Universal Orlando VIP Tour: Exclusive Awesomeness or Just Another Expense?
Whether you’re visiting the Universal Studios Resort properties for the first time or looking for a new way to spend the day, you may be interested in a more exclusive way to experience everything the theme park has to offer. The Universal Orlando VIP Experience Tours are a backstage pass to the parks that “roll out the red carpet” for guests.
It sounds like the perfect opportunity to skip the lines and enjoy some special treatment without worrying about missing your must-dos of the day. But is the VIP Experience really worth the price?
Let’s dive in and see!
What’s Included in the Universal Orlando VIP Tour Experience?
The Universal Orlando VIP Tour is billed as a backstage experience where guests are treated to an exclusive, personalized adventure that brings them to the front of the action without the wait.
There are two types of Universal Orlando VIP tours: the nonexclusive VIP Tour Experience and the private Universal Orlando VIP Tour Experience.
Both experiences are guided walking tours that take you through one or both Universal parks. The major difference between them is whether you’ll be joined by another party during your visit.
Universal VIP Tour Experience
There are two types of VIP tours at this level. One takes you to a single park (your choice of Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Florida), and the other takes you through both parks on the same day.
1-Day, 1 Park Experience.
This experience is 5 hours long and includes priority entrance at a minimum of 8 rides or
attractions (which includes character meet-and-greets and shows).
1-Day, 2-Park Experience.
This experience is 7 hours long and includes priority entrance at a minimum of 10 rides or
attractions (which includes character meet-and-greets and shows).
Both options include:
- Complimentary valet parking at Universal Citywalk
- Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch at a private guest lounge (*only available for the 1-Day, 2-Park option)
- Front-of-the-line access to all rides and attractions during the tour (based on your guide’s itinerary)
- Behind-the-scenes experiences, tours, tips, and trivia from your VIP tour guide
- Character meet-and-greets
- Reserved seating at shows
- Souvenir VIP Lanyards
- Select discounts on Universal operated merchandise locations and full-service dining locations
- Universal Express Passes for use after the tour
Private Universal VIP Tour Experience
The Private VIP Experience includes everything in the regular VIP Experience as well as several things you won’t get elsewhere. With the Private VIP Experience, your party will be given a personal VIP tour guide for the day. Because you won’t be sharing your guide with anyone else, you can create your own itinerary for the day and prioritize whatever you’d like.
Much like the non-private tour, you can book a 1-Day, 1-Park Tour or 1-Day, 2-Park Tour as well as a 2-Day, 2-Park Tour. Each of these tours is 8 hours long.
With the Private VIP Experience, you’ll get:
- Complimentary valet parking at Universal Citywalk
- Complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a full-service restaurant (including several Citywalk locations not inside the park)
- Front-of-the-line access to all rides and attractions during the tour
- Behind-the-scenes experiences, tours, tips, and trivia from your VIP tour guide
- Character meet-and-greets
- Reserved seating at shows
- Souvenir VIP Lanyards
- Select discounts on Universal operated merchandise locations and full-service dining locations
- Universal Express Passes for use after the tour
- 3-Day Universal Orlando Photo Pass
How Does the VIP Experience Work?
Your tour officially starts at the entrance of one of the Universal parks. You should plan to arrive at least 45-60 minutes before that official start time, however. You still need to walk to the park entrance from Universal Citywalk and make your way through security. If your tour begins at or before 11 AM, you’ll start with your complimentary breakfast in a private guest lounge and then move into the fun parts!
If you are in the regular VIP Experience, your guide will create an itinerary based on what the entire group wants. If you have the Private VIP Experience, your private party will make all the decisions and create an itinerary suited to your needs. While Universal can’t guarantee your experiences (due to ride availability), you should be able to prioritize the attractions and shows you’d like to see the most.
The regular Universal Orlando VIP Tour lasts 5-7 hours depending on the type. (Private VIP Experiences operate a bit differently.) Your guide will take you through the parks, bring you to the front of the line for rides, and provide fun trivia and facts about the park you won’t find anywhere else. Once your tour is finished, you will also get an unlimited Universal Express Pass – so you can still skip the lines and catch anything you missed!
When Can you Book the VIP Tour Experience?
The easiest way to book the VIP Experience is through the Universal Orlando website. You can find ticket pricing and availability in their interactive calendar. From there, you can choose the type of ticket and the date you’d like to book your experience. Booking online is the fastest and easiest way to guarantee you’ll get the days you want.
You can also purchase the experience on the day of your visit. However, the tours are subject to availability. During the holiday season, they sell out well in advance. We recommend you reserve your date as soon as possible.
If you are interested in a Private VIP Tour, then you’ll have to contact Universal directly. You can book your tour (or speak to a representative for details) by calling (866) 346-9350 between 9 AM –7 PM EST. The hotline is open seven days a week.
Pricing & Costs for the Universal Orlando VIP Tour Experience
Obviously, this kind of experience comes with a sizable expense. Here’s the biggest detail you need to know – neither of the Universal Orlando VIP Tour Experiences include park admission in the pricing. You must purchase theme park tickets in addition to the VIP Experience. It’s essential to factor that into your budget when considering this experience.
The base price per VIP Experience ticket is $189.00 per person. However, ticket pricing varies by date and estimated park attendance. That means during the busier months – like peak summer dates or the Christmas season – prices can range anywhere from $269/person to $400+/person. Make sure you check the price for the dates you want! You may find a significant difference between going on a Monday versus a Saturday.
The Private VIP Experience, on the other hand, does not have pricing publicly available. The pricing varies by date and availability. However, the Private VIP Experience at Universal cost typically starts at a flat fee of $3,099.00 for a party of up to five guests. Additional guests can be added for around $375.00 per person.
Is the Universal Orlando VIP Tour Worth It?
Time for the biggest question – is the Universal Orlando VIP Tour Experience worth the price? That depends on what kind of experience you are willing to pay for at the parks and your personal budget for the trip. Your own tolerance for waiting in lines – and handling large crowds – also comes into play.
Cost vs. Value
Let’s break down the Universal Orlando VIP Tour costs compared to a typical day at the park. A single-day ticket for one park typically runs $109 – $159 (depending on the dates), while a 2-Park 1-Day Ticket ranges around $169-$204. Express Passes run $89 -$249, and the Unlimited Express Pass (which can be used on a ride multiple times) can cost you anywhere from $119 to $279.
With that in mind, the additional cost for the VIP Experience may not be outrageous. If you factor multiple meals into the price, you might not be spending too much extra overall.
The biggest bonus of the tour is that you can get front-of-the-line access to ALL rides, shows, and attractions within the Universal Studios parks, even those that are not included in The Express Pass. Right now, that includes Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the VelociCoaster.
As new attractions open, they’re also likely to be included as options on the VIP Experience months before they’ll be available as part of the Express Pass. You’ll also get the Unlimited Express Pass to use after your tour, meaning you’ll further reduce your wait times for the whole day.
What about your budget?
The biggest factor in determining whether or not you should pay for the Universal Orlando VIP Tour is your budget. If you’re paying for a family of four, these tickets really start to add up. While the included meals in the VIP Experience are high quality (often with items from La Bamba or Mythos on the menu), they do take away a lot of options for specialty dining establishments.
When you factor in the food, snacks, and souvenirs you might want to get during your trip, you may find better value in sticking with the base ticket or springing for the Express Passes instead. There’s no need to put yourself into financial hardship for a vacation.
Our Verdict
If you can afford to splurge on the extra, we will say it does take a lot of stress out of your day. The VIP tour guides are always knowledgeable and try to accommodate everyone in their group. The backstage access is a lot of fun, giving you a glimpse into the off-limits area of the parks.
You also get to skip the lines entirely (unlike using an Express Pass, where your wait may be up to one-half the posted wait time for the attraction). It’s also the most effective way to experience everything in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – including the Hagrid coaster – during a single-day visit.
If you have a very limited time for your vacation, this is the way to hit all of the highlights! It has something to offer first-timers as well as park regulars. Overall, the Universal Orlando VIP Tour is a great way to experience the best parts of the theme park.
Have you done the VIP Experience at Universal Studios Florida? Did you think it was worth the price? Let us know in the comments below!
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