VIP Experience: Hollywood VS Orlando
- Daydream Adventures
- Apr 6, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 15, 2020
In 2017 I was fortunate enough to experience not only the VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood, but also the VIP Experience at the Universal Orlando Resort. Both had a similar run through of how they did the tour, but they also had differences as well. Below I will break down both tours from start to finish and how I enjoyed them both.
Firstly, I usually recommend taking the earliest tour since they are about 7 hours long and once it ends you have the rest of the day to enjoy the park as you please.
Complimentary Breakfast:
USH: They had a variety of pastries, fruits, hardboiled eggs, yogurts, oatmeal, coffee, juices, and other appetizers. You truly felt like a star with such a variety to start the day.
UO: This was more of a typical complimentary breakfast. They had small boxes of cereal, oatmeal, fruits, tea, pastries, juices and water.
Tour & Tour Guides:
USH: We had one big group but two tour guides so we still felt like we had a personal experience. Both were knowledgeable and answered questions. For the first part of the tour we got on our own VIP Shuttle that took us on the backlot and we were able to get off some areas and walk around and get some behind the scenes of the movie industry. We were able to go into a soundstage and see a set from The Good Place and go into the famous Property Department which has the most diverse props in the industry. Another fun thing about being in the private trolly, we were able to do the the experiences that the normal Studio Tour offers for park guests. After we finished the backlot area, we explored the rest of the park on foot.
(In front of the famous house from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho)
UO: We only had one tour guide for a group of us, but she did an amazing job. Also very informative about a lot of things and was attentive to our needs and answered questions. This was definitely a walking tour because we visited both the Universal parks. We started off at Universal Orlando then checked out some behind the scenes on a studio stage and more. From there we made our way to Islands of Adventure where we explored the rest of the park.
Lunch:
USH: Halfway through the tour we had a buffet style lunch in a secluded area. It felt like we weren't in a amusement park because the atmosphere was wonderful and we were occasionally surprised by a few characters like Doc Brown and Dracula. The food selection was amazing from sushi, seafood, filet mignon, different kinds of pasta, variety of desserts, salads, sodas, and more. It truly was my favorite part of the tour and the reason as to why I would take the tour again.
UO: When we checked in, we got a dining plan card that included a meal, drink, and a snack for free. We could use it at select locations in either park. We took a lunch break halfway through the tour and used our dining card. Later on we used the plan card to get a snack at Diagon Alley. (So I took this tour back in 2017, I believe they changed this and now have a private area in the Universal Orlando park.)
Front of the Line Access:
USH: Being on the tour we were able to get front of the line to all the rides and shows. Then once the tour was over, our VIP badge still allowed us do front of the line again on shows and rides if we pleased.
UO: Just as the VIP tour in USH, our tour allowed us to get front of the line on the most popular attractions at both parks. Then once the tour was over our VIP badge still granted us front of the line attractions to all the rides.
VIP Benefits:
USH: Other than what has been mentioned above, some of the fun perks of taking the VIP tour was free valet parking and a 10% discount on merchandise.
UO: With everything mentioned above, another benefit was valet parking and discounts on merchandise in the parks and CityWalk.
Both tours were great in their own way. However, if you truly want to have more of a VIP feel, then Universal Studios Hollywood is a better bet. If you are a tourist from out of state or country, both Universals are great for a first time visit since it covers everything in the park and then some. I also recommend it even if you have visited the parks before because it does give you a different perspective and behind the scenes facts.
For more info on the VIP tours:
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