A few years ago, right after VelociCoaster opened (and my husband and I were desperate to ride it without aging five years in the standby line), we decided to splurge on the Universal Orlando VIP Experience. We brought along one of our fellow Universal nerd friends, and we were hyped.
I was just starting to fall down the rabbit hole of Universal history. I wanted the deep-cut secrets—the hidden Kong in the Revenge of the Mummy treasure room, the Jaws parts inside Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, the stuff that only the most grizzled Team Members know.
Well, I learned one “secret” very quickly: The standard VIP Experience is not a backstage tour. It is an Olympic sport.
The “Speed-Dating” Version of a Park Tour
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way: VIP Experiences require valid theme park admission (which is not included in the price). You get free valet parking, breakfast, and lunch, and once the tour is over, your lanyard acts as a Golden Ticket (a.k.a. an Express Pass) for the rest of the day.
But here’s the catch: it’s a non-private tour. We were paired with a family of grandparents and kids. I spent half the time panicking that they’d pick “safe” rides over the thrills we came for. At one point, our itinerary gave us the choice between Rip Ride Rockit and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon. Look, I love the parks, but I hate the Jimmy Fallon ride. Having to negotiate that with strangers while paying for a “VIP” experience? Not exactly the vibe.
Why “Skipping the Line” Isn’t Always a Flex
One of the things I actually hated most was how much of the queue we skipped. I know, I know— But for someone who loves the atmosphere, the lines are part of the magic.
Universal is the master of the “story-driven queue” (just look at what they’ve done with Epic Universe!). On the VIP tour, we were whisked through back hallways and service elevators. We didn’t even get to walk through the wall at Platform 9 ¾. Instead of soaking in the vibes, we were constantly being “hustled” to the next spot by a tour guide who—honestly—wasn’t a huge fan of the parks.
When we asked her favorite ride, she hit us with: “After working here so long, I don’t really get excited about rides anymore.” Ma’am, I am a fangirl. I need you to match my energy.
The Silver Lining
It wasn’t all bad. We did get to go underneath the track at Revenge of the Mummy, which was incredible. And got to go do the Immigration Tour at MIB. But here’s the thing: you can actually do that on the standard (and free!) behind-the-scenes tours that most rides offer if you just ask a Team Member.
My Advice: Go Big
If you are a “Ride Warrior” who wants to hit 15 rides in 7 hours, the standard VIP Experience is for you. But if you’re like me—an atmosphere-obsessed, secret-hunting, detail-oriented nerd—maybe save your pennies for the Private VIP Experience.
The Private Tour is where the real magic happens:
- Up to 5 guests (Your party only).
- Fully Customizable Itinerary (No negotiating with strangers over Jimmy Fallon).
- Full-service dinner included (not just the Cafe La Bamba lunch, which I have to admit was super tasty).
- 3-Day Photo Package
Mostly, I just want a guide who knows the cool stuff I don’t already know. I’ve got to start saving up for a “Private Tour” for Epic Universe, because I need to know every hidden detail in Dark Universe and Place Cachée before I can sleep at night.
