Universal Studios Hollywood’s new Diamond pass costs $999.95

The new top annual pass adds a VIP Experience ticket, a Fan Fest Nights ticket and Express from park open. It costs 95 cents more than Disneyland’s $999 Explore Key, which only gets you 25% off Lightning Lane.

Universal Studios Hollywood has a new top-tier annual pass, and it costs a nickel shy of $1,000.

The Diamond Annual Pass went on sale online Thursday, Nov. 5, for $999.95, Laughing Place reported. That’s $400 more than the Platinum pass, which had been the park’s top option at $599.95.

So what’s the extra $400 for? Diamond adds Universal Express from park open, a free VIP Experience ticket and a free ticket to Universal Fan Fest Nights, according to Universal’s pass pages. Platinum’s Express doesn’t start until 3 p.m.

Not ready to drop a grand at once? FlexPay is an option. It’s $449.95 down, then 11 monthly payments of $50, Universal says. We did the math, and that lands on the same $999.95.

Disneyland fans, this one’s for you. Disneyland’s Explore Key costs $999, the cheapest Magic Key on Disney’s public pass page. It gets you reservation-based admission on select days and 25% off Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Universal’s Diamond costs 95 cents more and includes the line-skipping.

What does the Universal Studios Hollywood Diamond pass include?

Here’s the full list from Universal’s pass and checkout pages:

• No blockout dates for 12 months. Universal says pass members may still need a reservation for some dates.

• Universal Express from park open, one time per day on each ride, attraction and seated show. Inside Universal reported that includes Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. Platinum’s fine print excludes the new coaster. Diamond’s doesn’t.

• One Halloween Horror Nights ticket, general admission on select nights, reservation required.

• One Universal Fan Fest Nights ticket, same rules.

• One VIP Experience ticket, by advance reservation on select dates. You can’t book it until your first visit activates the pass.

• Free general parking, except for entry after 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in April, May, September and October. So, busy spring and fall weekend nights.

• 20% off select in-park food, drinks and merchandise, up from 15% for Gold and Platinum.

• 10% to 15% off at participating CityWalk locations.

One catch: Diamond’s Express and VIP perks don’t work during Horror Nights or Fan Fest Nights.

How much is the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience worth?

Plenty. VIP Experience tickets start at $359.95, Laughing Place and WDW News Today noted. That one perk covers most of the jump from Platinum.

Universal says the guided tour lasts at least five hours and includes unlimited Express all day, a gourmet meal, valet parking and time walking the backlot sets.

Fan Fest Nights is the question mark. Universal’s event page thanks fans for coming in 2026 and says to “stay tuned for future updates.” So 2027 dates and prices aren’t out yet. WDWNT said general admission was $74 last time around.

How does Diamond compare with other Universal Studios Hollywood passes?

Universal’s fine print lists five passes. Here are the online prices (add $10 at the front gate):

• California Neighbor Pass: $179.95, a season pass with the most blockout dates

• Silver Annual Pass: $219.95, with blockout dates

• Gold Annual Pass: $299.95, with free parking, 15% off and blockout dates

• Platinum Annual Pass: $599.95, with no blockouts, Express after 3 p.m. and one Horror Nights ticket

• Diamond Annual Pass: $999.95

Gold, for example, is blocked out for return visits Nov. 27 and most of late December.

Universal figures Diamond pays for itself in about 10 visits, based on a $99.95 one-day ticket. That math doesn’t count the VIP tour, the parking or the event tickets.

Can I renew or upgrade into the Diamond pass?

Yes. Current annual passholders can renew into Diamond for $849.95, a 15% discount, during the window from 30 days before to 60 days after their pass expires. Renewals happen through your Universal account.

Season passholders, including California Neighbor members, can upgrade at the discounted renewal rate at the front gate or by calling 1-800-UNIVERSAL. The renewal discount doesn’t apply to FlexPay passes.

How does the Diamond pass stack up against Disneyland’s Magic Key?

Disneyland’s public pass page lists three Magic Keys: Inspire Key at $1,899, Believe Key at $1,474 and Explore Key at $999. California residents can sign in to see more options.

Even Inspire, the priciest, doesn’t include Lightning Lane access. It gets 25% off Lightning Lane Multi Pass on days you visit, like the other keys. Every Magic Key does include Park Hopper admission to both Disneyland parks, though, and Universal Studios Hollywood is a one-park ticket.

Different parks, different math. Universal just made the SoCal pass spreadsheet a little longer.

Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• Laughing Place (Nov. 5, 2026), the on-sale date, the Platinum comparison and the VIP Experience starting price

• Inside Universal (Nov. 5, 2026), the Diamond perk list and Hollywood Drift Express access

• WDW News Today (Nov. 5, 2026), FlexPay terms, the VIP Experience price and last year’s Fan Fest Nights price

• Universal Studios Hollywood (Nov. 5, 2026), pass prices, perks, fine print, blockout calendars, renewals, the VIP Experience and Fan Fest Nights pages

• Disneyland Resort (Nov. 5, 2026), Magic Key prices and perks

AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.