Guide to the VIP Experience, Guided Theme Park Tours, and the RIP Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood

What’s better than being a guest at Universal Studios Hollywood? Being a VIP guest at Universal Studios Hollywood. Don’t get us wrong , every day at Universal feels like magic. But the VIP Tour feels like…well, extra cushy magic.

So what, exactly, does it mean to be an A-lister at Universal Studios Hollywood? In the VIP Experience, you’ll explore the theme park with a super knowledgeable tour guide in a maximum 13-person group. The tours last a minimum of five hours and include one (truly delicious) meal, an in-depth Studio Tour unique to the VIP tour, unlimited Express Pass access, and yes, there’s even more.  Here are the need-to-know details:

• For a minimum of five hours, you will be guided through the theme park and movie studio lot with an expert tour guide. Your skillfully trained VIP guide will host a special, in-depth, unique Universal backlot tour, and provide Express Lane access for all theme park attractions.
• Your meal break during the tour will be held in the VIP exclusive dining room and includes a freshly prepared gourmet buffet. The Guided Theme Park tour includes a complementary meal at either Krusty Burger or Three Broomsticks.
• The VIP tour comes in many iterations including the R.I.P tour (a Halloween Horror Nights VIP tour), the Guided Theme Park Experience (a guided walking tour of the theme park), and fully private VIP tours.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. So let’s just get into it, shall we? Here’s everything you need to know about the VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood.

THE PRE-TOUR PERKS

When you hear the words “VIP,” it’s fair to assume you’re about to be peppered with sweet, sweet perks. The VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood is no exception to the rule. And, lucky for you, those fun little bonuses begin the second you arrive at Universal. Here’s what you can expect before you even start the tour in terms of complimentary perks:

• Valet parking. This is a huge perk! Just roll up to the main entrance to the Jurassic Parking garage, hand your keys over to a Team Member, and they’ll take it from there. No fretting over losing your keys or forgetting where you parked — you’re a VIP now.
• Refreshments. Enter the VIP lounge (just look for the red carpet to the right of the entry gates after security) for a comfortable, air-conditioned waiting area before your tour. There, you can enjoy a complimentary spread including coffee, juice, fruit, and other light bites. It is recommended to arrive and check in at least 30 minutes before your tour time to take full advantage of the VIP lounge before your tour departs.
• Sun protectants. You’re about to spend a full day in a theme park — there’s no such thing as enough sunscreen! Guests have access to complimentary sunscreen, lip balm, tissues, and water bottles in the VIP Lounge.

Once your group is assembled, fed and sunscreened up, it’s time to explore Universal Studios Hollywood — VIP style!

THE GUIDES

The tour guides are what make the VIP Experience truly one-of-a-kind. First, they’re perhaps the most knowledgeable folks you’ll ever meet about all things Universal. As your tour guide leads your small group through the theme park, they’ll hit you with factoid after factoid. It’s an inundation of anecdotes to use at your next cocktail party.

Do you know which other major studios you can see from the escalator on the way to the Studio Tour? Or what iconic 80s film the facade of Saul & Sons in the New York section of the theme park is based on? Or who dubbed Universal “the strangest city in the world”? Your VIP tour guide does.

Beyond having a sky-high Universal IQ, the tour guides are there to help make your experience exactly what you want it to be. Each VIP Tour is different. Your Guide is given an allotted time to take your group to several elements of the theme park: : the VIP Tour exclusive version of the World Famous Studio Tour, a show, a gourmet meal, and to prioritize six of Universal Studio Hollywood’s most popular rides. And even with all that, they may have time to improvise. While you can’t completely tailor the experience to every little thing that you, personally, would like to do — you are on a group tour, after all — the guides are able to take your input into consideration.

THE WORLD FAMOUS STUDIO TOUR UP CLOSE

The Studio Tour is your chance to see the ins and outs of how movies get made. But on the VIP Experience, the Studio Tour brings you just shy of straight-up making the movies yourself. While General Admission guests stay on the studio tour tram, VIP guests get to hop off and walk the sets. The exclusive access of movie and TV sets — plus certain luxe amenities — make this unlike any other Studio Tour you’ve experienced. In addition to all the standard Studio Tour experiences, VIP guests have access to:

• The VIP Trolley. Part of being very important means riding on a special trolley, complete with complementary ice water and cushy seats. This private vehicle will be able to bring you to parts of the backlot not accessible by the studio tour trams.
• Soundstage stop. Depending on the active productions on the backlot, you may be able to visit an empty or dressed soundstage. Learn how movie magic comes to life inside one of Universal’s massive soundstages. You might walk through rooms that look totally real — until you learn all the walls are removable for lighting and camera access.
• Edith Head Costume and Prop department. Named for the legendary 20th century costume designer, this building homes hundreds of props used in iconic films throughout time. This is the most exclusive visit on the VIP tour! The only way to access the Edith Head Costume and Prop department is to either work in the industry, or get aboard a Universal Studios Hollywood VIP tour. This stop has two special rules: No photos or videos allowed, and no touching. They have a very strict “you break it, you buy it” policy. So I’d keep my hands to myself.
• Walk on a real set. VIP guests get to hop off and explore iconic movie sets on foot. Each tour is slightly different and could include a set visit to  New York Street, Courthouse Square, Colonial Street, and more.

NOTE: These are all real, working sets! Therefore, all VIP Experience tours are subject to availability based on production schedules and other factors.

THE RIDES

VIPs? Wait in long lines? What a ridiculous concept! With your Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience comes an Unlimited Express Pass, so you get to use the Express Lanes on every ride in the theme park. That means less time waiting, and more time riding. We made it onto seven rides during my VIP Experience.

But the VIP Experience isn’t just about skipping lines, it’s about the little things. It’s all about removing friction from your day. Here are a couple examples of little luxuries on the rides:

• No Ride Locker Necessary. VIP guests can just hand their bag to their tour guide as they hop on a ride, who hands it back when you get off. Easy peasy.
• Show Seats. As a part of your VIP Experience, your guide will ensure you’re able to see a show while visiting the theme park. Depending on the timing of your tour and show offerings of the day, you will either see WaterWorld or DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda.  

PRO TIP: Your VIP lanyard functions as an Unlimited Express for the remainder of your day at Universal Studios Hollywood! If you’re a real thrill-seeker, you’ll be able to hit your favorite rides again (and again) until the park closes.

A GOURMET MEAL

You’ve done everything at Universal Studios Hollywood, you claim? Bet you haven’t eaten at VIP Dining. If you haven’t already done the VIP Tour, you definitely haven’t. I mean, I hadn’t, and I work here.

VIP Dining, tucked in the Parisian (so you know it’s fancy) portion of the Upper Lot, is the VIP-only dining room. During your VIP Tour, you’ll enjoy a one-hour, all-you-can-eat experience here. And I do mean enjoy. VIP Dining has (arguably) the tastiest food available at the theme park and CityWalk. The whole buffet is delicious, so don’t be shy about getting a second — or let’s be honest —  third plate. Just don’t forget to save room for dessert, which includes gelato, cheesecake, cookies, and more.

Everything along the all-you-can-eat buffet has a clear label to help with any dietary restrictions. At any point if you have any questions about the menu or available food items, the kind and knowledgeable staff at VIP Dining are more than happy to help and answer any questions.

The elevated menu, free phone charging stations, another chance to snag a water bottle, and visits from Universal characters, makes VIP Dining the perfect oasis at which to refuel during a jam-packed day at the theme park.

THE GUIDED THEME PARK TOUR

Do you consider yourself a thrill seeker? Someone who is ready to get their heart racing and blood pumping on all of the rides at Universal Studios Hollywood? Well, there’s a new way to experience the theme park! Introducing: the Guided Theme Park Tour, where an expert guide will accompany you on your day focusing on the theme park. You’ll also enjoy unlimited Universal Express access on all of the rides at the theme park. On top of that, this tour includes valet parking, access to the VIP Lounge pre-tour, as well as a complimentary meal (at either Krusty Burger or Three Broomsticks) during the tour itself. Not too shabby!

The Guided Theme Park Tour also includes Universal Express access to the World-Famous Studio Tour but does not include access to the off-trolley studio tour. This is a different experience than the VIP tour, but worth looking into if you would like to prioritize rides above all else at Universal Studios Hollywood.

This product is a great option if you’re looking to climb aboard one of the foreign language studio tours. Your VIP tour guide can coordinate to get you aboard a Spanish or Mandarin tour.  Just let them know you’re interested when you arrive for the day.

THE DETAILS

Here are the nitty-gritty details you need to know:

• VIP Tours start at various times throughout the morning. The number of tours per day varies by season and day of the week.
• Tours are capped at 13 guests each.
• Tours run for a minimum of 5 hours.
• Children must be at least 5 years old to attend, and 17 years old to attend without an accompanying adult.
• Book your VIP Experience here.
• VIP Private Experience tours are also available. Call (818) 622-8477 to reserve yours.

THE SPOOKY VERSION

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the combination of two of the best parts of Universal Studios Hollywood: VIP + Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). It’s called the R.I.P. Tour. (Genius.)

The R.I.P. Tour differs slightly from the regular VIP Experience, but the bones (har-har) are the same. You’ll get a guided walking tour of the event, unlimited express entry to each haunted house and available attractions, the Terror Tram backlot experience in a VIP trolley, and gourmet dining experience, exclusive photo ops, and more. Check out the full details here. But basically, it’s the VIP Experience, plus a whole lot of guts and gore and jump-scares. Hell really is a place on Earth.

PRO TIP: A similar experience is also available during Fan Fest Nights (FFN) at Universal Studios Hollywood. This tour highlights fantasy, sci-fi, gaming, and anime fandoms with exclusive VIP access.

THE VERDICT

So, is the VIP Experience at Universal worth it? The short answer: yes. But let’s break it down and see if it makes sense for you. The VIP Tour Experience is awesome for…

• Universal superfans. If you want to soak up every last thing the theme park has to offer, the VIP Experience is an absolute must. As I mentioned, certain experiences, like VIP Dining and the up-close Studio Tour, are only available to VIP guests.
• Folks who want a cushier experience. Treat yourself! Theme park days can be long ones — make yours a truly relaxing visit with the VIP Experience.
• Entertainment buffs. Even the biggest film nerds can learn a thing or two from the brainiac VIP tour guides.
• Parents of young ones. Tired of planning every single little detail of the family vacation? Your VIP tour guide has got you covered. Parents will appreciate someone else taking the lead for a jam-packed day!

Overall? Going VIP totally elevates the Universal Studios Hollywood experience. Whether you’re a first-timer or have an Annual Pass, put this one on your bucket list.

What part of the VIP Experience are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below.