Epic Universe VIP experience info

[CAPSLOCK]

Hiccup's Wing Gliders is the roller coaster, and it is included in Express.
The vast majority of people would agree it's "the good one," yes.

 

[shosh1530]

Wanted to update this thread that we ended up cancelling our shared VIP tour for our visit to Epic on May 30. It was easy to do via phone up to 48 hours in advance. I just couldn't stomach the high cost ($2000 for 3 people) for only 4 hours of tour time.

We used that money instead to book at an Express hotel for one night and have Express Unlimited at the other two parks for our two days visiting USF and IOA. We could have also bought the Express pass on our Epic morning as I noticed all week that they were selling them day of (that would have been $900 for 3 people) each day that week. But in the end we decided to not even do that as it was a very rainy day and I was worried it would be a bit waste of money.

In the end we were able to ride everything we wanted over the course of being at the park from 8:30 am-10 pm. We had to walk and back track a lot because different rides were closed at different points. We managed Curse of the Werewolf and Stardust during the last 30 minutes of early entry and had only 20 minute wait for Monsters at opening time. Wait times were very high for things like BatM and MarioKart at opening but went down significantly in the evening. We enjoyed both shows in afternoon when many things were down in the storm.

All in all we had a great day. I'm sure we would have enjoyed the VIP experience, but in the end I'm happy that we saved on the cost.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

We've booked one day of the non-private VIP for Christmas week. I think for my mom it will be a bit of a waste of money because I don't think she'll want to go on Monsters Unchained, Stardust Racers, or Werewolf Curse, but I do think she'll be fine on Minecart, the dragon coaster and Mario Kart. And in my view, knocking all the rides out for my kids in the early part of the day means that we'll have the afternoon and evening to watch shows, shop, enjoy the atmosphere and dining, play the games in Nintendo Land and do wand spots in the new HP land. But the main reason I booked it was as insurance for Ministry. Without VQ or EP available for that ride, I can't imagine how long the waits will be during the holidays. We could get extremely unlucky and the ride could go down for the whole day, but I'm hopeful that in six months they'll have worked out the issues that have caused so much downtime. Yes it's a lot of money, but so are the tickets and hotels this year. In the past we've gotten the buy 2, get 3 days free ticket packages and the early saver rates on the hotels, but those days seem to be gone with the new gate.

For those who have gone, does the merchandise discount include UO gift cards? I was hoping to buy a few of those early in the trip and then use them to pay for dining/souvenirs.

 

[AustinTink]

I’m looking at the week after Christmas to book a non-private tour. The price for our days is incredible. Do you guys think these days around Christmas will sell out soon? I’m waffling on buying right now because of the price.

 

[Disneyhanna]

I’m looking at the week after Christmas to book a non-private tour. The price for our days is incredible. Do you guys think these days around Christmas will sell out soon? I’m waffling on buying right now because of the price.

It definitely looks like dates are selling out quickly for upcoming months. I believe it is refundable with 48 hours notice so I would probably book if I thought I might want to do it. They seem to be raising prices for the tour as well, so I doubt it will get cheaper. UT has a sizable discount (saves a little more than tax) but I believe only refunds 95% with 48 hours notice.

Are you doing more than 1 day at Epic? I am planning to do a VIP tour since I am only doing one day. Express looks to be half the cost of the VIP tour for that week, so if you are doing two days, maybe 1 day of express and 1 day without to just focus on shows, food, atmosphere, and a few rides could be a more cost-conscious plan.

 

[AustinTink]

It definitely looks like dates are selling out quickly for upcoming months. I believe it is refundable with 48 hours notice so I would probably book if I thought I might want to do it. They seem to be raising prices for the tour as well, so I doubt it will get cheaper. UT has a sizable discount (saves a little more than tax) but I believe only refunds 95% with 48 hours notice.

Are you doing more than 1 day at Epic? I am planning to do a VIP tour since I am only doing one day. Express looks to be half the cost of the VIP tour for that week, so if you are doing two days, maybe 1 day of express and 1 day without to just focus on shows, food, atmosphere, and a few rides could be a more cost-conscious plan.

We are doing three days. One day at Epic and the other two we will hop between the original parks. We like the idea of VIP for our one Epic day so we can guarantee we get it all done. We have express passes for the other parks.

I was confused about the refund. I thought they were non-refundable if buying through Universal and 95% refundable through UT.

 

[Disneyhanna]

We are doing three days. One day at Epic and the other two we will hop between the original parks. We like the idea of VIP for our one Epic day so we can guarantee we get it all done. We have express passes for the other parks.

I was confused about the refund. I thought they were non-refundable if buying through Universal and 95% refundable through UT.

The website wording is a bit ambiguous, but I'm pretty sure I saw someone report that Universal will refund if given 48 hours notice, I would call to confirm if you want to go that route.

 

[AustinTink]

The website wording is a bit ambiguous, but I'm pretty sure I saw someone report that Universal will refund if given 48 hours notice, I would call to confirm if you want to go that route.

I’ll more than likely go with UT for the discount and peace of mind if we need to cancel.

Now I need to go find some Epic VIP tour reports to get a feel for what it’s like.

 

[angryduck71]

I’ll more than likely go with UT for the discount and peace of mind if we need to cancel.

Now I need to go find some Epic VIP tour reports to get a feel for what it’s like.

Mammoth Club on youtube is supposed to do a video soon of the experience. Might keep your eye out for it.

 

[MamaKate]

I’ll more than likely go with UT for the discount and peace of mind if we need to cancel.

Now I need to go find some Epic VIP tour reports to get a feel for what it’s like.

Just an FYI, it is a 48-hour cancellation if you book directly with Universal. It states it under the terms on their website:

" forty-eight (48) hour cancellation notice is required for a full refund."

However, if you are almost positive you will be doing the tour, then the discount through UT is a bonus.

 

[AustinTink]

Mammoth Club on youtube is supposed to do a video soon of the experience. Might keep your eye out for it.

Excellent! I will look for it.

 

[AustinTink]

Just an FYI, it is a 48-hour cancellation if you book directly with Universal. It states it under the terms on their website:

" forty-eight (48) hour cancellation notice is required for a full refund."

However, if you are almost positive you will be doing the tour, then the discount through UT is a bonus.

Thanks! I do think once I bite the bullet and purchase we will be going through with the tour.

 

[AustinTink]

Booked our very first VIP tour. Still can’t believe we did it. I’m a major cheapskate so this one hurt big time. Hopefully it will be worth every penny.

 

[angryduck71]

Booked our very first VIP tour. Still can’t believe we did it. I’m a major cheapskate so this one hurt big time. Hopefully it will be worth every penny.

We’ve done it a couple times in the other parks and absolutely loved them. I am sure this will be the same.

 

[AustinTink]

We’ve done it a couple times in the other parks and absolutely loved them. I am sure this will be the same.

Do you basically just get ushered from ride to ride or is there more to it? I’d love to learn some park trivia along the way.

 

[angryduck71]

Do you basically just get ushered from ride to ride or is there more to it? I’d love to learn some park trivia along the way.

OH, there is much more! Lots of hidden details and trivia! At least with the tour guides we've had. Really enriched the experience.

 

[AustinTink]

OH, there is much more! Lots of hidden details and trivia! At least with the tour guides we've had. Really enriched the experience.

Oh, that makes me so happy to hear!

 

[angryduck71]

For those staying at Helios and taking tour... I had gotten a directions email about where to go when entering the front of the park where there is a dedicated "tour" line, so I emailed and asked how to do it from Helios. You go through the line like everyone else and then walk up front. BUT, they said they could add a "pick up" at Helios and said that might be better, so I got that. So, you may want to call and have that added to your tour if you are staying at Helios. I keep hoping someone who has done one of the tours will chime in.

 

[AustinTink]

For those staying at Helios and taking tour... I had gotten a directions email about where to go when entering the front of the park where there is a dedicated "tour" line, so I emailed and asked how to do it from Helios. You go through the line like everyone else and then walk up front. BUT, they said they could add a "pick up" at Helios and said that might be better, so I got that. So, you may want to call and have that added to your tour if you are staying at Helios. I keep hoping someone who has done one of the tours will chime in.

A pick up as in swing by and pick up your group as the tour begins?

I received the wrong tour information email for our tour type yesterday. I called in to ask them about it because it said our Epic tour included breakfast and lunch. I was jazzed! But, sadly, they just sent me the wrong tour email. Anyhoo, the rep mentioned that tour guests can have their Uber drop them at the valet area which I thought was a nice perk. No clue where Uber normally drops off.

 

[angryduck71]

A pick up as in swing by and pick up your group as the tour begins?

I received the wrong tour information email for our tour type yesterday. I called in to ask them about it because it said our Epic tour included breakfast and lunch. I was jazzed! But, sadly, they just sent me the wrong tour email. Anyhoo, the rep mentioned that tour guests can have their Uber drop them at the valet area which I thought was a nice perk. No clue where Uber normally drops off.

It was fairly unclear.... I pressed but all I got was I should go through security "a little before 9" at Helios and someone would be there at 9.

Ugh on your wrong email! Glad that was straightened out but how disappointing.