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• VIP Tour Experience at Universal Orlando Resort

If you’re looking for the red-carpet experience at Universal Orlando Resort, a VIP Experience guided tour may be just the thing for you. With multiple options spanning both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure , this is a perfect way to feel like a celebrity as you “live the movies.”

Each VIP Tour permutation has its own special benefits, which we cover for you in-depth on this page. Before we do, however, it’s really important to point out one key item: the VIP Experience does not include theme-park admission. Please keep this in mind when pricing everything out.

Now, with that out of the way, let’s walk that red carpet!

Skip to: Overview | Options | Pricing | FAQ

What is the VIP Experience?

No matter which VIP Tour you choose, there are a few key benefits that you’re guaranteed to enjoy. The first, as you might have guessed, is a VIP tour guide to escort you on a group tour through Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, or both. These guides are experts on all things Universal Orlando, so even if you think you know everything there is to know about the parks, you’re sure to be blown away by the fun facts and insider knowledge they share with you.

All VIP Tours also offer priority front-of-the-line access to all rides and attractions, including the ever-elusive Pteranadon Flyers and all of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter . (Yes, that means you’ll get to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure with no line, virtual or otherwise!) Other benefits of VIP Tours include:

• Exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences (photography not permitted)
• Complimentary Valet parking
• Reserved seating at shows (excluding the seasonal Mardi Gras and Mannheim Steamroller concerts)
• Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch
• Unlimited Express Pass access throughout the rest of the day following your tour
• Exclusive VIP lanyard and credentials
• Discounts at select Universal merchandise locations throughout the resort

How many VIP Tour options are there?

Before you get to reap all those VIP rewards, you’ll have to first choose which experience is right for you. We’ve broken down all the options below:

1-Day, 1-Park Experience

A 1-Day, 1-Park VIP Tour lasts for five hours and includes priority entrance into a minimum of eight major attractions at either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure (you get to choose the park, though your tour guide sets the itinerary). And while you will receive all of the benefits listed above, keep in mind that you’ll only enjoy a free continental breakfast if your tour begins at or before 11:00 am. Generally, though, the 1-Day, 1-Park Experience kicks off at 9:30 am, so your chances of enjoying that meal are high!

1-Day, 2-Park Experience

A 1-Day, 2-Park VIP Tour lasts for seven hours and includes priority entrance into a minimum of 10 attractions at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Besides the additional park and tour length, the main difference between a 1-Day, 2-Park Experience and its singular-park counterpart is that this version includes lunch at a full-service restaurant. You can expect this tour to (usually) begin at 9:30, 10:30, or 11:30 in the morning.

Private VIP Experience

If you’d rather travel with just your own party, rather than in a group with other individuals, you can opt for the exclusive VIP treatment with this experience (which lasts for the whole day!). Besides receiving the undivided attention of your tour guide, the main draw of this option is the chance to create your own itinerary (for the non-private VIP Tours, your guide lays out the agenda for you). You’ll also enjoy three full-service meals, including dinner, at one of Universal Orlando’s restaurants and receive a three-day My Universal Photos package.

There are a few options if you’re in the market for a Private VIP Experience, including the only two-day tour available:

• 1-Day, 1-Park Tour (availability may vary)
• 1-Day, 2-Park Tour
• 2-Day, 2-Park Tour

How much does a VIP Experience cost?

As you might have guessed, the price of your VIP experience will vary drastically depending upon which tack you take. The one consistent here, though, is that all ticket prices are the same regardless of age – that means your two-year-old will have to pay just as much as you do to enjoy all that exclusive access!

• 1-Day, 1-Park: $229
• 1-Day, 2-Park: $239
• Private VIP experiences: prices vary; call 1-866-346-9350

Remember: in addition to the cost of a VIP Tour, separate theme-park admission is required. Furthermore, guests that are under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

VIP Experience Breakfast Menu

Available to Private and Non-Private VIP Tours that start at or before 11:00 am

House Baked Pastries

Dark Chocolate Chip Muffin

Flaky Butter Croissant

Blueberry Streusel Muffin

Elderberry Croissant

Fresh Cut Fruit

Golden Ripe Pineapple

Vine Ripe Strawberries

Oats & Yogurt

Overnight Oats Steeped in almond milk, agave, crunchy almonds, chia seeds, toasted coconut flakes

Vanilla Bean Yogurt Whole grain oat and wheat granola with slivered almonds and cinnamon

Warm Apple Oatmeal Flan

Hot Offerings

Applewood Smoked Bacon

Pork Sausage Links

Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

Red Bliss Potatoes Served with carmelized onions

Savory Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwich Filled with braised mushrooms, leeks, scrambled eggs

VIP Experience at Universal Orlando – frequently asked questions

Do i need to buy a vip experience ticket in advance.

No, you don’t need to, but we strongly recommend it, as quantities are limited, and – you never know – Universal may sell out the morning of your arrival. Just as with Halloween Horror Nights , our motto is it’s better to play it safe and order in advance than be disappointed the day of!

Do I get to choose my itinerary for a VIP Experience?

That depends on which VIP Tour you go with. For the Non-Private 1-Day, 1-Park or 1-Day, 2-Park experiences, you’ll be touring with other traveling parties, so in the spirit of fairness, the day’s agenda will be determined by your tour guide. If you’d rather make the plans yourself, you’ll need to purchase a Private VIP Experience.

Is a VIP Experience worth it?

It depends on what you’re looking to get out of it. If you’ll only be in Orlando for a few days and want to make the most of your time at Universal Orlando Resort, a VIP Tour is a great way to do so. The priority front-of-the-line access can’t be beaten, along with the exclusive backstage experiences and insider tips from the VIP guides. Even if you’re a seasoned Universal veteran, you’re still bound to learn something new thanks to their expertise.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I change or modify my reservation?

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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Universal Orlando Resort VIP Experience: A Comprehensive Guide

Unleash your inner celebrity and embark on an unforgettable journey through Universal Orlando Resort. With the VIP Experience, you can enjoy the parks like a true star, guided by experts who will ensure an exclusive and remarkable adventure. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of VIP tours at Universal Orlando Resort, providing you with all the details you need to plan an extraordinary visit.

VIP Experience Options

Vip experience.

Embark on an extraordinary journey with the VIP Experience at Universal Orlando Resort. Led by seasoned Universal Orlando experts, this guided group tour will immerse you in the magic of Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure, or both if you opt for the 2-park experience.

With the VIP Experience, you’ll enjoy exclusive backstage access, fascinating insider information, and the opportunity to indulge in the most incredible rides and attractions without the hassle of waiting in line. It’s your chance to explore Universal Orlando Resort like never before.

Duration and Pricing

You have two options to choose from for the VIP Experience. The 1-Day, 2-Park Experience offers a seven-hour tour, providing you with priority entrance to a minimum of ten rides and attractions. If you prefer to focus on one park, the 1-Day, 1-Park Experience offers a five-hour tour with priority entrance to a minimum of eight major rides and attractions. Please note that separate theme park admission is required.

Price: Starting from $189.00

What’s Included

When you join the VIP Experience, you’ll not only have the privilege of exploring the parks with a knowledgeable guide, but you’ll also enjoy a range of exclusive benefits. These include:

• Priority access to all rides and attractions, including iconic experiences like The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®, TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride-3D, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ attractions.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences (subject to availability), granting you a glimpse into the magic that brings Universal Orlando Resort to life.
• Complimentary valet parking for one vehicle (based on availability), making your visit even more convenient.
• Reserved seating at shows (excluding live performances during Mardi Gras and Mannheim Steamroller during the holidays), ensuring you have the best views for spectacular entertainment.
• Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch**. (Dinner is included only in Private VIP Experiences.)
• Universal Express Unlimited ride access at participating rides and attractions throughout the rest of the day during normal park operating hours.
• Exclusive VIP Experiences lanyard and credential, serving as your VIP pass throughout the day.
• Discounts at select Universal Orlando-owned and operated merchandise locations in the theme parks and CityWalk, allowing you to take home some magical souvenirs.

Navigating Universal Orlando’s Parks and Rides for an Unforgettable Experience

Private VIP Experience

If you desire an even more personalized VIP treatment, the Private VIP Experience is the ultimate choice. As the only guests on this all-day tour, you and your private group will receive exclusive VIP treatment, tailored to your preferences. Your dedicated tour guide will provide undivided attention and unlimited front-of-the-line access to all participating rides and attractions.

During the Private VIP Experience, you have the freedom to customize your itinerary, ensuring you do exactly what you want, when you want. In addition to the perks mentioned in the VIP Experience, you’ll also enjoy a full-service dinner at one of Universal Orlando’s acclaimed restaurants in either theme park or Universal CityWalk. As a bonus, you’ll receive a My Universal Photos 3-Day Photo Package, capturing the memorable moments of your tour.

Private tours are available at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and you can choose from the following options:

• 1-Day, 1-Park Tour (Not available during peak times)
• 1-Day, 2-Park Tour
• 2-Day, 2-Park Tour

Ultimate Guide to Universal Studios Orlando Express Pass

VIP Experience Details

Vip benefits.

When you opt for the VIP Experience or Private VIP Experience, you unlock a world of exclusive benefits designed to enhance your visit to Universal Orlando Resort. Here’s what you can expect:

• Priority access to all rides and attractions : Say goodbye to long lines and embrace the VIP treatment as you enjoy expedited access to the most thrilling rides and attractions. From heart-pounding adventures to magical experiences, you’ll get to make the most of your time at Universal Orlando Resort.
• Behind-the-scenes experiences : Get ready for a peek behind the curtain with exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences (subject to availability). Discover the secrets and intricacies that make Universal Orlando Resort a hub of creativity and imagination.
• Complimentary valet parking : As a VIP guest, you’ll have the convenience of complimentary valet parking for one vehicle (based on availability). No need to worry about finding a parking spot—simply arrive in style and let the professionals take care of your vehicle.
• Reserved seating at shows : Enjoy the best seats in the house with reserved seating at shows throughout the parks. Immerse yourself in captivating performances and entertainment without the hassle of securing a spot.
• Complimentary meals : The 2-Park Non-Private Experiences include complimentary continental breakfast and lunch. Indulge in delicious dining options, ensuring you stay energized throughout your VIP tour. Please note that guests on a 1-Day, 1-Park tour do not receive a meal.
• Discounts at select merchandise locations : Take advantage of exclusive discounts at select Universal Orlando-owned and operated merchandise locations in the theme parks and CityWalk. Whether you’re seeking souvenirs or special mementos, you’ll enjoy savings while you shop.

VIP Experience vs. Private VIP Experience

Both the VIP Experience and the Private VIP Experience offer exceptional guided tours of Universal Orlando’s theme parks, accompanied by friendly and knowledgeable tour guides. However, there are a few distinctions to consider:

• Group vs. Private Tour : The VIP Experience is a guided group tour, allowing you to join other guests who are also experiencing Universal Orlando Resort in VIP style. On the other hand, the Private VIP Experience is exclusively for you and your party, offering a more intimate and personalized journey.
• Customizable Itinerary : During the Private VIP Experience, you have the freedom to customize your itinerary. You can choose which rides, attractions, and experiences you want to prioritize, ensuring your tour aligns perfectly with your preferences.
• Full-Service Dinner and Photo Package : The Private VIP Experience includes a full-service dinner at one of Universal Orlando’s renowned restaurants, elevating your dining experience to new heights. Additionally, you’ll receive a My Universal Photos 3-Day Photo Package, allowing you to capture and cherish your memories.

Universal Studio Orlando Annual Pass Guide – Unlock a Year of Adventure!

Theme Park Admission and Ticket Information

It’s important to note that the VIP Experience and Private VIP Experience do not include theme park admission. Separate theme park tickets are required to participate in the VIP tours. Be sure to purchase your theme park tickets in advance to secure your spot for the VIP Experience, as these tours can sell out quickly.

Universal Express Passes and VIP Experiences

If you’re seeking additional ways to make the most of your visit to Universal Orlando Resort, consider the Universal Express Passes and VIP Experiences. These options provide even more opportunities to bypass regular lines and enjoy a seamless and unforgettable adventure.

• Universal Express Passes : With Universal Express Passes, you can skip the regular lines at participating attractions. This allows you to maximize your time in the parks, enjoying more rides and attractions throughout the day. Separate theme park admission is required for all Universal Express passes.
• VIP Experience Benefits : The VIP Experience, whether the guided group tour or the private tour, grants you priority front-of-the-line access at every ride and attraction. This means you can bypass the regular lines and make the most of your day, immersing yourself in the magic of Universal Orlando Resort.

Compare VIP Experience To The Universal Express Pass Benefits

In conclusion, the VIP Experience at Universal Orlando Resort offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the parks like a star. From priority access to thrilling rides and behind-the-scenes experiences to exclusive benefits like reserved seating and complimentary meals, the VIP tour ensures a truly extraordinary visit.

Whether you choose the VIP Experience or the Private VIP Experience, you’ll receive VIP treatment, expert guidance, and unforgettable memories. Don’t forget to secure your theme park admission in advance and consider the Universal Express Passes for an even more streamlined experience.

Prepare to embark on a journey where you’ll be treated like a celebrity, enjoying the best of Universal Orlando Resort in style. Book your VIP Experience today and get ready for a day filled with excitement, adventure, and unforgettable moments.

For gerenal information about Universal Studios Orlando and further navigation please refer to: Universal Studios Orlando: A Gateway to Adventure and Imagination

Ultimate Packing List for Universal Studios Orlando: Be Prepared for an Epic Adventure!

How much does the VIP Experience at Universal Orlando Resort cost?

The VIP Experience at Universal Orlando Resort starts at $189.00. The price may vary depending on the specific tour and options chosen. Please note that separate theme park admission is required.

What is included in the VIP Experience?

The VIP Experience offers a range of exclusive benefits, including priority access to rides and attractions, behind-the-scenes experiences (subject to availability), reserved seating at shows, complimentary valet parking (based on availability), complimentary meals (breakfast and lunch for 2-Park Non-Private Experiences), Universal Express Unlimited ride access for the rest of the day, and discounts at select merchandise locations. Private VIP Experiences also include a full-service dinner and a My Universal Photos 3-Day Photo Package.

How long does the VIP Experience last?

The duration of the VIP Experience depends on the tour selected. The 1-Day, 2-Park Experience offers a seven-hour tour, while the 1-Day, 1-Park Experience lasts for five hours. Private VIP Experiences can be customized based on your preferences.

Can I customize my itinerary during the VIP Experience?

The VIP Experience allows you to follow a guided tour itinerary with a group. However, if you choose the Private VIP Experience, you have the freedom to customize your itinerary and prioritize the rides, attractions, and experiences that interest you the most.

Does the VIP Experience include theme park admission?

No, the VIP Experience does not include theme park admission. Separate theme park tickets are required to participate in the VIP tours.

Can I purchase the VIP Experience on the day of my visit?

The VIP Experience is available for purchase in-park at the front gate of either theme park. However, it’s important to note that these tours have limited availability and may sell out. It is recommended to purchase your VIP Experience in advance to secure your spot.

What is the difference between the VIP Experience and the Private VIP Experience?

The VIP Experience is a guided group tour where you join other guests, while the Private VIP Experience is exclusively for you and your party. The Private VIP Experience allows for a more personalized and customized tour with a dedicated guide. Additionally, the Private VIP Experience includes a full-service dinner and a My Universal Photos 3-Day Photo Package.

Can I skip the regular lines with the VIP Experience?

Yes, both the VIP Experience and Private VIP Experience provide priority front-of-the-line access to all participating rides and attractions, allowing you to bypass the regular lines and make the most of your day at Universal Orlando Resort.

Are there age restrictions for the VIP Experience?

There are no specific age restrictions for the VIP Experience. However, please keep in mind that some rides and attractions may have height or other safety requirements. It’s recommended to check the official Universal Orlando Resort website or consult with a Universal Orlando representative for specific ride restrictions and guidelines.

Can I get a refund if I need to cancel my VIP Experience?

Refund policies for the VIP Experience may vary. It’s best to review the terms and conditions provided during the booking process or contact Universal Orlando Resort directly for information regarding cancellations and refunds.

Hey there! Hope you love the rides as much as I do 😉

Born and raised in FL, I love traveling, enjoying life and new places, visiting amusement and theme parks while on the go. Hope my tips can be helpful to others too!

Drop me a line [hello {@} tayloredtripsblog.com] should you have more questions/suggestions/topics, etc.

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Universal Orlando VIP Tours

Experience Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as a VIP

Welcome to Universal Orlando!

When it comes to thrills, world-class attractions and some of the best-themed entertainment areas in the world, the Universal Orlando Resort has the perfect combination of family fun and adventure. Universal Studios Florida is where television and movies come to life – tabbed as the “world’s premier movie and TV-based theme park,” this park has everything from thrilling coasters to shows that take you behind the scenes and state-of-the-art rides. Universal’s Islands of Adventure, on the other hand, offers the world’s most cutting-edge rides and some of the top thrills in not only Orlando, but the entire world.

The popularity of the Universal Orlando only continues to grow with the expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ™ . Diagon Alley ™  has been the most anticipated addition to Universal Studios Florida park history and with its grand opening an influx of visitors will cause Universal wait times increase dramatically.  Go VIP Orlando can help navigate you through Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure with minimal wait times, and all for just a fraction of the cost of other VIP tours!

Whether you are a fan of the Harry Potter series or not, our Universal Orlando VIP tours can easily navigate you through both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, offering your family limited wait times and a complete vacation itinerary, including dinner reservations at some of Universal’s critically-acclaimed restaurants (and don’t forget the butter beer!).If your upcoming vacation to Orlando includes the Universal Orlando, maximize your time while minimizing both your wait times and stress levels with your very own private guided tour of Universal Orlando!

Click here for our VIP tour pricing and complete comparison chart to help you choose the best VIP experience!

This Tour Includes:

• Complete itinerary including dining reservations
• Expertise and navigation through both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
• Minimization of wait times
• Transportation services

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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.

• Main content

Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour Guide: Should You Do It in 2024?

Have you ever wanted to do the Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour ?

BEWARE ThemeParkHipster! 

Only read further if you’re interested in getting the FULL VIP, red carpet treatment during your next visit to Universal Studios Orlando!

Yup, that’s right.

Today I’m talking ALL THINGS Universal Orlando VIP Tour.

From what the Universal VIP Tour is, to how much it costs, by the end of this post you’ll know FOR SURE whether or not the this tour is for you!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE  FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Universal Orlando VIP Tour at a Glance:

• You are personally escorted by a Universal Orlando expert on a guided tour
• This experience can be a group tour or private tour
• You can choose from: 1-Day, 1-Park Tour (Not available during peak times), 1-Day, 2-Park Tour, 2-Day, 2-Park Tour
• Cost starts at $189 per person (however, based on my experience the price usually starts at $250) and DOES NOT include park admission

Keep reading to see if the Universal Orlando VIP Tour is worth the money!

What is the Universal VIP Tour?

The Universal Orlando VIP Tour is a private, exclusive experience available to all Universal Studio guests.

For an extra cost on top of park admission – which I’ll get into later – you’ll receive a 5 hour, 1 park or 7 hour, 2 park behind-the-scenes tour of Universal Studios Orlando and/or Islands of Adventure. 

You can also choose between a private or group tour.

Not only that, but the Universal VIP Tour includes:

• Escorted front of the line ride access
• Behind-the-scenes experiences
• Meals (breakfast and lunch)
• Valet parking
• Reserved show seating
• Access to all of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ attractions
• Discounts at select Universal Orlando owned and operated merchandise locations
• An UNLIMITED Universal Orlando Express Pass

So, even when your Universal VIP Tour is over – you can still enjoy a little bit of VIP treatment!

ORDER NOW to secure your Universal Studios theme park ticket! GET MY TICKETS.

What’s Included in a Universal Orlando VIP Tour?

Ok, so I went into this a little bit above, but as always, when it comes to Universal Orlando add-ons like the Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour, everything’s not so cut and dry. 

By that I mean, there are different levels of the Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour that you can choose from. 

So, let’s get into EXACTLY what each one includes below.

1. The VIP Experience at Universal Orlando

• What is it?  A behind the scenes tour with other parties (capped at 12 people).
• What choices do I have? With the Universal VIP Tour, you get to choose if you want a 1 Day, 1 Park Experience for 5 hours , where a minimum of 10 rides of priority access is guaranteed, or a 1 Day, 2 Park Experience for 7 hours , where a minimum of 8 rides is guaranteed.
• What’s included? Personal behind-the-scenes tour guide, front of line access, valet parking (when available), breakfast and lunch, reserved show seating, all of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ attractions and an UNLIMITED Express Pass.

2. The Private VIP Experience at Universal Orlando

• What is it?   A behind the scenes tour with ONLY YOUR PARTY.
• What choices do I have? A 1 Day, 1 Park Experience, a 1 Day, 2 Park Experience, or a 2 Day 2 Park Experience (which IS NOT a choice with the normal VIP tour).
• What’s included? Everything included in the VIP Experience, plus dinner at a full service restaurant and the ability to customize your own itinerary.

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

3 Easy Tips to Prepare for Your Universal VIP Tour Experience

Now that you know what to expect on your VIP Tour at Universal and Islands of Adventure, let’s go through a few tips to help you have the BEST experience ever!

1. Plan to Stay at the Parks ALL DAY!

To make the most of your Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour, I recommend staying in the parks all day, from open to close. 

Why?  Because you’ll also get an UNLIMITED Express Pass to use the day of your Universal VIP Tour, even after the guided tour part is over.

So, think of it like this.  After your AMAZING 5 or 7 hour behind-the-scenes park tour, you’ll still have at least 5 more hours to take advantage of these add-ons. 

The UNLIMITED Express Pass lets you into the shorter, Express Pass ride queue on the vast majority of attractions!

Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide

2. Check Park Hours Before Booking Your Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour

Before deciding which day to book your Universal VIP Tour for, we highly recommend checking Universal theme parks and CityWalk’s hours here . 

Why?  Because park hours vary from day to day.

So, on some days you may find you get an extra hour or two of theme park fun , which is DEFINITELY something to take advantage of when you have an Unlimited Express Pass to use!

Top 5 BEST Restaurants in Universal Orlando CityWalk You Can’t Miss in 2024!

3. Purchase your Universal Orlando VIP Tour Ahead of Time

Can you purchase your Universal VIP Tour upon arrival at Universal Studios Orlando? Sure. Is it recommended? No.

You see, the Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour has limited spaces, therefore it’s very possible that it will be sold out if you wait until the day of.

So, definitely plan like a pro and purchase your Universal VIP Tour pass here , well in advance of your park day!

For a no obligation, FREE Universal Vacation Quote, you can fill out the form with The Park Prodigy by Clicking HERE!

Pros and Cons of the Universal VIP Tour

Now let’s go over a few pros and cons of doing the VIP experience at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Pros of a Universal Orlando VIP Tour

1. good value.

Is the Universal Orlando VIP Tour pricey? Yes. Does it cost more than normal park admission? Yes. Do you still have to pay admission on top of the Universal VIP Tour fee? Yes.

HOWEVER, when you break it down by value – you’re actually making out on the deal. 

Especially if you book far in advance for a slow time of year – since the Universal VIP Tour price changes based on demand.

Anyhoo, remember that included in the Universal VIP Tour fee, you’re getting:

• breakfast ($12 value)
• lunch ($18 value)
• valet parking ($75)
• an unlimited Express Pass ($100+)
• in-park merchandise discounts
• behind-the-scenes and front of line access with a tour guide for 5+ hours

All of that is already well over a $200 value. And the Universal VIP Tour costs…. Well we’ll get to that in a sec.

2. So Many Perks Included

Honestly, it’s called the Universal VIP Tour for a reason.

You literally get everything handed to you for a seamless, headache-free, luxurious theme park day.

Meals? Taken care of. Parking? Done for you. Waiting in lines? Basically non-existent.

All of this to say, even when your 5 or 7 hour tour is over, you’re still getting the VIP treatment.

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Cons of a Universal VIP Tour

Obviously this goes without saying, but unfortunately the Universal VIP Tour will more than double your park admission.

As I discussed above, if you look at the value of what you’re getting, you’re probably saving money in the long run, but if you don’t want to put out a big chunk of change up front for one park day, then this might not be the best choice for you.

Additionally, the cost of the tour isn’t entirely predictable since, like the Universal Express Pass, it’s on a sliding scale, so that the price matches demand. i.e. peak times, seasons, and certain days of the week cost more.

So, definitely purchase your Universal Orlando VIP Tour as far in advance as possible to maximize savings!

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2. Dirty Looks

This one’s silly, but, let’s be honest. 

If you were standing in the 95 degree humid heat for one hour to get on a ride, and then a group comes up and totally cuts the line, wouldn’t you be a little angry?

Of course you’ll be on the receiving end of the dirty looks instead of the giving end in the Universal Orlando VIP Tour scenario, but if you’re someone who doesn’t like drawing attention to yourself, it’s something to keep in mind.

Especially since you’ll be wearing a Universal VIP Tour lanyard throughout your tour.

Ready to start planning your next Universal Orlando vacation? Listen to the  latest podcast episode on Apple  or on your  non-Apple  device now!

How Much Does the Universal VIP Tour Cost?

Alright, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… how much is the Vip Experience at Universal Studios Orlando? $189, plus tax! Or, at least that’s the starting price. 

Because remember , the price spikes during peak seasons.  So let’s break down the specific costs below.

• 1 Day, 1 Park VIP Tour: Starts at $189, plus tax, per person (however, based on my experience the price usually starts at $250)
• 1 Day, 2 Park VIP Tour: Starts at $260 , plus tax, per person
• Private VIP Tour: Starts around  $3,200.00 per party (this price changes based on the season so call Universal at (866) 346-9350 to get a price quote for your party)

Check out my latest theme park adventures on Instagram TODAY!

Universal Orlando Express Pass vs. Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour Experience… What’s the Difference?

Think of the Universal Orlando Express Pass as a Disney Genie+ that lets you take a shorter line on most rides, usually guaranteeing that your wait time is cut in half, and rarely ever more than 20 minutes total.

The Universal Orlando VIP Tour, however, goes FAR beyond that!

Sure, you get an Unlimited Express Pass, but you also get valet parking, meals , reserved show seating, and a 5+ hour behind-the-scenes tour. 

Basically, the Universal VIP Tour pales the Express Pass in comparison.

Get up to 25% off of your Universal Orlando Vacation with Groupon TODAY!

Universal Private VIP Tour vs. Universal Non-Private VIP Tour… What’s the Difference?

Basically, there’s two major differences between the Private and Non-Private Universal Orlando VIP Tour: price and group size.

Whereas the Non-Private Universal VIP Tour will cost you in the hundreds and can accommodate up to 12 people from various different parties, the Private Universal VIP Tour is exclusively your party, and will cost you THOUSANDS.

Literally. The Private Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour starts at about $3,200 (price subject to change). And in addition to just being your own group, it also allows you to customize the itinerary, add a second day onto your tour, and have dinners included.

What’s Included in a Universal Studios VIP Tour for Halloween Horror Nights?

Just like how the normal Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour has multiple different offerings, the same is true for the Halloween Horror Nights R.I.P. tour experience (RIP instead of VIP…get it?)

Basically, you can choose between the Halloween Horror Nights Behind-the-Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour for around $120 and the Halloween Horror Nights R.I.P. Tour for around $300.

The difference?  The Unmasking the Horror Tour DOES NOT require ANY additional admission, and is a daytime, lights-on haunted house tour for your choice 3 or 6 houses.

Whereas the Halloween Horror Nights R.I.P. Tour requires Halloween Horror Nights admission and allows you a guided tour and VIP front of line entry to each house – PLUS an Unlimited Express Pass, Valet Parking, food reception, and more. 

Basically, a great way to ensure you will experience EVERY haunted house during this limited time event!

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Is a Universal VIP Tour Worth It?

As I broke down above in the Pros and Cons section, the Universal Orlando VIP Tour really does give you A LOT for your money!

Especially, when you consider that an Unlimited Express Pass alone already costs $100+.

I’d highly recommend the Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour to any Universal Studios superfan, anyone who’s never been to the park before, or any veteran ThemeParkHipster who wants to spoil themselves with the most stress-free theme park experience they can imagine!

Get up to 25% off of your Universal Studios Tickets with Groupon TODAY!

How Can I Book the Universal Orlando VIP Tour Experience at Universal?

You can book your VIP tour by clicking here or calling 1-866-346-9350 to book!

2024 Groupon Universal Studios Orlando Deal: How to Save THE MOST Money on Tickets

Wrapping Up…

Well ThemeParkHipster, I truly hope that this comprehensive guide gave you all the answers to your Universal Orlando VIP Tour questions!

So before you go, please do let us know in the comments below: Will you be booking the Universal VIP Tour anytime soon? Or, do you have your own Universal Orlando VIP Tour experience to share?

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

About the Author

Gina is a former Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line Cast Member who enjoys reliving the magic by writing helpful tips and tricks for future guests! 

Check out more about her Disney adventures and writing endeavors at   www.ginaarfi.net .

UP NEXT: SMACKDOWN! Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure: Which Should You Choose?

(Original Article Date: August 9, 2021/Updated by Editor on February 18, 2024)

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2024 Universal Orlando Packing List Guide: What to Pack for an EPIC Trip!

Avoid the universal orlando wait times with express pass: is it worth it in 2024, 2 thoughts on “universal studios orlando vip tour guide: should you do it in 2024”.

We are doing a Private VIP Tour at Universal and was curious and tipping our guide.

Sorry for the late response. From my understanding I didn’t find a rule from Universal that stops us from tipping a Tour Guide. You can double check with the Universal representative by calling (866) 346-9350. I like to tip but just make sure it’s okay for your visit.

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Skipping the lines of 12 major rides at Universal Orlando on a $349 group VIP tour

Theme parks this summer are...busy. Very, very busy .

In a recent earnings call, we got an official statement that Universal Orlando's capacity and attendance are pretty much back to pre-pandemic levels, which matches what we've seen on the ground. After a postponed 2020 trip, we were ready to visit Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter to take our oldest on a delayed 11th birthday celebration (which is, of course, the age when you get invited to attend Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books).

But between the summer crowds, the heat and the ongoing pandemic, we wanted to avoid lines to the greatest extent possible while going full-on into the Harry Potter side of things.

Universal Orlando actually has several available options for those looking for a shortcut to the front of the lines. Universal has private VIP tours and Express Passes, both of which we have tried before. But this much-anticipated trip presented a good excuse to try something situated at a price point between those two choices: the group VIP tour.

Want more travel news and advice from TPG? Sign up for the free TPG daily newsletter .

The Universal Orlando group VIP experience gives you a guide, walk-up attraction access, two meals and valet parking, but it costs a lot less than the private VIP tour. It also includes unlimited Express Passes for you to use after the tour concludes, but the ride access it provides during the tour is faster than the Express Pass lines.

After trying the Universal group tour out for ourselves, we found the tour to be outstanding for certain situations — and not so great for others.

Related: Guide to visiting Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando group VIP tour basics

The one-day, two-park Universal Orlando group tour lasts for seven hours and provides priority entrance into at least ten rides and attractions. It will start at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. The day starts with a private VIP buffet breakfast at Cafe La Bamba, which is also where the VIP buffet lunch takes place.

Those meals and some bottled water are included, as is valet parking — which was extremely helpful and came with its own security screening. Normally, valet parking costs $75.

The group tour starts at $239 per person on the least expensive days, with rates going up to $300 to $400 per person during peak dates. For our busy Saturday in July, the group tour was $349 per person. This is obviously a lot of money on top of admission tickets, which are not included. However, it's magnitudes less expensive than paying for a private VIP tour, which costs over $3,000 . This is especially true if you only need the tour for yourself or a small family.

You'll get an Express Unlimited Pass to use when the VIP tour concludes. While the best way to get Express Unlimited Passes is normally by staying at a Universal Orlando Premier hotel such as Loews Portofino Bay Hotel , Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort , you can also purchase the passes individually for anywhere between $110 to $240 per person per day if you aren't staying at one of those resorts.

If you were planning to pay for those extras, you are already a decent chunk of the way to the cost of the group VIP tour price.

You can price out and book the Universal group VIP tour online directly with Univeral or you can book for no extra cost via our friends at Mouse Counselors, who will help you navigate the pros and cons of all of these options for your group.

Related: Why you may want to rethink that Florida theme park trip

Our experience on the Univeral Orlando group VIP tour

We spent the night before the tour at the Hyatt Regency at Orlando International Airport using points and made the drive to Univeral Orlando that morning. While there were reports of back-ups in the garage parking and security screening that Saturday morning, we didn't have any problem pulling right up into valet parking and zipping through that dedicated security entrance.

We were at the Univeral Orlando entrance within minutes after parking, ready to head into the lobby for the VIP tour, where you get your tickets and lanyards for the day. Our check-in time was at 10 a.m. and by arriving about 15 minutes before, we had ample time to pick up the included stroller and head over to Cafe La Bamba for the included buffet breakfast.

The food was good, but not over-the-top amazing.

It's also important these days to note that it was a traditional buffet, and you are seated at full tables with people not in your party. Masks are not currently required at Univeral Orlando and there are really no pandemic precautions in play on this tour.

Our actual tour started at around 10:35 a.m. when our group of 12 — the maximum size for the group tour — headed to ride E.T.

This classic ride is one of my favorites, but unfortunately, it was "on delay" (aka not working) when we arrived. The same was true for Men in Black, the next ride we attempted to ride on the tour. It finally started working right as we were getting ready to leave the building, so we rode our first attraction of the day at 11:16 a.m. Later in the morning, we had the same problem with Transformers, which we didn't get to ride.

In fact, we only successfully rode three attractions before lunch, and it got to be a bit frustrating with the amount of bad luck our group encountered. Here's a quick look at our morning:

• 11:16 a.m. Men in Black Alien Attack (regular wait posted as 45 minutes)
• 11:51 a.m. Harry Potter: Escape from Gringotts (regular wait posted as 50 minutes)
• 12:48 p.m. Revenge of the Mummy (regular wait posted as 50 minutes)
• 1:15 p.m. Lunch break

Lunch was made up of a variety of buffet options such as salad, sliders, chicken wings, salmon, mashed potatoes, asparagus, macaroni, tater tots, cookies, macarons, fruit and beyond. We were also given more bottles of water to get us through the hot afternoon.

Thankfully, the afternoon was significantly more successful when it came to attraction availability. After a slow start that morning, we still surpassed the "guaranteed" 10 rides on the tour:

• 2:25 p.m. Hogwarts Express (regular wait posted as 20 minutes)
• 2:50 p.m. Harry Potter: Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• 3:05 p.m. Harry Potter: Forbidden Journey (regular wait posted as 60 minutes)
• 3:30 p.m. Harry Potter: Flight of the Hippogriff (regular wait posted as 40 minutes)
• 3:50 p.m. Velocicoaster (regular wait posted as 80 minutes)
• 4:15 p.m. Jurassic Park River Adventure (regular wait posted as 60 minutes)
• 4:30 p.m. Skull Island: Reign of Kong (regular wait posted as 70 minutes)
• 5:08 p.m. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman (regular wait posted as 45 minutes)
• 5:26 p.m. Incredible Hulk Coaster (regular wait posted as 40 minutes)

If the posted wait times were true, that was over nine hours of lines we mostly skipped since this was almost walk-on access (other than the lockers you still have to deal with before many of these rides). You often enter through alternative entrances that usually entirely bypass the traditional queues.

And all of that saved time doesn't even count the virtual queue we didn't have to mess with for Hagrid's Magical Creatures since it was included in the tour. (However, that ride is outstanding and therefore worth whatever effort it takes to get on it.)

Once the tour ended after the Hulk Coaster, we were free to continue our adventure in the park on our own — which is exactly what we did. We rounded out the day with another ride on the Hogwarts Express and more time spent living out our best Harry Potter lives in Diagon Alley.

Related: Here's what happens on a Disney VIP private tour

Is the Univeral Orlando group VIP tour worth it?

Unlike with the (much pricier) Disney VIP tour , there wasn't a commemorative pin or any tangible takeaway item provided on the tour, but the $349-per-person fee did get us 12 walk-on attractions, an Express Pass Unlimited, valet parking, two meals, multiple bottles of water, large lockers at each attraction where they are required (usually, only the smallest ones are free to use) and a stroller rental.

If we hadn't hit bad luck in the morning with multiple rides that weren't working, our ride total could have easily been 13 or 14 rides.

If you put no value on the meals, parking, lockers, the Express Pass, and other extras, that breaks down to $29 per ride for walk-on access. Obviously, the more value you put on those extras, the lower your cost-per-ride.

Given the very high crowd levels on this particular day, I thought the tour was an overall good value for us. However, there are some situations when I don't recommend this particular group tour.

First, if you have young kids (or kids who aren't yet over 48 inches tall), you won't get the full benefits of the group VIP tour.

Our youngest daughter is right at 48 inches. It was a big debate between Universal team members each time she would get measured as to whether she was tall enough for a given ride, so we eventually stopped trying and had her skip rides on the tour.

Unlike on the private VIP tour, where you get to dictate which rides you do and in what order, there are no re-rides on the group tour. This means parents can't take turns sitting out with a kid not tall enough to ride while each gets a turn.

The tour guide did sit with our youngest daughter while we both did the newer Hagrid's ride, but for the most part, one of us skipped anytime there was a ride she couldn't or didn't want to do.

Second, while this tour does help you avoid time spent in line, you have to be comfortable being in pretty close contact with mostly unmasked people for the day. Your group will stay together, ride attractions together, eat together, and more.

Frankly, while I planned the tour long ago, the pandemic situation was changing (again) by the time it actually happened, and it was uncomfortable for us at several points in the day — especially around the relatively crowded meals.

This is in contrast to the private VIP tour we did a few years ago, where we ate in an essentially empty Cafe La Bama restaurant and were really only in close contact with the tour guide. That may or may not matter to you, but it's worth knowing these days.

Bottom line

If you want walk-on ride access, have a traveling group that is over 48 inches and are OK not being the one picking out the rides and planning the agenda, the Universal Orlando group VIP tour may be a good fit. It offers many of the conveniences of the private VIP tour but at a fraction of the price.

Being able to truly skip the lines, get some "backstage access," enjoy valet parking, eat two included meals, score some inside info from your tour guide and get an Unlimited Express Pass to use when the tour ends is a pretty solid return for an added price that starts at $239 per person.

This is not the tour to do with little kids, but if there are just a handful in your group (and you want a special experience at a more reasonable price than a private tour), this may be exactly the tour you're looking for.

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Global Munchkins

Travel + Global Inspired Lifestyle

July 9, 2022

Everything You Need to Know about the Universal Orlando VIP Experience

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FANS! Gather around. Are you curious about how you can make your family’s experience at Universal significantly more memorable and ultra-exclusive? Have you ever wondered about the VIP experience at Universal? Or maybe you wanted to know more about what kinds of exclusive access you can get at the theme park?

Ultimately, Should You Try the VIP Experience at Universal Orlando? Is VIP worth it? We have done the Disney World VIP Tour so had to try out Universals.

Today, we’re breaking down the Universal VIP experience just for you and covering every benefit that Universal Orlando VIP has to offer:

What To Know About Tickets

Right off the bat, you should know that if you’re considering the VIP Experience at Universal, the base price is around $189.00/ per person. The costs can also go up depending on the season and the holiday. However, there are options!

There is the 1-park experience with the VIP tour which means you get taken on a tour around one park (Universal Orlando.) A 2-park experience with the VIP tour includes a tour around both Universal Orlando and the Universal Islands of Adventure. With this option, you will have access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s train ride, something that is not offered with the 1-park option. Keep this in mind if anyone in your party is a big Harry Potter fan!

Pro tip the 2 park is $10 more, get the 2 park. You can experience both parks fully in 1 day!

It is also important to note because some guests do get confused about the way this works: VIP tours are always an additional, separate fee on top of your admission ticket to get into the park. The VIP pass does not cover admission!

Another fun fact:  When Universal has themed days or nights, such as Halloween Horror Nights in the Fall, the VIP tours can be thematic, too. For example, they’ll be known as “RIP nights.”

What Are The Benefits?

Let’s get to the good stuff! The VIP Experience will be expensive, but that doesn’t mean it won’t also be worth it, considering the exclusive access, unique experiences, and “behind the scenes” information guests receive via this (overpriced?) experience!

Complimentary Valet Parking

First things first, you will receive an official Universal VIP lanyard. Automatically included in the VIP Experience, you will have complimentary access to valet parking. A fantastic benefit, to be sure, considering the number of vehicles parked at Universal and the difficulty of finding parking.

The valet parking lot’s convenience is extra nice due to the fact that it will most likely be hotter than you may be prepared for during your trip to Universal. So, wouldn’t it be nice to not have to walk at the end of the day through a massive parking lot to your car parked far, far away? Your feet will thank you!

Backstage Access

Probably one of the best parts overall about VIP is what Universal calls the “backstage access!” As Very Important People at Universal Orlando, you will be taken on a behind-the-scenes tour through the park, (or if you want to go for the 2-park Experience, as previously mentioned, you can go through a tour of the Universal Islands of Adventure as well).

The tour guide assigned to your party will take you on a tour that will last 7 hours in total length.

That’s an entire day! During the tour, guests will receive “priority access” to every ride and attractions within the park.

Essentially, this means that you will be allowed to skip the lines and jump to the front to avoid the wait! THIS IS BETTER THAN EXPRESS PASSES!

Partly, this is probably due to the timeliness of the 7-hour tour, but additionally, it’s certainly an added perk to the VIP treatment.

This priority access extends to even some of the more highly anticipated rides and attractions, such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Lines for rides such as the Harry Potter-themed rides can get lengthy. For this reason alone, jumping those lines could be the right move for you.

So, naturally, within your VIP Experience, you’ll be lumped in with at least another group or two who like you, have paid the big bucks to skip the lines and get behind-the-scenes access to the park(s).

Private  VIP Experience

BUT, DID YOU KNOW? Want to raise the price on the whole VIP situation? (Well, maybe you don’t.) But! If you’d rather it just be you and your group and not have to mingle with other strangers, there’s another option for the VIP Experience. There’s an option for a Private VIP Experience.

That’s right! A Private VIP Experience will allow you to have a personalized tour guide for only your group. Additionally, you’ll be able to choose, edit, and personalize your tours, rides, and entire schedule for the day or days. It’s a much more customizable option and lets you be in control of your schedule, your tour, and your overall experience.

Breakfast + Lunch Are Included!

The VIP Experience at Universal in Orlando includes a continental breakfast and lunch within the package. That’s two meals provided and included in your ticket price! Typically, you will dine in the general vicinity of any other parties that are included in your VIP private tour group.

The complimentary breakfast that is offered is inside Café La Bamba, with a delicious Mexican-American themed menu, only offered to VIPs! The complimentary lunch is usually inside Café La Bamba (with a lunch menu) or Confisco Grille, but the lunch location varies depending on when you go! The designated menu, however, is consistent across tours. The menu is extensive and has a wide variety… there’s something for everybody!

With the VIP Experience, you will also be able to receive discounts at certain stores carrying Universal Studios merchandise throughout the parks! Be sure to locate which stores are the special ones or check with your tour guide!

Express Pass & Then Some!

The VIP Experience at Universal Orlando also includes what they call the “ Express Pass .” But the VIP Tour is way more. You not only skip the main line but you go to the front of every line, including the ones not allowed on Express Pass currently (Velocicoaster & Hagrid’s Motorbike) Similar to the no longer in use – “Fast Pass” system at Disney World.

So, after you’ve been able to skip lines for some of the bigger rides, you’ll also have your “Express Pass” to use on rides for the remainder of your day! (I’ll be honest, you can get on almost every ride in 7 hours with the VIP Tour if you really wanted to)

***Pro TIP*** Ride Hagrid’s & Velocicoaster with the VIP Tour so you don’t have to wait in that horrific Line!

At this point, most people find themselves sold on the VIP pass. It’s an expensive addition to your trip to be sure, but it seems to make the overall park experience and wait times significantly more tolerable. That said, need even more reasons to consider the Universal VIP Experience?? You also get reserved seating at certain shows in the park!

Is VIP Worth It? (Here is the crazy part!)

Here is the crazy part, the VIP Experience is often times cheaper than Express passes. While we were at Universal Orlando this summer, Express Unlimited passes were going from $270 – $325 per person depending on the day. The VIP Experience is $239 during that same time period. So you are getting all The VIP Experience, breakfast, lunch, valet parking plus front of the line for less than the price of Express passes.

There is another Universal Orlando Express hack which can get you 5 express passes for two days for less than $500 which we use all the time, so check that out.

You’ll Probably Love Being A Universal Orlando VIP

Look, once you “experience” the VIP, its going to be tough to revert back to standard lines and tickets. The good news is…we think you will probably love the Universal VIP Experience! But, the bad news is…we think you probably love the Universal VIP Experience.

Even if this special access pass isn’t in the cards for you on your upcoming trip, now you know what Universal Orlando has to offer to make your stay and days at the park extra special. With or without the VIP passes, you can still get to the parks early, do your research, and consider an Express Pass for rides and attraction wait times!

Prioritize your favorite rides, don’t forget to hydrate often, and all in all, you will have a terrific time at Universal Orlando. You’re at a spectacular theme park, after all! Drink some butterbeer with Harry, ride the Transformers, and make memories to last a lifetime!

If you enjoyed our information about the Universal Orlando VIP Experience, you might also like:

28 INCREDIBLE UNIVERSAL ORLANDO TIPS [SAVE MONEY & TIME]

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Reader Interactions

September 7, 2022 at 11:30 am

Do they offer this tour every day of the year? Holidays?

September 8, 2022 at 4:48 am

Yes, they do. Some days do sell out.

September 10, 2022 at 3:59 am

How long does the private VIP tour last?

September 20, 2022 at 6:04 pm

Private tour is 8 hours. Lunch can be at Cafe La Bamba, or your guide can book lunch at Mythos, Confisco Grille, Finnegan’s, Lombard’s and select Citywalk restaurants.

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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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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 […]

• Islands of Adventure / News / The Wizarding World of Harry Potter / Univeral Studios Florida / Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort VIP Tour Experience

by Whitney Littlejohn · February 17, 2021

You don’t have to be a celebrity to experience Universal Orlando Resort like a star. With a VIP Experience guided tour, you’ll be led by a Universal Orlando expert through the most popular rides and attractions, plus enjoy a variety of special benefits before, during, and after your tour.

Prices starting at just $189 per person.

With the VIP experience, you’ll be personally escorted by a Universal Orlando expert on a guided group tour through Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure, or both with a 2-park experience.

You’ll get exclusive backstage access, learn fun insider information, and enjoy the parks’ most amazing rides and attractions without waiting in line.

Purchase a 1-Day, 2-Park Experience for a seven hour tour with priority entrance into a minimum of ten rides and attractions, or purchase a 1-Day, 1-Park Experience for a five hour tour with priority entrance into a minimum of eight major rides and attractions at the park of your choice^. Separate theme park admission required.

Photo: Universal

Along with your guide, you’ll also get:

• Priority front-of-the-line access  to all rides and attractions including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®, TRANSFORMERS ™ : The Ride-3D and all of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ attractions and experiences
• Exclusive  behind-the-scenes  experiences in the parks (subject to availability)
• Complimentary  valet parking  (one vehicle, based on availability)
• Reserved seating  at shows (excludes live performances during Mardi Gras and Mannheim Steamroller during the holidays)
• Complimentary  continental breakfast and lunch ** . Dinner included in Private VIP Experiences only
• Universal Express Unlimited  ride access at participating rides and attractions throughout the rest of the day (during normal park operating hours)
• Exclusive VIP Experiences lanyard and credential
• Universal CityWalk Party Pass™ , valid only on date of VIP Experience (during normal CityWalk park operating hours)^^
• Discounts  at select Universal Orlando owned and operated merchandise locations in the theme parks and CityWalk

As the only guests on this all-day tour, your private group will get the exclusive VIP treatment. Build your own itinerary and experience the parks your way with the tour guide’s undivided attention and unlimited front-of-the-line access to all participating rides and attractions. Enjoy the perks and benefits listed above plus, sample many of the destination’s most popular dishes with a full-service dinner at one of Universal Orlando’s award-winning restaurants. In addition, you will receive a My Universal Photos 3-Day Photo Package (Photo package entitlement starts on first day of tour)*.

Private tours available at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure: 1-Day, 1-Park Tour (Not available during peak times) 1-Day, 2-Park Tour 2-Day, 2-Park Tour

Separate theme park admission required for all VIP Experiences.  To book a Private VIP Tour or for more details, call  (866) 346-9350 , 9 am–7 pm, seven days a week.

Have you ever taken a VIP Tour? Let us know in the comments below!

Are you ready to start planning your next adventure? Contact me today for your FREE, no obligation quote for a Universal Studios vacation! My planning services are included at no extra cost. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE! Get in touch at 843-288-1130, via email at  [email protected]  or follow along on  Facebook .

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• Is a Universal Studios VIP Tour in Orlando Worth the Splurge?

When it comes to experiencing Universal Orlando’s private VIP tours, which can start at a hefty $2,300, the question on everyone’s mind is whether the splurge is truly justified. As a dedicated theme park enthusiast and seasoned journalist who has spent extensive time exploring Universal Orlando Resort, I’m here to provide a firsthand perspective on the exclusive world of Universal’s VIP Tours and why they might be worth every penny.

Unlocking the Exclusive Universe of Universal’s VIP Tours

There’s an undeniable magic in being part of the lively crowd and patiently queuing up for your favorite rides at Universal Orlando Resort. However, on a recent milestone birthday, I decided to treat my family of four to a completely different kind of adventure – a private VIP tour of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

A Deep Dive into Universal’s Private VIP Tour

Universal Orlando offers two primary types of VIP tours: group tours and private VIP tours. Opting for the latter, we were introduced to our dedicated tour guide who tailored our day to match our unique preferences. With the promise of “priority access” to attractions, exclusive behind-the-scenes peeks, convenient valet parking, reserved seating at shows, three delectable complimentary meals, and a host of other perks, the stage was set for a day that would leave a lasting impression.

Calculating the Price of Exclusivity

Beginning at $2,300 for groups of up to five guests, the cost of a private VIP tour can increase depending on various factors, including the time of year and how close you book to your desired date. Keep in mind that park admission tickets must also be purchased separately for each member of your group. While it may seem like a substantial investment, the array of benefits can tip the scale in favor of this unique experience.

Reserving Your VIP Adventure

Booking a private VIP tour at Universal Orlando doesn’t happen through a simple online transaction. Those interested in this extraordinary journey must make a direct phone call to the destination. (If you’re seeking a more budget-friendly option, group VIP tours can be conveniently reserved online for approximately $200 per person, along with park tickets.)

A Day as a VIP at Universal Orlando

Arriving early at Universal Orlando, we capitalized on the convenience of valet parking, sparing ourselves the long trek from the parking structure. At the VIP Experience check-in, we met Our Universal VIP Tour Guide. Over a sumptuous buffet breakfast at Café La Bamba, we engaged in discussions about our “must-see” attractions. Our Universal VIP Tour Guide, with an abundance of knowledge, meticulously constructed a personalized itinerary.

Our morning was nothing short of exhilarating, with thrilling rides such as an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and a lightning-fast adventure on the Jurassic World VelociCoaster. All of this, without enduring the traditional wait times. As we transitioned from Universal Studios Florida to Universal’s Islands of Adventure via the iconic Hogwarts Express, Our Universal VIP Tour Guide regaled us with captivating narratives about the parks.

Savoring Culinary Delights and More

Our lunch was a delightful experience at Mythos Restaurant, a personal favorite. Thanks to our VIP status, securing reservations was a breeze. We indulged in Mediterranean, Asian, and American culinary delights, all part of our tour package. The only additional expenses were the beverages, making it a memorable dining experience.

In the afternoon, we continued our exploration of attractions, with Our Universal VIP Tour Guide ensuring we maximized our enjoyment on every ride. Their insights even transformed our perspective on a previously overlooked ride, Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

Our Universal VIP Tour Guide: The Ultimate Companion

Our Universal VIP Tour Guide was much more than a guide; they were our photographer, historian, backstage insider, and the key to skipping long lines. They kept us entertained with anecdotes about celebrities who had taken the same tour, making us feel like true VIPs.

Is the VIP Experience Worth the Investment?

While we opted out of a few additional perks, such as a complimentary dinner and nighttime Express Passes, due to prior dinner plans, we couldn’t help but discuss when we could schedule another private tour with Our Universal VIP Tour Guide. Despite the initial cost, the included meals and privileges went a long way in offsetting it. The profound insights we gained about the park’s inner workings, its rich history, and its well-guarded secrets left us feeling truly special.

A VIP Tour for All

A Universal Studios VIP tour caters to two specific groups of visitors: first-timers seeking to maximize their time and experience everything the parks offer, and long-time Universal fans eager to delve deeper into the park’s history and intricacies.

In conclusion, while the price of a Universal Studios VIP tour may appear steep, the access to exclusive experiences, personalized guidance, and intimate knowledge provided by Our Universal VIP Tour Guide make it an exceptional and worthwhile adventure for anyone looking to make the most of their visit to Universal Orlando Resort.

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Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure VIP Tours

With ROYAL FAMILY VIP Tours, you will be surprised how much you get done in Universal!!!

We offer personalized experiences based on what is most important for your family with our private guided tours in the Disney and Universal Parks. You practice your wand skills in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, speed past dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, or step in the action with the Revenge of the Mummy!  At Royal Family VIP Tours, we make your family’s dreams come true!

Immerse yourself in Universal Studios — a park based on some of the world’s most famous TV shows and movies. Phone home with E.T., experience an action-packed Transformers ride and dodge dragon fire in Diagon Alley (and don’t forget the Butterbeer)!  Be sure to visit Universal CityWalk, located at the epicenter of the park. There you can shop, enjoy nightlife and taste delicious cuisine at the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe, Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, Vivo Italian Kitchen and more.

Experience epic thrills during your Universal Islands of Adventure VIP tour. This park brings your favorite cartoons, myths, children’s tales and comic books to life. Ride the new Jurassic World VelociCoaster, save the day alongside a superhero at The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® and cool off at Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls®. Enjoy delectable cuisine at Three Broomsticks™, Green Eggs and Ham™ Cafe, Captain America Diner® and more.

When you choose Royal Family Tours, we’ll make your Islands of Adventure or Universal Orlando VIP experience one to remember. We personalize your day based on what is most important for your family. Rest assured, you’ll get to see and do as much as possible during your time on our Universal Orlando VIP tours.

Our team eliminates the stress of planning your vacation so that you and your family can enjoy an UNFORGETTABLE trip! When you book with us, you get a full concierge service! Enjoy low wait times of 15-20 min, and often even shorter! NO LONG LINES! The Universal Orlando Express pass allows you to bypass the regular lines at most attractions.

You can ENJOY the best attractions, dining options, shows, parades and fireworks with a Universal Studios private VIP tour. NO STRESS.

We give you the RED-CARPET TREATMENT.

If you have any questions, see our FAQ page . To see what other customers are saying about our Universal Studios Orlando VIP tours, read our reviews .

Get a free quote

Our Universal VIP Tours

Immerse yourself in the ultimate adventure at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure with a dedicated Private VIP Tour Guide. Tailored to your preferences, our VIP tours elevate your experience, ensuring a day packed with fun, seamless navigation, and insider insights. Make the most of every moment with us at Universal.

Enchanting Islands of Adventure VIP Tour - Harry Potter & King Kong Experiences

Join our islands of adventure vip tour and immerse yourself in the wonders of skull island alongside king kong, and weave spells in the mystical realm of harry potter. our vip experience offers an unforgettable adventure where you step into the stories you love with front-of-the-line access and personal touches that bring these legendary tales to life., instant universal vip tour quote: discover your customized tour cost now, unmatched universal vip tour experience at unbeatable prices.

Book your dream Disney VIP tour – magical memories guaranteed!

What Parks Would You Like to Tour?

Secure tickets with a deposit of £25 per ticket or a hotel booking with a £100 deposit. The final balance must be paid 6 weeks before your holiday.

Take your Universal Orlando holiday to the next level with these additional tickets and experiences.

Universal Orlando VIP Experience Ticket

Enjoy exclusive backstage access, learn insider information and enjoy the parks' most amazing rides and attractions without waiting in line. Separate theme park admission is required, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

2024 EPIC Guide to 4th of July at Universal Studios Florida (Fireworks + Events)

Get ready for a festive 4th of July celebration like no other at Universal Studios Florida!

With thrilling rides, jaw-dropping shows, and mouth-watering food and drink options, this is the ultimate destination to make your Independence Day unforgettable. 

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know to make the most of your time at Universal Studios Florida on Independence Day!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE  FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

2024 Universal Studios Florida 4th of July Events 

You’ll be happy to know that the holiday events been confirmed by Universal for 2024!

Plus, you can still enjoy the amazing summer happenings around the Universal Orlando Resort! 

At Universal Studios Florida, the July 4th fun starts at 6:15 p.m. at the Music Plaza Stage and goes on until the park closes.

There will be a live DJ, meet and greets with beloved characters, and patriotic stilt walkers roaming around for entertainment at the Music Plaza Stage.

Then, at 10 p.m., you can catch an amazing fireworks show over the Universal Studios Florida lagoon to end the celebration with a bang!

For the Universal Studios Florida Independence Day Celebration you can enjoy:

• Spend the morning at Volcano Bay
• Dance to the Live Entertainment and DJ
• Enjoy the NEW Tribute Store
• Fun Character Interactions
• Explore the NEW Minion Land
• Head over to Islands of Adventure to cool off on the Water Rides
• Check out the NEW Dreamworks Land
• Watch Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular 9 p.m.
• Be Captivated by Hogwarts Always Castle Projection Show (at Islands of Adventure only)
• Enjoy the Universal Mega Movie Parade 
• Fireworks show at 10 p.m.

July Days to Avoid at Universal Studios Orlando:

• Independence Day (unless you don’t mind the Universal Studios Florida crowds)
• The Weekends

What to Know Before You Go to Universal Orlando Resort

Celebrating Independence Day at Universal Studios Florida is definitely a cool (and unique) way to spend the holiday. 

However, if it’s your first time at this Florida theme park , I don’t recommend going on the Fourth of July as it is one of the busier days at the park.

So, if you’re still thinking of heading to Universal Studios Florida in July, I bet you might have a few questions.

Get up to 25% off of your Universal Orlando Vacation with Groupon TODAY!

Is Fourth of July busy at Universal Studios Florida?

Yes! So you’ll need to get ready for an action-packed July 4th! 

With a little strategic planning and some insider knowledge, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure. 

Based on my own personal experience, you’ll want to be the first one in line by arriving early and beating the crowds. 

You’ll feel like a VIP as you breeze through shorter lines and make the most of your day. 

And if you need a magical escape from the chaos of Universal Studios on Independence Day?

Look no further than the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley! 

In particular, the Knockturn Alley section of Diagon Alley.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley

With enchanting sights and thrilling attractions around every corner, this mystical land promises to transport you to a world beyond your wildest dreams. 

And when you’re ready to refuel, indulge in a feast fit for a wizard at one of the many mouthwatering restaurants scattered throughout the park. 

Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

So, be prepared to experience high wait times and lines everywhere throughout the parks. Lines even for something simple as having a bathroom break.

But don’t worry, I’ll have way more tips for you a little bit later in this guide.

Check out my latest theme park adventures on Instagram TODAY!

Is Universal Studios Florida Crowded in July?

July is one of the most (if not the most) crowded months at Universal Orlando Resort!

Since most kids are out of school during this month, parents tend to use this time for the annual family vacations. 

Along with  Independence Day being one of the biggest holidays in America.

The park is open much longer during July (usually 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.), but you will have to deal with the crowds and the tortuous Florida sun.

Don’t feel discouraged and don’t let the hustle and bustle of the month hold you back – you can still make it an EPIC summer to remember!

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

What Should I Wear to Universal Studios Florida in July?

Don’t let the heat get in your way – dress in style and comfort to conquer the day.

You want to wear light and breathable clothing like shorts, tank tops, and comfortable shoes. 

And of course, don’t forget to shield yourself from the sun’s rays with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. 

If you’re planning on getting wet, don’t worry – bring a change of clothes or wear swimwear under your outfit. 

Show off your patriotic side by dressing in the colors of the American flag – red, white, and blue. 

With these tips, you’ll be ready to take on Universal Studios Florida and celebrate the 4th of July in style!

Recommended: Ultimate Florida Packing List: What to Pack for Your EPIC Trip!

How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios in Florida?

The cost of admission starts at $119 , but I like discounts so I use sites like Groupon and The Park Prodigy to find cheap Universal Orlando tickets.

You can read more of the best places to buy tickets for Universal Studios Orlando here!

Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide

7 Tips to Conquer Universal Studios Florida 4th of July Crowds

I know going to the park on the Fourth of July goes against all my Universal Studios Florida travel advice, but if you’re trying to conquer it on that day, I have 7 tips to help you survive.

1. Map Out Day Before You Get to Universal Studios Florida

One of my best tips for you is to plan out your day at the park. This is to make sure you don’t miss out on the best things to do at Universal Studios. 

You can create an itinerary before you go that gives you a list of the rides you want to enjoy, places you want to eat at and stores that you want to explore.

Be sure to review the Universal Studios Orlando map.

2. Arrive at Universal Orlando Resort Before the Park Opens

Not only is July one of the hottest months in Florida , it’s also one of the busiest months for travel.

So, starting early is an absolute must!

Please take my advice. When you start your day in the morning, you’ll be able to do and see so much. 

I have heard too many horror stories from families who have spent lots of money on a Universal Orlando vacation only to have it ruined by poor planning.

Plus, it is also very common to see the Florida theme parks reach full capacity on Independence Day. 

So, I recommend staying in the Universal Orlando Resort parks all day, because even if you leave for a break there’s a chance you may not be able to get back in. 

Hipster Power Tip: Double check with a Team Member to make sure you’ll be able to enter the park again.

3. Take Frequent Air Conditioning Breaks 

This one tip will help you survive the central Florida heat while you’re enjoying all of the summer festivities at Universal Studios Florida. 

Plus, I love the fact that the indoor attractions are a great way for you to cool off and take a break from the crowded park. 

Universal Studios Florida Indoor Attractions:

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts
• Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
• Men in Black Alien Attack
• E.T. Adventure
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D
• Fast and Furious Supercharged
• Race Through New York with Jimmy Fallon
• The Simpsons Ride

Hipster Power Tip: Don’t forget to cool off on the water rides at Islands of Adventure or spend a day at Volcano Bay. They’re both a great way to easily feel rejuvenated.

4. Get a Universal Studios Express Pass Before Your Arrival

If there’s any day that requires a Universal Studios Florida Express Pass , it’s Independence Day at Universal Studios Florida. 

With the Universal Studios Florida Express Pass, you’ll be able to skip the long lines on the 4th of July and get on the most popular rides right away!

Don’t forget to mix the top rides in with attractions that have an indoor element .  

Like I mentioned before, you’re going to want to fight the Universal Studios Florida heat during July.

5. Stay Hydrated

One of the most important tips is for you to stay hydrated on your trip so that you can avoid heat related symptoms.

Some of the symptoms are:

• A heat stroke
• Heat exhaustion
• The heat cramps
• Heat rash 

Below are my top tips for staying hydrated at Universal Studios Florida: 

• Drink before you feel thirsty
• Keep a Water Bottle with You to Refill throughout the day
• Monitor your water intake
• Avoid dehydrating beverages such as, alcohol, coffee, and soda
• Drink cool fluids
• Eat food high in water (fruits and vegetables)

Hipster Power Tip: Remember the most significant amount of dangerous UVB rays occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. So, keep sunscreen on hand!

6. Visit Universal Orlando Resort on July 3 rd

You’ll be able to enjoy the summer fun on July 3rd that will also happen on Fourth of July such as: 

• Live Entertainment
• Summer Treats

Another reason why you should go to Universal Studios Florida on July 3 rd is that you won’t have to deal with the large crowd that you would expect on the Fourth of July. 

That means you will be able to visit the park prior to the holiday rush of the crowds and still be able to do something for the patriotic event on the actual date of the holiday at your home.

Recommended: Where to Stay in Orlando: Top 10 Hotels and Resorts for ALL Budgets

7. Get to the Shows Early

If you have a show that you’re excited to watch, then be sure to arrive at least 30 to 35 minutes early.

That way you’ll be able to guarantee a seat (and a good one) for the top-notch Universal Orlando entertainment.

The Bourne Stuntacular is one of my favorite theme park shows anywhere!

My Final Thoughts for Universal Studios Florida on the 4th of July

If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate the 4th of July, Universal Studios Florida is the perfect place. 

From delicious food and drink options to world-class attractions, there’s something for everyone at this popular theme park. 

Make sure you arrive early, stay hydrated, and wear comfortable shoes and you’ll have the best day ever!

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor , and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

(Original Article Date: June 21, 2023/Updated on June 25, 2024)

The post 2024 EPIC Guide to 4th of July at Universal Studios Florida (Fireworks + Events) appeared first on ThemeParkHipster .

Universal Studios | Universal’s Horror Nights calls the…

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Universal studios, universal studios | universal’s horror nights calls the ghostbusters to save the world from another ice age, halloween horror nights 2024 runs on select nights from sept. 5 to nov. 3 at universal studios hollywood..

A new haunted maze based on “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” will be part of Halloween Horror Nights 2024 at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando.

ALSO SEE: Universal brings A Quiet Place maze to Halloween Horror Nights

Halloween Horror Nights 2024 will feature eight new haunted mazes along with several scare zones and the Terror Tram on select nights from Sept. 5 through Nov. 3 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The new haunted maze based on the latest Ghostbusters movie released in March will offer visitors a taste of the film franchise’s familiar blend of humor and horror.

ALSO SEE: Universal Studios Hollywood unleashes radioactive zombies for Halloween Horror Nights 2024

The backstory for the maze finds an ancient artifact unleashing a vengeful spirit who threatens to turn everyone’s veins into rivers of ice.

Along the way, Horror Nights visitors will pass through a top secret research lab, an occult bookshop and New York City’s dank sewers — all while trying to escape an army of ghastly creatures bent on cracking bones.

ALSO SEE: 4 reasons why Universal won’t launch Fast & Furious coaster until 2026

The Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire haunted house is the second maze based on a major Hollywood franchise — joining the A Quiet Place maze in the 2024 Horror Nights lineup coming to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Horror Nights visitors will try to silently navigate the Quiet Place maze without making a noise or straying from the sand path survivors traveled in the films. Everyone entering the maze will receive the same warning: If they hear you, they will hunt you.

ALSO SEE: Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates 60th anniversary with retro Studio Tour

Universal’s Hollywood park will also feature two original themed mazes in 2024: Dead Exposure: Death Valley and Monstruos 2: The Nightmares of Latin America.

The Dead Exposure maze will take Horror Nights visitors into a secret military lab where a disastrous attempt to create a super soldier results in an army of radioactive zombies.

The Monstruos maze based on Latin American folklore will bring Horror Nights visitors face to face with the soul-stealing rider El Charro, devil dog El Cadejo and boogeyman El Cucuy.

The separate admission Horror Nights event is not included with daily admission to Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal is selling an Early Access Ticket that provides entrance to select haunted mazes 90 minutes before Horror Nights officially begins each night at 7 p.m. Horror Nights season passes, front-of-the-line passes and VIP tours are also available for the event.

The Florida version of Horror Nights begins on Aug. 30 with 10 haunted houses, five scare zones and live entertainment.

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