New $999.95 Universal Studios Hollywood Diamond Pass Perks Explained

Universal Studios Hollywood has launched the Diamond Annual Pass, a new top-tier membership priced at $999.95 that includes Universal Express from park open, a free VIP Experience ticket, and admission to both Halloween Horror Nights and Universal Fan Fest Nights.

Universal announced the pass on November 10, 2026, alongside its 2027 event calendar, and it is on sale now. Diamond now sits above the Platinum Annual Pass as the park's highest pass tier, and Universal says it was designed for "today's most enthusiastic Universal Studios Hollywood fan."

How Much Does the Diamond Annual Pass Cost?

The Diamond Annual Pass costs $999.95 when purchased online, which Universal says saves $10 compared to the front gate price. There are three ways to pay:

• Pay in full: $999.95 per person.
• FlexPay: $449.95 down, then about $50 a month for 11 months at 0% APR. A U.S. billing address is required, and the pass auto-renews month to month after the first year until you cancel.
• Renewal or upgrade: Current Annual and Season Pass members can move into Diamond for $849.95, a 15% savings. The renewal window runs from 30 days before to 60 days after your pass expires, and the discount does not apply to passes bought with FlexPay.

One thing to know before you buy: Universal's current holiday sale of up to $50 off covers the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and California Neighbor passes only. Diamond is not included in that offer.

Everything Included With the Diamond Annual Pass

Here is the full list of Diamond benefits, according to Universal Studios Hollywood:

• No blockout dates for 12 months
• Universal Express from park open, one time per day on each ride, attraction, and seated show
• One free Halloween Horror Nights general admission ticket
• One free Universal Fan Fest Nights general admission ticket
• One free VIP Experience ticket
• Free General Parking (restrictions apply)
• 20% off select in-park food, beverages, and merchandise
• Invitations to special events for Pass Members
• Discounted tickets for friends and family
• 10% to 15% off at participating Universal CityWalk Hollywood locations

Universal Express From Park Open Is the Headline Perk

The biggest upgrade is when your Express access starts. Platinum Pass Members only get Universal Express after 3 p.m. Diamond Pass Members get it from the moment the park opens, every day they visit.

It works the same way as a one-time Express ticket: you can use the Express line once per day on each participating ride, attraction, and seated show. A few limits apply:

• Express does not apply to food and retail locations or non-seated shows.
• Express is not valid at separately ticketed events, including Halloween Horror Nights and Universal Fan Fest Nights.
• Universal's fine print specifically excludes Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift from the Platinum Express perk. The Diamond terms do not include that exclusion and instead cover each ride, attraction, and seated show.

That last point matters. Hollywood Drift opened on September 16, 2026, and it is the park's newest and most in-demand ride.

Halloween Horror Nights, Fan Fest Nights, and a VIP Experience

Diamond bundles three separately ticketed experiences into the pass price. Each one requires an advance reservation, and each pass gets one reservation per perk.

Halloween Horror Nights

Diamond includes one general admission ticket to Halloween Horror Nights. You will need to make an advance online reservation, it is valid on select nights only, and reservations close when general admission sells out for a given night. Platinum Pass Members get this same perk.

Universal's 2027 event guide lists Halloween Horror Nights on select nights from September 2 to October 31, 2027.

Universal Fan Fest Nights

The free Universal Fan Fest Nights ticket is exclusive to Diamond. No other pass tier includes it. The same rules apply: advance online reservation, select nights only, and subject to general admission capacity.

Universal says Fan Fest Nights returns in April 2027 with eight immersive experiences. The 2027 event guide lists the event on select nights from April 16 to May 16, 2027.

VIP Experience

The free VIP Experience ticket is also exclusive to Diamond. The VIP Experience is the park's premium guided tour. According to Universal, it includes:

• Complimentary valet parking and access to the VIP lounge
• A guided tour that lets you step off the trolley and walk through working studio backlot sets
• A gourmet meal in a private VIP dining room (alcoholic beverages excluded)
• Unlimited Universal Express for the rest of the day, even after the tour ends
• Access to exclusive VIP merchandise

There are a few catches. The VIP ticket requires an advance reservation on select dates, subject to tour availability. You also cannot book it until your pass is activated, which happens on your first visit with the pass. It is not valid during Halloween Horror Nights or Fan Fest Nights.

The Fine Print on Parking, Discounts, and Reservations

• Parking: Diamond includes General Parking only, not Valet, Front Gate, or Preferred Parking. If you buy online, parking is valid starting with your first visit. It does not cover entry after 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in April, May, September, and October.
• 20% discount: This is up from the 15% discount on Gold and Platinum. The food and beverage discount excludes alcohol, and the merchandise discount excludes film, media, and collectibles.
• Park reservations: Universal's terms say Pass Members may be required to reserve visit dates in advance. Guests will be notified by email if that requirement kicks in.
• No refunds or transfers: Passes are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Diamond vs. Platinum vs. Gold: How the Passes Compare

Universal Studios Hollywood also still sells the Silver Annual Pass ($219.95) and the California Neighbor Pass ($179.95), which is for California residents only.

Is the Diamond Annual Pass Worth It?

Universal estimates the Diamond pass pays for itself in about 10 visits, based on the lowest online one-day ticket price of $99.95. That math does not count parking, Express, or the three bundled event tickets.

The better comparison for most fans is Diamond vs. Platinum. At regular prices, Diamond costs $400 more (or $450 more while Platinum is on sale). For that difference, you get:

• All-day Express instead of after 3 p.m., with no Hollywood Drift exclusion in the Diamond terms
• A Fan Fest Nights ticket
• A VIP Experience ticket
• An extra 5% off food, drinks, and merchandise

Diamond makes the most sense if you usually visit in the morning or on busy weekends, you planned to do the VIP Experience or Fan Fest Nights anyway, or you spend a lot in the park. Platinum is likely enough if most of your visits are quick evening trips, since you already get Express after 3 p.m., free parking, and a Horror Nights ticket.

What Pass Members Can Expect in 2027

Universal's 2027 event guide, released alongside the Diamond announcement, includes a full year of Pass Member exclusive events for all pass tiers:

• February to March: Pass Member Bonus Benefits
• May: Pass Member Collectible Giveaway
• June: Pass Member Park Takeover, when the park is open only to Pass Members
• August to September: Pass Member Appreciation Days
• November: Pass Member Collectible Giveaway
• December: Holiday Pass Member Park Takeover

The full calendar, including Butterbeer Season, Mega Movie Summer, Back to Hogwarts, and Holidays at Universal, is in Universal's official 2027 Universal Studios Hollywood event guide.

How to Buy the Diamond Annual Pass

The Diamond Annual Pass is available now on the official Universal Studios Hollywood pass page. Current Pass Members who want to upgrade can sign in to their Universal account to see renewal options. Season Pass and California Neighbor Pass members can upgrade at the front gate ticket booth or by calling 1-800-UNIVERSAL.

We will update this post if Universal adds new Diamond perks or changes the pricing.

Sources: Universal Studios Hollywood press release (Nov. 10, 2026), Universal Studios Hollywood Pass Types and Benefits, Diamond Annual Pass terms, VIP Experience, Discover Universal 2027 event guide