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!
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!
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.
Gazebo in Stars Hollow, Gilmore Girls
Residential street
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 West Wing
Props storage
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.
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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).
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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!
Central Perk, the coffee shop at Warner Bros Studio Tour in Hollywood, CA.
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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