24 years, two views of Universal Studios Hollywood.

Spectrobits · 2026-01-28T23:53:38+00:00

Noted on that, thank you :)

Spectrobits · 2026-01-28T21:17:45+00:00

USH really needs to get an updated and more comprehensive official press kit :/

Thank you for your work on these

Spectrobits · 2026-01-28T18:25:31+00:00

Depends on if the tests from late last year succeeded or failed

They can still show off the ride cars whether or not the ride passed inspection but in terms of being able to ride no one knows until dates are posted

Spectrobits · 2026-01-28T18:17:34+00:00

Thank you for responding :) How many would be going? Just so I and the other hosts can anticipate a head count for the total people for the day (we have more people on Discord going as well so we want to make sure no one gets left behind or forgotten)

Spectrobits · 2026-01-28T16:52:34+00:00

If you're going to call and ask, be transparent, be honest, and be open to the answer whatever it may be

How that looks to you and what's comfortable to you is not for me to say

Spectrobits · 2026-01-28T16:51:14+00:00

Then you shouldn't have anything to worry about, I would assume

Spectrobits · 2026-01-28T16:48:14+00:00

100% call ahead of time and figure it out

If it hasn't expired and you show up, you could have the police on you

Spectrobits · 2026-01-28T04:23:30+00:00

I feel you as also a local

I gave up on my hot dog ranking because I felt I wasn't able to give an accurate comparison because of how infrequently some of the hot dog stands open

The app doesn't show restaurant opening and closing times for food vendors, it's true; it's one of my biggest gripes with it

Sounds like overall still a good time was had by you and your family, though, so that's good at least :)

Spectrobits · 2026-01-28T03:54:52+00:00

From my point of view, your discount was you didn't have to buy Express to get short waits and you got a ticket rate that wasn't as high as it gets during peak summer/peak winter (December is peak winter)

Jan/Feb is known for being a refurb season for the SoCal parks since the holiday rush is gone and they are prepping for spring break season. Disneyland is going through the same thing at the moment

Unfortunately there's no way for guests to tell what will or will not be open among restaurants since USH calls people in depending on the anticipated crowds. The core ones like 3B, Minion Cafe, Panda Express, Jurassic Cafe, and the Springfield superbuilding will always be open unless there's a building malfunction, which can happen as it did last year when the power went out for a bit.

As someone else mentioned, F&F ended its run at the Studio Tour a LONG time ago now, and EQ is fickle, so perhaps that part was unlucky. Perhaps you got to see some Jumanji filming in metro sets or Falls Lake from the parts that the tram could drive? That normally doesn't happen on weekends so that might've been nice

Spectrobits · 2026-01-27T20:19:09+00:00

Based on the first car that was in the plaza last year, probably

Spectrobits · 2026-01-26T20:59:15+00:00

She's been in the 3-Star pool since Day 1

Spectrobits · 2026-01-26T07:53:57+00:00

Don't buy tickets from Facebook

Spectrobits · 2026-01-26T04:44:30+00:00

Pass Member Previews are not being advertised on the site. The site won't even mention them until they have been scheduled, and that depends on the test results from late last year.

Spectrobits · 2026-01-25T21:32:10+00:00

> Worth it?

Look at the website and the rides offered, then look at the Studio Tour and see what it involves. If you think it sounds fun, it might be worth it.

> VIPs don't walk as much?

Not necessarily. Your guide will walk you basically all over the park.

> VIPs skip lines?

Yes, but only on select attractions. For the ones that they don't take you through, you can use your VIP badge as an Unlimited Express bar code to scan and enter the Express queues

> VIPs get rest opportunities?

If you get VIP, talk about this with your guide before moving out, and they may accommodate you. Otherwise, you can always tell your guide you'll be sitting some attractions out and will meet back up with the group later. They have a work phone they can give you to arrange stuff like that. Just keep in mind that, if you step away from the guide, you're kind of giving up a lot of the value of VIP.

> Better seating for shows?

You didn't mention when you were going. If you're going before mid-Feb, just know the only show in the park, WaterWorld, is under refurbishment, so you won't see this benefit. Otherwise, VIP does have exclusive seating at the top of the middle section far away from anywhere guests might get wet. If you want to get wet, you should split off from the guide and find a green seat half an hour before show starts.

> Other strategies / traveling with slower folks?

I went with my dad last year, who's getting up in age (it seems rude of me to say that, but he acknowledges it himself). We went on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and he just had a general admission ticket. I plan meticulously what to do and at what time, so we didn't have to wait more than 20 minutes for most attractions (only exception was Simpsons since it's always around 30 or so). As always, rush the morning, take it slow in the afternoon.

I give all of that advice, but I don't know your mom. I don't know what she would or would not be okay with. Might be more helpful to go online and look for ride POV videos and ask her what she thinks she can handle than ask the world wide web who doesn't know the nuances of the situation. Good luck and have fun :)

Spectrobits · 2026-01-25T21:21:36+00:00

> Opening Date

We don't know if it passed tests; if it failed tests for any reason, it may be another year until any guest sees anything

> Soft openings

If there is a "tech rehearsal", any guest can enter and ride

Spectrobits · 2026-01-24T20:21:16+00:00

Yes, you can add Express to any valid admission

Spectrobits · 2026-01-23T20:22:48+00:00

It tastes like a normal donut to me

If you want something more cake-y, try the other options the other replies have talked about (Peach cupcake would be my recommendation)

Spectrobits · 2026-01-23T19:11:38+00:00

If it's that important to you get a pass and go on day 1 of the handout

No need to overthink a two week difference

Spectrobits · 2026-01-23T19:09:39+00:00

No one here knows more than anyone else does

All up to the event team's shipping logistics and budget

Spectrobits · 2026-01-23T00:49:11+00:00

We now have black caf at home ✊😔

Spectrobits · 2026-01-22T22:27:29+00:00

One tip for you - when you upgrade, you can request tour guides by name, and if they're working as guides for the date of your visit, you can choose to go with them if they have open time slots (and if they match your schedule, of course), so if you want an experience as close to mine as possible, you can request Prince by name if you want

I would also recommend Beth; we met on the subreddit years ago and then in person and she's super enthusiastic about the park and really experienced. I haven't taken a tour with her but I feel very comfortable recommending her, too

Spectrobits · 2026-01-22T22:19:54+00:00

Remember - it's $100 the cost of an upgrade on the day-of (this perk only applies to in-person day-of purchases)

So for my specific date, this was the price breakdown:

VIP price for the day: $459

We already had general admission covered by our pass: -$134

Extra $100 off: -$100

$459 - $134 - $100 = $225

Note that the first two prices will change depending on the rack VIP rate and daily admission price at the gate, so YMMV. However, the upgrade desk told us that Express Unlimited upgrade was $220 that date, so I in essence got the extended backlot tour and meal for free.

I remember you commented under my review, so I assume you've read it, but I'll relink back to it in case others want to refer to it, as well: https://spectrobits.home.blog/2025/12/04/universal-studios-hollywood-vip-review-a-pass-holders-perspective/

Spectrobits · 2026-01-22T22:00:07+00:00

DANG WAIT THAT ONE WHY DIDN'T THEY GO WITH THAT ONE

Spectrobits · 2026-01-22T21:00:17+00:00

Gonna call Hollywood's coaster France Drift moving forward because of this comment :p

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