Some theme park days are fun, but others become the stories your family tells for years. Our private VIP tour at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe was one of those unforgettable days. Traveling as a family of seven, my husband and I with five of our kids (with our adult son unable to join us on this trip), this experience went far beyond skipping lines. It was about moving through the park with intention, flexibility, and care, creating meaningful moments, and experiencing Epic Universe in a way that was truly magical for our family.
Arrival & VIP Check-In (8:30 AM)
We began our morning with transportation from our hotel, Loews Royal Pacific, arriving at Epic Universe around 8:30 a.m. Instead of joining the general entrance crowd, we were directed to a special entrance reserved exclusively for VIP guests. From the moment we stepped inside, the tone of the day shifted.
We checked in at the VIP Experience Lobby, where we waited comfortably for our guide. The space itself felt like a quiet exhale. It was clean, calm, and thoughtfully designed. There were well-kept restrooms, sunscreen available for guests, and plenty of room to sit down before heading out. As a mom, these details matter more than people realize.
Meet Our Guide: Anthony
Then came the moment that truly set the day apart, we met our guide, Anthony. From the first interaction, it was clear we were in excellent hands. Anthony was knowledgeable, fun, and genuinely excited to be there with us. His energy was contagious, especially for our kids, and he struck that perfect balance of professional and personable.
Anthony asked us an important question: What are you hoping to accomplish today?
Our answer was immediate and unanimous, rides, rides, and more rides. We also shared two big hopes: meeting Donkey Kong (notoriously hard to catch) and meeting Toothless, whose wait times had hovered around two hours the day before. By visiting the day before, we were able to explore the park, see the shows, and meet all but these two characters! The ride wait times were so long that we didn’t get to ride any rides during that visit so we were eager to see how many rides we could get in during our tour.
Breakfast at Oak & Star Tavern
Our first stop was breakfast at Oak & Star Tavern, included with our private VIP tour. The food was delicious and came out quickly, which is always a win with kids. One of our children has AudHD and is extremely picky with food. I brought food from with me but needed a bowl to serve it.
Oak & Star didn’t have bowls available, but Anthony didn’t hesitate. He left the restaurant, ventured into the park, and returned with a bowl for my son. That small but powerful moment told me everything I needed to know about how the rest of the day would go.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Battle at the Ministry
Just before 10 a.m., we headed straight to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Our first ride was Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Anthony gave us time to fully experience the Metro-Floo before escorting us past the 200+ minute standby line and directly to the loading area.
We loved the ride so much that Anthony asked if we wanted to go again. Of course we did. We walked right back on while the posted wait climbed to 210 minutes. That alone justified the tour.
Weather Pivot & Dark Universe
As the rain began to fall, Anthony seamlessly adjusted our plan. We headed to Dark Universe and rode Monsters Unchained, an indoor attraction that kept us dry while still delivering thrills. We opted to wait on Curse of the Werewolf until the weather cleared.
Super Nintendo World: A Dream Come True
Next stop was Super Nintendo World, where we headed straight to Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. This ride had been at the top of my youngest son’s list, and once wasn’t enough, not twice either. Thanks to Anthony, he rode it three times in a row.
As the rain eased, Anthony showed us additional Power-Up Band Easter eggs while coordinating our lunch plans.
Lunch at Toadstool Café
Lunch was at Toadstool Café, also included with our tour. Anthony joined us, which made the meal feel even more special. We sampled several entrées, and Anthony surprised us by ordering three Princess Peach cakes for the table. They were massive, delicious, and completely included in our experience.
Tour guides can ride with your group if invited, and Anthony happily joined us throughout the day, also evening out our odd-number party so no one ever had to ride alone.
Isle of Berk & Character Magic
After lunch, we headed to the Isle of Berk, riding Fyre Drill and Dragon Racer’s Rally. Then came one of the most magical moments of the day, meeting Toothless and Hiccup. Character meets aren’t guaranteed on VIP tours, but Anthony worked his magic. We were led through the exit and waited only a few minutes. When Hiccup’s Wing Gliders went down temporarily, Anthony pivoted again, leading us to Donkey Kong Country.
Donkey Kong Country & Five Rides in a Row
In Donkey Kong Country, we rode Mine-Cart Madness five times in a row with no wait. It became my youngest son’s favorite ride in the entire park. Then came the moment I personally had been waiting for, meeting Donkey Kong himself. With no set meet-and-greet times and strict weather limitations, this character is incredibly difficult to catch. For a child of the ’80s who grew up playing Donkey Kong, this was pure nostalgia magic.
Stardust Racers & Final Attractions
Anthony made sure we stayed hydrated throughout the day, providing water for us. At Stardust Racers, we split into groups so everyone could ride, and Anthony rode with both. Later, we returned to Dark Universe and rode Curse of the Werewolf three times.
As our tour time came to a close, Anthony asked us to choose one final experience. We selected Battle at the Ministry again. With a posted wait of 240 minutes, we walked right on.
Anthony wrapped up our tour by ensuring all ride photos were linked to our 3-day Photo Package, included with the tour, and even replaced a lanyard our older son lost on Stardust Racers.
Evening on Our Own (With Express!)
After saying our goodbyes, we continued the fun using our unlimited Express Passes, valid for the rest of the day. We rode Hiccup’s Wing Gliders three times, Mario Kart, Yoshi’s Adventure, and saved Constellation Carousel for nighttime. It was an absolutely perfect ending of our perfect day!
Dinner at Atlantic (also included) capped off the day with incredible food, beautiful atmosphere, and a filet I’m still thinking about. The unique desserts there were the highlight for the kids!
Who a Private VIP Tour Is Best For
A private VIP tour at Epic Universe isn’t just about luxury, it’s about accessibility, efficiency, and maximizing joy, especially for families like ours.
Families who struggle with long lines, particularly those with neurodivergent children, will find incredible value in this experience. Standing in extended queues can be overwhelming, and for our child with AuDHD, minimizing wait times wasn’t just a convenience, it was essential. Seeing our kids relaxed, happy, and regulated throughout the day made the investment worth every penny.
This experience is also ideal for families who have invested significantly in their vacation and want to ensure they truly experience the park. Epic Universe is immersive, ambitious, and time-intensive. We wanted the peace of mind that came with knowing we would ride everything on our must-do list and then some. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine riding marquee attractions multiple times in a row with no wait.
A private VIP tour is also perfect for guests who appreciate the hidden details and insider knowledge that elevate a park day. The Easter eggs Anthony shared along the way added layers of fun and discovery we never would have uncovered on our own. Those small moments, little bits of storytelling, design details, and park secrets, made Epic Universe feel even more alive to us.
Finally, this experience is wonderful for guests who value having a trusted expert by their side. Beyond Epic Universe, Anthony helped answer questions and offered tips for our upcoming Islands of Adventure day. One simple piece of advice he shared led directly to us being able to see a baby raptor hatch, something that meant so much to our family and absolutely would not have happened otherwise.
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants less stress, more magic, and the confidence that you’re making the most of your time, a private VIP tour isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a game changer if you have room in your budget.
What’s Included with a Private VIP Tour at Epic Universe
A private VIP tour includes far more than expedited ride access, it’s a fully curated, high-touch experience designed to remove stress and maximize time in the park. While exact inclusions can vary, here’s what our private VIP tour at Epic Universe included:
- Private VIP Tour Guide for the duration of your tour, dedicated exclusively to your group
- Priority access to attractions, bypassing standard standby queues and entering through backstage or Express access points
- Personalized itinerary planning, with flexibility to pivot based on weather, ride downtime, and your family’s interests
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at select Epic Universe restaurants. (Prior to our tour I made our family’s reservation for Atlantic for after our tour ended)
- VIP check-in and lounge access, including comfortable waiting areas, restrooms, and complimentary sunscreen
- Character meet-and-greet assistance when available (not guaranteed, but expertly timed and navigated)
- Unlimited Express Pass access for the remainder of the day after your tour ends
- 3-day Photo Package, including on-ride photos handled and linked by your guide during your tour
- Behind-the-scenes knowledge and park “Easter eggs” you wouldn’t typically discover on your own
- Ride re-rides when time and operations allow (sometimes multiple times in a row)
- Tour guide ride participation, helping even out odd-number groups so no one rides alone
For our family, the value came not just from what was included, but from how seamlessly it all worked together to create a day that felt effortless, joyful, and truly Epic.
Final Thoughts
Our private VIP tour didn’t just enhance our Epic Universe experience, it transformed it. We rode everything, avoided impossible wait times, and experienced the park in a way that simply wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. If your budget allows, this is an experience we wholeheartedly recommend.
Our day was truly Epic and one our kids will be talking about for years to come!
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About the Writer
Hi! I’m Lindsay! I’m a mom of six and a lifelong theme park enthusiast with a special love for Disney, Universal, and the Smoky Mountains! I love sharing our family’s adventures so other families can use our experiences to help plan their own trips and create unforgettable memories of their own. Beyond the magic of Disney and Universal, I’m also an avid Dollywood lover. My family and I spend countless hours exploring everything this incredible park and the surrounding Smoky Mountains have to offer, and I created Simply Touring to share all our best insights! When I am not writing or planning our next adventure, I am embracing the beautifully busy life of motherhood and making memories with my family!
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