Is there anything better than experiencing Universal’s Epic Universe?

Epic Universe

How about experiencing the park and its attractions on a red carpet VIP Tour experience? Recently I did just that, and it was WORTH it!

The tour experience, officially known as a Non-Private VIP Tour, gathers together parties who’ve booked for the day — a group of no more than twelve (12) guests per tour —  on a “structured, guided walking tour of Universal Epic Universe” including VIP Priority access to some of the park’s most popular rides and attractions, behind-the-scenes experiences (based off availability), Universal Express access to participating attractions following the tour’s completion, and 10% off merchandise throughout the day.

Epic Universe

The experience is not a cheap one, as a single spot costs $489.99, NOT including the $174.00 price of a one-day admission to Epic Universe, which is required to take the tour. So in total, the experience cost nearly $700 after taxes. That overall price includes the roughly 4-hour tour, and Universal Express access (using your VIP Lanyard once per ride) for the rest of the day. Of note, the tour does include breaks for food, but meals are not included. When planning for day-of costs, also keep in mind that tour guides can accept gratuities via cash or mobile cash applications on the day of the tour. Guests can also leave a gratuity via credit card by calling the VIP Experience Team or meeting with a VIP Experience Team Member in person at the conclusion of their tour in the VIP Lobby at the front of Universal Epic Universe.

Crowds

So, what was the actual experience like? On the day of the tour, I arrived at Epic Universe at 9:30 AM for the 10:00 AM tour. I picked up my lanyard at the check-in desk, entered through a special security desk, and grabbed a Starbucks order before heading to Club Jupiter (the starting point of the tour) at 9:45.  Once I checked in again, I was ushered into a waiting room where I met the other guests on the 10:00 AM tour, as well as our guide. In addition, the room had tables full of snacks,  water, and little tubes of sunscreen, all available for us to take, as well as restroom access.

Celestial Park in Epic Universe

Over the course of the next 4.5 hours, our tour guide — a Universal Team Member named Kavan — took us through each of Epic Universe’s portals to experience as many attractions as possible, entering each through its exit.

Mine Cart Madness

In addition, we learned about the inner workings of the attractions and their ride systems, as well as other easter eggs present in the park, like the large amount of screen-used props that are present in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, for example.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic

Over the course of the tour, which lasted from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, including a meal break, our group was able to ride the following attractions.

Mine Cart Madness
Dragon Racer’s Rally
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
Fyre Drill
Stardust Racers
Battle at the Ministry
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Yoshi’s Adventure
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Stardust Racers

As our tour was ending, our guide gave some advice on using our VIP Lanyards as Express Passes. He advised using that since it was already the early afternoon, we should start with the lower wait times and work our way up, because at this point in the day, most guests have already used their express passes for rides, so there likely wouldn’t be as many people in the express lines. With that advice in mind, I was able to use the Express Pass to ride the following rides in the hours after the tour ended:

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Yoshi’s Adventure
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Mine Cart Madness
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
Fyre Drill
Battle at the Ministry
La Cirque Arcanus
Stardust Racers
Constellation Carousel

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

In addition, throughout the day, I was also able to ride Dragon Racer’s Rally and Monsters Unchained (can you tell I like Monsters Unchained?) on their standby lines, as well as eat a Mac and Cheese Cone in Isle of Berk, drink a Butterbeer, and have dinner in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Mac and Cheese cone!

Overall, I definitely felt like I got my money’s worth from the experience, especially thanks to the included Express Pass option. I would note, however, that given the ride-focused “go, go, go” nature of the tour, it’s probably not the ideal way to experience the park for the first time. Rather, it’s better for someone who has already visited the park at least once before and taken everything in organically.

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders!

The Epic Universe VIP provided a pricey but unique way to experience Universal Orlando’s newest park. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on the most unique theme park experiences we can find.

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Would you consider a tour like this? Let us know in the comments below.

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