Movies have the ability to tell the best stories visually where you can truly escape and be entertained for a couple of hours (and if you're lucky, with some popcorn, soda pop and sweet treats!). Once of the best part of Universal Studios Hollywood is their Backlot Tour, where can visit the back stage of real films that are in progress! While some elements are the same, you never know what might be filming on the lot so it's a fun activity to enjoy each time you visit. 

If you are a movie fan and are fascinated with behind the scenes content of how movies and TV shows are filmed, there are several other back stage tours in Hollywood to get your sneak peek. I decided that we should visit the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Burbank for the DC Universe, Batman Collection, Friends set and The Wizarding World - all favourites in our household! 
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First up, each group is a fairly small group and we board a tram that takes us around the outdoor sets used for city shots, residential houses and the infamous Stars Hollow gazebo from Gilmore Girls. 

The inside parts of the tour brought you to see sets including the West Wing and lighting and props from a variety of TV and films. It almost looks like a flea market in there but they are very organized in cataloging  the inventory and keeping track of what gets used and where. 

The DC Universe Exhibit showcased props and costumes from recent DC movies, most notably Wonder Woman and the huge Batmobile collection, celebrating 75 years of Batman. 

At the Wizarding World, a large collection of props from the Harry Potter movies and The Fantastic Movies were present for exploration and discovery. 

Then you get the opportunity to experience the action and magic of a green screen! Choose from several different movie-making experiences where you can get in on the action directly. The guide describes your actions as you go through the motions and a video is created where you are in the center of the action! After your experience, you can go and watch yourself in the middle of the video clip and see how it was all put together. (For a copy of the photos or the video, there is an additional fee if you want the souvenir of it).

We also were able to walk through the working set of The Conan O'Brien Show, however we were not permitted to take any photos during this part of the tour. 

Then as you head near the end, you get to see visit the coffee shop set of Central Perk, the iconic couch from Friends. 

And everyone gets the chance to take their own photo on the iconic couch with your own cup of coffee! 

After this part of the tour, you are free to meander around as much as you want to explore the gift shop or pick up a coffee at Central Perk! 

All in all, it was a great afternoon going behind the scenes to all our favourite movies and TV shows to get a sense of how they are created. Expect to spend a couple of hours doing the tour but it is worth checking out. It provides more background that the Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot Tour but not too long where you might get bored. It was a nice change of scenery and activity during our Disneyland trip and I highly recommend it if you are looking at something a bit different from the usual Disneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood days if you have an extra day or two to spare. 

Purchasing tickets in advance are highly recommended as tour times run each day and there is no guarantee of availability if you just show up. Groups are small group tours so they provide an intimate experience with lots of time and space for your own exploration within the section. 

Need assistance with planning your California trip? Please let me know as I would love to help! You can do this tour on its own, or purchase one in conjunction with other popular tours in the area. Let me help you find and book the right tour option that fits within your travel plans! 

I look forward to helping you plan and book your California trip so you can experience so many of the wonderful tours and activities they have in the Hollywood and Anaheim area! 

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Harry Potter has landed in California! His long awaited arrival is welcomed by Harry Potter fans who don't have to trek east to Orlando and can now visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Hollywood! The official Grand Opening is April 7, 2016 but the area has been open to visitors who want a sneak peek before big day and we were fortunate enough to check it all out on our recent visit! 

Walk through the entrance into Hogsmeade Village and you are instantly transported to the magical world of wizards, just as described in the books and movies. The Hogwarts Express has arrived and the lead conductor is available for photos. Take a peek into the train cabin, choose from Hogwarts robes and scarves so you can dress up and pose for photos from the train cabin. 

No visit to Hogsmeade Village is complete without Butterbeer! Available as a cold beverage or frozen slushy, it's the perfect beverage to enjoy as you immerse yourself into the world of Harry Potter!

Visit Ollivander's, Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. and peruse through the large selection of wands of your choosing (or rather, the wand chooses you!) and/or choose from a selection of character wand replicas. 

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is *THE* must do attraction! The ride is the same as the one in Orlando, however it is a 3D ride in Hollywood! Become a student of Hogwarts and join Harry and his friends on a thrilling and exciting ride through the familiar classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts, explore the castle grounds from high above and participate in an exciting round of Quidditch!

As you join the queue, you enter Hogwarts Castle and the attention to detail both inside and outside the castle is beyond breathtaking. There were times I wished the line moved slower so I could take the time to enjoy all the painstaking details that went into the design and creation of the attraction. 

To get an idea of the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, check out the video below. It's a thrilling adventure through Hogwarts full of twists and turns and the 3D effects make the ride come alive! 

Flight of the Hippogriff is an outdoor family friendly roller coaster that is enjoyable for the whole family. Learn how to approach a Hippogriff properly and enjoy twists and turns around the pumpkin patch and visit Hagrid's Hut. 

Cheer on the presentation of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students as they lead the excitement for the Triwizard Tournament in a Triwizard Spirit Rally and listen to a presentation of songs by a small choir of Hogwarts students accompanied by their large croaking frogs. 

SHOPPING

Hogsmeade Village is home to various specialty shops so everything you need for your visit to Hogwarts can be found here! Zonko's Joke Shop sells novelty items, jokes, toys and sweets, perfect for playing jokes on unsuspecting friends and family members. Honeydukes sells classic treats such as Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, exploding bonbons, Peppermint Toads, Fudge Flies, Chocolate Frogs and other delectable delights. Need school supplies and wizarding wares??? Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment is the place to find all your required House robes, Hogwarts Express items, crystal balls, binoculars, magnifying glasses and other equipment.  Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods is your source for Hogwarts clothing, movie prop replicas, chess sets, magical creature toys and Marauder's Maps. Find House robes, ties, scarves, jumpers and other wizard apparel, accessories and jewelry at Gladrags Wizardwear so your visit is memorable for years to come. Can't forget about your Quidditch equipment! Dervish and Banges is where you will find Quidditch equipment, apparel and house items. At The Owl Post, find Harry Potter-themed stationery, stamps, owl -related toys and gifts and send a letter from here with a Hogsmeade postmark! 

DINING

Enjoy dining at Three Broomsticks to grab lunch or dinner. Classic English fare such as fish and chips, shepherd's pie, and bangers and mash are popular favourites. For parties of 4, consider the Great Feast for to maximize variety and selection for the greatest value. Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice are popular beverage choices. Hog's Head Pub is the perfect place for families to enjoy Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer for the kids, while adults can enjoy a selection of domestic and imported beer,s specialty beers such as Wizard's Brew and Dragon Scale, Fire Whiskey, wine, spirits and mixed drinks.

Your visit isn't complete until you obtain you a wand!

Choose a character wand replica or an interactive wand that can be used throughout the park in select locations where your wand can unlock magical spells!

​Need help?? Hogwarts prefects are available to assist and unlock your spell-making abilities! 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the ultimate destination for Harry Potter fans! We simply didn't want to leave! It was so hard to say good bye :( There are a lot of fun attractions to enjoy and do at Universal Studios Hollywood and Harry Potter fans will definitely not want to miss it! Now Harry Potter fans can visit California in addition to Florida for Harry Potter adventures! 

I encourage you to read the books and/or at least watch the movie(s) before visiting to really immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter and maximize your experience! We have become obsessed with Harry Potter since and will be watching the movies again and again! My daughter has taken to speaking with an English accent since watching the movies (#cutenotcute). 

I have yet to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando so I am not able to offer any comparison details, however I expect that the standards and attention to detail is just as stunning! We were lucky enough to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter during our visit and can't wait to share with you our experience! Let me know if you get to visit as I would love to hear your thoughts and chat Harry Potter with you!