A known fact about me is my love for movies and television. One of my favorite TV shows is Friends. When I found out that you could see the Central Perk set and sit on the couch I immediately wanted to take the Warner Bros Studio tour. By now I have done the tour three times and while I did see a few of the same things each time, the tour was different enough to keep me coming back. Keeping reading to find out why the Warner Bros Studio Tour tickets are a must-have for movie fans.
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The tour begins with a brief film showcasing some tv shows and movies that have filmed on the Warner Brothers lot. Afterward, tour guides will come in, call their groups, and head off to the trams. The tour carts can hold up to 14 people. If you come with a large group you will have to split up. However, you will all be reunited at the end of the tour when you get to Stage 48.
Once onboard the cart, your guide will want to know what TV shows or movies you like so that they can be sure to point out and take you to places you will like. On the first tour, I mentioned that I like Pretty Little Liars so our guide took us on the set inside one of the sound stages. This is only possible if they are not filming so I got very lucky as this was unavailable on my last two tours. I was able to go inside all of the Liars bedrooms, see the halls and classrooms of Rosewood High, and look inside Emily’s school locker. I also mentioned that I liked Big Bang Theory so our guide took us inside their soundstage and we sat in the studio audience and saw Leonard and Sheldon’s apartment as well as Penny’s.
Are you a fan of Full House or Fuller House? You can now take a picture outside of the Tanner family home. The real house is in San Francisco but a replica has been built on the Warner Bros lot.
On my second tour, we went on the set of the Ellen DeGeneres Show, and even though I have been to a taping it was really cool because they took us backstage so we saw some really fun stuff that Ellen keeps back there. On my most recent tour, we started walking onto the set of Pretty Little Liars when our guide remembered they were going to start production that day so as a backup plan we went to the soundstage for Mike and Molly since they tape in the same spot where Full House and Friends were filmed. Outside of that soundstage is a sign that says The Friends Stage. When you go on sound stages for shows that are still on air you are not able to take pictures but it is still really exciting.
On my first tour, we were taken into a room that had vehicles from Scooby-Doo, Harry Potter, and a few other films. They had a green screen set up where you could take a picture in front of the Hogwarts Express. On my last two tours, this room has been replaced with all Batman-related vehicles. During two of the tours, I also got to go through their prop house which is awesome.
The tour lasts for around two and a half hours so while you will be getting out of the tram to walk around you will also see a lot from the tram itself. Twice my tour guides have been great about driving to the houses used on Pretty Little Liars and if you ask nicely they’ll stop long enough for you to get out and get a picture in front of houses or buildings that you are interested in.
The VIP tour price has gone up since my last visit and the most affordable way to go is by purchasing a Go City LA Pass.
The last stop on the tour is at a new place called Stage 48. Inside Stage 48, you’ll find the studio store with all kinds of fun merchandise, the Central Perk cafe where you can get food & drinks, and the Script to Screen exhibit. The actual Central Perk set from Friends is inside the exhibit. Not only can you get a picture on the couch but you can have a chance to play Ross, Rachel, or Joey when a scene from Friends is recreated.
This tour is a must-do for fans of film & television.
The Warner Bros Ranch is just down the street from the main studio lot. It has been sold and has been demolished. But, with this post, you can get a glimpse of what the small lot was like.
