- VIP tour departure times vary by date.
- Check the time shown during booking and arrive at VIP Reception 30 minutes before departure.
- The guided tour lasts at least five hours, after which you can continue exploring the park during its operating hours.
Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience Tickets
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TL;DR: Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience
- What's included: One-day park admission, a guided VIP tour, backlot access, unlimited Universal Express access, a gourmet meal, and valet parking.
- Behind the scenes: Walk through selected movie and TV sets that regular Studio Tour visitors don't get to explore on foot.
- Ride access: Use unlimited Express access at eligible rides, attractions, and seated shows throughout the day, including after the guided tour.
- A more personal visit: Tours run for at least five hours, with a maximum of 13 guests per guide.
- Dining and comfort: Enjoy a light breakfast in the VIP lounge and a gourmet meal in a private dining room.
- Booking essentials: Tours have limited capacity, children must be at least five, and the ticket is non-refundable and non-reschedulable.
- When to book: Choose your date and tour time at least a week in advance, especially for weekends and school holidays.
What to expect at Universal Studios Hollywood
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Start your day in the VIP lounge
Check in before your scheduled tour and settle into the exclusive VIP lounge. You can enjoy a light breakfast and refreshments before meeting your guide. Complimentary valet parking is included, so you can start the day without searching for a self-parking space.
Explore the backlot with a guide
Ride the VIP trolley through the working studio lot, then step off at selected locations to explore film and television sets on foot. Your guide shares behind-the-scenes details about Hollywood productions. The exact sets you visit depend on production schedules and availability.
Get more time for the rides
Visit attractions such as Mario Kart™: Bowser's Challenge and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ with unlimited Universal Express access. You can continue using this benefit after your guided tour ends, subject to attraction availability and restrictions.
Take a gourmet dining break
Step away from the crowds for a meal in the private VIP dining room. The experience includes a gourmet meal prepared by Universal's executive chef, giving you time to recharge before returning to the park. Alcoholic beverages are not included.
Finish exploring at your own pace
After the guided portion, use your VIP credential to revisit favourite rides or explore other areas of the park. Unlimited Express access and priority seating at eligible seated shows remain available for the day.
Things to know before booking the VIP Experience
Book your preferred tour time in advance
VIP tours have limited capacity and availability varies by date. Book early if you're visiting on a weekend, during a school holiday, or on a popular travel date. Arrive at the VIP Reception 30 minutes before your scheduled tour departure.
Know what's included in the ticket
Your ticket includes one-day park admission, an expert-guided VIP tour, exclusive backlot access, unlimited Universal Express access, a gourmet meal, VIP lounge access, and complimentary valet parking. You don't need to purchase a separate general admission ticket for the same day.
Understand how Express access works
Unlimited Universal Express access lets you use the designated Express line at eligible rides, attractions, and seated shows throughout the day. It doesn't mean every attraction is immediately available, and regular security screening still applies. Ride closures, capacity limits, and show schedules can affect access.
Allow at least five hours for the guided tour
The guided experience lasts a minimum of five hours. You can continue exploring the park afterwards using your VIP credential, during regular park operating hours. Plan for a full day if you want time for both the backlot and the attractions.
Check the age requirements
Children must be at least five years old to participate. Visitors aged 5–16 must be accompanied by an adult; guests must be at least 17 to attend without an accompanying adult. If you're visiting with younger children, check the age policy before booking.
Check the cancellation policy carefully
The ticket is non-refundable and non-reschedulable. Confirm your visit date, party size, and tour time before paying, and review the final booking terms before completing your purchase.
Know what isn't included
The VIP Experience does not include alcoholic beverages with the gourmet meal. Separate-ticketed events, including Halloween Horror Nights and Universal Fan Fest Nights, are excluded from the regular VIP ticket. Show seating and backlot access can also be affected by exclusions, availability, or operational restrictions.
Plan your visit to Universal Studios Hollywood
Address: Universal Studios Hollywood is at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California. | Find on Maps
The park sits in the Hollywood Hills area, north of central Hollywood and close to the Universal City entertainment district.
- By metro: Take the Metro B Line to Universal City/Studio City station, then use the station's connecting shuttle service to the park when operating.
- By car: Follow signs for Universal Studios Hollywood and VIP valet parking. Valet parking is included with the VIP ticket; self-parking is not covered by this benefit.
- By taxi or rideshare: Ask to be dropped off at the park's designated drop-off area and follow signs to VIP Reception.
- Your ticket includes a light breakfast and refreshments in the VIP lounge, plus a gourmet meal in the private VIP dining room.
- Additional food, drinks, and purchases outside these inclusions are at your own expense.
- Check the park's current accessibility information if you need specific mobility arrangements.
Tips for making the most of your VIP Experience
- Arrive early: Aim to reach VIP Reception 30 minutes before departure so check-in doesn't delay your tour.
- Prioritise your must-do rides: Tell your guide which attractions matter most to you. The route and set visits may depend on production schedules and operational conditions.
- Use Express access after the tour: Your VIP credential continues to provide unlimited Universal Express access for the day, so you can revisit eligible rides independently.
- Wear comfortable shoes: The backlot experience includes opportunities to walk through selected filming locations, not just view them from the trolley.
- Keep your ID handy: Carry a valid government-issued photo ID matching the ticket name, as required by the current Headout listing.
- Check event exclusions: The standard VIP ticket does not include separately ticketed events such as Halloween Horror Nights or Universal Fan Fest Nights.
Frequently asked questions about Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience tickets
It includes one-day park admission, a guided VIP tour with backlot access, unlimited Universal Express access, a gourmet meal, VIP lounge access, and complimentary valet parking.
The guided tour lasts at least five hours. You can continue exploring the park afterwards with unlimited Universal Express access during the park's operating hours.
It provides unlimited Express access to eligible rides, attractions, and seated shows. It does not guarantee immediate entry or remove operational restrictions, security checks, or exclusions.
Yes. The VIP tour includes opportunities to leave the trolley and walk through selected backlot sets. The specific locations visited depend on production schedules and availability.
Yes. The ticket includes a light breakfast and refreshments in the VIP lounge, plus a gourmet meal in the private VIP dining room. Alcoholic beverages are excluded.
Yes. Complimentary valet parking is included with the VIP Experience. This benefit applies to valet parking, not self-parking.
Children must be at least five years old to participate. Guests must be at least 17 to attend without an accompanying adult. Check the current terms if you're booking for children.
Headout currently lists these tickets as non-refundable and non-reschedulable. Confirm your date and tour time before booking, and check the terms shown at checkout.
No. The regular VIP Experience ticket does not include admission to separately ticketed events such as Halloween Horror Nights or Universal Fan Fest Nights. Event-specific tickets are required.
It can be a practical choice if you want guided backlot access, unlimited Express entry, a gourmet meal, and valet parking in one package. It's less essential if you prefer a self-guided visit at a lower cost.
