Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Ticket
The VIP Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience, where you’ll explore movie sets, enjoy priority access to rides, and skip long lines.
With a personalized guide, you’ll dive deeper into Hollywood magic, enjoy gourmet meals, and receive VIP treatment throughout the day.
If you’re seeking a luxurious experience with special perks and exclusive access, this is the ultimate way to make the most of your visit to Universal Studios Hollywood.
VIP Tour tickets are limited, so book early once your plans are set! For quicker ride access, choose the Express Pass. Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, opt for General Admission.
Duration & Group Size
- Tour Duration: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
- Group Size: Limited to 13 guests per tour, ensuring a personalized experience .
VIP Tour Inclusions
- Park Admission: One-day entry to Universal Studios Hollywood
- Valet Parking: Complimentary valet service upon arrival
- Express Access: Unlimited Universal Express access to all rides, attractions, and seated shows, allowing you to bypass regular lines .
- Guided Tour: Expert-led exploration of the Universal Backlot, including visits to iconic movie sets and soundstages.
- Studio Tour: An extended version of the Studio Tour, providing deeper insights into film production areas .
- Meals:
- Continental Breakfast: Light refreshments upon arrival
- Gourmet Lunch: A buffet-style meal prepared by Universal’s executive chefs in a private VIP dining room .
- Refreshments: Complimentary beverages throughout the day, including ice water, sunscreen, and lip balm .
- Priority Seating: Reserved spots at select live shows, such as WaterWorld .
Cost of VIP Experience
- Prices typically start around $359 per person, varying based on date and availability.
Age Requirements
- Minimum Age: 5 years old to participate
- Accompaniment: Guests under 17 must be accompanied by an adult .
Meeting Location
- VIP Reception: Located to the right of the main entrance, next to Will Call. Guests are advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to their scheduled tour time .
Additional Information
- Availability: Tours are available daily, with varying times based on season and day of the week .
- Reservations: Advanced booking is recommended due to limited availability.
- Cancellation Policy: Cancellations can be made 24 hours in advance for a full refund; no refunds for cancellations after that.
Excited about Universal’s rides? Check out our guide to popular rides, tips to avoid long wait times, and the minimum height requirements.
What to expect at Universal Studio’s VIP Tour
The VIP Tour at Universal Studios is your ticket to an ultimate luxury theme park experience.
Whether you’re a movie buff, thrill-seeker, or simply someone wanting to enjoy the park in style, the VIP Tour takes your visit to the next level.
If you book a VIP tour, here is what you will experience during the five- to six-hour period at the park.
Arrival: VIP Perks Begin Right Away
The moment you arrive, you’ll notice the VIP treatment begins with valet parking at the entrance. No more wasting time searching for parking—simply hand your keys to the valet, and you’re set for the day.
For those with electric or hybrid vehicles, the valet even offers free charging, so you can leave with a full battery!
Once you’ve parked, head to the VIP lounge, located to the right of the entrance, where you’ll check in, receive your lanyard and credentials, and enjoy some complimentary refreshments.
The VIP lounge is equipped with a range of snacks like bagels, sandwiches, pastries, coffee, juice, and more, while you relax in an air-conditioned space.
At the VIP Experience Center, you will also receive sunscreen and lip balm to help protect you from the sun.
Related reading:
# Opening hours of the park
# Tips to visit the theme park
Guided Tour: Exclusive Access and Comfort
Once your group is ready, you’ll start your VIP Studio Tour.
Unlike the standard tram ride, the VIP tour utilizes a special trolley that has double the seating capacity and offers enhanced visibility.
These extra seats allow you to switch sides of the trolley for a better view during the various 3D shows.
They also help you to stretch and sit as your expert tour guide shares fascinating facts about the studio’s history and the making of Hollywood blockbusters.
One of the main perks of the VIP tour is the ability to walk through famous movie sets. While regular guests only see the sets from the tram, VIPs get to hop off and explore on foot, visiting iconic locations such as Courthouse Square and New York Street.
You’ll get up close to real movie sets, including soundstages where major films and TV shows are being produced.
Your guide will also take you to exclusive locations like the Edith Head Costume and Prop Department, where you can see original props and costumes from Universal’s rich film history.
Get ready for the ultimate scare fest at Universal Studios Hollywood. Find out about Halloween Horror Night tickets.
Priority Access: Skip the Lines
As a VIP guest, you’ll enjoy Unlimited Express Pass access to the rides and attractions.
Skip the regular lines and head straight for the Express Lanes, so you can experience all the park’s exciting rides without the wait.
Whether you’re taking on the thrills of Jurassic World – The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D, or experiencing WaterWorld (with VIP reserved seating), your Express Pass ensures you make the most of your time at the park.
This means you’ll have more time for fun and less time spent in line.
Note: After your VIP Tour is over, you can continue to use your VIP lanyard as an Express Pass for the remainder of your day.
Read more on Universal Studios Hollywood:
# How to reach
# Rider Safety
Gourmet Dining: A Taste of Luxury
When it’s time for a break, enjoy a 1-hour-long gourmet all-you-can-eat meal in the exclusive Moulin Rouge Dining Room.
Tucked away in the Parisian section of the Upper Lot, this private dining area offers a buffet of delicious gourmet food.
Enjoy dishes like mushroom risotto, melon and prosciutto, and caprese salad, along with a variety of desserts.
You’ll even have the chance to meet some Universal characters during your meal.
WaterWorld & Other VIP Benefits
Another fantastic benefit of the USH’s VIP tour is VIP seating at WaterWorld, Universal’s explosive stunt show.
No need to fight for a good spot—your VIP pass ensures a premium seat for this action-packed, water-splashing spectacle.
Tour Duration and Flexibility
The VIP Tour lasts at least 5 hours, but can extend depending on your group’s preferences.
While there is a structured itinerary, including the Studio Tour, WaterWorld, and a meal in the VIP dining room, your guide can adjust the tour based on your interests and input.
Want to visit specific rides or shows? Your guide can help make that happen.
The maximum group size is just 13 guests, ensuring a more intimate and personalized experience than the general tours.
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# Transfer from Anaheim
# Private transfer from/to Burbank
# Private transfer from/to San Diego
VIP Ticket: Premium Experience at a Slightly Higher Cost than Express Pass
Let’s break down the numbers to show you just how much value the VIP Tour offers at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The VIP Tour starts at $359 per person, depending on the date, while a regular Express Pass costs anywhere between $199 and $339. To upgrade to an Unlimited Express Pass, the additional cost is $40-$50.
Now, let’s factor in some other costs: lunch and snacks at the park will likely run you $20-$30 per person, and if you’re driving, parking will cost $35-$75 for your entire group.
When you tally everything up, the VIP Tour might just cost a little more, but it’s a worthwhile investment for a seamless experience that lets you skip the lines, enjoy VIP perks like gourmet meals, and truly feel like a VIP while you make the most of your day at the park.
VIP Tour vs Express Pass: A Comparison
| Feature | VIP Tour | Express Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher (starting at $359 per person) | More affordable ($199 – $339) |
| Access to Rides | Priority access + unlimited Express access for the day | Skip-the-line access for each ride once |
| Studio Tour | Full tour with behind-the-scenes access, walking through sets | Standard tram tour |
| Tour Duration | Minimum 5 hours | No specific duration |
| Group Size | Up to 13 people per tour | Larger group size |
| Valet Parking | Included | Not included |
| Food | All-you-can-eat gourmet meal in VIP room | Not included |
| Behind-the-Scenes Access | Access to working movie sets & soundstages | No access to movie sets |
| WaterWorld Reserved Seating | Included | Not included |
| Personalized Experience | Yes, with a personal guide | No, self-guided |
Where to book your VIP Tour Ticket?
You can book your Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Tour online or call the theme park’s dedicated VIP tour office at (818) 622-8477 for pricing and availability.
However, we suggest booking your VIP tour online, as they are limited and tend to sell out, especially during peak seasons such as summer, holidays, or special events like Halloween Horror Nights.
Premier ticket booking company Viator offers Universal’s VIP Tour, with the option to cancel 24 hours before the visit. We suggest this because it gives you that extra bit of control over your planning.
The other ticket options include General Admission (budget entry), Express Pass (for fast access), and the L.A. All-Inclusive Pass (best value).
Things to know before booking VIP Tour
If you’re considering the VIP Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, here are some important details to help you plan your experience:
- Tour Duration: The VIP Tour lasts a minimum of 5 hours, providing ample time to explore and experience the park. Be prepared for a mostly walking tour, focusing on key attractions, behind-the-scenes access, and exclusive perks.
- Group Size: Each VIP tour group is limited to 13 guests, ensuring a more personalized and intimate experience. Please note that rides and experiences are selected as a group, so you may not have the opportunity to choose every activity during the tour.
- Age Requirements: Guests must be at least 5 years old to join the VIP tour. If you have younger children or prefer a private VIP experience, Universal offers a higher-priced option with no age minimum (Contact them at (818) 622-8477 for price and availability). Additionally, guests must be 17 or older to participate without an accompanying adult.
- Reservation Changes: If you need to modify your VIP Tour reservation, you can do so up to 48 hours before your visit. You can reach the VIP Tour desk directly at 818-622-8477 for any changes or questions.
- Valet Parking Included: Valet parking is included with your VIP experience, so you can skip the hassle of finding a parking spot and head straight to the action.
- Meal Included: Your VIP experience includes a gourmet meal at one of Universal Studios’ exclusive dining spots, like the Moulin Rouge dining room. Enjoy character dining as part of the experience and indulge in a wide selection of delicious food, all at no extra charge.
- Universal Express Unlimited: With your VIP Tour, you receive Universal Express Unlimited, which lets you skip the lines for all rides and attractions for the rest of your day at the park.
- No Need for Ride Lockers: Forget the hassle of ride lockers—as a VIP, you can hand your belongings to your tour guide while you ride and they’ll hold onto them for you.
- Exclusive Access to Experiences: Depending on availability, your VIP guide will escort you to exclusive backlot sets, soundstages, and other behind-the-scenes locations, subject to availability (based on production schedules).
- Explore & Shop: You’ll have plenty of free time before or after the tour to shop, explore, or enjoy the park at your leisure.
- Halloween Horror Nights & Special Tours: If you visit during the Halloween season, consider the RIP Tour, a VIP experience that takes you through Halloween Horror Nights attractions. Alternatively, you can check out the Universal Fan Fest Nights VIP Tour for an exclusive experience during special events.
- No Planning Needed: One of the best parts about the VIP Tour is that there’s no planning required before your visit. Your expert guide will take care of everything, ensuring you make the most of your day without any hassle.
Is the VIP Tour Worth It?
The VIP Tour is ideal for those looking to avoid long wait times at rides while enjoying exclusive perks. This ticket provides special access to the highly popular Super Nintendo World, including Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, which is not available with standard tickets.
Along with VIP dining and valet parking, the VIP Tour offers a personalized studio tour and many other luxuries. You’ll even skip the hassle of ride lockers—just hand your bag to your tour guide, and they’ll take care of it while you enjoy the ride.
From reserved seating at WaterWorld to access to private lounges and a dedicated guide, the VIP Tour guarantees you a premium experience.