ALONG COMES MARY

Hailing from a city like Los Angeles, there’s always something new to discover. Believe it or not, I’ve lived in Southern California all of my life and had never been on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. When the opportunity arose thanks to LA CityPASS for me to finally experience it, I jumped at the chance. 

Since reservations are needed, we arrived at the studios with some time to spare. We weren’t sure what to expect but parking and arrival were extremely easy. The Warner Bros. Studio tour is actually not in Hollywood but just next door in Burbank. Although there are neighborhoods and street parking in the surrounding areas, most require a permit. The secured parking lot at the studio is $15, which honestly isn’t that bad. 

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Experience

An ample Starbucks and not-to-miss gift shop greeted us as we entered the lobby. These are both available without tour admission so if you need some fun souvenirs, don’t miss these stops. Especially if you or anyone you know loves Harry Potter, Friends, Gilmore Girls, or DC Comics. For those who collect the “I Was Here” Starbucks mugs, they got you covered with special Burbank and Warner Bros. Studios editions. 

The tour begins in a welcome room chronicling the vast history of Warner Bros. and the evolution of their iconic studios. There’s art, photographs, placards, and memorabilia showcasing the studios through the years. As an animation lover, I was in awe at all of the Looney Tunes and Scooby-Doo artwork before me. 

Touring the Movie Magic

Next up, it was time to queue up for the tram tour. Our group was escorted into a theater to watch a short film featuring iconic celebrities and film clips to get us “pumped up.” The tram is similar to that at Universal Studios Hollywood but smaller which makes for a more intimate ride. Quite soon out the gate, we were treated to a celebrity sighting. An actual Annabelle doll used in the movies greeted us from an office window. She looked just as frightening up close as on the big screen! 

It’s incredible just how flawless they make it seem to transform a lot into whatever is needed to make that movie magic. Several small pit stops are included that have guests exiting the tram to tour inside a working sound stage or see buildings that have been used for various filming. 

I used to be a big Gilmore Girls fan so of course, I was excited to see the Stars Hollow gazebo, Luke’s Diner, and even the famous “country road” where the deer hit Rory on her way to school. This is one of the stops the tram makes so there’s time for the much-needed photo op. Although I’m not a Friends fan, they make it a point for guests to get a picture in front of the famous fountain from the opening sequence. 

Take the Tour with LA CityPASS

Once the tram wraps up, visitors are dropped off at a gorgeous exhibit hall. The massive galleria features props and costumes from DC films, Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, and even old school musical movie favorites like My Fair Lady. This tour is self-paced so we really got to enjoy our time soaking it all in. And there are clever photo ops galore. We also enjoyed a sound demonstration that takes you through the additions of sound and effects to a film. 

Fans of Friends can also enjoy the studio’s very own Central Perk coffee house with espresso libations and snacks as well as that massive gift shop with something to satisfy everyone. The entire experience is a movie and pop culture lover’s dream. 

With summer here, the LA CityPASS is ideal to either play tourist in your own backyard or explore Tinseltown on vacation at truly the best rate. I’m a long-time supporter of CityPASS and am thrilled that they’re now in my hometown.

With LA, purchasers can select from three options that best fit their needs and budget. The “main” attraction can either be the Warner Bros. tour, Universal Studios, or a pass including both. From there, three more LA hot spots can be selected to complete your pass. Iconic places like the GRAMMY Museum, SoFi Stadium, and the La Brea Tar Pits are just a few of the choices. Learn more and plan your La La Land visit HERE.

(*Special thanks to CityPASS for making this feature possible. All opinions are my own.)