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.
Carly Caramanna
![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.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-102236431%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-708612%2Fiaposve-done-4-vip-tours-at-universal-studios-and-have-another-booked-for-3500-itaposs-an-incredible-deal-that-comes-with-huge-perks-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
- 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.
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.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-102236585,width-700,height-525,imgsize-186898/my-most-recent-private-vip-tour-was-at-universal-studios-hollywood-.jpg)
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.
![Theme-park food can be expensive, but guests on the VIP tour receive complimentary bites.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-102236583,width-700,height-525,imgsize-393466/theme-park-food-can-be-expensive-but-guests-on-the-vip-tour-receive-complimentary-bites-.jpg)
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.
![After breakfast, we headed to Universal](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-102236581,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1264188/after-breakfast-we-headed-to-universalaposs-back-lot-and-got-to-walk-around-.jpg)
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.
![This was a bucket-list experience for me.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-102236579,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1085952/this-was-a-bucket-list-experience-for-me-.jpg)
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.
![As we went behind the scenes, we also got to ride around on a special bus.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-102236575,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1339758/as-we-went-behind-the-scenes-we-also-got-to-ride-around-on-a-special-bus-.jpg)
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.
![All in all, we spent around two hours exploring the sets.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-102236572,width-700,height-525,imgsize-603234/all-in-all-we-spent-around-two-hours-exploring-the-sets-.jpg)
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.
![Next, we headed to Super Nintendo World and skipped lines.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-102236568,width-700,height-525,imgsize-694552/next-we-headed-to-super-nintendo-world-and-skipped-lines-.jpg)
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.
![After Nintendo, we were escorted directly onto some major attractions.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-102236566,width-700,height-525,imgsize-708612/after-nintendo-we-were-escorted-directly-onto-some-major-attractions-.jpg)
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.
![After the tour, I used my unlimited Express Pass to enjoy more rides on my own.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-102236564,width-700,height-525,imgsize-786842/after-the-tour-i-used-my-unlimited-express-pass-to-enjoy-more-rides-on-my-own-.jpg)
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 highly recommend a Universal VIP tour.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-102236556,width-700,height-525,imgsize-597386/i-highly-recommend-a-universal-vip-tour-.jpg)
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.
![I](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-102236543,width-700,height-525,imgsize-212558/iaposve-already-booked-another-vip-tour-x2014-this-time-for-halloween-season-.jpg)
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.
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