Recent VIP Experiences ?

[YayDisney]

Hi All - We are going to Universal in a few weeks for my kids' birthday and I saw the VIP experience. We will be at the onsite hotel and will already have Express Pass, but this caught my eye because unlike the Express Pass, the VIP seemed to include the Harry Potter Rides (Forbidden Journey, Hogwarts Express and Gringots) - and these are the main reasons we are going to Universal/IOA.

Does anyone have anything recent to report on this? I only see posts from 2014.

Also, any thoughts on Private vs Non-Private VIP? The difference is astronomical and I wonder, is it worth it?

Thank you in advance!!

 

[sherlockmiles]

Haven't done VIP, but I will say that being the queues for HP are really part of the wonderful experiences. All it takes is a little planning to minimize line times without missing the queue completely. If you were nly going for 1 day and HP was your main focus, then maybe 'd look into them.

 

[YayDisney]

Thank you. You make a good point, but having been there before and witnessing 3 hour lines, I am all set with that part of the experience. HP is definitely our main focus this time around, but the line aspect of it is going to be too much for my family.

 

[atricks]

I'm pretty sure the VIP tour guides will take you through the lines on the big potter rides, albiet via the usual "tour" line they use for people who don't want to ride so you won't miss anything except the wait. VIP is the true Front of the Line, express is just a guarantee for half the posted regular wait or better.

 

[bchbetha]

Sorry, no experience. But...Are you going Easter week? If not, I really don't think lines will be 3 hours long. Maybe 45-60 but if you're strategic with early entry and pay attention to the wait time app, you'll be fine.

 

[YayDisney]

Thanks - For some reason, there is no early entry for Universal the whole month of february, so we won't have much advantage there. I am very undecided because it's a lot of money to really just get on three rides faster, when you consider the express pass will cut most of the other lines. I was curious about the backstage experiences also -

 

[angryduck71]

There will be at least one park open early. Just not posted yet.

 

[drnp]

We did one last month, and yes, you still go through the experience of the interior of the lines at the HP rides. You just walk through at your own pace. At Hogwarts there was one area where we were by ourselves and saw the talking paintings of the founders of the 4 Hogwarts houses. Not sure if the regular line goes through there because the room was empty, but it was cool. And of course, one other benefit is that you can ride them multiple times if you want. You don't have to go through the line again, they will just escort you off the ride, through a back door and back at the front of the line. I put a review on this board last month with a little more detail if you need it.