The VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood

Posted By : NJtravel099
We went to Universal on Christmas day. It was business as usual at the Park, except even more crazy busy than ever. The VIP service was more expensive than usual for the holiday, but still worth every penny. It started with Valet parking, then a dedicated entrance leading to a lounge with bathrooms and a continental breakfast while we waited to meet our guide. Our group was around 15 people. There were many people doing VIP than I would have expected, but there was enough room for everyone to sit down while they waited. Our guide, Danielle S., was super organized and efficient. She took us to pretty much every ride, one after the other, where she gave us a pretty detailed description (to make sure we all wanted to ride) and then got us to the front of the line by whatever route was necessary! This is not regular expess pass (which was still long lines), this was get to the front of the lines. This took all morning. Then there was a pretty good buffet lunch in one of the restaurants. In the little bit of free time after lunch we got to see how crowded the park was getting, and we were glad to leave for the studio tour. We went straight to our own trolley (walking past the crazy long line for the regular tour) and had a tour that included the regular stops (two of which are actually rides) as well as extra stop offs at a sound studio, props dept and courthouse square. Finally back to the Park for reserved seats at the Waterworld show. We were done around 4pm - so this is a whole day experience, and Danielle made sure everything ran like clockwork. If you’re planning on visiting the Park on a busy day (which is probably most days), the VIP experience ticket is well worth the extra cost.
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Posted On : 2024-01-01 11:11:44

Posted By : Chchfamily2014
You always wonder if paying for extra things like FastPass Lanes/tours is worth the extra outlay. For us it was. As we are only likely to visit the park once as a family we wanted to make the most of our day, see/do as much as possible and do it in an orderly fashion. Undertaking the VIP Experience tour allowed us to do this because:

1) we didn't have to get there as soon as the park opened to ensure we got on all rides (we had a scheduled arrival time);
2) we were provided with a decent breakfast upon arrival, had access to our own bathroom and were provided with the likes of lip balm, pocket tissues and (most importantly) a waterproof poncho.
3) Bryan our tour guide undertook to know what our interests/must dos were and ensured these were accomplished throughout the day. He was very knowledgeable about the park, what it provided, and its history. He planned the day (as he had full discretion) to get a lot of rides done in the morning and then the backlot tour in the afternoon (great idea).
4) we had front of line access on every ride. Even though the lines weren't that long, we didn't have to wait in line once. Bryan knew a good order in which to undertake all the rides to ensure maximum efficiency and made sure we didn't have to backtrack between the upper and lower lots.
5) Bryan had the "inside word" on if/when rides were shut/open again.
6) He gave us a good understanding of what each ride was about and what to expect. Giving those the option to not ride should they wish every time. He even held our bags when on each ride.
7) The tour stopped in the middle of the day and provided lunch in a sit-down restaurant that provided numerous options, a lot of which were gluten-free (what a relief). A similar meal in LA would cost close to $75-$100 per person.
8) You get told when and where to stand for photos / the Harry Potter castle light show to get the best view of everything.
9) you get an extended backlot (trolly car) tour that stops at extra places that the other tour (provided under the general admission) just drives through. We had plenty of time for photos in Wisteria Lane / War of the Worlds sets.
10) You get a walk-through tour of the props department
11) At the end of the tour you still have fastpass access )and time) to do any rides you may want to repeat.

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Posted On : 2023-12-17 22:20:40

Posted By : mikeaW6725ZW
First of all the staff was amazing, but for the money, the tour was not so great. We did Warner Brothers others VIP and it was a lot better. We started the day in the back lot and we're taken to the set of Jaws and War of the Worlds, driven thru the King Kong and Fast and Furious 3-D. We didn't get to see any of the buildings, Town square or Wisteria Lane.
I was very disappointed in the back lot tour. We were driven around the lot, but only stopped at Jaws and War of the Worlds.
At Warner Brothers, we stopped at many of the facades and we were able to walk thru the buildings, also we were shown the "shop", where the sets are built, the prop department and walked thru a sound stage.
We were also taken thru the Movie cars warehouse, and the set of Central Perk from friends. Both tours have us lunch, Universal was a Buffett and WB was served to us. As for the front of the line, is was ok. We found ourselves cutting into the line with no employees and it was a little awkward.
I understand that when there is filming, some places are off limits, but if most of the back lot is off limits, don't do any tours. I paid good money to see and walk around the sets and was very disappointed. Save your money and do Warner Brothers VIP if you really want to see any backlots and sound stages.
This tour is not wort the money.

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Posted On : 2023-12-07 21:09:29

Posted By : benhY5183JU
My SO and I did the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience in late September and had such an amazing time! There was a full (sandwiches, pastries, fruit, cereal, juice, coffee, water) and delicious breakfast in a VIP-only access building while we waited for the tour to begin.

We started with the studio tour, which takes around 2 hours. Despite being towards the end of the WGA and SAG strikes, the studio tour was still a lot of fun. KD was our guide and she was great. The other guide on the trolley was great as well, but I can't recall his name. Tour groups are able to walk on TV and movie sets, see behind-the-scenes parts of the studio, and other experiences outside the theme park. It was a lot of fun and not too much walking.

After the studio tour we went to lunch. Lunch is also included and is an impressive buffet. After lunch is when KD took us around the park to different rides and shows. She was awesome on this part of the experience as well, and got us great seats for the end-of-day Waterworld show. The VIP lanyard you receive gets you express line access for every ride (including Mario Kart) for the entire day, even without your guide.

Overall the VIP experience was worth the money and we had an amazing time. KD was an incredible guide and we can't recommend her enough!


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Posted On : 2023-10-03 11:32:02

Posted By : davidparkc
1. Experience dependent on guide; some guides appear more enthusiastic/better than others (Anna was simply the best; think of the ideal, efficient, friendly guide and that's her)
2. Truly skip lines; go to front (some people in normal lines do stare at you)
3. Walk the streets of movie sets
4. Go into sound studios (writer's guild strike and all...)
5. Jam-packed, fun-filled day; you do get tired, but a ton less leg pain if you didn't VIP
6. Helps to have a good weather day; check your forecasts every days before booking
7. Breakfast decent; Lunch good
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Posted On : 2023-09-22 21:35:50

Posted By : janetw873
I toured Universal Studios many years ago on a General Entry and have regretted ever since not buying the VIP pass. So this time I had it, and it was a truly terrific day. Our tour guide was a bit staid and not very friendly, but that didn’t matter too much. To be honest, I only went for the backset tour, and being allowed to walk round, and go inside the costume store.

My main focus were the western sets, where Alias Smith and Jones and the High Chaparral were filmed, all very nostalgic. We weren’t allowed to walk there, but I did enjoy wandering around the Back to the Future square, and the New York sets.

As I wasn’t that interested in the theme rides, as they make me sick, I took the general tour of the backsets as well … completely different experience, with a super fun guide. I sat on the opposite side from the VIP tour, so the Jurassic Park and Fast and Furious 3D experiences were very different.

Watch out for the talking donkey from Shrek … brilliant!

All in all, worth every penny of the small fortune I spent on this. Bucket List no. 1 … I’m happy tick.
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Posted On : 2023-09-08 20:34:47

Posted By : Darren M
We had read the reviews and didn't think it could be that good.
It really was. Pricey, but when you add up what you get, it isn't that bad.
Valet parking, breakfast and snacks at the VIP centre, a top class lunch, unlimited fastpass, access to areas not seen on the regular tour.... But what tops it all is your personal guide. Ours was Nick T (with another Nic talking part of the Tour) who did everything to make us feel like VIPs all day. My favourite moment was when he ushered us past all the others in the fastpass queue saying "my group coming through". He got anyone into which part of the ride they wanted, collected our visors for Mario karts (also fastpass only with the VIP), gave us information about things to look for on the rides and in the park and held our bags while on the rides.
We had smiles on our faces all day.
Will definitely do it again next time and will make sure we get Nick T again.

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Posted On : 2023-09-07 19:46:04

Posted By : RaspberryMeringue
We had a fantastic day with the Universal VIP Experience. Michelle was very knowledgeable about all the details during the backlot tour and we had plenty of time to take photos. Moreover, she managed to make us do almost all the rides and also let us experience the Waterworld show, despite the fact that it was a rather busy day at Universal Studios. She was very friendly and always concerned about all members of our group. Breakfast and lunch were delicious.
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Posted On : 2023-09-02 13:00:19

Posted By : W8501BFnathans
We went on the VIP tour for a day. We ended up having 3 tour guides throughout the day due to unforeseen circumstances. Robert, Micheal and Albert were all very good, attentive and friendly tour guides, and nothing was too much trouble for any of them. They all helped make our day memorable. The 3 tour guides was all to make our groups experience as a whole better, so don’t be put off by this, or any other negative feedback. Even meaning another member of staff came in on their day off to accommodate our groups needs (Albert). Couldn’t recommend this experience enough. We even had a tour guide with us from 9-6:30, so more than the experience says, and this was by our choice too. Albert, Robert and Micheal were all full of great stories and knowledge of the history of the park too. 10/10.
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Posted On : 2023-08-24 08:53:44

Posted By : 877kirinm
We loved the Valet Parking and going into the vip lounge to have breakfast. Unfortunately no one informed us that the VIP lounge closes at 2 pm! How strange considering it was supposed to be a resting/recharging area for vip guests at Universal!

Our tour guide, Peter, was awesome! The buffet lunch at Moulin Rouge was amazing!
I would do it all again but would call in advance to confirm the specifics!
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Posted On : 2023-08-07 21:52:42