The Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood is one of the best movie studio tours in Los Angeles. This is a fun experience whether you are local to Southern California or are visiting the area. We have lots of tips to help you get the most out of your visit. There is a Warner Bros Studio Tour in London that solely focuses on Harry Potter. We have not done that tour so we are only focusing on the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Burbank, California.
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Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood
Taking a tour of a movie studio is a unique and special experience to have in Los Angeles. WB offers a behind-the-scenes look at this historic studio that is available almost every day of the year. Please note the tour is not available on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and a few other dates throughout the year. This is why it is always a good idea to purchase tickets ahead of time so that you know the tour is available.
What Warner Bros Studio Tour Should You Take
There are currently 4 different tours offered. The studio tour, studio tour plus, TCM Classic Films Tour, and the Deluxe Tour. All tour guests will have access to Stage 48 and Action Magic which are self-guided areas. Guests spend 1-3 hours in these areas.
The Studio Tour is the standard tour which is an estimated one hour with a tour guide. When the guided part of the tour is over you can spend as long as you’d like in the self-guided areas.
The Studio Tour Plus is an estimated two hours with the tour guide. Guests will start the tour with complimentary pastries and beverages. You will also have access to the prop house, and lunch at Central Perk cafe.
The TCM Classic Films Tour is the ideal option for fans who want to focus on productions from 1923 to the 1970s. This tour is estimated to be 90 minutes with the tour guide. Guests will get complimentary beverages and pastries at the start of the tour. This tour does visit the prop house.
The Deluxe Tour gives guests the ultimate experience with 3 hours with a tour guide plus a one-hour lunch. The lunch is fine dining at the commissary and you’ll get a snack later at Central Perk Cafe.
What tour is right for you will depend on your budget as well as your interests. If your main interests are productions like Friends or Harry Potter the standard tour is a great option for you. For those guests who want to try to see as much of the lot as possible, the Studio Tour Plus or the Deluxe Tour is a great option.
Tickets for the Warner Bros Studio Tour
Children 5 and up are welcome on the tour. Children’s ticket prices apply to those 5-10 years old. Is the tour child-friendly? While children are welcome it is not designed for children. If your child is not familiar with popular Warner Bros productions the tour could be boring for them. There are some parts of the self guided tour that are interactive but for the most part, there is very little that they can touch.
Studio Tour
Adult Ticket: $73
Child Ticket: $63
Studio Tour Plus
Adult Ticket: $160
Child Ticket: $138
TCM Classic Films Tour
Adult Ticket: $95
Child Ticket: $82
Deluxe Tour
$330 per person for all ages
Tours begin at 8:30 am with the last tours of the day departing at 3:30 pm. Spanish and French tours are offered daily. ASL tours are available with advance notice. I would recommend calling to speak with a representative about the ASL tours. Wheelchair-accessible carts are available as well.
Warner Bros Studio Tour store hours are 8 am to 7 pm. The Starbucks in the lobby is typically open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. You do not need a tour ticket to access the studio store or Starbucks.
Warner Bros Studio Tour Ticket Discounts
SoCal Resident Discount – This discount is normally $12 off per ticket. It is not offered all the time but it is worth checking to see if the discount is available. In the past Warner Bros has advertised when the discount is available via their website and social media. I would recommend calling to verify if the discount is available if you cannot find any current information on its availability.
GO City Los Angeles – The Go City Pass is a wonderful way to experience multiple attractions in Los Angeles. You pay one fee for either the all-inclusive pass or the explorer pass and then book your visit to places like Warner Bros. This is what I used to visit WB for the first time and it also allowed me to explore other fun things to do in the city. If you are interested in other tours like a tour of Sofi Stadium or visiting Universal Studios or Knotts Berry Farm it is definitely worth looking into. You can find more details on Go City here.
Military Discount – I have not found any information indicating that they are currently offering a military discount.
Is There Free Parking at Warner Bros Studios?
The Warner Bros Studio Tour address is 3400 Warner Blvd. Street parking may be available on Warner Blvd, Avon Street, and Riverside Drive.
It is $15 to park onsite at the Studios. However, I recommend only paying for parking if you cannot find free street parking nearby. You will need to be very careful to read the parking signs so that you don’t get a ticket. If you can only find short-term street parking for two hours do not park there. You will not be able to move your vehicle in two hours while on the tour.
What to Know Before You Go
- Upon entering the tour lobby you will need to go through a metal detector and have your bags searched.
- Drinks are welcome on the tour. You can bring your own drinks or make purchases at Starbucks. The tour carts have cupholders.
- Think ahead of time what you would like to see on the tour or what you are a big fan of. If you are lucky your tour guide will ask you what you are a fan of or what you came to see. Being prepared with answers can help a guide customize the tour for you.
- Check the weather ahead of time. If it will be raining try to reschedule the tour. If you must do the tour in the rain bring a poncho and rain boots if possible. Most of the guided part of the tour is outdoors. If the weather is sunny consider sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
- Filming takes priority over tours. Guests who visit on the weekends are typically able to see more since less filming or prep is taking place.
- There is a shop at Stage 48 (your 2nd to last stop on the tour) which has different merchandise than the main gift shop. If you have time before your tour begins look at what they have for Friends in the main gift shop. You will return to this gift shop but will only have one chance at the Friends shop at Stage 48. This can help make sure you get the items you want instead of being disappointed that you waited and they don’t have the same things at the stores.
- Tours can vary based on what is available to be seen & hopefully based on the interests of your group. At the start of the tour you will watch a short video about the studio and you’ll see clips from recognizable titles like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. That is a movie that Warner Bros now owns but it did not film on the lot.
That is why it can be important to do your research ahead of time so you can get an idea of what has filmed on the lot and what is currently filming. Warner Bros. has an open lot policy which means that anyone can film at the studio. So keep in mind that the filming locations you’ll see have been used for productions from other studios like Disney and Universal Studios.
Popular Shows & Movies that have filmed at Warner Bros:
TV Shows
- Friends
- Gilmore Girls
- Pretty Little Liars
- ER
- The Big Bang Theory
- Abbott Elementary
- Full House/Fuller House
Movies
- Jurassic Park – filmed in the Jungle
- La La Land
- The Music Man
- Casablanca
- Minority Report
What to Expect On Your Studio Tour
Once you have arrived at the tour center you can step inside the storyteller showcase which is a room that has a mini replica of the lot on the floor as well as some cool props and memorabilia on the wall. When you are done checking out the items and taking photos you can check in at the desk. From there you’ll be lined up to enter the theatre. Inside the theatre, you’ll watch a short video that provides an overview of the studio. After the video, the tour guides will enter the room and you will follow your guide out to the tour cart.
This starts the guided portion of the tour. One of the best things about the Warner Bros Studio Tour is that each tour is different. What you will see on your tour can depend on which tour you selected, what is available on the lot that day, and what your group is interested in seeing. Tour carts hold three guests per row except for the front row which holds two guests. You will be mixed in with other groups so your whole group may not be able to sit together.
Your tour will most likely begin in what is referred to as the backlot. This studio has several backlots (outdoor filming locations) and your group will visit at least one. You might even be able to walk around one of the backlots. Most guides will share a mix of history, information on filming techniques or practices, and scenes that were filmed in the backlots from popular movies or TV shows.
The backlots that you might see include Hennesy (a New York style backlot), New York Street, Embassy Court, French Street, Mid West (home to Gilmore Girls & more), the Jungle, and Warner Village which looks like a residential street. If you are a fan of Abbott Elementary be sure to let your guide know so they can try to show the exterior of the school which is located in the backlots.
A highlight for Friends fans is seeing the Friends fountain which was moved to the main studio lot from the Warner Bros Ranch.
The front lot is home to the sound stages, prop house, the mill, and the fire station. It is not a guarantee that everyone will get to go inside a soundstage but if it is possible it will be included on your tour. Shows like All American have given the tour department the privilege to visit a set on a sound stage. Photos are not allowed when you are inside the sound stages. However, you can take photos of the exterior of the stage.
All sound stages have a plaque outside with a list of select movies and TV shows that have been filmed inside. 5 of the stages have special plaques dedicating that stage to a certain show. At this time Stage 1 is dedicated to the Ellen Show, Stage 11 is dedicated to ER, Stage 24 is dedicated to Friends, Stage 25 is dedicated to The Big Bang Theory, and Stage 26 is dedicated to Two and a Half Men.
Depending on where on the front lot your group goes you may not see all of these stages and plaques. I have always enjoyed when my tour goes through the mill so I can see what projects are being built. The tour carts have screens where the guides can play videos so you might see a video showing you the prop house, the iconic Stage 16, and more.
Once the guided part of your tour has ended you will be taken to Stage 48. This is the first of two self-guided areas. At Stage 48 when you first enter you’ll see the Central Perk cafe which is a coffee shop with sandwiches and other treats. To the left, you’ll find the entrance to the exhibit. Inside you’ll see props & costumes from various productions.
The highlights for most guests are seeing the Central Perk set from Friends and being able to sit on the couch. You’ll also see sets from The Big Bang Theory. There is a classics display featuring costumes worn by the stars of the Golden Era.
You’ll find green screen experiences you can participate in for an additional fee. And, there’s an interactive area where you can put your voice to a famous scene. Before you leave Stage 48 you’ll go through a gift shop which is also filled with more photo ops for Friends fans. Just a reminder that the items you see here are different than the ones in the main store so don’t leave without the items you want.
To leave Stage 48 you’ll board a tour cart. It may stop by the Friends fountain if that was not included in the front part of your experience. Eventually, you’ll wind up back at the main tour building for the last self-guided exhibit called Action Magic.
Action Magic:
This area is primarily dedicated to the DC Superheros and Harry Potter. You will see costumes and batmobiles in the superhero area. Harry Potter fans can get sorted into a house by the sorting hat. You can pick up a screaming mandrake. Learn how to brew a potion and take a wand choreography lesson. In the last room you’ll see some props from classic movies like The Music Man and depending on availability be able to hold an Oscar. The experience ends in the main gift shop.
Special Events:
On occasion, there will be special events added to the tour. For example, this last holiday season there was a Gremlins set put in Hennesy and Midwest had a special Gilmore Girls set up. It’s always worth checking to see what special things might be showcased during your visit.
Is This The Right Tour for You?
For fans of productions like Friends, DC, and The Big Bang Theory this is the perfect tour. This is truly one of the best studio tours around. However, if you have children with you I would recommend Universal Studios over Warner Bros.
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.
