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!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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.
Cons of a Universal VIP Tour
1. Cost
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!
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.
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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)
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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.
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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!
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!
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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!
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 here on ThemeParkHipster or Florida Hipster!
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)
We are doing a Private VIP Tour at Universal and was curious and tipping our guide.
Hi Lori!
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.
Take care,
Nikky