VIP Tours worth it??

[phyllisnnj]

Planning to go to Universal during the summer (high season).
Are the VIP Tours worth it?

 

[sarhenty]

This is my personal opinion: NO. UNLESS, you like to hear stuff that happens behind the scenes and even then I would say its not worth it BECAUSE of the $$$. The guide takes you only to five or six of the very popular rides depending on which tour you take, five or six for the half day and maybe eight for the whole day. They give you front of the line with these rides but you have that already if you stay onsite. What I didn't like was that we didn't have freedom to take as long as we want or to go on again on account of the fact that it wasn't a private VIP tour. So as soon as you finished the ride you had to run to meet your group. Once you finished the tour, FOTL access is gone. Your on your own again to do what you want but most of your day is gone so you feel like you wasted a lot of time on the tour but then again, I only go once a year so time at Universal is precious to me!

 

[Notatourist]

This is my personal opinion: NO. UNLESS, you like to hear stuff that happens behind the scenes and even then I would say its not worth it BECAUSE of the $$$. The guide takes you only to five or six of the very popular rides depending on which tour you take, five or six for the half day and maybe eight for the whole day. They give you front of the line with these rides but you have that already if you stay onsite. What I didn't like was that we didn't have freedom to take as long as we want or to go on again on account of the fact that it wasn't a private VIP tour. So as soon as you finished the ride you had to run to meet your group. Once you finished the tour, FOTL access is gone. Your on your own again to do what you want but most of your day is gone so you feel like you wasted a lot of time on the tour but then again, I only go once a year so time at Universal is precious to me!

Well, things since you took your tour have changed. There are options with the tour-five hour tours are the non-private (other families will join you) while the eight hour tours are private. There is also a two parks in one day tour, also non-private-All the rate information is available online at the universal website or by calling 407-363-8295.

Express access is available after the tour now, there is a trememdous amount of information to discover on the tour, so, if you are into NO lines, seeing at least eight things while on tour, and getting discounts, it's worth it.

Phyllis, what are you wanting to do exactly? Being that it's high season, the lines will be long (express does get a wait during the summer) so, keep that in mind.

Hope it all helps.

 

[phyllisnnj]

Phyllis, what are you wanting to do exactly? Being that it's high season, the lines will be long (express does get a wait during the summer) so, keep that in mind.

Hope it all helps.

Thanks Sarhenty & Notatourist !!

I'm taking my 10 yr old nephew to Walt Disney World this summer and was thinking about squeezing a day at Universal. I'm very familiar with Walt Disney World (DVC member) but I have to admit that I'm not familiar with Universal. I really need to do my homework. I would like to take him to the Islands of Adventure. He loves roller coasters.
I want to avoid the long lines since we have limited time so I thought the VIP tours were my best option however I just read the sticky on this board regarding FOTL. Perhpas the better option would be to stay one night at the Universal hotels to take advantage of FOTL on checkin and checkout day if this is doable.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Motherfletcher]

We used VIP for HHN and found it was worth the extra costs to be able to experience everything in one night.

 

[Puffy2]

I've done it but I think staying at the Universal resort and having front of the line access is better.

With the Vip tour, if you want to stop and visit a character or get a picture taken, you can't because you will hold up the whole group. Plus you miss a lot of "preshow" stuff, or neat "line" decorations because you are ushered right to the rides.

I prefer touring on my own and I won't spend that kind of money again for a tour.

 

[Immelman]

Now, HHN is a totally different subject. I'm going to try that tour this year.

 

[Beanie]

I've done it but I think staying at the Universal resort and having front of the line access is better.

With the Vip tour, if you want to stop and visit a character or get a picture taken, you can't because you will hold up the whole group. Plus you miss a lot of "preshow" stuff, or neat "line" decorations because you are ushered right to the rides.

I prefer touring on my own and I won't spend that kind of money again for a tour.

This is what I was thinking too. I have wanted to do the VIP tour, but was afraid to miss those pre show things in line. I find those just as fun as the rides themselves. Thanks for confirming this for me!