Behind the Velvet Rope: My Ultimate Universal VIP Tour Review

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a Private VIP Tour of Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure. Honestly, going into it, I had no idea what to expect. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a thrill ride person. Just riding in the back of a car can make me nauseous, so trust me when I say I had absolutely no intentions of stepping foot on any of the large rides! How was our tour guide going to keep me engaged all day?!

The VIP treatment started from the moment we arrived and picked up our VIP Experience lanyards, bypassing the lines of guests waiting to enter Universal Studios. We arrived around 8:45 AM, but since our tour didn’t officially start until 9:30, we had a nice, leisurely breakfast at Cafe La Bamba. This charming restaurant, where Southern California meets Mexico in decor, serves as the VIP lounge before switching to lunch service for all guests.

Since we were a large group, we had not one, but two amazingly knowledgeable and dynamic guides! As soon as Joey and Spike arrived to greet us at breakfast, it was apparent this was going to be a high-energy day to remember. 

Not just for thrill-seekers!

Unlike non-private VIP tours, when you are on a private VIP tour, your group gets to decide what they want to do and see, and your guide will make it happen (within reason, of course). We had quite a few thrill-seekers in our group, so the big rides were top of their list. “Oh joy,” I thought, “I’m going to be sitting around most of the day while others enjoy the big rollercoasters and simulation rides.” Spoiler alert: I didn’t sit for the majority of the day and even got on 7 rides without getting sick! Most importantly, I had a great time.

First stop, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts! On all VIP tours, you entirely skip the lines and go straight to loading the ride. This often means walking against the crowds as they exit the ride and occasionally entering through access points normally not seen by the public. Escape from Gringotts was no different. Our group loaded the ride from the side where most get off and had 2 vehicles all to ourselves.

Pro Tip: If you have a narrow head, like me, hold on to your 3D glasses as they might go flying off your face during one of the quick turns, and you might not be as lucky as I was to have a quick reflexed ride-buddy. (Thanks, Julie!)

I actually really liked this ride, except for one quick part that made me feel a little off. I’m glad I got a chance to try it, and even more glad I didn’t have to wait in line for it! Would I ride it again? Only if my daughter asked me to!

VIP: Your Backstage Pass

The rest of our morning followed much of the same pattern – enter a ride from the exit, get straight on, and have the option to do it all again before moving on to the next ride. I definitely didn’t ride anything twice in a row, but those were great times to grab a Butter Beer or other snack to keep my energy level up!

While walking between rides, our guides were full of stories and little-known facts about the different areas of the parks. They’ve both worked at Universal for many years, and it was very apparent how much they love all things Universal. 

Our group rode Revenge of the Mummy before heading behind the scenes to walk directly into Islands of Adventure. This was my second time on this ride, and it was much rougher than I remembered it being the first time. I probably wouldn’t ride it again, but I won’t say absolutely not.

The Hogwarts Express was unavailable on the day of our tour due to scheduled maintenance, but if it’s up and running, your VIP group can choose to go to the front of the line to ride to Islands of Adventure instead of walking. Instead, we went through a wooden gate labeled “Production Crew Only.”

While in the backstage area, we got to see the soundstages used for filming movies, TV shows, and commercials. My favorite part was learning how, when they film in the parks, they remain open to guests. You could even make out guests in some of the production photos that lined the soundstage hallway! From there, it was a short, mere minutes’ walk, and we were quickly transported to Suess Landing. To be honest, I forgot we were in a completely different park; that’s how seamless the whole transition was.

Walk-On the Most Popular Rides With VIP

Our guides took us through Suess Landing as we marveled at the whimsical theming that transported us back to our childhood and directly to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. Time for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, easily one of the most popular rides in all of Universal Orlando.

I personally love all the rollercoasters at the other theme park down International Drive, but Universal Orlando takes rides to a whole new level. I was really torn about whether I should even set foot on “Hagrid’s.” But here I was, presented with the opportunity to try it without enduring one of the longest lines in the park. Now seemed as good a time as any, so I found myself following my group of fellow advisors against a stream of people exiting the ride.

They assured me the sidecar seat (and not the motorbike) was the way to go for me as it “felt more secure.” Well, let me tell you, the shaking of my head against the seat about did me in. With eyes sealed tight for 75% of the ride, I made it through. I will not be sitting in the sidecar again, but I may try the motorbike side, since I don’t think my head would be vibrating as much. It would be nice to keep my eyes open to see the immersive theming!

Most of our group took the opportunity to ride it again, turning around to get right back on, while a few of us passed. A great time to go find a frozen Butterbeer!!

Back to Back Fun

Next, we were off to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Now this was a definite no-go on my end, as simulation rides always leave me feeling sick. But Joey and Spike had an excellent plan that allowed those of us not riding Forbidden Journey to enjoy Flight of the Hippogriff – what I would call an ideal intro-rollercoaster for kids and non-thrill seekers alike. I wouldn’t wait in the 40+ minute line for it as it’s very short, but I do love this ride!

Straight on to Jurassic World VelociCoaster, a massive rollercoaster, where again I opted out and went off in search of popcorn! Staying in Jurassic Park, we skipped another line at Skull Island: Reign of Kong. I had been on this at Universal Studios Hollywood, so I knew I would be fine on this tram ride deep into the jungle. Heads up, don’t be alarmed if your seat is wet, you may get splashed with water along the way!

As we made our way through Toon Lagoon, hearing stories about the history of the rides and the larger-than-life cartoon artwork covering all of the buildings, we stopped for one more ride before our lunch reservation, The Incredible Hulk Coaster. At this point, it probably goes without saying that I did not brave this thrill ride. Instead, I gave my feet a break in the shade and pulled up the dinning options on the Universal Orlando app. It was nearing 1:30 PM, and I couldn’t wait to refuel. 

A Very Important Lunch Break

Our group opted for lunch at Confisco Grille, where the menu features dishes from around the world. Our appetizers for the table, as well as a main dish and dessert for each of us, were included with our tour. We were seated right away, and within minutes, a chef was at our table to address my gluten allergy concerns. While I had a couple of options for an appetizer and entree, there was only one dessert that was considered safe. The Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Pad Thai, and Flan Custard were all delicious. I would definitely order them again. Another nice touch was that we were all given an additional bottle of water to take with us, which was wonderful considering how hot it was outside.

After lunch, we headed back to Seuss Landing to ride The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride and The Cat in the Hat, perfect rides for after a big lunch and definitely more my speed! Adults, don’t skip out on these; it’s time to relive some of your youth! (Added bonus, The Cat in the Hat ride has Great air conditioning!)

By this time, it was almost 4:00 PM, and our group had had the opportunity to ride everything in Islands of Adventure, so we went through the backstage area again to return to Universal Studios. Our guides’ suggestion for our final ride was extremely fitting. E.T. Adventure is the only ride remaining at Universal Studios that was present on the park’s opening day. Despite being an ’80s baby who was in no way an E.T. fan, this ride left a smile on my face, and I can see why it’s so well-loved.

The Grande Finale

Our final stop, and what I was most excited to experience, was The Bourne Stuntacular! Joey escorted us to our own reserved section of the preshow holding area before wishing us farewell. Spike and he were absolutely fantastic guides; we were definitely sad to see them go. 

There wasn’t much time to be sad, though; once the preshow was over, our group was allowed into the theater before anyone else for our pick of seats, prior to the general crowd’s admission. One last VIP perk to cap off the day. I won’t give away anything, but don’t sleep on this show! (Side note: for anyone with sensory processing issues, I highly recommend bringing your earplugs to help dampen some of the sound effects.)

Even after your tour ends, the VIP treatment continues as your group enjoys Unlimited Express Passes and 10% off in the Universal shops!

The Real Question- Is VIP Worth It?

Overall, I had a wonderful day. The Private VIP Experience offered pure theme park luxury and would benefit a wide range of guests. 

• Thrill-seekers will obviously love completely bypassing ride queues and experiencing rides as many times as they’d like. 
• Do you have only one day to enjoy both parks? The VIP Experience will allow you to literally ride it all! 
• SPD (sensory processing disorder) family members who love rides but honestly can’t tolerate lines of any kind? Yes, you guessed it – this is perfect! 
• A group that’s a mix of thrill and chill? It’s great for that too! Let your ride-lovers have their day, bypassing lines, while the less adventurous skip the lines of smaller rides, are entertained by insider stories, explore the details of the parks, and grab some yummy snacks!

At the end of the day, what stood out most to me wasn’t just the rides we got on (and skipped!)—it was how easy and enjoyable the whole experience felt. No stressing over wait times, no negotiating between thrill-seekers and non-riders, just a smooth, fun day where everyone left happy. If you’ve ever wished for a way to see all of Universal without the overwhelm, the Private VIP Experience really does make it possible.

Interested in learning more about the Universal VIP experience’s and other exclusive features that will make your next vacation the most memorable one yet? I would love to chat more with you about your Universal dreams! Click here.