Insider Look at the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Pass Experience
Line skipping, guidance expertise, and the best seats in the house are just a few of the perks that are to be experienced with the VIP Pass.
Hogwarts at Universal Hollywood
The VIP Pass is expensive, but if you don’t get to go often, or even if you’re on a time crunch, it’s an investment that is absolutely worth doing. Here’s why:
Skip the lines. Because of the pass, we were able to go through every ride at least once, where as normally we would’ve made it through maybe 3 or 4 rides total, considering wait times can be as long as 3 hours (and I cannot fathom the idea of waiting in a line for 3 hours, only to get on a ride that lasts 30 seconds - it’s a huge waste of time). With the VIP Pass, those lines are non-existent.
Not only do you get to skip happily past the unfortunate souls who’ve got 3 hours of boredom ahead, but unlike the fast pass, you can skip past them as many times as you want. The fast pass only grants you one skip per ride, while the VIP allows you to hop off Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey, then hop right back on - something I did a total of four times.
Personal Guide. Your personal guide takes you through the entire park, escorting you to the front of each line, holding onto your belongings, and offering up amenities as needed - including a poncho during the water rides. Your guide will take you to a special seating area at the shows - one that has a good view, yet is magically just outside of the water zone (thankfully).
Our guide was a great companion to have along - very informative and entertaining as he showed us the park, giving us insight as to what goes on behind the scenes. He also took us to areas of the park that not everyone is often aware of - including the wand room at Hogwarts.
Your personal guide isn’t with you all day, as they have a set time they are to show you around. Once they are done, you are free to roam about and revisit the places and rides that you most enjoyed the first go around.
VIP Lounge. The VIP Lounge is located at the front of the park, and acts as a private resting station, with fresh *clean* restrooms, comfortable seating, and most importantly, food. Think of it as your own little concierge area.
Some of the memorabilia in the VIP Lounge.
The floor has a nice balcony view overlooking the park and is decorated with movie posters and awards - along with several screens playing montages of studio hits throughout the years. As a massive movie fan, I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out there.
During breakfast and lunch, they have a buffet style snack station which includes light foods like pastries and finger sandwiches - along with coffee, water and juice.
Valet parking. Theme park parking is a nightmare - all parking is a nightmare. You have to walk forever, and then when it’s time to leave, you can’t remember you parked - or what your rental car even looks like. Anyway, getting dropped off and picked up at the front is a huge plus.
Dinner at Hogwarts. Butter beer included.
All inclusive dinner. The dinner location may vary, but after our day finished at the park, our all inclusive dinner took place in the Hogwarts dining hall. We were able to order whatever we wanted off of the menu, this included the meal, sides and drinks - and as many of each as our hearts desired.
Backlot Warner Bros Studio Tour. Skip the line, and grab a great seat on the studio tour trolley as it takes you through movie sets, and television studio buildings - you may even see cast members of shows that are currently in session.
The VIP tour will allow you to get off and explore the sets in depth, however, this is subject to change depending on filming schedules - so it is possible that this may not be available, though you will still be able to ride the trolley.
I’ve been to both of the Universal Studios Theme Parks (Florida and California), many times using the fast pass, and other times without any sort of pass. If you’re spending a week at the theme park - perhaps on the park grounds in Florida - the fast pass will do just fine. However, in my experience, if you’re only there for the day, the VIP Pass is the only way to make the most of your time.
Make sure you book your spot ahead of time, as spots are limited.