warner brothers studio tour orlando

Harry Potter’s Wizarding Worlds: London vs Orlando – Which Is Better?

I’m a HUGE Harry Potter nerd and like any other Harry Potter fan, there are 2 world-wide MUST visit attractions I just had to go to. So rather than between England and Iowa…this is more between London and Orlando! England, UK is home to the Warner Bros Studio Tour…and Florida, USA has The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so let’s have a wizard dual between the two, which is better?!

Harry Potter London vs Orlando: WB Studio Tours or Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

Table of contents, warner bros studio tour: making of harry potter (uk).

Despite Harry Potter essentially being a British creation, there’s actually no such thing as the ‘Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ in London…or even the UK! For now, it’s the USA and Japan that get the glory of that particular attraction. However, London does have the Making of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros Studio Tour!

Leavesden Studios in Watford (just outside London) is where the majority of filming for the Harry Potter movies took place. When filming finished, the studio opened its doors to visiting guests!  It showcases some of the real sets and props used during the filming of the Harry Potter series .

Other than the first 10 minutes or so, the rest of the time at the Warner Bros Studio Tour is self guided or with the help of an audio guide for an extra charge. I’ve been twice and both times it took around 3 hours to go around . It could easily take longer if you were to stop and look at every little prop on display.

You even get the opportunity to sit on a broomstick rig in front of a green screen background and watch as you fly through the streets of London or around the castle! It continues to expand, they have now re-created Kings Cross train station complete with the Hogwarts Express and the Forbidden Forest!

They also hold themed evening meals in The Great Hall for special occasions, such as: Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

The majority of the tour is inside, there’s just a small outside ‘backlot’ area that has the houses of Privet Drive and Godric’s Hollow , the Knightbus and the rickety old Hogwarts bridge that appears in a couple of the movies. Even if it’s raining it is possible to get between the indoor areas without getting wet as part of it is covered by a canopy.

Good Points

• It’s the REAL sets!!! The Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Castle model are brilliant and it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside when you stop and think how many great actors and actresses have stood on those sets too! Not going to lie, when I saw The Great Hall for the first time, I did nearly cry, I think I’m allowed to, I’ve grown up with Harry Potter! (I was 10 when I first started reading the books…I’m now 30).
• The broomstick experience is fun …even for the adults! You get robes to wear and everything!

• For visitors in England, it’s easy to get to . It’s just off the M25 if driving or they have shuttle buses to and from the nearest train station (Watford Junction) that has links to central London.
• Butterbeer . It’s odd, but strangely addictive!
• It’s not too over crowded . Although they don’t try and shuffle you on, entrance is at staggered times, so it’s easy to get photos with the props and sets, without getting too many heads in view!

• I’ve visited twice now and each time I’ve been, I’ve spotted different things that I hadn’t seen on my first visit!
• Again, release your inner child, even if you’re an adult (especially if you’re a travel lover…), you can pick up a ‘ Harry Potter Passport ‘ at Customer Services, while walking around, keep an eye out for machines to collect passport stamps ! 
• There are plenty of photo opportunities too, whether you choose to ‘run through the wall’ at Platform 9 and 3/4, sit in a Ford Anglia, knock on the front door of Number 4 Privet Drive, stand on the back of the Knight Bus or take part in one of the green screen experiences!

• The gift shop is huge and on the way out (other than the smaller ‘Kings Cross Station’ shop), so if you buy anything you don’t have to worry about having to carry it around, unlike the shops at the theme parks!
• Having the staff in the uniforms and costumes would add to the magic!  Currently they only do this during theme weeks or special days .
• Obviously some things don’t look like how they do in the films …the pictures don’t really move…you just see the green screen, props like the Chamber of Secrets door isn’t always turned on etc.
• There are no ‘rides’ in the tradition theme park sense.

Ticket prices range in price, plus there are family ticket options and packages with guide books etc available. Find out more on the WB Studio Tours website.

Related Reading:   Harry Potter Inspired London Itinerary: 4 Days

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (USA)

Living in the UK, it’s a long expensive trip over to the States just to go and see it. Tucked away in the corner of Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, lays a HUGE ‘Hogwarts’ castle and the snowy streets of Hogsmeade Village and train station .

The theme park next door, Universal Studios , is now home to Diagon Alley and Kings Cross . If you have a park hopper ticket, you can jump on the ‘ Hogwarts Express ‘ and ride between the 2 parks! This half of the attraction wasn’t yet built when I visited, so my opinions are based on the Island’s of Adventure side!

There’s now a second Wizarding World of Harry Potter in California too!

The Wizrding World of Harry Potter has different aspects from the Studio Tour. For starters, there are 4 rides :

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• The Flight of the Hippogriff
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (all Islands of Adventure)
• Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts (Universal Studio).

The Forbidden Journey is inside Hogwarts Castle and in my eyes, has one of the best queue lines of any ride I’ve been on. The ride itself amazed me. The technology was incredible, having a mixture of motion and picture (not like regular 4D type rides, the cars actually move around on a track) and the joins between scenes were seamless, again, I nearly cried at the end of it!

Good points

• It allows you to LIVE Harry Potter , you can wander into shops and eat in the ‘pubs’ that you recognise from the books (even get an owl post ink stamp for postcards!), feel like you are walking the Hogwarts corridors (with moving pictures on the walls !) and watch performances from the frog choir and the 2 foreign exchange schools from Goblet of Fire. The staff members are all dressed in costume !

• The frozen Butterbeer is awesome . Only the regular Butterbeer is available at the WB Studio Tour, but the frozen version beats it hands down!
• The ticket obviously includes access to the rest of Islands of Adventure , if you buy a hopper, you can go into Universal Studios next door on the same ticket.
• They’ve added interactive elements , so if you buy a wand, you can actually control some of the surroundings!
• The rides are AMAZING .

• Although all the cast members are dressed up in costumes and school uniforms, they obviously had American accents (being in America!). For me this kind of ruined the affect as Harry Potter is very English , to the point where it was a requirement of the actors cast in the movies . It was strange having the wrong accent in the uniforms!! (Just to cover myself, I have NOTHING against the USA accent, after all I lived in the US…but Harry Potter is English so it was strange!)
• The queues for the rides can be pretty awful and there’s obviously no control on the amount of people that are let in the area so it gets crowded throughout the day.

• It doesn’t happen very often, but being an outdoor attraction, the weather can affect operations at the parks . For example, outside roller coasters won’t run in electrical storms (they did actually shut down for part of my visit in June 2012 for this reason).
• Again, the expense . Even the basic park entry is expensive, but then you do get access to everywhere in the park, not just the Harry Potter area. It does feel like they have split up the Harry Potter parks purposely to make more money as people will buy a park-to-park ticket rather than just a single day pass as it’s $55 MORE. Then if you want the wand to ‘play’ with the surroundings, that’s extra etc.

For more information on tickets, attractions and exact hours, visit the Universal Orlando website.

*TIP FOR VISITING WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER* We found that the cheapest accommodation for visiting Universal was to stay at the ‘ Days Inn Universal Maingate ‘. It was very basic and we had 5 million pizza delivery leaflets shoved under the door each night, but when you are at the park all day, which is only a 20 minute walk away, we were able to overlook all the leaflets!

The Round-up

For me, I think I preferred the WB Studio Tour , just because it’s the real life home of Harry Potter and nothing will ever take away the magic of walking into The Great Hall for the first time, it really is amazing. The huge amount of props they have on display is awesome too, they span all 8 films so as you can imagine, there are quite a lot!

(There’s a bit of a size difference between the two Hogwarts Castles!)

Don’t get me wrong though, the experience you get at Universal is definitely worth seeing ! The major difference between the two, is that one is more like a museum and the other is more interactive…do you want a behind the scenes look or do you want to feel like you are part of the wizarding world!?

A good thing is that both attractions keep expanding and changing so you could go back several times and see something new!

My travels have taken me to over 40 countries worldwide (& I lived in USA for 4yrs). I hold a BTEC National Diploma in Travel & Tourism (triple distinction) and have been writing on Between England & Everywhere since 2015.

Expert in : Adventure travel 🎢 , beach destinations 🏖️ , and packing light (mid-budget backpacker) 🎒

Which would you pick: Harry Potter London or Orlando? Pin It For Later!

Last Updated on April 29, 2024

One Comment

Hello, Between England and Iowa team! I just read your blog post comparing the Warner Bros Studio Tour and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and I have to say, it’s such an informative and interesting read. As a big Harry Potter fan, I’ve always been curious about the differences between the two experiences, and your post provided a great comparison.

I really appreciated the level of detail you provided for each location, including the attractions, food, and overall atmosphere. It was great to learn about the different aspects of each location and how they cater to different aspects of the Harry Potter fandom. Your pictures were also fantastic and really helped bring the experiences to life.

One of my favorite parts of your post was the comparison between the Butterbeer at each location. It’s amazing to think that such a simple drink has become such an iconic part of the Harry Potter franchise, and it was interesting to see how the two locations approached the drink differently. I also appreciated your insights into the overall atmosphere and vibe of each location and how they cater to different aspects of the fandom.

Overall, your article was an excellent resource for anyone trying to decide between the Warner Bros Studio Tour and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I appreciate the effort and enthusiasm that went into creating this post and sharing your experience with others. Thank you for helping us decide which Harry Potter experience is right for us. Keep up the great work!

Highly Recommended to all.

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New Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts experience opens at WB Studio Tour Hollywood

A Brand new Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts experience will open to the public on June 26th as part of the grand finale of the newly re-designed Warner Brothers Studio Tour in Hollywood California. I was invited to preview this exciting new experience alongside our beloved Ginny Weasley actress, Bonnie Wright, to show you the most magical details before it opens to the public next Saturday.

While being forced to close for more than 15 months, Warner Brothers jumped at the opportunity to redesign this classic Hollywood attraction that first opened to the public in 2012. Visitors of the previous tour will recall the focus on props, costumes, and sets for a variety of evolving films and Television shows, led by an expert tour guide amongst the fully operational backlot sound-stages.

From the moment you walk inside, this tour experience feels entirely new. I was so excited to see that the focus had been improved to include a wider variety of interactive experiences, and instagram worthy installations. The first thing I noticed is a newly constructed parking structure, and spacious lobby which reminds me of the foyer built for the Warner Brothers Studio Tour London. Complete with a Starbucks, a substantial WB gift shop with a wide variety of Wizarding World merchandise, and most surprisingly, a massive large scale prop replica of the Triwizard Cup!

When the tour begins, you will walk through a storytelling showcase celebrating Warner Brothers nearly 100 year history. After your guided tour of the backlot, explore an interactive soundstage, fly over Hogwarts on a Nimbus 2000 Broom in a green screen movie, and eat at the new Central Perk Cafe from the Friends TV show. Upon returning to the front of the backlot, you will enter into the new grand finale, “Action and Magic Made Here.”

For the purpose of this article, I will focus on the moments dedicated to the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises. Once inside, take your time exploring the combination of both DC Universe and Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts props, sets, and costume pieces. I was surprised to discover that the Wizarding World set replicas were a bit overshadowed by the wider variety of DC comic elements which became the main focus of this building. With the wide variety of interactive elements and photo opportunities, kids and families will especially appreciate this exciting new part of the tour.

Towards the back, large curved walls are wallpapered with copies of a variety of original hand drawn Harry Potter film set blueprints. A box set of Special edition autographed Harry Potter books that WB purchased at a JK Rowling charity auction to fight Multiple Sclerosis, sits on display just before the entrance. The first visible prop, the Weasley’s iconic Flying Ford Anglia used on screen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, is hovering in the air in the dead center above a glass case housing a screen used Marauders Map prop designed by the Mina Lima Graphic Design team.

5 interactive set replicas are available to explore once inside, with an additional Wand Dueling area where you can follow along with an instructional video by Paul Harris who choreographed wand combat for the films.

1. The Dursley’s Home:

Here you will find a unique photo opportunity to go inside Harry Potter’s cupboard under the stairs. Explore all the tiny details and even sit on Harry Potter’s childhood bed for photos. The Warner Brothers studio Tour London showcases the cupboard under the stairs set, but does not allow guests to go inside. For now, you sadly can not run up and down the Dursley’s stairs shouting “Wake Up cousin, we’re going to the zoo!”

A second photo opportunity awaits in the living room set of #4 Private Drive where a large scale wall of Harry’s Hogwarts acceptance letters are falling from the ceiling in a solid frame. Here you can step into the frame of letters and reenact trying to catch an envelope and escape Uncle Vernon.

Two display cases sit under a Privet Drive street sign, containing a pair of Harry Potter’s glasses, and Harry’s Hogwarts acceptance letter/envelope prop from Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. Standing next to these in a shorter display case, is a silicone prop figure of Dobby The House elf used as a stand-in for the 7th film, Deathly Hallows Part 1.

2. The Potions Classroom:

Professor Snape would feel right at home in the Potions classroom set where interactive cauldrons, and potion ingredient jars line the large central table surrounded by dozens of tall replica ingredient jars along the walls. This is a fun hands-on experience for kids and an excellent photo opportunity for fans of all ages.

Nearby, you can also check out a glass display cabinet with two Advanced Potion Making book props, a bezoar with a cutting knife, and potion jars all from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

3. The Great Hall:

Have you been sorted into your Hogwarts house yet? Or maybe you have already been sorted and would love a video or photo opportunity wearing the sorting hat in the Great Hall announcing your official Hogwarts House? This photo/video opportunity allows you to log into your account in the official Harry Potter mobile app and connect it to the Sorting Hat ceremony before walking up to take your seat on the iconic, 1st years stool under the Sorting Hat floating above you.

4.The Greenhouse:

Here you can step into the sunlight of the Hogwarts grounds and into this Chamber of Secrets film classroom to practice re-potting Mandrake plants. Each Mandrake baby that you pull up from the soil shrieks loudly so I hope you brought your fluffy earmuffs. This experience was previously featured in the Harry Potter traveling Exhibition which will return in 2022 and was my personal favorite room.

5. Newt Scamander’s Suitcase:

Here you can jump inside Newt’s suitcase with an interactive projection on a large wall where you can activate a variety of magical creatures like the niffler, occamy, and bowtruckle. There’s even a fun opportunity to get photos of yourself to appear as if you are standing inside Newts Suitcase. Towards the back, Newt’s workbench has been reconstructed to explore every detail from inside his suitcase. From Newt’s leather journal to sketches of a thunderbird, the attention to detail is incredible. Large digital screens act as windows above the workbench, looking out at various magical creature habitats from the Fantastic Beasts films. Say hello to Mooncalves as they walk over to greet you, and brace yourself when an Erumpent runs over, shaking the whole work bench in front of you to smell the musk that you can activate to attract them. WB Studio Tour London does not offer Fantastic Beasts related set environments yet, so it was exciting to experience this Fantastic Beasts related set replica.

At the time I explored the space, there were a total of 12 screen-used movie props on display through this new Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts space, with the potential for more to be added soon; so keep an eye out for the display cases. As you explore, each room has the official flying key QR codes on the walls that you can scan using the official Harry Potter mobile app to discover behind the scenes photos, videos, and additional information.

While there are no Harry Potter costumes found within this part of the tour, you can discover both Harry Potter and Ron Weasley’s screen used Quidditch costumes on display inside the Lobby gift shop. If you are a Gold Member of the official Harry Potter fan club, you can pick up your free collector pin from the gift shop in the lobby at any time by showing your mobile account at checkout.  

These new additions to the tour have been revealed at the same time as the Warner Brothers London Announcement that a new Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition will open in Covent Garden next month! With the Harry Potter traveling Exhibition returning next year, and the New York Harry Potter store now open, opportunities to celebrate your love of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts have never been more accessible.

All tickets and reservations must be purchased in advance on the official WB website here. Tickets are $69/adult, $57/ for SoCal residents, and $59 for children ages 5-10.

Special Thanks to Warner Brothers Studio Tour for the invitation to preview the tour! Photos by Katie Aiani and Hannah Bradford.

Katie Aiani is a lifelong Potter fan & Wizarding World expert who has traveled the world for a variety of fandoms. You can usually find her in a theme park on a regular basis in cosplay or Disneybounding with a Hot Butterbeer or Dole Whip in hand; while exploring the newest rides, shows, merch, & historical facts.

The locations where movies are made have evolved along with the technology used to make them. The first stages were simply raised platforms. These were then enclosed with glass roofs to allow sunlight to provide the illumination. When electric light sources improved efficiency (and became more available as power networks were set up), the stages became dark, to allow total control of lighting. When sound recording arrived, the stages added layers of soundproofing, and became soundstages. Studio properties with large outdoor ‘backlot’ areas were favoured – a large proportion of most movies was still shot outdoors. As technology improved, shooting took place on location more and more. As time went on, specialised movie studios were less and less necessary for actual shooting, so they concentrated on becoming one-stop-shops for the whole production process, from initial concepts and writing through to post-production sound recording and effects. Eventually, almost anywhere could be used as a movie studio, and production in the large custom-built studios reduced. This site aims to gather information about studios throughout movie-making history. We’re always grateful for your input, so please contact us with any additional information.

• Big Sky Movie Ranch [California, USA]
• Fox Ranch, Malibu Creek State Park [California, USA]
• Old Tucson Studios [Arizona, USA]
• Paramount Ranch [California, USA]
• Paramount Studios [California, USA]
• Sony Pictures Studios [California, USA]
• Universal Studios Hollywood [California, USA]
• Universal Studios Orlando [Florida, USA]
• Warner Bros Studios [California, USA]

UK & Ireland

• Leavesden Studios [England, UK]
• Linen Mills Studios [Banbridge, Northern Ireland]

Europe / Africa / India / China / Hong Kong

• Atlas Corporation Studios, Morocco [Ouarzazate, Morocco]
• Bavaria Filmstudios [Munich, Germany]
• Cinecitta Studios [Rome, Italy]
• MMC Studios, Cologne [Germany]
• Ramoji Film City [Hyderabad, India]

Australasia

• Warner Bros Movieworld [Australia]

There is no public access or tours at these studios.

• ABC Studios, Manhattan [New York City, USA]
• Albequerque Studios, New Mexico [New Mexico, USA]
• Barwick Studios [California, USA]
• Blue Cloud Movie Ranch [California, USA]
• CBS Studio Center [California, USA]
• CBS Television City [California, USA]
• Chandler Valley Center Studios [California, USA]
• Charlie Chaplin Studios [California, USA]
• Culver Studios [California, USA]
• Disney Studios [California, USA]
• EUE Screen Gems Studios [Atlanta, Georgia, USA]
• Fox Studios [California, USA]
• Gold Coast Studios [New York, USA]
• Golden Oak (Disney) Ranch [California, USA]
• Grumman Studios [New York, USA]
• Iverson Ranch [California, USA]
• Kaufman Astoria Studios [New York, USA]
• LA Castle Studios [Burbank, CA, USA]
• Laurel Canyon Stages [California, USA]
• Los Angeles Center Studios [California, USA]
• Melody Ranch [California, USA]
• Metromedia Square [California, USA]
• Michigan Motion Picture Studios [Michigan, USA]
• Palmdale Airport [California, USA]
• Prospect Studios [California, USA]
• Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios [California, USA]
• Raleigh Studios [California, USA]
• Ren-Mar Studios [California, USA]
• Sable Ranch [California, USA]
• Santa Clarita Studios [California, USA]
• Silver Screen Studios [New York, USA]
• Steiner Studios [New York, USA]
• Sunset Bronson Studios [California, USA]
• Sunset Las Palmas Studios [California, USA]
• The Lot / Warner Hollywood Studios [California, USA]
• Trilith Studios [Georgia, USA]
• Warner Ranch [California, USA]
• Aja Tan Studios [North Vancouver, BC, Canada]
• Bridge Studios [Burnaby, BC, Canada]
• Canada Saskatchewan Production Studios [Regina, SK, Canada]
• Canadian Motion Picture Park [Burnaby, BC, Canada]
• Cinespace Film Studios [Toronto, ON, Canada]
• Kleinburg Studios [Kleinburg, ON, Canada]
• Mels Cite du Cinema [Montreal, Canada]
• North Shore Studios [North Vancouver, Canada]
• Pinewood Toronto Studios [Toronto, Canada]
• Vancouver Film Studios [Canada]
• Baja Film Studios [Baja California, Mexico, USA]
• Churubusco Studios [Mexico City, Mexico]
• 3 Mills Studio [London, England, UK]
• Ardmore Studios [Ireland]
• BBC Elstree Centre [London, England, UK]
• BBC Media City [Salford, England, UK]
• BBC Television Centre [London, England, UK]
• BBC Upper Boat Studios [Cardiff, Wales, UK]
• Beaconsfield Film Studios [Beaconsfield, England]
• Black Hangar Studios [London, England, UK]
• Bray Studios [England, UK]
• Cardington Airship Sheds [England, UK]
• Danziger Studios [Elstree, UK]
• Ealing Studios [London, England, UK]
• Elstree Studios [London, England, UK]
• Gainsborough Studios [London, England]
• Longcross Studios [England, UK]
• Pinewood Studios [England, UK]
• Shepperton Studios [England, UK]
• The Paint Hall [Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK]
• The Wharf Studios [Barking, London, UK]
• Twickenham Film Studios [London, England, UK]
• West London Film Studios [London, England]
• Wimbledon Studios [London, England, UK]
• Alvernia Studios [Krakow, Poland]
• Babelsberg Film Studios [Potsdam-Babelsberg, Germany]
• Barrandov Studios [Prague, Czech Republic]
• Filmbyen Denmark [Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark]
• New Boyana Film Studios, Bulgaria [Sofia, Bulgaria]
• Camperdown Studios [Wellington, New Zealand]
• Fox Studios Australia [Australia]
• Stone Street Studios [New Zealand]

These studios no longer exist.

• Downey Studios [California, USA]
• Hal Roach Studios [California, USA]
• Ray-Art Studios [California, USA]
• RKO Encino [California, USA]
• Stages at Playa Vista [California, USA]
• Alexandra Palace [London, England, UK]
• Bushey Studios [Hertfordshire, England]
• Cricklewood Film Studios [London, England, UK]
• Denham Studios [London, England, UK]
• Gate Studios [London, England, UK]
• Isleworth Studios [London, England, UK]
• Jacob Street Studios [London, England]
• Lime Grove Studios [London, England, UK]
• Merton Park Studios [London, England, UK]
• MGM Borehamwood [Borehamwood, England, UK]
• Southall Film Studios [London, England, UK]
• Teddington Studios [London, England, UK]
• The Production Village, Cricklewood [Cricklewood, London, UK]
• Wembley Park Studios [London, England, UK]

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Warner Bros. Studio, Museum, & Guided Tram Tour

Venture inside Warner Bros. Studio for a rare behind-the-scenes look at this thriving motion picture studio.

• Detailed Overview
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Come with us to Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank and uncover cinematic history, behind-the-scenes magic, and leisurely exploration. Join a one-hour guided tram tour through the bustling 110-acre lot, exploring backlots, soundstages, and iconic sets with expert guides sharing fascinating insights. Peer deep into the filmmaking process, from set designs to special effects and active soundstages where filming unfolds. Admire a curated collection of props, costumes, and memorabilia from timeless classics to contemporary favorites. Engage with interactive exhibits offering hands-on activities related to special effects and green screen technology. Enjoy leisure time to explore the studio museum, shop, and dine. Before reaching Warner Bros. Studio, indulge in lunch at the popular Anaheim Packing District dining hall. Don't miss this chance to experience the magic of Hollywood firsthand!

Warner Bros. Studio Overview

All-day Excursion

All times and routing are approximate and subject to change without notice.

Arrive Anaheim Packing District for lunch on your own

Depart Anaheim for Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank

Arrive Warner Bros. Studio. Check in, view a small exhibit and see a short video presentation

Tram tour of Waner Bros. Studio begins

Tram tours end, and you'll have time to explore on your own, visit the museum, gift shop and dine at the cafe.

Depart for San Diego with comfort stop in San Juan Capistrano

Arrive comfort stop in San Juan Capistrano

Depart for local San diego dropoffs

Tour Manager:  9/19 - Marianna Pinto*

Activity Level: Moderate

Warner Bros. Studio is completely accessible. Portions of this tour include walking outside and some stairs or inclines may be involved. Please let us know in advance if you require special assistance

What's Included in the Tour Fare

Round-trip luxury motor coach transportation from pickup locations throughout San Diego County

Professional Tour Manager providing narration throughout the trip

Complimentary bottled water and snacks on the coach

Visit to Anaheim Packing District for lunch on own

Admission into the Warner Brothers Studio

1-hour Studio Tour conducted by tram

Free time to visit the store, cafe and museum

What's Not Included in the Tour Fare

Gratuities for the Tour Manager and driver

How to Make a Reservation

Making your reservation is easy. Simply click the Book Now button above to select your date and confirm your space online, 24/7. You can also call the DayTripper Tours reservations department at (619) 334-3394 during business hours of M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Smartphones

Although not necessary to fully enjoy your trip, a personal smartphone can greatly enhance your tour experience. Take high-quality photos, share your experience on social media in real time, search for nearby restaurants and topics of interest, set reminders, and more.

14-Day Cancellation Deadline

If you purchased the optional Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) prior to the deadline, you can cancel your booking at any time for any reason and you'll receive a full refund of the tour fare.

If you declined the CPP, you may cancel your reservation fourteen (14) or more days prior to the departure date to receive a refund less a $15 per person cancellation fee. Alternatively, when you cancel your booking fourteen (14) or more days prior to the departure date, you can avoid the cancellation fee by transferring the funds to another tour or a non-refundable voucher, which can be applied to any future excursion booked within one year of the original tour date. Bookings canceled within 14 days of the departure date are nonrefundable and nontransferable for any reason. Name changes on daytrips are always permitted at no additional cost.

* Tour Manager is subject to change without notice.

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Warner Bros vs Universal Studios – Which One To Visit?

Without a doubt, everyone knows that Los Angeles is the capital of movie production and home to many of the world’s top film studios. Those who are interested in movies can take tours to two of the most influential studios: Universal and Warner Brothers.

Both of these parks visits aren’t cheap and each takes at least half a day to visit, so if you don’t have time or money to visit both of them you can plan your visit accordingly after reading my article.

I definitely recommend visiting both Universal and Warner Bros Studios. Each offers a completely unique experience for visitors.

You also need to consider that both studios are constantly producing movies and TV series. Therefore rebuilding their stages, closing some parts for filming, and adding more things.

Before you head out to see one of your favorite TV show stages double check that it’s not closed due to refurbishment or filming.

Warner Bros vs Universal Studios

Universal studios hollywood.

Universal Studios theme parks are now all over the world and you can visit them in Orlando , Singapore, and Hong Kong, but the most important one is Universal Studios Los Angeles as this is where the magic happens.

It’s the only Universal park where you can see the actual filming locations of many amazing movies.

You won’t find crazy roller coasters at Universal Hollywood, as you can find at Universal Orlando. But, don’t worry as there are plenty of traditional rides and a studio tour. Plus, you will find a lot of character encounters you won’t find in Orlando – for example the Transformers.

Plus, recently a Nintendo World opened at Universal Hollywood so it’s a whole new level of excitement.

Start your visit at Universal with the Minion ride because it always gets the longest lines! That’s when I found out that almost every ‘ride’ at the park isn’t actually a ride.

It’s more like a 4D movie where you feel like you’re really going through an obstacle course among the minions. I loved it so much that I just had to get a minion shirt after.

Universal Studios Park is great for anyone, a movie freak like me or an animation fan. I only had a slight idea of what to expect when I visited, but even my friend who hated theme parks quite liked our experience. In the park, you can find a lot of rides and a few live shows.

Come as early as possible to avoid long lines for every ride or prebook your tickets . If you’re short on time trust me it’s really worth it because in the middle of the day on a Saturday I saw the waiting time was almost 2h for many rides.

The only rides that are actually roller coasters are The Mummy (in my opinion it was okay but not spectacular). Jurassic World is also a moving ride, but more of a water drop.

As much as I love the Minions I think the best ride was Transformers. The vehicle was actually moving among a maze of screens bringing us from one 4D spot to another, making the experience very immersive.

There are a few live shows in the park, but my favorite was definitely Waterworld. I just couldn’t believe how incredible the stunts were – there was a fire on the stage, actors jumping into the water from a high platform, and even a plane flying into the stage spraying the audience with water. For sure a must-see.

What about movie sets? Don’t worry movie fans they’re all on the studio tour. When you embark via tram you’ll be taken to an outdoor movie set. You’ll see different tricks by which Hollywood creates NYC in LA, how to create a rainstorm and flood, and much more. There’s even an earthquake on the San Francisco subway!

From the movie sets, you can see the famous Amityville from Jaws , house from Psycho,  a plane wreck from War of the Worlds . The unfortunate thing is that you can’t leave your tram and wander around the sets. I would have liked to do that. It was still a lot of fun!

Important information: If you’re driving, remember that parking at Universal City is $25. If you’re renting a car, it might be cheaper for you to get a round-trip pre-booked transportation or a shuttle from a nearby hotel.

Warner Bros Studios Hollywood

Warner Bros Studios Hollywood is definitely a great stop for movie enthusiasts. Dare to say it’s better than Warner Bros London, unless, of course, you’re going for the Harry Potter experience.

The studio has been home to many great TV series such as The Ellen Show, Big Bang Theory, Friends, Pretty Little Liars and some great movies. It also has the tallest sound stage in the world with a Warner Bros logo facing the headquarters of Universal.

The tour started with a short movie about the history of Warner Bros before we embarked on our little trams. Unlike the Universal tour, we were allowed to leave the tram quite often and take some photos.

I got to hang out on the set of Pretty Little Liars , take a photo on the steps of Rosewood High School, enter Sheldon’s apartment from the Big Bang Theory , and I was shown different spots where Sex in the City was filmed and where the Gremlins escaped on the street. I loved it!

There was also a stop at a museum with Harry Potter and Batman exhibitions. I’m not a big fan of either, so when a guy put the famous Sorting Hat from Harry Potter on my head I guess it knew that I’m not a fan of the books or the movies as I was the only person from the group who got Slytherin. How did it know I was evil? 😉

The Warner Bros Studio tour is different every time depending on your guide as different guides stop at different places.

Unfortunately, my guide was neither funny nor enthusiastic compared to other guides. Although, he did let us wander around the equipment where I could see different furniture rented for different movies. How cool is that!

As you can see these two studio experiences are quite different from one another. You should definitely visit both of the studios.

I would say that Warner Bros is more for movie fans, as it tells you much more about movie-making production. Universal is for anyone who just wants to have fun and enjoy the rides – think about it as Disneyland with a small movie-making part.

Any questions? Shoot them over in the comments below!

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Thursday 11th of March 2021

Hi Anna! I have always wanted to visit Warner Bros. Its so cool that your 20 and you get to go to all of these cool places, I am nineteen and never have gone to one of those places. I could not figure out what the place was where you said, "recognize this place"? What is it?

Anna Karsten

This square has been featured in many movies and tv series, they just change the decor a bit :)

Sunday 26th of November 2017

Hi Anna, thanks for your post. I'll be in LA soon, and was wondering if I could get a tip on which park to go for: Disneyland or Universal Studios LA? I've been to Universal Studios Singapore 2 years ago though.

Hi! So I haven't been to Disneyland here in LA, but I've been to Disneyworld in Orlando. I think I liked Universal more. Universal in LA has different rides than the one in Singapore, plus a studio tour, so it's definitely different experience. I actually just revisited Universal LA with my husband for Halloween Horror Nights and it was fantastic!

Thursday 26th of November 2015

Where's the Universal Studios in Hong Kong? I think you mean Disneyland.

Universal Studios in Singapore.

Sunday 9th of August 2015

It sounds like you had a lot of fun in both places. I hate rollercoasters so it would be Warner Bros for me and I love films. Great post, thanks for sharing

Well, those in Universal aren't actually roller coasters - more like simulators ;)

we live in LA and still haven't been to Universal Studios even though it's literally just down the road. This has made me think maybe we need to check it out as soon as the busy summer season is over!

Yes, probably it's not a good idea to go over the summer ;) I'm waiting to revisit as my ticket allows two visits a year - YAY!

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PHOTOS: We Went on the Newly Reopened Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Hollywood!

Not long ago we shared that the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood would be reopening on June 26th .

We were lucky to take the tour this week and we can’t wait to share everything we saw!

First, we saw Hennessy Street, where we were told that Warner Bros. filmed scenes from Annie (the Carol Burnett version),  Friends , Rent , Batman movies, and The Greatest Showman . It was originally built for gangster movies in the 1930s, when they hired actual marksmen to shoot live bullets at the actors (and hopefully miss!) because it was cheaper than blank bullets at the time.

We passed by the fountain from  Friends, but the tour couldn’t stop because a new show is in production there!

Next we visited Tenement Alley, where Prince shot the Purple Rain  album cover, and where scenes such as the iconic upside down kiss from  Spider-Man , various parts of Rent , and the Batman movies were filmed.

This tower of paper demonstrates how many scripts get rejected for just ONE script that moves forward to shoot a pilot. That’s a LOT of unseen content, y’all.

Next, we moved onto the Friends  area! Of course, we had to stop in Central Perk!

Unfortunately, Gunther was nowhere to be found, so we thought it was time to keep moving!

We also got to see the living room from  The Big Bang Theory! 

We even saw the baseball jersey that Chadwick Boseman , also known for playing the Black Panther , wore during 42 …

…the Honey Bee uniform that the Olsen twins both wore as Michelle Tanner during the filming of Full House …

…and the crucifix used in The Exorcist !

We also got up close to the Batmobile and various DC superheroes’ outfits used during filming…

…before posing as Wonder Woman ourselves! Looking good, Molly!

And, then it was time to move on to the Harry Potter section (our favorite part, obviously)! Before we started our journey through the films, we went back to what started it all — the books!

You can even find J.K. Rowling’s signature in The Prisoner of Azkaban !

Now, onto the sets! We first meet Harry when he is living with the Dursleys with no clue about his wizarding heritage.

And, we never realized how small his “bedroom” was until we got a peek inside the cupboard during the tour!

Then, that all changed when Harry received his invitation to head to Hogwarts! Next to Harry’s famous spectacles…

…you can find one of these letters signed by Professor McGonagall!

Of course, Molly had to partake in the scene where the Hogwarts letters all come flying into the house through the fireplace!

After Harry finally made it to Hogwarts, he was able to have his wand choose him at Ollivanders!

But, there were so many other characters and unique wands used in the films…

…which means that over 3,000 were created using wood, plastic, resin, and rubber.

Harry’s adventures didn’t stop there, though! At, one point, his bestie rescues him in a flying car…

…and you can find one of the 17 1/2 that were made for The Chamber of Secrets film, just hanging about!

Later on, Harry continued to get in trouble with items like the Marauder’s Map (we solemnly swear he was up to no good).

Harry also made some amazing friends during his time at Hogwarts. Dobby the House Elf happened to be one such character, whose silicone figurine was used during rehearsals. During actual filming, a pole and a green tennis ball were used before the CGI version was edited in afterwards.

And, it wouldn’t be a visit to Hogwarts without a trip to the classes offered to students! Potions Class has always looked like a blast to us, but all the behind-the-scenes details made it THAT much better!

Before getting into any potions making, we made sure to take a look at the textbooks, tools…

…ingredients…

…and cauldrons we’d need to proceed!

When the actual movies were being filmed, there were more than 500 bottles with handcrafted labels along the shelves. (That’s a HEFTY amount of potions to keep track of!)

And, then we were on to making our own potions, like the other students at Hogwarts!

We were instructed to make an antidote to common poisons by touching the labels of the ingredients needed and then touching the wand to stir!

Molly was successful, of course, as a Slytherin in Professor Snape’s classroom!

Then, we made our way over to the Herbology classroom to learn about everything residing in the Greenhouse!

And, we were ready to get thrown into our lesson with one of the most notorious plants in the Wizarding World!

When this scene was set up, creators made over 50 Mandrake animatronic puppets that would wiggle in their pots and even use their mouths and limbs thanks to radio transmitters, when lifted up.

However, the original Harry Potter series isn’t the only one that exists! The prequels in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them featured Newt Scamander, who was in tune with all sorts of magical creatures.

You can take a look at the moving landscape that the visual effects team created…

…as well as all the maps, notebooks, and tools that made this spot feel like home to Newt.

Right next door, you can even learn about many of the Fantastic Beasts that Newt cares for with his interactive book!

We have to say that the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood was an absolute blast! And, if you love going behind-the-scenes of your favorite shows and movies, this is a must-do the next time you’re in California. Stay tuned with All Ears for the latest Disney and Universal entertainment and news coming soon!

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What franchise are you the most excited to see during the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood? Let us know in the comments below!

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Rachel Franko

Rachel Franko has been going to Disney Parks since she was a baby, and her love of Disney has only grown into a SLIGHT obsession since! She's been writing for AllEars since 2019 and loves sharing the magic with all the readers. When she's not writing, you can catch her heading to Disney and Universal Studios with a heart full of dreams and a backpack full of themed ears!

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Matador Original Series

The warner bros. studio will transform into stars hollow from ‘gilmore girls’ this holiday season.

T o Gilmore Girls fans, the town of Stars Hollow might feel like an out-of-reach utopia, but now they can actually visit it in real life. No, this doesn’t just mean you can visit a town that looks like Stars Hollow or is renovated to mimic it. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Hollywood will transform into Stars Hollow for the holiday season, with all the original sets and props. That means Luke’s Diner, Stars Hollow High School, Lorelai’s house, and the town gazebo will all be there. Props like Lorelai’s jeep, and Lorelai and Rory’s wardrobes, are also still intact.

The main town square, including the gazebo, has always been viewable by taking the studio tour, but the sets have been repurposed dozens of times, so it never fully felt like the real Stars Hollow. For this event, though, the sets will be decorated specifically to replicate Stars Hollow at Christmas — twinkle lights and all. Now, considering the studio tour is in Los Angeles instead of Connecticut, it probably won’t be covered in snow — but you never know what movie magic the studio will pull out.

Photo: Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Fans of the show know that the only way to tour Stars Hollow right is while munching on junk food, so the tour will provide plenty of snacks (and, of course, coffee coffee coffee) along the way.

Garo Soloff, Director of Marketing at Warner Bros. Studio Tour, said in a press release , “Gilmore Girls touched the hearts of so many fans and spans generations. This holiday season, our guests will enjoy a one-of-a-kind fan experience as they tour the iconic Warner Bros. backlot that will be transformed into the majestic town of Stars Hollow.”

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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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Warner brothers studio tour parking

Depending on the location and event, different parking regulations may apply near Warner Bros. Studio in Los Angeles. 

Table of contents

Parking guidelines, how can i pay to park my car in amsterdam.

Here are some general guidelines you can follow while parking near Warner Bros. Studio.

On-site parking: Warner Bros. Studio offers a parking garage for guests. 

Parking spots may be available for you to use when you schedule a tour or stop by the studio. 

Adhering to the studio or tour organizers’ parking instructions is highly recommended.

Address: 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505. Get Directions . 

Follow signs for Tour Parking on the Southside of Warner Blvd.

Parking on-street: You may locate street parking options close to Warner Bros. Studio if on-site parking is not possible or preferred. 

However, parking availability, time restrictions, and rules may change depending on the streets and surrounding neighborhoods.  

Pay close attention to parking signs and limitations to prevent fines or towing.

Parking limitations: Be aware of parking limitations such as street cleaning days, no-parking zones, and dedicated permit parking places when parking close to Warner Bros. Studio or in the neighborhood. 

Posted signs frequently denote these limitations, and breaking them may result in fines or towing of your car.

Public transportation and rideshare: When visiting Warner Bros. Studio, consider taking public transportation or utilizing rideshare services like Uber or Lyft.

This can lessen worries about parking and any parking-related problems.

Alternative parking options: There may be adjacent paid parking lots or garages that you can use if on-site parking or street parking is unavailable or scarce.

Note that such parking lots’ pricing and hours of operation may differ.

Warner Bros. periodically provides specials or  studio tour discounts . Find out if you’re fit for special discounts.

The Warner Bros VIP Studio Tour is appropriate for anyone interested in the history of films and television, the filmmaking process, or popular culture.

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There are numerous ways to pay for parking your car in Los Angeles:

Parking meters

Parking meters can be found on several parts of Los Angeles streets.

Coins, credit/debit cards, and even mobile payment alternatives through programs like ParkMobile or PayByPhone are all accepted at these meters. 

Just pay according to the meter’s instructions and park for the time you want.

Pay-and-display machines

Pay-and-display machines may be present in some parking lots. 

Parking is required; after buying a ticket from the machine, you must display it on your dashboard.

Parking apps

In some neighborhoods of Los Angeles, you can pay for parking using a smartphone app.

With the help of these apps, you may locate nearby parking spaces, pay for them, and occasionally even extend your parking session remotely. 

Recommended Reading #  Things to do at Warner Bros Studio #  Is the Warner Bros studio tour worth it? # Gilmore Girls set at Warner Brothers studios

You can only buy  Central Perk Cafe at Warner brothers studios  tickets if you buy the Warner Brothers studio tour ticket.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Warner Brothers studio tour parking.

You must pay US$15 per vehicle for parking at the guest parking lot. 

All cars are allowed in the parking lot, but RVs, trailers, and trucks are prohibited. 

You can park in the different parking lots around the Warner Brothers studio.  Click here to find the perfect spot for you! 

Pay attention to street parking signs indicating restrictions and time limits.  Violating these rules may lead to fines or your car being towed.

Parking your car in LA is safe, but take precautions to prevent theft or damage. Parking in a garage or lot is safer than on the street.

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This article was researched & written by

Urvashi Goyal

She is a city fanatic who loves exploring different cities, understanding their culture, meeting people, and discovering hidden gems. She likes to holiday in offbeat places that mainstream tourists are yet to discover. When on holiday, she avoids crowded tourist traps. Favourite cities: Bern, Los Angeles, and San Francisco

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• News / Studio Tour

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Sponsors Guide Dogs In Training to Improve Accessibility

by Alyssa McHugh · Published June 8, 2024 · Updated June 8, 2024

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter has partnered with the charity Guide Dogs to improve accessibility for visitors who are blind or visually impaired. The Studio Tour , which has welcomed guide dogs since it first opened in 2012, has sponsored three adorable guide dogs in training – a black Labrador, a yellow Labrador, and a golden retriever. Progress reports on the puppies, named after our favorite Harry Potter trio – Harry, Ron, and Hermione – will be given to the studio to follow their developmental journey. 

Credit: Warner Bros. Studio Tour/Guide Dogs

Kerry Kernan, head of children, young people and families at Guide Dogs, commented to BBC :

Through our consultation, advice, and training, we hope to encourage change across the UK attractions industry to become more accessible for people with sight loss. 

Guide Dogs plans to use the sponsored funds from Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter to cover guide dog training, food, and veterinarian expenses.  

Through working with Guide Dogs, the Studio Tour has added a designated toilet space for guide dogs to use outside and is working on offering signage iPads to magnify signs and descriptions. Guide Dogs will provide Studio Tour staff with online training resources on best practices for guiding visitors with sight loss around the experience. These resources are just the first step in the training program, followed by in-person training sessions for team members. Over the next 12 months, further implementations will be added to improve accessibility. 

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter offers a close look into the sets, props, and costumes used to create the movies we know and love today. The Studio Tour’s partnership with Guide Dogs will give visitors who are blind or visually impaired a more accessible experience exploring the Great Hall, traveling through Diagon Alley, and more!

Alyssa McHugh

Harry Potter has been a big part of my life since the age of nine. The stories and characters have helped me fight my own personal dementors. In my Muggle time, I enjoy blogging, reading fantasy novels, attending festivals, listening to music, and hanging out with my two cats!

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Harry Potter Studio Tour Review: Everything You Need to Know for a Magical Visit

T his Harry Potter Studio Tour review will cover everything you need to know to plan a visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter.

If you are a Harry Potter fan planning a London itinerary you may want to include a visit to Warner Brothers Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter.

Although it is a bit outside the city, it may be worth it to take the journey to experience the tour.

We visited during our 12 day Europe itinerary and we had mixed feelings on it. Let’s dive into the details with my Harry Potter Studio Tour review.

Overview of Harry Potter Studio Tour London

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter is where the movie was made. The props and backlots are authentic to the films.

It is a unique place to visit being that the cast and production crew spent 10+ years making Harry Potter there. Now you get to see these items up close and experience the movies like never before.

Location & How to Get There

Harry Potter Studio Tour London is not actually in London. It is outside the city and the nearest train station is Watford Junction.

There are shuttle buses, that are included with your ticket admission, at the station to transport you to the Studio.

Visitors will want to take the London Euston train to Watford Station (around 20 minutes) and then the 15 minute bus ride to the studio.

Guests can also drive themselves to the studio tour lot. Below is a map but travel time is going to depend on where your starting point is.

Ticket Cost & Hours

Tickets for the Harry Potter Studio Tour London start at $68.00 USD. The tickets are timed based and you will need to make reservations early.

There are also options to book a Studio tour and bus transfer from London , this may be a better option for you to not have to worry about taking the London tube.

Tip for Tickets: Book your date as soon as you can. You also want to book the earliest time if you can get there. Less crowds make it much easier to tour. (More on that later in my review.)

What to Bring

You don’t need to bring much to the tour. There are indoor and outdoor areas so dress for the weather.

Wear comfortable shoes. The tour takes at least 2 hours to explore. Time will depend on how long you take for each area, dining, and crowd levels. We visited for around 3 hours.

You may want to bring a portable charger if you plan on taking a lot of video and photos. Guests are also allowed to bring their own food and drinks to be consumed at specified spots along the tour.

Where to Stay

If you are not staying in London you may want to book a hotel nearby. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers hotel and ticket packages .

The Tour Experience

The tour has you visiting different rooms and areas about parts of the film. The map below gives you an idea of what to expect.

Each area has a specific theme to it and you can spend as little or as much time as you would like.

The Great Hall

Guests start at the Tour Entrance that has movie posters, scenes from the movie, and scripts along the wall.

They then watch a short film followed by guides opening the doors to The Great Hall to begin your self-guided tour.

The Great Hall has costumes from the film as well as the sorting hat. There are lots of opportunities to take pictures.

Interior Sets

After guests leave the Great Hall you will go to an interior sets room that has so much to see.

We saw The Mirror of Erised, the Chamber of Secrets door, costumes from the film, and a few interactive elements.

This area of the tour is very crowded and vast. It does not follow a straight path so be sure to take your time to see everything you want to see.

The Forbidden Forest

Next up is the Forbidden Forest which is a dark open path. There are spider props and it may be a little scary for young children.

It is easy to get through and most kids will be fine.

Platform 9 3/4

Next up on the tour is the Hogwarts Express. There was a long line to get on this, so we skipped it, but we did get our picture taken going through the Platform.

We liked this area but felt it was comparable to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, so we didn’t mind skipping things.

If you have never been to Universal’s Harry Potter areas this is really cool and you should take the time to explore more than we did.

Backlot Cafe

The Backlot Cafe is the half-way point of the studio tour. It has a small counter service food option.

They offer breakfast and lunch options as well as Butterbeer. Choices include hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, and fries. Menu can be found here .

The food is fine. It is not good or bad. I enjoy the Butterbeer and the souvenir mug guests can keep.

The lines for food were ridiculous. I do not know if that was specific to our visit or if it is always long at lunchtime. It took at least 20 minutes to order and get food. The line moved slow.

There was plenty of seating in the cafe and it was nice to enjoy our lunch without feeling rushed. We also had a place to refill our water bottles and use the restrooms.

The Backlot

The Backlot is next and I think this is where my favorite areas of the tour started. The first half if props and things but these areas were a bit immersive.

The Knight Bus, Harry’s House and the Greenhouse can all be found in this outdoor space. The kids, and I all enjoyed checking on the baby Mandrakes, yes they do scream!

Gringotts Bank

After walking through the special effects area guests will walk through a life-like Gringotts Bank, with working Goblins. This area is very accurate to the movies, be sure to take pictures!

After you walk through the bank you will enter the vaults and have opportunity to take photos with treasures. Then you will come close to a dragon as you exit the area.

There is a short little dragon projection show that is about 30 seconds long and runs continuously. If it is crowded when you enter wait for the next round to start and get a front row spot.

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley is the last large room you will walk through and it does look exactly like Diagon Alley from the movies.

The model room is the last area to walk around and guests walk the path around a large model of Hogwarts. This gives you a birds-eye view of the scope of the castle.

Shops and Exit

Every attraction ends in the gift shop and The Making of Harry Potter is no different. You can pick up wands and other Harry Potter themed souvenirs after your visit.

Once finished with your tour make your way back to the bus stop. This will take you to the train station to start your journey home.

Is Harry Potter Studio Tour Worth It?

It is always difficult to tell someone if something is worth it for them but what would a review of Harry Potter Studio Tour London be without my personal opinion.

We were not blown away by it. It was really cool and fun to see some of the exhibits but it felt similar to what we have seen at Universal.

I will say we visited on a really busy day. We didn’t enter the tour until around 2:00pm and I think that was a big mistake.

The crowds were big and it made it difficult to spend time to see everything without feeling rushed.

If you visit book a morning time. On our visit morning times were sold out by the time I got to purchasing admission.

Harry Potter fans do not want to miss this! If you are not a Harry Potter fan it might not be worth the time to travel outside London to see this.

Overall I am glad we went. There were areas we really enjoyed, like the Backlot area. I think one visit is enough for us but I am glad we included it on our trip to London.

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