ccrosner

We are going to Universal in Hollywood toward the end of the month. Just read some rave reviews about the VIP tour...but the $150 price per person vs. $50 for regular pass gives me pause. We are four travellers including 10 and 12 year old children. I want the kids to have a bit of the movie studio experience but know that they really look forward to the rides.

Did anyone regret not getting Front of the Line or VIP tix when they went? Are the lines (on an August Friday) that long? I can't even seem to get a sense of the size of the park from their website (no map that I can see) so I'm having a hard time knowing whether we can do it all in a full day without purchasing expensive tickets.

Any help would be great. We're planning to stay at the Universal Hilton.

GoTravel

It is peak season. Yes, it will be packed.

Why don't you just stay on property at the Portifino Bay, The Royal Pacific, or the Hard Rock Hotel? You get the same perks.

It is so totally worth it.

karens

We've found if we get to the Universal parks very early (at least 30 mins. prior), they sometimes open the gates early. We've gotten on a ton of rides for the first two hours that it negates the expense of the pass. By the time the lines get really long, we've already seen half of the park.

rjw_lgb_ca

At Universal Studios Hollywood, as opposed to the Orlando theme park, the regular pass gets you a tram ride through the Universal Studios Backlot-- the actual backlot of the actual working movie and TV production complex. You ride past historic sets, get a taste of vertigo from an Earthquake-themed special effect, see "Bruce" the shark from Jaws, etc. Then you move on to the Theme Park that they've stapled onto the movie studio. For your kids, that might be enough.

If they're completely besotten with the idea of working in the motion picture/TV industry, the VIP tour is far more in-depth; you spend several hours in sound stages, costume shops and prop departments on a guided tour of Universal's rich history. But for kids with a casual interest, it's probably a waste of money. It takes time away from the Theme Park (which in Orlando is the real centerpiece of the park; the TV production facilities are a slightly cynical afterthought).

You can do just about all of the park in a full day.

GoTravel

Ooops! I'm a moron. Ignore my post.

karens

Yeah, me too. I someone how missed the "Hollywood" that was in the FIRST SENTENCE. Whoops.

Bill_I

Have been to Universal, Hollywood a number of times. We haven't purchased VIP tix, mainly because of the price. Not sure what we are missing by not having those tix, but we usually have been able to do the whole park in a day. I know that others who have done the VIP route have really enjoyed it. If you go to their website, the map link is under the Inside The Park heading. When the map comes up there is also a link there for a more detailed map.
We usually get to the park as it opens or shortly before. You then get a better parking space without paying extra. Then go do the tram backlot tour. Then we go to the lower lot & do the rides in that area, & the BackDraft & Movie Magic shows. Have lunch in the lower area. Go back to the upper lot & plan out which shows you want to see at what times. Depending upon how busy the park is, we usually get to see all the shows & go on all the rides, & still have time to go back & do something a 2nd time before the park closes. Then if you are still not totally tired out, you can walk around Universal Walk for a time.

ccrosner

Many thanks for all of your quick responses. Special thanks to Bill I for giving the info that helped make my decision. My kids don't care that much about the moviemaking business so the general tram tour should be fine. And it seems that we'll be o.k. without the Front of the Line passes. We'll just be patient

Looking forward to a great trip. Hope the heat stays away.

microdol

If there was a way to consider the Warner Brothers tour, I'd do that also.
We did Universal and WB and for us, the WB one was far better than the Universal one.
Hope I didn't muddy the water.

See if you can bring in water, if not, it's like $3.25 a bottle at all attractions.

schnauzer

ccrosner, can I hijack your thread please?

Microdol, if you had the chance would you do both the Universal and the WB tours? I have a 16 yrs old son and we are coming over in January. Thinking of doing both, are they very different or too same same? Thanks ccrosner.
Schnauzer

ccrosner

No problem, Schnauzer. Do a search on WB, too. I think there are a few threads that offer some detailed advice about doing WB.

We're going to pass on it as there is only so much we can do in 2 1/2 days!

lisa8314

We went last summer and bought the front of the line passes. For the first hour I wondered if it was worth it, but that didn't last for long. Soon the park was packed, and we absolutely loved being wisked to the front of the line.

I was with teenagers who wanted to enjoy some of the rides 2-3 times and it was so easy. Regarding the shows, we arrived just prior to the performances and were escorted to a reserved seating area. For me, it was worth every penny not to have to stand in line on a hot summer day.

I believe the front of line pass was $99 and I purchased and printed it out ahead of time on their internet site.

Everyone has a different tolerance for zig-zagging lines and summer heat, but for us, the Front of the Line pass eliminated any "grump" factor in our group.

LHG

We (family of 4) had front of the line passes last week. It was definitely worth the extra money!!

schnauzer

We are going in January, are the lines as bad at this time of year. Mid week, no school holidays, cold etc would the front of line still be worth it? So many threads are all about summer months (obvious time to come really - can't go skiing though!) Not much about winter time thus my further questions - sorry.