If you’re a movie or TV buff who wants a backstage look at where some of your favorite shows and movies were filmed, I highly recommend the Warner Brothers VIP Studio Tour. I’ve taken the tour twice, and it’s an extremely fun tour that gives an in-depth look at the many filming locations on the studio’s 100+ acre lot, including backlots and sound stages as well as a museum. Here’s all the important info you need to know:
Where is it? The Warner Brothers studio is at 3400 Riverside Drive in Burbank, CA.
What time is the tour? Tours depart at regular intervals all day from 8:20am – 4:00pm. (The ticket office opens by 7:30am.)
How much do tickets cost? The VIP Tour costs $48.00 per person. (You can get a discount if you’re a AAA member!) In a peak season (spring or summer) I’d advise buying tickets in advance online here. Otherwise, you can buy them at the ticket office on a first-come first-served basis. You also get a coupon for $1 off gelato at the gelateria in the gift shop, in case you need to kill time with a snack while you wait.
Where do I park? The studio offers tour parking for $7, right across the street from the tour office. If you don’t want to spend that much, you might be able to find street parking nearby — but make sure you account for a short walk to the studio and make sure you’ll be okay to park for about three hours. Personally I’d say just bite the bullet and park in the convenient and safe studio lot.
How long is the tour? The tour lasts approximately two and half hours. Don’t worry — you won’t have to hoof it. For the majority of the tour you’ll be driven around the lot on a comfortable tram.
What should I bring? Bring your camera — while videotaping is a no-no, you can take still photographs during most parts of the tour. The guides are great about helping you get the shots you want. You can bring a bottle of water or soda along, since the tour lasts over two hours; just make sure it closes. No cans or open cups! You can also have your cell phone with you, as long as you silence it during the tour.
What’s the tour like? The tour begins with a short video to fill you in on some of Warner Brother’s past and current productions. It lasts maybe 10 minutes and is fun to watch. Next, you meet your tour guide and get on the tram for your tour. If you bring a purse, they’ll lock it up for the tour but don’t worry — you’ll be able to grab your camera when picture-taking is okayed! The tour brings you past the soundstages, some of which have hosted famous sets (do “Friends”, “ER”, or “The West Wing” ring a bell?) and some of which are currently home to hit shows such as “Two and a Half Men”, “The Big Bang Theory”, and “Lopez Tonight”. Your tour guide will take you through commonly used backlots, including an oft-used jungle and pond, as well as the town square. But it’s not all just looking — on most tours you’ll also visit the WB museum, including a whole floor dedicated solely to the Harry Potter movies; a collection of famously filmed cars; the prop house; and often times a walk through an active film or TV set. (On my first tour, we walked through the offices of “The Mentalist” and on my second tour through the Buy More back room and apartment complex from “Chuck.”)
What will I see? The Warner Brothers lot has been home to many famous productions, and there are sure to be sights on the tour to excite every tour-goer. Here’s a sampling of what you might see:
The alley from the famous Spiderman upside-down kiss.
Recognize this? It's the exterior of Merlotte's from True Blood.
Some tours might visit the Central Perk set from Friends.
Luke's Diner from Gilmore Girls.
My thoughts: I LOVE this tour! I’ve been twice, and my most recent tour (March 2010) was even better than the first. Our tour guide, Freddy, was amazing. He was very funny and extremely knowledgeable. He had nuggets of wisdom for everyone on the tour, no matter what movies or shows they loved. He even took my friend to a location that isn’t normally on the tour because she loved a canceled show that filmed there. It’s an extremely in-depth tour, with past and present projects to see. It’s long but definitely not boring. And it’s a little expensive but, in my opinion, definitely worth it!
- Story and photos by Christina LeBlanc, Executive Editor
[...] The WB lot is located at 3400 Riverside Drive in Burbank, CA. The VIP Tour will run you about $45, but it’s totally worth it to get an up-close look at film and television history. Check out my review of the tour for all the important info! [...]
[...] For more info on the Warner Brothers tour, check out our story & review here. [...]