Universal Studios Hollywood is facing backlash after a guest claims their $400 VIP tour was abruptly canceled due to a lack of other participants. The incident occurred during the popular Universal Fan Fest Nights, a special after-hours event designed for sci-fi, anime, video games, and fantasy fans.
Universal Fan Fest Nights offers exclusive experiences, including shorter wait times for attractions, special food and beverage offerings, themed entertainment, and rare merchandise. Guests can also book VIP group tours, which start at $373 and include admission to the event. However, one guest’s experience took an unexpected turn when they arrived for their VIP tour, only to learn it had been canceled because they were the only one who signed up for that time slot.
The guest, who goes by Reddit user u/stitchkingdom, expressed their disappointment on social media.
“Apparently I was the only one who did (for that time),” they wrote. “So they decided it wasn’t worth keeping the tour available so they canceled a bunch of times. I’m a bit disappointed because nothing beats an empty/small tour but so it goes.”
Rather than issuing a refund, Universal Studios Hollywood reportedly offered the guest a rescheduled VIP tour at a later time, when other guests had booked. However, the guest had paid for early access to attractions, and Universal did not provide any compensation for the missed benefit.
Despite their frustration, the guest explained that they understood the park’s decision and acknowledged the cost of running a private VIP tour.
“A private tour generally goes for 4500 or so,” they said. “Normally a public tour is really a maximum of 24 or so across two groups. While the walking part is two separate groups up to 12, they combine temporarily for the trolley (which is just hill valley for this tour). Not sure what the threshhold is to maintain a tour, but I can’t blame them for canceling a tour over 20 people shy.”
As of now, Universal Studios Hollywood has not commented further on the incident, but the website shows availability for future VIP tours during Universal Fan Fest Nights. Guests who have booked VIP tours are advised to check their emails and voicemails before attending, as it’s unclear if similar cancellations could occur.
Universal Fan Fest Nights will continue to run on select dates through May 18, 2025, with tickets available for purchase now.
Have you done a VIP tour at Universal Studios Hollywood? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!
Your April 20th article here is a bit confusing. In the first paragraph you say this hapened “when they arrive for their VIP Tour.” But the Fan Fest event doesn’t even begin until April 25.