warner bros. studio tour hollywood tours

Job Posting for Associate at 2100 Warner Bros. Studio Operations, a division of WB Studio Enterprises Inc.

When we say, the stuff dreams are made of, we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth.

Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the bringing our characters to life, the bringing them to your living rooms and the creating what’s next

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves.

Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Our studios are considered one of the foremost motion picture and television production and post-production facilities in the world.

They inform, engage, and transport audiences to new worlds. The key to that lies with our Studio Operations group, which includes areas like soundstage / backlot set rentals, events, design, culinary, construction, landscaping and much more.

Whether it’s hosting an unforgettable studio tour, creating an optimal workspace, or equipping talent to tell the best stories, these teams lay the foundation for the memorable experiences we provide.

Your New Role

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood gets you closer to the entertainment you love by taking guests on the lot of a working studio.

The Studio Tour gives guests a revealing look behind the camera at how Hollywood magic is made. From Friends and The Big Bang Theory to Harry Potter and the DC Universe, fans have the opportunity to explore the nearly 100-year-old studio as they visit the real sets and soundstages on the iconic 110-acre backlot, celebrating where the greatest entertainment in history was made.

Join our expert team of storytellers as a Tour Associate - Spanish Speaking ! We are seeking talented people who are passionate about providing an extraordinary guest experience and have fun while doing it! Are you ready to join our team?

Your Accountabilities

• Provide guided tours of our 110-acre working studio lot, visiting production facilities, production sound stages, exterior sets, & other areas of interest, while driving a specialized tour cart.
• Create a customized guest experience through unscripted and engaging storytelling focused on the historical and current productions filmed on the timeless Warner Bros. Studio.
• Deliver excellent service while responding to phone inquiries, coordinating tour reservations, and executing other special requests and accommodations.
• Tour Guides will drive a cart with up to 14 guests approximately 50% of each shift. Driving locations include streets throughout the lot along with a path through the Mill, shared with pedestrians and bicyclists.

Qualifications and Experience

• Language fluency in both Spanish and English is required.
• A record of safe driving with at least 6 months of driving history
• A valid driver’s license for CA. If you currently have an out-of-state license, make a record of your license number before you apply for an in-state license.

We will need that out-of-state license number to check your driving history.

• Demonstrate strong communication and social skills, as well as the ability to speak effectively in front of an audience.
• Ability to retain detailed and accurate information, work outdoors in year-round weather conditions, and walk / stand for extended periods of time.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor. Will be required to follow the department’s established dress code.
• Able to work flexible shifts which vary Sunday Saturday, between 6am 7pm.
• Must be a super fan of film and TV!

In compliance with local & state law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles that will be performed in Burbank, CA.

Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance.

The range listed is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery’s total compensation package for employees. Pay Rate : $18 per hour .

Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros.

Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).

How We Get Things Done

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done.

You can find them at along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

Last updated : 2024-08-23

Salary : $18

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Warner Bros. Wants to Put a Studio in the Desert

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Warner Bros. Discovery has announced plans to expand its production facilities into Las Vegas , Nevada. The company will commit to spending a total of at least $8.5 billion (over 17 years) in Vegas, but under one condition: the state must significantly expand its film tax-credit program.

In other words, Nevada had better start passing a lot of legislation if it wants to be a major player. The fact that it has not yet is not for a lack of trying. A 2023 effort to expand the state’s program back in failed, despite support from stars like Mark Wahlberg and Jeremy Renner. Under the nixed proposal, the tax-credit cap would’ve grown to $190 million. The bill’s sponsor, Roberta Lange, is willing to settle for half that; having Warner Bros. Discovery on board could carry it across the goal line when Nevada’s senate session convenes in February 2025.

By our math, $190 million in annual tax credits to attract $500 million in guaranteed WBD spend is not bad. Should the state senate agree, the Warner Bros. studio will lease, operate, and fully occupy Nevada Studios, a 34-acre studio space that can make this happen in Vegas, and stay in Vegas. WBD will partner with UNLV and Birtcher Development to establish workforce-development programs at UNLV’s Harry Reid Research & Technology Park, including vocational training, internships, research opportunities, and programs for K-12 students and higher learning. As part of the deal, the facility will also be renamed as Warner Bros. Studios Nevada.

“We are fully committed and excited about the potential of a long-term partnership and presence in Nevada and are confident it will be a win/win for the State of Nevada, the Las Vegas community and WBD as we look ahead to our next 100 years of exceptional storytelling,” Simon Robinson, the chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Studios, said in a statement.

“When talking with citizens we hear repeatedly that we need to further diversify our southern Nevada economy and at the same time commit the resources to develop our workforce,” Lange said. “These are top priorities for us all, and I can proudly say my legislation accomplishes both. It’s safe to say that having a lead partner with the depth of Warner Bros. and its ability to keep the studios full starting from day one is a key difference maker and enables us to successfully meet these two priorities.”

So David Zaslav may be heading to the desert, where he may want to bury his head in the sand. WBD stock has fallen 70 percent since the merged company was formed back in April 2022, and the company still holds like $37 billion in debt. And oh yeah, it recently audited its own TV businesses and found them to be worth $9 billion less than what it previously believed.

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Warner bros. studio tour hollywood.

3400 W Riverside Dr. Burbank CA 91522

A Better Way to Make New Friends

Stay in Burbank and take the Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood.

BOOK A HOTEL PACKAGE

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood brings you closer than ever to the legendary entertainment you know and love. As a recipient of multiple Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards and recognized as one of the Top 25 Attractions in the United States, the Studio Tour offers a revealing look behind the camera at how Hollywood magic is made. From Friends and The Big Bang Theory to Harry Potter and the DC Universe, you can explore the nearly 100-year-old studio as you visit the real sets and backlots. With actual filming happening all around you, no two tours are ever alike.

Average Review

With all the recent upgrades, the Warner Bros Studio Tour has become the best studio tour in Los Angeles. Full Review

Holy movie props, Batman! This museum was full of every mask from every Batman, villains costumes and small replicas of featured buildings. Full Review

MORE ABOUT THE TOUR

Knowledgeable tour guides will take you behind the scenes of the legendary 110-acre backlot where classic movies and TV shows like Casablanca, Batman, and Friends came to life. Here, you’ll explore the authentic sets and soundstages and during a very special visit to Stage 48: Script to Screen, all of Hollywood’s best-kept secrets are finally revealed. This is where you immerse yourself in the technology and methods of production, revel in Sheldon’s apartment set from The Big Bang Theory before dining at Central Perk Café.

From Stage 48, the journey continues to the grand finale “Action and Magic Made Here” where you’ll experience the universe of DC Super-Heroes and Super-Villains and step into the world of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts with all new interactive experiences, props, costumes, and memorable photo opportunities. This is your chance to enter Batman’s secret lair and explore the all-new Batcave, where you can get up close to the authentic Batmobile from Tim Burton’s original Batman, the Tumbler from The Dark Knight, and the Batwing from Batman v. Superman. You’ll also have the opportunity to test your wand choreography skills, and attend a new Sorting Ceremony where you’ll hear the Sorting Hat call out your true Hogwarts house when it’s placed above your head.

NOTE : be sure to download the Harry Potter Fan Club mobile app for an even more enchanting experience where you can discover your official Hogwarts house before arriving.

Concluding the tour is an elegant display of iconic treasures from Warner Bros. most beloved films and TV shows in the “Celebration of Awards Season.” The exhibit spotlights iconic crown jewel props and costumes from WB’s classic films, such as the trombone that Robert Preston played in The Music Man, the jersey worn by the late Chadwick Boseman to portray Jackie Robinson in 42, and a painstakingly detailed miniature blimp from Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner.

Tours are offered in English and Spanish. Advanced bookings are required, and families with children five years and older are welcome.

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Which Is The Best Hollywood Studio Tour For You?

Posted on Published: June 29, 2019  - Last updated: July 31, 2024

Categories North America , California , Travel

There are four major Hollywood studio tours that you can go on in and around Los Angeles : Warners Bros., Sony, Paramount, and Universal Studio Tours.

It’s really not necessary to do all of them , especially on the same trip. There’s quite a bit of overlap between each studio tour, and the ticket prices can really add up.

Throughout my visits to California, I’ve managed to visit all 4 Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles (and some more than once!).

Here’s my in-depth reviews of all the major Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles. This is what to expect from each one so you can decide which is the best studio tour in los Angeles for you!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Why Should You Go On A Hollywood Studio Tour?

Hollywood Studio Tours in Los Angeles are a great way to gain an “ all-access” pass to the biggest backstage lots in California .

They give you a chance to go behind the scenes on some of your favourite movies and TV shows.

You’ll get to see the sets and props, and learn about the magic of making movies. And, if you’re lucky, you might get the chance to either see a live film set or a celebrity at work . 

Let’s just say, visit a movie set is a quintessential Los Angeles activity … p.s. see my L.A. guide here .

Which Is The Best Hollywood Studio Tour For You ?

The best Hollywood studio tour for you will depend on three main factors :

• Your favourite films and TV shows

The studio tours vary in budget and tour length. The price ranges between $55 to $110 / ticket . And the tour can last anywhere between one to three hours .

But your favourite movies and TV shows are the most important factor when deciding which studio tour in Los Angeles to go to. If you haven’t watched anything the studio has produced, you’ll be less interested in what you’re seeing and learning about.

Best Studio Tours In LA: Overview

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Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

Universal Studios is a bit of a unique studio tour in Los Angeles. The studio tour can only be accessed if you buy a ticket to the entire theme park .

This also puts the studio tour at a much higher price point compared to the others around Los Angles. But, on the other hand, it is an ENTIRE day of activities instead of a few hours.

The tour itself is only 60 minutes but there are no shortage of other rides and shows to see once you’re in the park.

Quick Information & Links

Total Time : 1 hour (not including wait time in line) Admission : $109 -$119* (includes access to the entire park, price varies depending on the season) Book Tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood . Parking : Starts at $32* (General Parking)

*Updated January 2024

Movies Referred To/ Filmed Here:

You should check out this Hollywood studio tour if you’re a fan of…

• Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Jurassic Park
• Fast and the Furious
• Jordan Peele’s horror epic, NOPE

Pros Of The Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

You are on the LARGEST film and TV studio in Hollywood and the world! You get to drive by some of the most iconic sets in all movie history.

You drive-by the sound stages, new and old sets.

But this is still a ride in a theme park so they’ve added some more ride-like adventure elements to make things more exciting, unlike any other Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles.

At times you feel like you’re in the movie rather than just seeing where one was filmed!

And it’s not all for show either, they do still use these sets to film. In fact, this was the only Hollywood studio tour where I caught a live taping , so it’s still possible to see!

One thing’s certain though, you won’t be bored for a second on this tour even if you don’t happen to see an active film set during your tour. 

P.S. Make the most of your time at Universal Studios and book an Express Line ticket through Viator here . It gives you one-time express access to each ride, show, and attraction at the park !

Cons Of The Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

It’s the least personal studio tour in Los Angeles. You’re on a tram the entire time for 60 minutes straight, with about 30 other people!

As I said, this tour is sometimes more of a ride than a studio tour (so it’s both a pro and a con!).

At times, the tour felt very streamlined , because most of it is. You still have a guide, but he’s following a script on a set path so it’s the same tour every time (unlike the others which have a bit more variance based on your guide).

The tram is on a set course and there are timed animatronics and effects throughout the tour.

Value For Money – Movie Location Los Angeles

I will admit, you get pretty good value for your money with your tickets to Universal studios. But that’s only if you wanted to visit the theme park.

If you were already planning on visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, then the studio tour is a must-do ride! 

But if you don’t like theme parks, and your only interest is the Hollywood studio tour, I wouldn’t recommend paying for the entire theme park just for the tour.

You might also be interested in reading…

• How To Plan Your Los Angeles Vacation

Logistics: What To Know Before You Go

A tram leaves about every 30 minutes for the Universal Studios Hollywood studio tour so the line builds up pretty quickly. I’d prioritize this as one of your first rides of the day.

As I said, don’t expect reality with this one, they do show you real sets but it’s also still a ride. So you’ll get a lot of gimmicky routines created specifically for this tour. 

Also, some advance warning, you might get wet at certain points during the ride. If you’d prefer to not get wet, try to sit in the middle of the row.

Book Universal Studio Tours Tickets In Advance Through Viator

Book General Admission tickets →

Book Skip the Line Express Tickets →

Book the VIP Experience on Viator (giving your exclusive access to off-limits areas of the park) →

For more Los Angeles organized tours from Viator, click here .

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Warner Bros. Studio is actually in Burbank California , but it’s close enough to Los Angeles.

Warner Bros. studio tour takes you on a tram around different parts of the studio, with only around 12 guests at a time on the tour.

So unlike Universal Studios Hollywood studio tour, it’s a lot more personal and you’re only on the tram to get from place to place (because their lot is HUGE!).

You drive by sound stages and countless outdoor sets. But you’ll get off and walk around a bit, even walking in some sets if you’re lucky. So you should be prepared for some walking on this studio tour in Los Angeles!

Total Time : ~3 hours (1 hour guided, 2 hours unguided). Leaves every 30 minutes from 9:30 to 3:30 Admission : 70$* Parking : 15$* Website

What Was Filmed Here (Sets You Might See!)

Check out this Hollywood studio tour if you’re a fan of…

• Harry Potter
• Gilmore Girls
• Back to the Future
• The Big Bang Theory
• Pretty Little Liars

So Much More Than A Studio Tour

Over the years, the Warner Bros. studio tour has grown. It’s no longer just a backlot tour, now, that’s just one part of it…

Museums, Props, Sets, & Photo Ops At Warner Bros. Studio

Tickets to the Warner Bros. studio tour also includes interactive museums where you’ll want to take all the pictures you can!

You can interact with different sets from your favourite movies and TV sets, like Friends, the Big Bang Theory and Harry Potter! on the magic of movies, costume

There’s also an entire exhibit on the DC universe with all superheroe and villain props. They have Aquaman’s lair, Wonder Woman’s study, Superman’s office, and the Batman’s bat cave.

And finally they have an in-depth exhibit on all things filmmaking. Staring with the writing process and finishing with the special effects of movie making.

Book Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tickets With Viator

General Admission tickets →

Pros Of The Warner Bros. Studio Tour

They are constantly updating the Warner Bros. studio tour – that means you can even go back the next time you’re in Los Angeles, I’ve already gone back twice!

There was some over lap with the sets and information, but very little. A lot had been updated and added to the tour. And I’ve already noticed that they’ve added a lot more content since I’ve gone!

Also, the guided portion of the tour will rarely be the same. For starters, where you go will all depend on what they’re filming at the time. So not only can it change over the years, but it can change within the hour!

It’s also a very personal tour with only being 12 people on the tram. You can also all your questions about movie magic!

Never forget a favourite travel memory

Keep track of your travels every day with my digital and printable travel journal . Use it on the go on your phone or tablet, or print it out!

P.S. Get an additional discount on my Etsy shop with my code ATRLOVE .

Cons Of The Warner Bros. Studio Tour

With all the new additions to the tour every year, I’ve noticed the guided portion has become less and less…

The guided tour portion is only hour , and then two hours are a self guided tour through the museums.

But it’s the guided portion of the tour that’s always fresh and what brings me back! I’m a bit disappointed that the museums seem to have taken over the tour now, making the tour a bit more gimmicky and less about touring real sets and sound stages…

How to See San Diego in One Day

Bring government I.D. when you visit, and make sure to arrive early!

You have to go through security and there might be a lineup. They suggest arriving 30 minutes in advance.

Don’t worry about getting lost on your way to the studios (if you’re driving there)! I followed the instructions we were given on how to get to the visitor’s centre, but my GPS brought me to the wrong gate. No need to panic if this happens to you too! The patrol was very understanding (I’m sure this happens all the time) and told us exactly where to go.

If you’re driving, there’s a parking lot across the street from the visitor’s centre (paid, of course). The studio is in a pretty secluded area, but there’s a Starbucks in the visitor’s centre .

You can book Warner Brothers Studio tour tickets in advance on Viator here .

Paramount Pictures Hollywood Studio Tour

Paramount Pictures is really interesting because it’s the last Hollywood studio still in Hollywood (well in Los Angeles). 

So it’s only about a 15-minute drive from Hollywood Blvd. FYI, Warner is in Burbank, and Sony is in Culver City.

It was very similar to Warner Bros. Hollywood studio tour in terms of the scale of the studio. They have several sound stages, a water tank, and a totally customizable New York set.

Like the other Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles, there’s a museum portion of the tour with props. Paramount Pictures one had a lot of “ unwanted ” props (those that could only be used once for the film they were designed for).

There was A LOT of props from the Transformers franchise, but there were also Star Trek, Gladiator, and Dream Girls props.

Time : 2 hours * They leave every 30 minutes from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Admission : 65$* Parking : $22 – (used to be cash only)* Website

What Was/ Is Filmed Here

• The Godfather
• OG King Kong (In Set 19)
• Breakfast at Tiffanys
• Forrest Gump

Pros Of Paramount Pictures Studio Tour In Los Angeles

The best part about the Paramount Pictures Hollywood studio tour tour was the small size of the group. There’s a max of 7 people on the tour (you’re in an 8 seater golf cart).

The tour also provided earphones to be able to perfectly hear your tour guide at all times, so they didn’t have to shout at you! There can be a lot going on on sets with a lot of noises, so the earphones were definitely appreciated.

I also liked that they provided visuals for what you were looking at during the tour. Our tour guide carried around an iPad showing examples of what a specific set was used for over the years. So instead of looking at a giant green screen, they showed us how that green screen was used in different films.

Cons Of Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

Paramount Pictures studio tour taught me a few things about Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles…

First, the quality of the tour really depends on your tour guide – they can make or break your visit. And unfortunately, you won’t really know who you’re going to get beforehand.

Unfortunately for me, my tour guide at Paramount Pictures wasn’t the best. There’s so much history to this Hollywood studio that I ended up lost most of the time because I didn’t know who or what he was referring to, I guess the references were also a bit ahead of my time…

Paramount Studio tour also really showed me how important it is to have seen (or at least heard of) the films or shows the studio produced. 

So if you’re a fan of classics like I Love Lucy, Alfred Hitchcock, or the original King Kong then Paramount Pictures studio tour is a must for you!

For me, Paramount Pictures studio tour was a bit of a mixed bag. I really see the potential of this tour though, but I think you have to be a really big movie buff to enjoy Paramount Pictures studio tour.

The visitor parking is across the street from the main gates. Be wary of the address on Google Maps, it brought me to the wrong gate.

When I visited, parking was cash only, so it’s always good to be prepared. There’s an ATM you can use at the end of the tour if you need (apparently no one does cash back in the area…).

Like the other tours, you have to show I.D. and go through security, so they ask you to arrive 30 minutes before your tour . But, in case there’s no wait at all, there’s a mini-exhibit you can visit to pass the time before your tour starts. 

Make sure to bring water and food, there’s really not much in the area. But drinks aren’t allowed on the tour itself, so leave it in the car!

SONY Studio Hollywood Tour

SONY Hollywood studio tour ended up being my favourite studio tour . We were only about 5 people on this tour, so it was very personal. But I don’t know if this was the max, or that fewer people happened to sign up for it.  

I know online there are 25 spots per time slot. I don’t know if that’s the typical tour size on a busier day, or if they would always split you up into smaller groups once you get there.

There are famous cars on display from movies and shows (like Breaking Bad and Ghostbusters). They also have a prop museum at the start of the tour. There’s even an Oscar and an Emmy award you can see (and even hold!). 

Time : 2 hours * Leaves 4 times a day: 9:30, 10:30, 1:30 and 2:30. Admission : 55$* Parking : Free Valet Website

What Was Filmed Here

• Breaking Bad
• Wheel of Fortune
• Ghostbusters
• The Goldbergs

Pros Of The SONY Studio Tour

SONY is a MUCH smaller studio than the other three Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles. That means you don’t even need a tram to get around, we walked everywhere (so you should also be prepared to walk!). This made it easier to take appreciate it all and take pictures!

I also absolutely loved our tour guide, he was by far my favourite out of all the ones we had on any tour. It didn’t seem like he simply memorized a script. It was as if he lived and breathed SONY and films in general. I would’ve believed it if he’d told us he grew up on set.

We also got the chance to walk on to a sound stage from one of my favourite TV Shows – The Goldbergs. And our guide brought us onto a working foley stage (where they create extra sounds for movies). 

If a sound or foley stage isn’t available to see, you are guaranteed to see either the Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy set . They film on opposite days, so you’ll always be able to see one of them.

But the best perk of all is… You get your picture taken on the set of either Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune, which they’ll print out and give to you as a souvenir… FREE OF CHARGE! ! Seriously when is anything ever free these days…

Cons Of The SONY Hollywood Studio Tour

As I mentioned, there’s no tram for the SONY Hollywood studio tour. Although the studio isn’t as large as the others, you have to be prepared to walk quite a bit.

Another sort of pro and con is that it’s 80 % outdoors . So you really want to go when it’s decent weather. And be prepared to be in the sun!

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Value For Money – Hollywood Studio Tours In Los Angeles

I think you get a lot of value for your money at SONY studio tour. It’s the cheapest out of any of the Hollywood studio tours in Los Angeles and they give you some nice freebies (like parking and a photo souvenir!).

The scale of the studio might be smaller than the other three major studios, but there’s still a lot to see. And despite the lack of big blockbuster sets, they make up for it in different ways (like seeing the inside of a game show set, and a foley stage).

Like Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures studio tours, they ask that you arrive 30 minutes early to go through security. 

If you drive there, they offer FREE valet parking in the Overland lot. 

The studio is very much out of the way, so plan your meals and snacks in advance. All they had at the studio was a vending machine .

Don’t expect to see large outdoor sets like from Warner Bros. or Paramount, SONY is a lot smaller, so most of their sets are on sound stages. So if you’re interested in the big New York outdoor sets, SONY isn’t for you!

Overview, What’s The Best Studio Tour In Los Angeles?

Like I said before, Universal Studios is the most expensive, but you do get an entire days worth of activities. But if your intent is to learn about movie magic, the other three are better choices. 

If you have time for more than one, you don’t need to see both Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures. There’s quite a bit of overlap between the two. Instead, choose one of those, and then either Universal or SONY as your second option.

P.S. Need A Place To Stay In L.A.? Hotel Recommendations

Finding a place to stay in Los Angeles can be quite overwhelming – it’s HUGE!

I stayed at the Sofitel and would highly recommend it. It was in a safe area, and across the street from the Beverly Hills mall (which proved to be very convenient). It was also within walking distance to some local restaurants you need to try – like the Kings Road Cafe! See room rates & availability here .

If you want to stay on the beach outside of the city life instead, we stayed at The Georgian in Santa Monica and couldn’t recommend it enough! It’s only about a 25 minute drive from the city. This was a beautiful art deco hotel that is begging you to go there! It’s a minutes walk to the beach, Santa Monica Pier, and the Third Street Promenade. See room rates & availability here .

For more accommodation options in Los Angeles, click here . Interested in longer stays in L.A. check out Plum Guide here .

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Tuesday 26th of September 2023

You've gotten me excited about my next trip to Los Angeles. I've done the Universal tour and the Warner Bros tour, so I may do what you suggested and do Paramount and Sony next.

You're right about Universal's tour being more of a ride from what I remember. However, it was cool to see sets from The Good Place, Jaws, and Psycho. Being on the tram the whole time was a little different, and my experience was a bit thrown off because I hadn't expected Universal, CA to have such similar rides to Universal, FL, and I loved how Universal, FL made it really seem like you were on a set walking through various cities. Definitely not the same as CA. I think I was there for about 2 hours and was done. The weather was weird where it was kindof warm at first, but then turned super cold while I was in line for a ride, so I was done sooner than I expected.

I absolutely loved the Warner Bros tour. The guide was super nice and knowledgeable. I almost died when I saw the Gilmore Girl house and Luke's Diner. Of course I took pictures at the Central Perk. To me, the prop museum was a tad boring, but still overall decent. The tour was partially walking and partially riding. There were so many moments where I was like...."this looks familiar" and had to think of where the set had been used. Super cool. I highly recommend it.

Wednesday 27th of September 2023

That's awesome!! Definitely I enjoyed that the Warners brothers was mixed with walking and a tram ride you were able to get so much further that way - and the lot is HUGE! It really is cool seeing sets from your favourite TV shows and movies! I really liked the SONY tour but it was definitely a lot smaller than Warner bros!

Sunday 19th of February 2023

Hi Meghan, great article. Easy to read and allowed me to choose the studio we should visit in the short time we will be in L.A. Thanks you.

Monday 20th of February 2023

That's awesome to hear! Glad I could help :D :D

How To Plan Your Los Angeles Vacation | Afternoon Tea Reads

Thursday 1st of October 2020

[…] sure which one to visit? Read my overall review of each studio tour to help you […]

Monday 1st of July 2019

Wow what a great list of tours to choose from! I personally don't like these types of things however I think your post will be super useful for those who do!

Thanks! I hope it will be :)

I’ve done the Universal tour but it was like 20 yrs ago! I really want to go back and do all these studio tours. I’m film mad me 😃💕

Oh wow, you really should I'm sure a lot has changed since then. It's a movie geeks dream :)

Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood: Honest Review (2024)

Iconic TV and movie sets. Working Hollywood actors roaming past your tour group. New York, San Francisco, and small town America all in one place.

In this Warner Brothers studio tour review, we’re sharing exactly what it’s like stepping foot into Warner Brothers Studio in Hollywood and embarking on one of their incredible studio and backlot experiences.

Unlike other tours around the world, this is a current working film and TV studios.

The people you pass aren’t actors (well, they are actors, but they aren’t acting as if they’re real movie and TV crew when they’re not – you know what I mean!)

And while you will see sets that have been frozen in time on the WB Studio Tour (Friends set, we’re looking at you!), you’ll also experience the constantly changing backlot.

It’s a dream come true for movie and TV fans to get to explore one of the oldest studios in the entire world, and after reading this Warner Bros tour review, you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to make the most of your time here.

Please note this is about the Warner Brothers Hollywood Studio Tour in Los Angeles, not the Warner Brothers Studio Tour in London, England.

💰 Top tip: want the cheapest Warner Brothers Studio tour tickets ?

We always book them on this site for the best deals!

What to Expect at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour in Los Angeles

From the iconic Friends fountain and orange couch to facades of the exterior of houses that you’ll recognize from everything from Growing Pains (1980s) to Fuller House (2020s), there’s something memorable literally around every corner on the Warner Bros tour.

We couldn’t possibly cover everything you’ll see, and we wouldn’t want to because part of the fun is the element of surprise.

Instead, we’ll touch on some highlights to get you excited and give you some of the best tips for making the most of your day.

Practical Tips for Visiting the Warner Bros Tour

Buying tickets to the wb studio tour.

Buying tickets to the studio tour needs to be done before your visit, but it’s very easy to buy them online here.

Prices are $69 per adult and $59 per child, and you’ll just keep your confirmation e-mail with you as you go through the experience and arrival process.

Discounts and Cheap Tickets for Warner Bros Studio Tour

Sometimes, you can find discounted tickets for the tour using a couple of different methods.

Firstly, if you’re a SoCal resident, you get discounted tickets anyway as long as you have proof of residency.

If you’re not from the area, sign up for the mailing list through the official website for the chance to keep an eye on any promo codes (they aren’t frequent, but there is a space on the booking site for promo codes so it is possible).

Alternatively, check out the Warner Brother Studios Tour on Undercover Tourist here , as they often have discounted tickets available for about $5-10 off the regular price.

Opening Days and Times

Currently, the Warner Bros Studio Tour is open five days a week, excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

On days they are open, the first tour usually begins at 9am and the last tour begins at 3:30pm (again, you have unguided time to walk through afterwards).

How Long is the Warner Bros Studio Tour?

The guided portion of the tour is about 1 hour, and you should leave about 2 to 3 hours total as the rest will be unguided at your own pace.

Parking at Warner Bros Studio LA

Los Angeles is a driving city, which means your main options to get to the tour are either driving yourself or taking an Uber or Lyft.

If driving yourself, parking is $15 and is located in a dedicated, security-guarded parking lot adjacent to the Warner Bros main visitor building ( 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505 ).

If you get an Uber, they are allowed to drop you off and pick you up right outside the visitor building in a dedicated rideshare landing zone.

The Warner Bros Tour website also makes mentions of buses and trains that can “get you” to the tour, but these are convoluted and long processes and they’re only going to drop you off a quarter mile away from the tour.

Stick to the Uber or driving yourself.

Arrival and Movie

When you first get to the visitor center, you’ll show your tour confirmation and go through an airport-style security section.

Then, before you know it, you’re in!

You can check out the café and shop, or you can save that until afterwards and head straight to the first part of the tour, the Storytelling Showcase.

This is a look-in-your-own-time room with plenty of artifacts from movie studio history, including letters to and from famous studio execs, address books that include Walt Disney’s information, and a year-by-year rundown of how the Warner Brothers started the studio in the first place.

When you’re ready, you make your way to the start of the official guided tour, the backlot tour, where you’ll get in a line similar to a theme park ride line and wait until it’s time for the next tour to depart.

Note: Despite the tour entry time on your confirmation page, tours do run continually and they will get you on the next one. Aim to arrive at the Studios so that you are entering the main visitor center 10-15 minutes before the time on your confirmation if you want to make sure you’re on that tour, or arrive at the visitor center at the time it says on your confirmation and then just know you’ll get on the next tour when you’ve made your way back to the starting area – they really do run frequently.

Warner Brother Studios Backlot Tour

The Backlot tour, for many people, is the best part of the Warner Brother Studios tour.

This is the main, guided, section, where you hop on the iconic little trams with your tour guide and driver and wind your way around the real, working Warner Brothers backlot.

Not only will you pass by the buildings that house the interior sets, but you’ll get to see many of the exterior sets that have been used for so many of your favorite movies and TV shows (and you may be surprised how easily they are to recycle and use again and again!)

One of the most fascinating sets is Warner Village, which is actually a collection of offices within houses that replicates a typical American street.

These are exterior sets only, in case you need a front yard or standard American street to film in.

Then you’ve got the Midwest Residential Street, which is where you’ll find the famous Gilmore Girls sets like the chapel, “Luke’s Diner” and that gazebo in the middle of the park.

You’ll also see the brownstones, a classic New York style area, as well as the exterior of a school, a bank, and more industrial areas.

Along the way, your guide will point out many of the most important productions that have been filmed using these locations and, better yet, they’ll ask you ahead of time what your favorite Warner Brothers productions are so they can be sure to point out filming locations that you might be interested in.

You’ll pass by actor’s trailers, often see real productions taking place (and in that case, you may be rerouted as they need all to be quiet on set!), and you will get down a couple of times from the vehicle and get to explore with your guide on foot.

We saw production designers working on a set for a new scene for an upcoming Warner Brothers movie, as well as plenty of movie and TV crew who were milling around, eating their lunches and going from set to set.

The energy here is electric.

Even when there isn’t filming taking place, you can feel that this is truly a place where magic is created and history is made.

One of the most famous outdoor sets includes the fountain from the Friends intro.

This is the real fountain – it was filmed here, on the studio, not on location in New York.

When you pass by the soundstages, where interior sets are built, you can take pictures unless the doors are up.

If the doors are up, there may be sets inside that you can see on the tour, but cannot be shared via photo with anyone else as it may be a spoiler for an upcoming episode or movie.

Oh, and did I mention celebrities?

Yes, those working actors show up to the Warner Brother Studios for work, and they have to walk around like the rest of the crew!

If you see someone you recognize, the etiquette is simply to keep your mouth shut and enjoy a spotting.

Don’t yell at them, run towards them, or do anything besides a kind wave if they happen to make eye contact.

It’s not because the actors themselves are stuck up or don’t want to meet fans, but with tours running continuously, it’s easy to make them feel like they’re an animal in a zoo and at the end of the day, they’re a professional who is at work, not roaming the streets of Beverly Hills, so let them get on with their day.

Self-Guided Warner Brothers Studio Tour

After your backlot tour is over, you’ll be taken by your driver to the self-guided portion of the tour, which takes you through more movie and TV history as well as some of the world’s most famous soundstages.

Some of the first exhibits you pass by include information on the actual movie-making process, from the writing to the casting to the costume design.

Friends Set and Café at Warner Brother Studios

Friends fans, listen up.

This is it.

The moment you’ve been waiting for.

Friends is one of the most-watched shows in the world, particularly in syndication and has been beloved by fans since it was on air from 1994 to 2004.

While it was set in New York City, it was mostly filmed in Los Angeles at the studios, and the interior Central Perk set is now available for fans to see in-person.

Yes, the original Friends cafe set, almost as it was during filming, is there in Studio 48 in all of its glory, waiting for you to discover it.

You won’t be allowed to roam around the real set too much because they don’t want it to be damaged, but you can get your picture taken on the famous couch!

If you want to spend more time in the Friends world, the Friends café at the end of the self-guided part of the tour is the perfect place to do that.

Grab a coffee, sit on the replica orange couch, and enjoy the replica sets including Monica’s apartment, Monica’s kitchen, and Chandler and Joey’s place!

Big Bang Theory

Big Bang Theory is another popular show that has retained its sets for fans to view, and if you want, you can also get some of your pictures taken here pretending that you live in the same world as these characters.

Other Exhibits at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour

From the real Batmobile to a Harry Potter exhibit featuring some props to iconic superhero costumes, there really is something for everyone on this tour no matter your movie tastes.

Again, so much has been filmed here, from superhero movies to La La Land to Pretty Little Liars to Gilmore Girls to Fuller House to Growing Pains to some older movies that used the original exterior soundstages.

Warner Brothers Studio Tour Gift Shop and Exit

When you exit into the main visitor area, you’ll get to experience the incredible gift shop, which is one of the best gift shops I’ve ever been in.

There’s a big emphasis on merch that you can only buy here (there is also Friends store connected to the Friends café for exclusive items).

I purchased some Gilmore Girls memorabilia, as well as some Warner Brothers studio merch including a T-shirt and coaster.

It’s hard to get out of there without buying something, so budget some money to make sure you can get a souvenir from one of your favorite movies or shows.

Is the Warner Brothers Studio Tour Hollywood Worth it?

The Warner Brothers Studio tour isn’t a cheap investment.

It can run a family of four into the hundreds of dollars, and the experience is about 2-3 hours long (though you can spend as much as you want after you exit the backlot tour and go to the self-guided interior section).

There are a lot of options of things to do with that money in LA, but this is the one studio tour that is an absolute must-do.

It’s the most iconic one, even better than Universal or Paramount, and the fact that it’s a working studio and you’re constantly looking for actors or being rerouted so you don’t get in the way of active filming brings an energy and excitement to the experience that makes it well worth the money involved.

Where to Eat Near Warner Bros Studio Tour: Dine with the Stars

If you’re finished at the tour and looking for somewhere to eat, head across the road to the Smoke House Restaurant .

With plush red booths and an old-timey Americana feel, this restaurant has been a favorite with celebrities over the years, including George Clooney who named his production company “Smokehouse Pictures” after the restaurant!

Prices are decent for LA and the pulled pork sandwich is one for the ages.

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Book Your Studio Tour

The signature Studio Tour includes the Storytellers Showcase, the backlot, Stage 48: Script To Screen, and the Action and Magic Made Here finale. Allow three hours: 1 hour for the guided studio tour, and 2 hours for self-guided. Studio Tour tickets are priced at $69 per adult (ages 11 and up), $59 for children (ages 5-10), and $57 for SoCal residents (ages 5+).

Additional tour options include:

• Classics Tour - A must for fans of Golden Age Hollywood, this themed tour focuses on award-winning movies and TV shows that were shot on the iconic backlot from the studio's early days through the 1970s. (3 hours inclusive of guided + self-guided)
• Studio Tour Plus - Includes an expanded 2 hour guided tour + 2 hour self-guided, welcome reception, and lunch at Central Perk Café.
• Deluxe Tour - The ultimate Warner Bros. experience spans six hours (3 hours guided, 1 hour fine dining lunch, 2 hours self-guided & shopping) and includes a visit to the famed Property Department.

Online tickets are highly recommended and available at wbstudiotour.com/tickets . Walk-up tickets are limited and not guaranteed.

Visitor Info

The Studio Tour is open daily from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Closed June 13-14.

The Warner Bros. Studio Store is open to the public (no ticket needed) and offers exclusives from Hollywood classics to DC and wonderful kids toys, plushies and apparel. The store is open daily 10am to 7pm, closed June 13-14.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood 3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank 91505 (818) 977-8687 www.wbstudiotour.com

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