Have any of you done the VIP tour of Universal Studios?

[Disneyland1084]

If so, would you recommend it? I know you go behind the scenes to areas that aren't open to the general public. Are there ever any celebrities there during the tours? I know it's expensive and definitely not in my budget for this summer's trip, but maybe NEXT summer.

 

[SMD]

I haven't done it, I've just worked on the backlot and know the tram route pretty well. I'd say it depends on how much the backlot tour factors into your day at Universal. If you just want a backlot tour, consider WB instead. The Universal VIP is I believe a smaller, nicer tram or sometimes an air conditioned van and includes valet parking, breakfast and some other food/snacks plus they add their front of the line option to your theme park ticket. Yes you get off the tram to walk around on the VIP tour, but if they take you to sets it is not when they are being used for filming. As far as celebrities, there are no studio tours that offer meet and greet opportunities. The trams or carts or walking route may pass stages in use, and actors may be walking by outside at the time, but often they go unnoticed or know the tram route well enough that they avoid standing out by it.

 

[Disneyland1084]

If you just want a backlot tour, consider WB instead. The Universal VIP is I believe a smaller, nicer tram or sometimes an air conditioned van and includes valet parking, breakfast and some other food/snacks plus they add their front of the line option to your theme park ticket. Yes you get off the tram to walk around on the VIP tour, but if they take you to sets it is not when they are being used for filming.

What's WB? Does the VIP tour see sets that the general public don't? Because if all the VIP get is a nicer tram and front of the line passes, etc..then I'll probably just pass and do the general tour.

 

[SMD]

Warner Brothers, Sony and Paramount all offer studio tours. Hopefully someone who took the VIP tour will confirm, but I believe that the VIP gets to walk on some exterior sets whereas the regular tram just passes through them. And the VIP tour gets to go into soundstages, but not during filming. Universal is primarily a theme park. Which is why I recommended WB if you just want a studio tour. WB's tour is the most similar to Universal's.

 

[Disneyland1084]

Warner Brothers, Sony and Paramount all offer studio tours. Hopefully someone who took the VIP tour will confirm, but I believe that the VIP gets to walk on some exterior sets whereas the regular tram just passes through them. And the VIP tour gets to go into soundstages, but not during filming. Universal is primarily a theme park. Which is why I recommended WB if you just want a studio tour. WB's tour is the most similar to Universal's.

Cool, thanks for all the info.

 

[sheetz]

It's also possible to obtain tickets to TV show tapings if you go at the right time. You don't get a 'behind the scenes' tour, but you see real filming in progress and real TV stars. And best of all tickets are free.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I worked at Universal for a few months a while back. I'd say the VIP tour isn't worth the money. Universal is fun for the backlot tour, rides, and shows, but if you want to know how a studio really functions, I second looking into the WB (their Deluxe tour is the rough equivalent of Universal's VIP). They don't have any rides or shows, but their tour is amazing. Go to Universal for the other stuff, but don't waste money on a fancy tour unless you are the ultimate movie/film buff. I will say that you can occasionally see a celebrity if something is filming, but most of the filming is done inside the studios and a lot of times, the famous people are either in their trailers or otherwise inaccessible. You definitely won't meet a celebrity.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I don't know how true it is anymore with mid-season replacement shows (not all Fall start dates), but often times shooting shuts down over the summer. If it's still the case, I wouldn't want to spend money on the "extra" if there isn't any more to really see.

I will say when we went in Aug. two years ago, Parenthood & CSI were shooting, but everything else was dark.

 

[SMD]

Most shows come back in late July or early August. Many midseason shows also shoot early. But with cable, reality shows and movies the studios operate year round.