Theme park annual passes can already be expensive, but Universal Studios Hollywood is taking things to another level.
The Southern California destination has introduced a brand-new membership option that costs nearly $1,000.
However, Universal isn’t simply charging visitors more for the same benefits.
Its latest annual pass includes several premium experiences that aren’t available with the park’s previous top-tier membership.
And for visitors looking for a less expensive alternative, Universal has made another interesting change.
A New Premium Membership Arrives at Universal
Universal Studios Hollywood has officially introduced the Diamond Annual Pass, making it the most expensive membership currently offered at the California theme park.
The pass costs $999.95, although guests can choose a monthly payment plan.
That option requires a $449.95 down payment, followed by $50 monthly payments for one year at 0% APR.
The membership automatically renews monthly after the first year.
Universal previously offered four annual pass options: California Neighbor, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
With Diamond joining the lineup, visitors now have another option to consider when deciding how much they’re willing to spend.
Diamond Passholders Receive Several Major Upgrades
One of the biggest advantages of the Diamond Annual Pass is its expanded Universal Express benefit.
Members can begin using Universal Express as soon as the park opens, receiving one-time daily access to each ride, attraction, and seated show.
That could be particularly useful during crowded periods when popular attractions develop lengthy wait times.
Diamond Passholders also receive admission without blockout dates and complimentary parking.
But Universal has added several special experiences to make the membership stand out.
The pass includes one general admission ticket to Halloween Horror Nights and another to Universal Fan Fest Nights.
Members also receive one complimentary VIP Experience ticket.
For guests who regularly attend Universal’s separately ticketed events, these additional benefits could provide considerable value.
Platinum Passholders Have a Cheaper Alternative
Not everyone will want to spend nearly $1,000 on a theme park membership.
Fortunately, Universal has also lowered the price of its Platinum Annual Pass.
The Platinum membership now costs $599.95, with a monthly payment option of $28.19.
It still includes admission without blockout dates, free parking, and one complimentary Halloween Horror Nights general admission ticket.
Platinum members also receive Universal Express access after 3 p.m. at participating rides, attractions, and seated shows.
However, the pass doesn’t include the VIP Experience or Universal Fan Fest Nights admission available with Diamond.
The changes come shortly after Universal Studios Hollywood welcomed Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a roller coaster featuring multiple launches, inversions, and rotating ride vehicles.
With the park continuing to introduce new attractions, annual passholders have more reasons to keep visiting.
Still, the biggest question remains whether the Diamond Pass offers enough benefits to justify its higher price.
For some Universal fans, the added experiences could be worth the investment. Others might find that the less expensive Platinum membership provides everything they need.
