged on a Universal Studios Private VIP Tour

As far as VIP tours go, those Disney options were both downright budget-friendly compared to the Universal Studios Private VIP Tour we splurged on this summer.

Like at Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando has a variety of add-on VIP experiences that start at $189 per person and skyrocket to a frankly embarrassing amount of money. My original goal was to find a Universal Studios tour that was roughly the same price as the ones we had experienced at Disney World. However, the $189 per person VIP group tours would have been, unfortunately, a very poor fit for our family.

These Universal Studios VIP group tours get you right on several rides, provide meals, valet parking and more — but most of the included rides have height-restrictions greater than the height of my almost three-year-old. And while Universal Studios has a great Child Swap program (permitting each parent to try a ride unsuitable for young children without the entire family waiting in line again), I was told the group VIP tours do not wait for Child Swap. This means if you have a child below the height restriction for any given ride on the VIP tour, only one adult can try each included ride.

Related: Is a Disney World VIP tour worth it

All in all, this made the Universal Studios group VIP tours a total bust for our current needs. As a result, we decided to uncharacteristically crack our budget wide open for the Universal Studios Private VIP Tour (in the name of hard-hitting travel research, of course). The grand total? $3,099 — not including park tickets.

What's included with a Private VIP Tour

A Universal Studios Orlando Private VIP Tour provides your group (up to five people) eight-hours of Universal Studios walk-on ride access, meals, backstage short-cuts, a knowledgable guide, valet parking, photos and a ridiculously easy and over-the-top theme park experience — in addition to other perks, such as complimentary strollers.

The day and the guide are yours, so you can ride the same ride all day long or switch back and forth between the two parks to ride as many rides as humanly possible. (We opted for something in the middle.)

Our experience with a Universal Studios VIP Private Tour

The exclusive entrance.

Our Universal Studios VIP day started at 9:30am, when we arrived to the Universal Studios theme park to check-in at the VIP area and meet our guide (aka: our new best friend, Dawn). These private tours start at either 9:00am or 10:00am, depending on the day. The Universal Studios VIP check-in area is just after you cross under the iconic Universal Studios arch, and before you have your ticket scanned to enter the actual theme park.

In this area, we also had the girls measured for rides and received our park tickets on lanyards. Then, we were whisked into the park through a private entrance to get our youngest daughter's stroller for the day.

Not that it comes close to putting a dent in the cost of the VIP tour, but it was nice to not spend an extra $27.99 per day for the stroller rental.

Related: How to use points for a Universal vacation

A private VIP breakfast

Once inside the park, we were escorted to Cafe La Bamba, a Universal Studios restaurant reserved for VIP tour groups. (Picture this: On a prime weekend in July, my family of four had an entire air-conditioned restaurant inside Universal Studios entirely to ourselves.)

There was a breakfast buffet of eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, potatoes and fruit neatly arranged with only us there to enjoy the bounty. But perhaps best of all for a family with a newly potty training toddler, we had private air-conditioned bathrooms with zero lines.

And my husband, who often struggles a bit through a crowded theme park day, had a big smile on his face. This doesn't justify the price of the tour — but it does also add to the value. After the private breakfast experience, we officially entered an alternate theme-park reality before even stepping on our first ride.

Absolutely zero lines

Since our eight-year-old is into all things Harry Potter, we began the day with a trip on the Hogwarts Express Train to the neighboring Universal Islands of Adventure theme park. There wasn't a line to ride the park-hopping train first thing in the morning, but if there had been, it wouldn't have impacted us. While on a private VIP tour, lines simply didn't exist.

Our guide, Dawn, was able to get us through secret entrances to the front of the line for almost every ride. She also wasn't shy about making way for our stroller through crowded bottle-necks — which was, honestly, a little embarrassing. While we were technically "VIP" for the day by virtue of purchasing the tour, we were certainly not VIP in actual reality. For me, that part was uncomfortable.

Once reaching Islands of Adventure, Dawn took us to Harry Potter's Hogsmeade. Universal Studios brilliantly (and somewhat malevolently), split the World of Harry Potter into two separate Universal Orlando theme parks. This is great for crowd dispersement purposes and, mostly, great for ticket sales, but it means you have to park hop to experience the Harry Potter theming and attractions in both parks. Theoretically, you could enjoy one park each day and not need a two-park ticket. But you would miss out on the Hogwarts Express Train ride: a genuine loss, as it was my favorite ride of the day.

In Hogsmeade, there are snow-blanketed shops including Honeydukes Candy Shop, with its chocolate-covered frogs, and an Ollivander's Wand Shop. We walked right past the 60 minute line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and directly into the Child Swap room, where one of us would wait with our youngest while the other rode the attraction with our eldest daughter. Three times.

More than a dozen unique rides

I'm not sure if our eight-year-old realized how insanely lucky she was to ride one of the hottest rides in all of Universal over and over again, without any wait, though we did try our best to explain that to her. She understood her fortune better when she waited in a multi-hour line at Disney's Animal Kingdom the next day.

Another very cool perk of having a Private VIP Tour guide is that the entire family can always get in the picture. This rarely happens unless you're willing to wave down a stranger.

After a few rounds on the Forbidden Journey (once was enough for me), we all rode the nearby Flight of the Hippogriff rollercoaster. This is a family-friendly coaster that only has a 36-inch height requirement, so our almost three-year-old could join us — on all three consecutive rides.

Next were a few rounds on the Jurassic Park River Adventure; a really fun high-flying lap on the Pteranodon Flyers; two rides on King Kong; a turn on Spider Man; and a ride on Cat in the Hat before we took a shortcut back to the Universal Studios side of the theme park for Minions and lunch.

Another private meal

Included in the tour price, we could have enjoyed a set lunch of an appetizer (for every two guests), an entree, dessert and non-alcoholic drinks virtually anywhere in the parks, or even at many CityWalk restaurants. When a private restaurant reserved for VIPs is on the list of choices, however, you have to try it while you can.

Once again, lunch was just our family, the servers and Dawn (who, thankfully, ate with us and made the entire experience a bit less awkward).

I loved the diverse buffet selections, which included some healthier choices. In addition to kid-pleasing chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese, there was bourbon chicken, mixed vegetables, a variety of fruit and salads, roasted chicken, jerk shrimp and even paella.

There were also more than enough cupcakes and brownie bites to go around. I won't tell you how many my girls ate that day, but let's just say they were living their best life.

By this point, our youngest was very tired and predictably passed out in her stroller. She kept sleeping while we carried her around and took turns on Mummy (twice), Transformers and Jimmy Fallon (twice).

In fact, our Sleeping Beauty was so comfortable in the Child Swap room at Jimmy Fallon, I probably should have finished the day with here there. But we had invested a lot of money to make the most of our time on the tour, so onward we went. (I will add that Child Swap rooms are where Universal Studios kicks Disney to the curb, as Disney has no such waiting areas for their rides.)

The level of treatment

Honestly, things were a little bit of a blur by this point in the afternoon, as we had experienced a ton of rides and everyone was tired. However, the classic ET Adventure ride was a tremendous late afternoon highlight — as was the Animal Actors show.

The show was superb, and I'm almost certain we would have missed it, if not for Dawn. She insisted we go when she learned how much my girls love animals. During the performance, my oldest was even selected to come on stage, and she enjoyed an after-show meet and greet with a canine movie star.

To be honest, the VIP treatment could be over-the-top and, frankly, mortifying. We were told, for example that we would get a post-show animal meet-and-greet — after a Make-A-Wish family.

I tried to make this a teachable moment. I told my daughter about the incredible Make-A-Wish Foundation, and what it meant for the children having their wishes granted. But I felt that we had no business getting the treatment reserved for Make-A-Wish families. I was thrilled my daughters were having a great time, but was simultaneously ashamed that we were getting access anywhere close to what Universal Studios reserves for children with life-threatening illnesses.

A final bit of Universal Studios magic

Diagon Alley is the newer half of Universal Orlando's World of Harry Potter. Despite having only one ride, many guests consider it the experience that feels the most like you've entered the wizarding world .

We entered Diagon Alley with only 30-minutes left to go in our eight-hour tour, so we headed straight for the Escape from Gringotts ride, which was spectacular. It was so spectacular, our oldest enjoyed it a second time — once with each parent. With that, our day of over-the-top access was just about over, and Dawn handed us vouchers for dinner at a variety of Universal restaurants.

As we said our goodbyes, Dawn walked us back to Ollivander's Wand Shop for a magical wand show. She told us that being there with a VIP guide would actually decrease the chance of our daughter being selected to participate: somewhat counterintuitive, but more than fair.

In the end, our daughter was picked for the show, and a ($50) wand chose her. It was a magical moment on her lucky day.

We subsequently ate our complimentary dinner at the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley, but we were all too spent to get the full value of the dining experience — though we did make time for a Butterbeer Challenge.

Is a Universal Studios Private VIP Tour worth the price?

Over the course of the eight-hour day, the four of us — in various configurations — experienced 15 rides and attractions (many two or three times) and had two completely private meals. We waited approximately zero minutes, enjoyed special access and, best of all, didn't have to plan a single part of the day. As the one usually in charge of the family's theme park experience, that last part was virtually priceless.

That said, at times I felt uncomfortable with the level of "special." And ultimately, I think we would have preferred fewer rides and more time to simply explore the Harry Potter portions of the park to simply explore. (No, you don't need a VIP tour to do that. But by the time our tour was finished and we had purchased our daughter's wand, we were all too tired to really stick around and let her use it. And these wands can do a number of magical things in Diagon Alley.)

In a perfect world, there would be a Universal Studios Harry Potter Private VIP Tour that's just a half-day long and only focuses on the World of Harry Potter. (Think: quick access to the rides and time spent exploring the fictional universe with someone much more magical than a Muggle mom and dad.)

At the end of the day, do I think a Universal Studios Private VIP Tour is worth it?

Dawn was fantastic — knowledgeable, personable and very much in-charge. And walk-on ride access was amazing. But you miss the set-up of some rides by entering through a back door. And frankly, the Express Pass lines typically move pretty quickly, and securing Express Passes is significantly cheaper than hiring a private guide. (This is especially true if you get them by virtue of staying at a property where they're included, such as at Loews Royal Pacific Resort , Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel .)

Related: Review of the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Given that the starting price of the Private VIP Tour is $3,099 (not including theme park tickets, which start at $170 per person, per day, for park-to-park access) for five people, with additional guests ages 3 and up costing an extra $350 each (up to 12 people), it simply isn't an option for most families. It's prohibitively expensive, and the price tag could easily cover at least two separate family vacations.

If this number isn't out of reach, however, and you're trying to plan a once-in-a-lifetime vacation for your family, consider inviting a few friends (grown-up or otherwise) and other family members until you've got a group of five people over the age of 3. And be sure all of them have the stamina for an eight-hour day and will make the most of the walk-on ride access — over and over again.

For most of us though, no. A Private VIP Tour of Universal Studios probably isn't worth the expense. If you want a VIP Universal Orlando experience with a more stomach-able price tag, pay attention to the annual Daily Getaways Sale. Last year, a Universal Orlando VIP experience for five people sold for $1,545. It's still a ton of money, of course, but much less than the regular VIP rate.

How to book a Universal Studios Private VIP Tour

If you do decide to splurge on a Universal Studios VIP tour, call the Universal Orlando Resort VIP line at 407-363-8295. And remember that the massive charge for the tour and theme park tickets did not code as travel on my Chase Sapphire Reserve statement — so use a different credit card.

Theme park tickets often don't code as travel unless they're included as part of a vacation package or purchased from a company that codes as a travel agency such as Undercover Tourist.

Instead, book your Universal Studios Private VIP Tour with a card such as the Citi Premier® Card, which awards 2x points on entertainment purchases like amusement park tickets. Otherwise, simply use the rewards credit card that awards the points you value the most at 1x point per dollar spent. Because that's a lot of dollars spent.

I'm beyond grateful to have had the Universal Studios Private VIP Tour experience — but for me, the special treatment often felt a little too special. Still, this particular VIP tour will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience my family won't soon forget.

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VIP Experience, Universal Tickets

VIP Experience, Los Angeles, California

VIP Experience

Location: Universal Studios Hollywood, California

• VIP Experience Please see "Policy Information" for ticket details.
• Feature Address: 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City , CA 91608
• PRESENT THIS TICKET TO THE VIP RECEPTION TO BEGIN YOUR VIP EXPERIENCE! You will be asked to show photo ID for purchase verification
• Price Includes: All prices shown are in U.S. Dollars ($) and include applicable taxes, fees and charges, except as otherwise noted.
• Valid at Universal Studios Hollywood, located in Los Angeles, California.
• Disclaimer: Keep this ticket in a safe place as you would money, a credit card or regular tickets. Universal Studios Hollywood™ is not responsible for any inconvenience caused by unauthorized duplication of this ticket. In the event that duplicate copies appear, Universal Studios Hollywood™ reserves the right to refuse entry to all ticket holders. The person using this ticket assumes all risk of personal injury and loss of property. Universal management reserves the right to revoke the license granted by this ticket. Not valid for Halloween Horror Nights or special events requiring a separate admission charge. Ticket and hand stamp are required for park re-entry. Park, lands, attractions or entertainment subject to change or closure, including for capacity, refurbishing, weather, force majeure and special events. Managements interpretation is final. © 2021 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

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Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates 60 years with this new Studio Tour experience

Universal Studios Hollywood reissues iconic Glamor Trams as the world-renowned Studio Tour celebrates a milestone 60 years. (Photo credit: Victoria Wall Harris/Universal Studios Hollywood)

LOS ANGELES - Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates the Studio Tour's 60th anniversary this season with a new, "experiential" addition to their popular Los Angeles back lot tours. 

While guests are normally confined to keeping their arms and legs inside their vehicle during the tour, beginning April 26, Universal Studios Hollywood is flipping the script. The park invites guests to get off the tram to pose for photo opportunities in front of some legendary movie scenes, like Universal's "King Kong" and "Jaws" sets.

For a photo opportunity like never before, the anniversary event will also feature the first-ever original replica of the Hollywood Sign situated along the iconic back lot for guests to get up close to the iconic landmark.

Universal Studios Hollywood reissues iconic Glamor Trams as world-renowned Studio Tour celebrates a milestone 60 years. (Photo credit Victoria Wall Harris/Universal Studios Hollywood)

Other notable attractions include the renovated debut of Universal's "Earthquake – The Big One," which features a realistic 8.3-magnitude quake, and a large Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur display. The 60th-anniversary elements offer guests new ways to immerse themselves in Hollywood's most iconic scenes – and take the photos to prove it.

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"The Studio Tour is a crown jewel in our theme park portfolio and a beloved attraction for millions of guests," said Universal Studios Hollywood Executive Vice President and General Manager Scott Strobl. "We are thrilled and honored to share our enthusiasm for its historic relevance with guests both new to the experience as well as those who have journeyed with us along the way."

As part of the Studio Tour 60th anniversary celebration, Universal Studios Hollywood offers a selection of specially created, highly themed food and beverages, available from April 26-August 11, 2024. (Photo credit Victoria Wall Harris/Universal Studios Hollywood)

The anniversary celebration also includes new eatery options, including BBQ brisket sandwiches and BBQ chicken sandwiches from Hollywood & Dine, burgers and chili dogs from Mel's Diner, ice cream from Studio Scoops and cookie sandwiches from City Snack Shop.

Universal Studios Hollywood's 60th anniversary event runs from April 26 through August 11, 2024. Click here for more information and for tickets .

The Ultimate Guide to the Universal Express Pass—Is It Worth It?

N o one enjoys waiting in long lines, but theme park visitors know that long waits are just part of the experience. Several amusement parks use skip-the-line systems to avoid long waits, which lets guests enjoy more of the park at a faster pace. Universal Orlando’s skip-the-line system is called Universal Express Pass. It allows guests to bypass the regular line in favor of a line with minimal waiting. Universal Express Pass can be added to your park tickets before your vacation or when you arrive at the theme park.

There are different Universal Express Pass types to choose from, each with advantages and disadvantages. Knowing how Express Pass operates can help you make the most of your park visits and decide whether or not the add-on is worthwhile.

What Is Universal Express Pass?

For an additional fee, visitors can minimize the time they spend waiting in line by purchasing the Universal Express Pass. Visitors can use express passes for most attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure to skip standby queues and enter a dedicated Express Pass line with shorter waits. For example, the average wait time for Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket is 45 minutes, whereas the Express Pass line wait is a mere five to ten minutes. With the Express Pass, you can spend less time waiting and more time riding.

Types of Universal Express Passes and Prices

The cost of an Express Pass varies, depending upon the type of ticket you have, where you are staying, or if you have an Annual Pass. You must have a valid theme park ticket to use an Express Pass. All guests ages three and up must have a valid theme park ticket and individual Express Pass to utilize the Express Pass queue. Prices listed are per person, per day. You must buy an Express Pass for each day you intend to use it.

Express Pass

The Express Pass is the cheapest pass available. Guests can skip the standby line once per attraction. Prices start at $89.99 per adult per day for one park or $99.99 per adult per day for two parks.

Express Pass Unlimited

Guests can avoid the standby line as often as they’d like with Express Pass Unlimited. Adult daily rates for one park start at $99.99, and for two parks prices are $129.99 per person.

Volcano Bay Express Pass or Express PLUS

A Volcano Bay Express Pass or Express PLUS Pass is the only valid pass for Universal’s Volcano Bay water park. Guests can skip the line once per attraction. Adult daily rates start at $19.99. No multi-park option is available.

Pricing can vary from day to day. Expect higher prices during the busier seasons, like summer or spring break. Prices can surge to $379.99 per person per day on its busiest days. It is also possible for Express Passes to sell out, especially when the theme parks are crowded.

Free Unlimited Express Pass at Premier Hotels

Guests staying in Universal’s Premier Hotels receive free Unlimited Express Passes. Each guest staying in your room at one of Universal’s premier hotels—Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort—will receive a complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Pass for the duration of your stay. The Express Pass is available on arrival and departure day, so you may use the Express Unlimited Pass for two days with just one overnight stay. This offer is only available at the three Universal Premier Hotels .

Booking a VIP Tour will get you to the front of the line at every attraction with your tour guide. After your VIP tour ends, you will receive a Universal Express Unlimited pass for the remainder of the day.

Annual Passholders

Annual passholders at Universal Orlando receive a lot of great benefits. One of the benefits of the Premier Pass, the highest annual pass tier, is Universal Express Pass benefits at 4 pm. However, this benefit is only available on normal park operating days (i.e. not during special events like Halloween Horror Nights ) and it is not available at all at Volcano Bay. 

How To Use Express Pass

The Express Pass line is a different, shorter line than the standby line. If the attraction is a show, Express Pass holders get entry to the venue ahead of time to select from preferred seating. To use Express Pass at shows, you should arrive at the Express Pass entrance 10-15 minutes before the doors open. Once the performance has started, Express Pass seats are given to standby guests.

Using Express Pass is simple. After purchasing your pass, you can enter the theme park immediately and join the Express line. You do not need to make reservations before getting in line. You must show the Team Member your Universal Express Pass so it can be scanned at each attraction. Do note that there may be two Express Pass scan locations throughout the queue.

11 of the Best Restaurants in Universal Studios Orlando

Which attractions accept express pass.

There are several attractions available to Express Pass holders at each park. These include:

Universal Studios

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott
• Hogwarts Express (Park-to-Park admission required)
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged
• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Race Through New York, Starring Jimmy Fallon
• The Simpsons Ride
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
• Revenge of the Mummy
• E.T. Adventure
• Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster

Islands of Adventure

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster
• Storm Force Accelatron
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• Caro-Seuss-el
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges
• The Cat in the Hat

Volcano Bay Express Pass

• Krakatau Aqua Coaster
• Punga Racers
• Maku of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
• Puihi of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
• Honu of Honu ika Moana
• ika Moana of Honu ika Moana
• Raki of Taniwha Tubes
• Tonga of Taniwha Tubes

Volcano Bay Express PLUS Pass

All rides on the Volcano Bay Express Pass plus the following:

• Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides
• Ko’okiri Body Plunge
• Ohyah of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
• Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

Attractions That Do Not Accept Express Pass

Unfortunately, not all attractions or shows at Universal Orlando offer skip-the-line accommodations. The attractions that do not accept Express Pass include:

• Ollivanders Wand Shop
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Pteranodon Flyers

Is Universal Express Pass Worth It?

Purchasing an Express Pass can save you time and get you better seats for your favorite shows. However, prices for Express Passes can be exorbitant, especially on busy days. To decide if purchasing an Express Pass is right for you, you must first determine how much time you have in the parks. If you visit Universal Studios Florida during a busy time, ticket prices and crowds will be at their peak. Spending the extra money on a Universal Express Pass may be worth it to optimize your limited time. Another option is to extend your trip and give yourself more time, thus avoiding the need to pay for Express Passes.

You may also consider staying in a Premier Hotel that offers free Unlimited Express Passes. Instead of buying the Express Passes, you could spend your vacation budget on the hotel and receive the extra perk of the included Unlimited Express Pass.

The cost of a Universal Express Pass varies greatly depending on when you travel and which parks you visit. It is an easy-to-use system and is a terrific way to avoid standing in long lines. If you intend to purchase the Express Pass, calculate if it will be cost-effective for your trip. There is no need for the Express Pass, but it is an excellent addition if you choose to purchase one.

More from Wealth of Geeks

• 10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do At Universal Orlando CityWalk
• The Best Thrill Rides at Universal Orlando That Aren't Coasters

15 Things To Do in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter That Aren’t Rides

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Universal Studios Hollywood to celebrate Studio Tour’s 60th anniversary with new and returning experiences

Universal Studios Hollywood is gearing up to celebrate 60 years of its Studio Tour with new and returning experiences for guests to enjoy, the park announced Tuesday.

In 1964, Universal Studios invited guests to board red and white Glamor Trams as they took a two-hour journey to see moviemaking magic behind the scenes. In celebration of the Studio Tour’s 60 th anniversary, Universal is bringing back the Glamor Tram design for its Studio Tour trams.

Guests will also be able to stop mid-tour to experience photo ops which celebrate the lot’s history.

New treats coming to Universal Studios Hollywood in honor of Butterbeer Season

Visitors will be able to see an original, fully restored 1964 vintage Glamor Tram, the first-ever original replica of the Hollywood Sign to be situated along the backlot, the theme park’s original hanging Jaws shark, a King Kong themed- photo backdrop and more.

Sights on the 60 th anniversary Studio Tour will also include an original time machine picture car from Back to the Future on Courthouse Square, where the movie was filmed, a dimensional Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur display and the return of Earthquake — The Big One, which has been upgraded with new show technology.

The tram monitors will also take guests on a journey down memory lane as it showcases clips from former Studio Tour attractions. The Studio Tour’s 1976 Runaway Train attraction will also make a temporary appearance during the event.

The Studio Tour’s 60 th anniversary expands beyond the tour itself with new food and merchandise available throughout the park.

Universal Studios Hollywood, sister parks come to life in Minecraft

New barbecue sandwiches will be available at Hollywood & Dine, Mel’s Diner will have a TV dinner-inspired meatloaf combo and fried chicken combo meals and ice cream novelties honoring park attractions will be at Studio Scoops.

Guests can also pick up 60 th anniversary Glamor Tram popcorn bucket and apparel, pillows, keychains and more souvenirs inspired by the iconic tram.

More details about the celebration can be found here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.

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I visit Universal Orlando several times a year. Here are my top 10 tips for first-timers.

I’ll never forget walking out of Universal Islands of Adventure in 2022, drenched from head to toe after riding Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barge . 

It was my first trip back to Universal Orlando Resort in years, and I learned some things the hard way, which I gladly shared with fellow travelers, hoping that they’d avoid my mistakes .

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Florida resort several times a year. And while I stand by my earlier tips, I’ve learned a few others.

Here are my top tips for first-timers visiting Universal Orlando.

1.  Stay on property

From RV parks to vacation rentals, there’s no shortage of places to stay in Central Florida, but it can pay to stay on property when visiting Universal Orlando. Not only are prices comparable to off-property hotels with Endless Summer Surfside and Dockside starting at $99 a night, but all of Universal’s resort hotels offer 30 minutes of early entry to select parks, which vary depending on time of year. 

They also provide free resort transportation, so you can get back to your room fairly quickly after a long park day or for a midday break. That free transportation can be clutch in the mornings, particularly at pricier Loews Sapphire Falls , Loews Royal Pacific , Loews Portofino Bay , and Hard Rock Hotel , which offer water taxis that drop you off closer to the parks than you can get arriving by car or bus. Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Aventura Hotel guests can walk over to Sapphire Falls for water taxis, but the extra time and steps added may make it not worth skipping the resort shuttle bus.

Walking paths are also available to the parks from every resort hotel except the Endless Summer ones. Cabana Bay guests also have a dedicated walking path to Universal’s Volcano Bay water park.

Guests staying at Royal Pacific, Portofino Bay and Hard Rock also get free Universal Express Passes , which dramatically cut waits for most rides and normally start at $79.99 per person. Free package delivery is also available to all resort hotels, if guests don’t want to lug park purchases around all day.

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2. Buy a popcorn bucket

Snacking at the parks can get expensive. Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks, but there’s one crowd-pleaser that won’t break the bank. 

A plain popcorn bucket costs a little over $12, and you can keep getting refills throughout your trip. Refills cost around $2 each, making popcorn among the cheapest, most shareable snacks on property. On our last trip, my family and I got multiple refills for the price of one pretzel with cheese dip.

3.  Bring a light, refillable water bottle

Staying hydrated is always important, particularly on hot park days. 

You can fill water bottles with free ice-cold water at any of the many Coca-Cola Freestyle machines across the property. Cups of ice water are also available for free anywhere dispensed soft drinks are sold.

Leave big double-walled stainless steel tumblers at home. Not only will they feel heavy, carrying them around all the day, but if they aren’t leak-proof, they’ll make a mess when you tip them on their sides to fit in lockers for thrill rides.

4. Bring a medium-sized bag to carry your stuff

Numerous attractions, from Jurassic World VelociCoaster to Men in Black Alien Attack , require guests to store loose articles in lockers provided for the duration of the ride. 

I previously recommended keeping most of your things together to avoid having to empty every pocket each time. That’s still true, but I want to add a caveat on size. 

The free lockers aren’t very big. They can fit a Loungefly-style mini backpack or empty popcorn bucket, if you squish them down, but they’re not large enough for packed full-size backpacks. Keep that in mind unless you want to pay for larger lockers.

5. Bring ponchos

Ponchos don’t take a lot of space and can save you from getting soaked like me on Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barge, Dudley Do-Right’s Rip Saw Falls , and Jurassic Park River Adventure .

Even if you skip water rides, ponchos are good to keep on hand for rainy park days.

6. Use single-rider lines 

Many attractions have a single-rider lane. If you’re traveling alone or don’t mind your party being split up, you can save time using the single-rider lane, if it’s open. They’re not always offered.

It doesn’t guarantee a short wait, but it’s usually shorter. On our latest trip, my middle schooler still waited at least 45 minutes for The Incredible Hulk Coaster and an hour for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit . That was about as long as the regular standby wait for Hulk but shorter than the standby wait for Rip Ride Rockit.

The following attractions have single-rider lanes, though availability varies.

Universal Studios Florida

• E.T. Adventure
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Men in Black Alien Attack
• Revenge of the Mummy
• The Simpsons Ride
• Transformers: The Ride-3D

Universal Islands of Adventure

• Doctor Doom's Fearfall
• Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
• Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster

7. Use child swap 

If someone in your party doesn’t meet ride requirements for an attraction or simply wants to sit it out, you can ask for a child swap. It’s particularly helpful for families with young children because it allows parents and caregivers to take turns riding the ride and staying with whoever is sitting it out.

On our most recent trip, my youngest didn’t want to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure , so we all waited in line together, but then she and I peeled off to a designated waiting room while my middle schooler and mother-in-law went on the ride. When they were done, my mother-in-law stayed with my youngest while I went on the ride. My middle schooler lucked out, getting to ride it twice.

Not all attractions have waiting rooms, but they all offer swaps. Just let team members know you need one.

8. Take breaks

Theme parks can be exhausting. Not only are you on your feet all day, but they can be loud, crowded and overstimulating. 

When possible, I like to plan for at least one sit-down meal in the day. This way, I can take my time and recuperate in air conditioning away from crowds. I’ll typically splurge on one table-service meal, but there are several medium-priced, quick-service restaurants across both theme parks where you can grab a lighter snack and relax.

Really, any cool spot where you can sit down works. Knockturn Alley in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida is always refreshing, though dark. Jurassic Park Discovery Center in Islands of Adventure is a great place for kids to explore while adults unwind. 

9.  Watch the shows

Rides get a lot of the love, but Universal Orlando’s live entertainment is top tier. You can find showtimes on the free resort app or simply stop to watch performances you stumble across while roaming the parks.

The only year-round shows with dedicated seating are at Universal Studios Florida: Animal Actors On Location! , The Bourne Stuntacular , and Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show, which is more funny than scary.

10. Let little ones stretch their legs

There are several play areas across both theme parks for little ones to burn off energy.

This summer, a new DreamWorks Land will open at Universal Studios Florida with a “Kung Fu Panda”-themed play area.

At Islands of Adventure, kids can explore Camp Jurassic in Jurassic Park, If I Ran a Zoo in Seuss Landing, and Me Ship, The Olive in Toon Lagoon. There are also splash pads and water features across Toon Lagoon; just make sure to either bring swimsuits or backup clothes for those.

Bonus: Don’t sleep on Volcano Bay

You’ll definitely want to pack swimsuits if you’re heading to Volcano Bay, which regularly ranks among the best water parks in the country and adds a completely different experience to vacations.

It’s themed like a tropical paradise, with plenty of trees and an iconic volcano that houses multiple water slides. The water park can get crowded, but you never spend too much time standing in line because every guest gets a Tapu Tapu wearable bracelet that lets them join one virtual queue at a time. 

Single-day tickets start at $80, which is considerably less than the $119 starting price for guests age 10 and up at Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, but still not cheap. However, if you’re already planning to buy multi-day tickets for both theme parks, tacking on Volcano Bay is not much more.