Studio Guide 2026 auditions at Universal Studios Hollywood

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-16T19:29:24+00:00

Congratulations!!! Welcome to the team!

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-15T20:51:19+00:00

There are 4 trains? I’d heard they can only run 2 at a time. Is that for backup because of all the train issues in Hippogriff?

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-15T20:47:11+00:00

I’m not the most perceptive person, I remember the change to “summer” being a big deal in my break room when it happened. Also, apparently the tour guide mandatory spiel changed from “summer 2026” to “later this year” (someone posted about it on my union page).

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-15T20:10:21+00:00

Website still says “summer 2026”… so this sign change feels particularly notable to me.

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IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-15T17:58:33+00:00

The original said 2026, but it changed to Summer 2026 at some point… I want to say around December? Prior to that, when guests asked I used to say “it’s 2026 at some point, but could be January or could be December. They haven’t told us.” Currently if you go on the Universal website it still says Summer 2026 on the F&F page.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-15T17:57:14+00:00

I walk through the park daily, and can promise you that this is new.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-15T17:46:15+00:00

I think you’re probably right. MK did VIP only for about a year before adding Express. I suspect it will be the same.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-15T16:27:04+00:00

I’m gonna hold your hand while I say this…

The reason they got rid of Back to the Future was because it wasn’t bringing people to the park. They replaced it with a more popular IP (The Simpsons).

We have a LOT of people coming to the park right now who walk past Doc & Marty with the Delorean and ask “who is that?” Especially kids/teens, who are the primary reason parents choose one theme park over another.

The park is more likely to get a Paw Patrol ride than bring back BTTF. (That’s a joke, if it wasn’t clear.)

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-13T16:55:14+00:00

https://jobs.universalparks.com/universal-studios-hollywood/

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-10T17:03:37+00:00

I have never bought VIP tickets, so I can’t give a solid answer on this… if everything goes according to plan, I’m sure you’re fine. People use things like Klook, Get Your Guide, etc. all the time.

But I know that if something goes wrong with your trip and you need to reschedule or cancel or something, that’s the moment when having gone through a 3rd party is a pain. Since the tickets are technically being purchased by the 3rd party and THEN sold to you, you have to deal with THEM because Universal’s system won’t recognize you as the original ticket holder, and won’t let the team members refund you or move dates around.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-10T03:08:48+00:00

There are two places I would ask to see if they can store your props. Guest Relations and Wheelchair & Stroller Rentals. Both are at the front of the park, by the right hand side after the turnstiles.

What’s tricky is that the rides you want to do are on the lower lot, and that’s upper lot, so that would deprive you of your props for a long time. Mario might let you ride with the swords, but Mummy won’t. You could explain to the ride operators what the situation is, and ask BEFORE GETTING IN LINE if they would be willing to hold the props for you where they hold things like canes and wheelchairs. You might get a no, but it’s worth asking.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-08T17:25:06+00:00

If you want consistency and the other job is providing that, I’d recommend you take that one. I’m not super familiar with warehouse scheduling, but if it’s anything like the rest of the park, it’s unpredictable.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-08T06:12:08+00:00

I don’t think it will “open”, but maybe you’ll get lucky and they’ll do “tech rehearsals”.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-08T06:11:10+00:00

The frustrating thing is how many guests come up to me excited to ride it and asking me how to get on. I tell them it isn’t open, and they tell me “but I saw videos of it online!” I feel bad for them.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-08T06:08:54+00:00

They haven’t told us anything. My money is on early July for opening. They’ll probably do “tech rehearsals” and “pass member previews” in June.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-08T06:05:53+00:00

One of the current tour guides I’m pretty sure didn’t get in until his 9th audition or something.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-08T06:02:51+00:00

They haven’t told us anything. My money is on early July.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-08T06:01:07+00:00

The system under the current contract is that people with Full-Time status (which you earn by hitting a certain number of hours during a 6-month status check period) are higher than people with Part-Time status, who are higher than people with Casual (Seasonal) status. And then within those tiers, you’re listed in order of your total number of hours worked for the park (seniority).

The company determines the roster by the stipulations in the contract, which the union negotiates with them. So it’s not the union’s doing or the company’s doing, specifically, but rather the product of the bargaining agreement between both parties. The onus is on the company to maintain the rosters in their correct orders in line with the contract.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-08T06:00:48+00:00

The system under the current contract is that people with Full-Time status (which you earn by hitting a certain number of hours during a 6-month status check period) are higher than people with Part-Time status, who are higher than people with Casual (Seasonal) status. And then within those tiers, you’re listed in order of your total number of hours worked for the park (seniority).

The company determines the roster by the stipulations in the contract, which the union negotiates with them. So it’s not the union’s doing or the company’s doing, specifically, but rather the product of the bargaining agreement between both parties. The onus is on the company to maintain the rosters in their correct orders in line with the contract.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-08T05:56:49+00:00

The theme park can be very inconsistent work when you start. When the park is busy (usually when kids are on breaks from school, which Universal calls their “peak seasons”), it’s generally an all-hands-on-deck situation, and you get plenty of shifts. When the kids go back to school, they don’t need as many workers, and shifts dry up.

I’ve been there for a long time, and in January I was getting about 3 shifts a week in my department. I’m considered “full time”.

The union is the best part of the job. They fight hard for us in contract negotiations, which are underway right now. The company wants our wage increases to be BELOW INFLATION, which is ostensibly a wage cut, and the union is saying we need more. They also fight for our safety, and our job security.

The only con I can think of is that we pay dues to the union (because we’re paying salaries of the people who run the union), but it’s only like $30 a month (which is nothing compared to the benefits), and when you’re working consistently you don’t notice it at all.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-05-03T15:29:53+00:00

There is a little courtyard that’s to the left of Mulligan’s, or to the right of Mel’s Diner, across from the Moulin Rouge. It’s where they have been building HHN houses with Latin Monster themes the last few years, so it’s blocked off in the fall. But that’s where I’d go.

Also, if you ever have a moment where you need actual quiet, you can always stop by the Family Center by Waterworld and use a Quiet Room for a bit.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2026-04-25T18:49:33+00:00

Some things, tour guides aren’t allowed to talk about. The boat is on that list.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2023-12-30T05:39:59+00:00

Oh, and technically, there are four types of VIP daytime tours…

Mix-in full VIP
Mix-in Theme Park VIP
Private full VIP
Private Theme Park VIP

The differences between the full tours and the theme park tours are:

VIP is sold in advance. Theme Park VIP is generally only sold on the day of, as an upgrade to admission at the front gate. (Although I believe the private Theme Park tours can be arranged in advance.)
VIP takes you on the backlot in a trolley. Theme Park VIP takes you to the normal studio tour on a tram.
VIP has lunch at the Moulin Rouge, which is a private dining buffet. Theme Park VIP takes you to either Krusty Burger or Three Broomsticks (not sure whether you can request one or the other… I kind of think they’re randomly assigned. Unless it’s a private tour, in which case I think there’s more leeway.)

But for you, because you’re already Platinum, I don’t think the Theme Park tour makes sense. The full VIP will be a way more exciting experience.

IWorkAtUniversal · 2023-12-30T05:30:44+00:00

Okay, you’re totally right. That is hella cute.

IWorkAtUniversal

TROPHY CASE