Hollywood is Made Here

If you’ve watched any of the Harry Potter movies, the LEGO movies – or popular TV shows like The Big Bang Theory or Friends – then you have seen the movie making magic brought to you from the Warner Brothers Studios. As its tagline says, on the Warner Brothers Studio Tour you can experience “Hollywood Made Here”. 

Located in Burbank, California, the tours offered at Warner Brothers are unique, family-friendly (ages 8+), and tailored for your group. The tour changes often based on what is in production, so the tour is always different. We went on the Studio Tour at Warner Brothers recently and it was entertaining. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

Know Before You Go

• Hours: Open Daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
• Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
• Age restriction – Guests 8 years of age and older are welcome. Children under the age of 8 are not permitted on any studio tour. Ages 8 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Adults (18+) must bring legal photo identification and present it when you check in at the ticket counter.
• Photography & Video: Parts of the tour may be photographed. The tour guide will let guests know when it is okay to take pictures. Video is not allowed. For press visits, contact the studio’s media relations department directly.
• There are three tours to choose from: Studio Tour, Classics Tour, and Deluxe Tour. 
  • Studio Tour: “Explore where Hollywood is made.” Tour duration: about 2 hours guided + 1 hour self-guided. Adult (age 13+) $69 (online), $72 (on-site; Child (8-12) $59 (online), $62 (on-site). Backlots and Soundstages, Warner Brothers Archives (DC Universe Exhibit and The Wizarding World), Batmobile Collection in the Batcave, Stage 48: Script to Screen Exhibit, Friends – Central Perk set (photo op), The Big Bang Theory sets (photo op), additional green screen photo opportunities, Central Perk Café & Studio Store. 
  • Classics Tour: “Explore the Golden Age of Hollywood.” Tour duration: 3 hours (inclusive of guided and self-guided). Adult (age 13+) $69, Child (8-12) $59. Backlots and Soundstages, The Prop House, Stage 48: Script to Screen Exhibit, Friends – Central Perk set (photo op), The Big Bang Theory sets (photo op), additional green screen photo opportunities, Central Perk Café & Studio Store. 
  • Deluxe Tour: “Enjoy the ultimate Hollywood experience.” Tour duration: 5 hours (guided) + 1 hour (self-guided). Ticket price (age 8+) $295 each. The Deluxe Tour includes all the elements of the Studio Tour, plus exclusive access to even more behind-the-scenes areas such as The Costume Department, The Property Department, and the exclusive private screening room. The Deluxe Tour also includes complimentary beverages and pastries, and a fine dining lunch at the Studio. 
• If you, or a member of your group, has questions regarding special assistance, contact the studios prior to your visit.

Warner Brothers Studios History

• Founded/Incorporated April 4, 1923.
• Warner Brothers Studio began when the brothers Warner (Albert, Sam, Harry, and Jack) incorporated their new movie company in 1923.
• In 1927 Warner Bros. Studio released The Jazz Singer, which was the first feature-length movie with synchronized dialogue/sound. It marked the rise of “talkies” and the end of the silent-film era.
• Warner Bros. completed the Burbank facility in 1929 and was able to produce movies quickly – over 86 feature films in that same year.
• The first Looney Tunes animated short film debuted in 1930.
• In the early 1930s, Warner Brothers (WB) started the trend for gangster films and also produced various musical extravaganzas, swashbuckling adventures, and classic dramas. 
• By the end of the 1930s, WB was producing about 100 motion pictures a year and controlled 360 theatres in the United States and more than 400 abroad. 
• In 1935, Studio 16 is completed and later that same year was raised 30 feet, making it the largest soundstage at WB and one of the tallest in the world. 
• In 1955, Warner Brothers expanded into television with the western series, Cheyenne. 
• Despite expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, WB remained focused on films and television programs and in 1972, Warner Brothers entered into cable television.
• Warner Bros. Studios distributes and markets feature films and television shows in over 175 countries. 
• Today, Warner Brothers Studio is home to the only Jungle Lot still in use in Hollywood.

Exploring Warner Brothers Studios Tour – Our Visit

We visited on a Saturday in late December during winter break. I purchased tickets online and we drove from San Diego to Burbank that morning. Since it was a Saturday morning, it took us a little over 2 hours to drive the 130 miles. Our tour time was for 11:30 AM, and we arrived at the parking garage around 10:00 AM.

Burbank is located in Los Angeles County and is adjacent to Hollywood (approximately 5 miles). The Warner Brothers Studios Lot is about 12 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles and is about 35 miles northwest of Anaheim (Disneyland). Depending on the day of the week and time of day, traffic conditions should be taken into account when planning your travel time.

After we parked, we took an elevator to the first level and went through security. From there, we were encouraged to use the restroom before joining the queue. If you want to get a beverage or snack at the Starbucks in the welcome lobby, then you’ll need to do this before entering the check-in queue. Everyone in your group enters the check-in line together. Even though we arrived about an hour ahead of our scheduled time, we were able to join the line early. 

Welcome Center & Studio Tour

From the welcome center, a small cart shuttled us to where we met our tour guide on the studio lot. There were 14 total people on our tour. After a brief introduction, we boarded the tour cart and headed to the Warner Brothers Archives. We got off the cart and explored the archives on foot. The exhibits inside the archives change from time-to-time. When we visited, the first floor featured DC Universe with costumes and props from recent DC films. The second floor featured The Wizarding World with concept art, props, and costumes from Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. Since each Studio Tour is different, a visit to the archives may not be your first stop. 

Studio Back-Lot

Next, we got back on the tour cart and saw some of the back-lot streets. Our guide told us about the different movies and TV shows filmed at Warner Brothers through the years, beginning with the gangster movies of the 1930s. At one point in the tour, we got off at Hennesy Street, one of the exterior sets, and learned about practical sets, which are sets within an exterior set that can be made to be practically anything. Hennesy Street is dedicated to Dale Hennesy who was the Production Designer of Annie in 1981. 

We then saw the Jungle Lot, the only one left in Hollywood, and Warner Village, which serves two purposes as a residential street as an exterior set and production offices for some television shows, including Young Sheldon. Our next stop was to step inside the Batcave to see the Batmobile Collection. After a few minutes, including time to take pictures, we continued in the cart. We went to another part of the studio lot, and went inside one of the sound stages. To prevent any spoilers, there was no photography allowed in the sound stage. A TV show that airs on CBS was set up for filming during the week. 

Stage 48

Our final stop, and the end of the guided tour, was at Stage 48. This is the self-guided portion and includes an exhibit called “Script to Screen”. Stage 48 also has many photo opportunities, and is where you can grab a coffee or snack at “The Central Perk.” When we visited, the “Script to Screen” exhibit featured a tribute to the 25^th anniversary of Friends – costumes and set concepts. 

This exhibit also described the process a movie or television show goes through from script to screen. Of the thousands of scripts written and submitted each year, only a small percentage make it into development. An even smaller fraction of those get released or broadcast, and a very select few become blockbuster hits. After a manuscript is selected for development, the casting process begins. Storyboards are used to transform the written words of the script into the visual images. They represent the action as a sequence of illustrative panels. The boards help the director and crew design the finished sequence, as well as plan the logistics of the film shoot.  

Photo Opportunities

From Friends, you can capture the moment of sitting on the Central Perk couch. From TBBT, you can take photos while hanging out on the couch and knocking on Penny’s door. At both of these locations, there are professional photographers that will take your picture with their cameras. You can purchase prints, including digital versions, before you leave. Alternatively, you are able to use your own camera at these locations. However, the onsite photographers are not available to use your device to take pictures. 

A final photo opportunity uses green screen technology and makes you the star of either Harry Potter with a ride on Harry’s Firebolt or Batman as you cruise through Gotham on the Batpod. These photos are only available with the professional photographers, and your photo purchase includes a brief video sequence. Using your own camera is not an option at the green screen. The photo packages are reasonably priced, with discounts when you purchase multiple prints.

Central Perk Café & Studio Store 

After spending two to three hours on the tour and exploring Stage 48, you will most likely be hungry and ready to take a break. At the Central Perk Café, which pays homage to the coffee shop in Friend, you can grab a beverage or bite to eat after the “Script to Screen” exhibit. The final stop in Stage 48 is a visit to the Warner Brothers (WB) Studio Store. The store offers souvenirs from the WB Studio Tour and other merchandise from WB productions. 

Even though the Studio Store has a wide selection of memorabilia and apparel, some of what is offered is no different from what one could buy off Amazon or at a store like Hot Topic. It would have been nice to see more items that featured both the WB shows or movies and the studio tour logo. After buying a small Looney Tunes magnet for our fridge, we called it a day and headed to the shuttle so we could return to the parking structure. 

Whether you’re visiting Los Angeles on vacation, or grew up in southern California, the Warner Brothers Studio Tour is for anyone who wants to see behind-the-scenes of how Hollywood is made.

Some Tips

• Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour time, so you have time to park, go through security, and use the restroom before checking in.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes. The tour involves some walking and you will get on and off the tram several times.
• Check the weather before your tour and dress accordingly (hat, jacket, etc.) as much of the tour is outdoors.
• Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, especially on weekends and during school break/popular vacation times. 
• Parking for the Studio Tour is located at 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505. This is an extra charge ($15 per vehicle in Dec. 2019).
• If you are a southern California resident, check out the 2020 SoCal Resident ticket on Studio Tours or Classic Tours, available for a limited time when purchased online, for special savings (Jan. 7 through June 13, 2020).
• If you plan on visiting with a group (25 or more), contact Warner Brothers for advance reservations.
• Warner Brothers Studio Tour occasionally hosts events and special features, which can be found on its website.
• Visit during the weekday if you want an increased chance for celebrity sightings on the studio lot.

Have you taken the Warner Brothers (WB) Studio Tour? Is a WB Studio Tour in your plans for your next visit to Los Angeles? Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”