Honestly, most people heading to Burbank think they’re just going to a theme park with better air conditioning. They expect Universal Studios but with more Batman. That is a massive mistake.
If you show up at wb studio tour hollywood looking for a roller coaster, you’re going to be staring at a lot of beige warehouses and feeling very confused. This isn't a theme park. It's a 110-acre working city where people actually lose their jobs if a tourist walks into the back of a shot. It is gritty, it is industrial, and it is arguably the coolest thing you can do in LA if you actually care about how movies get made.
The "Wait, This Is Just a Street?" Realization
When you first hop on that oversized golf cart, your guide—usually an aspiring actor or writer who knows more about Casablanca than you know about your own family—takes you through the backlots. You'll hit Hennesy Street or New York Street.
At first glance? It looks like a half-finished construction site.
But then they point out a specific window. "That’s where Toby Maguire kissed Kirsten Dunst upside down in Spider-Man." Suddenly, the plywood and plastic brickwork start to look like magic. You realize that "Midwest Street" is actually Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, but it’s also the town square from The Music Man and the place where they filmed the Seinfeld finale.
It’s basically a giant architectural chameleon.
Why Your Choice of Tour Actually Matters
Don't just click the first "buy" button you see. There are levels to this.
- The Standard Studio Tour: This is the baseline. You get about an hour with a guide on the cart and then two hours to roam around the self-guided sections. It’s perfect for most people.
- TCM Classic Films Tour: If you think "Golden Age" refers to something other than retirement, this is yours. It focuses on the era from 1923 to 1970. You spend more time looking at the history of the studio’s founding and the legacy of icons like Humphrey Bogart.
- The Deluxe Tour: This is the six-hour marathon. You get a fine dining lunch at the Studio Commissary—where you might actually see a producer having a meltdown over a script—and a visit to the Property Department. It’s pricey (around $330), but for a film nerd, it's basically church.
The Weirdness of Stage 48: Script to Screen
Eventually, they drop you off at Stage 48. This is the self-guided portion.
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You’ve probably seen the photos of people sitting on the Friends couch. Yes, the actual orange couch from Central Perk is there. No, you can't live on it. You can, however, grab a latte at the working Central Perk Café right next to it. They even have "Friends-themed treats," though I’m still waiting for them to serve Rachel’s traditional English trifle (the one that tasted like feet).
The coolest part of Stage 48 isn't the props, though. It’s the "Art of Sound" exhibit. You can actually see how Foley artists create the sound of a punch or a rustling coat. It’s loud, it’s interactive, and it makes you realize how quiet and boring movies would be without those tiny details.
What’s New for 2026?
If you’re visiting right now in early 2026, you’re hitting the sweet spot. The studio recently went all-out for the 25th anniversary of Gilmore Girls. Through early January, they literally rebuilt Stars Hollow. We’re talking Luke’s Diner, Lorelai’s house, the whole deal.
They also just updated the DC Universe section in the "Action and Magic Made Here" finale. With the new shifts in the DC cinematic world, they’ve rotated in fresh suits and props that haven't been on public display before.
Survival Tips for the Lot
- Bring your ID. Seriously. If you’re over 18 and you forget your driver's license or passport, security will turn you away faster than a bad audition. This is a secure federal facility in some ways.
- The "Left Side" Rule. When you get on the tram, try to sit on the left side (behind the driver). Most of the iconic facades and "walk-through" doors on the backlot tend to be on that side of the path.
- Parking is a racket. It’s $15. Just pay it. Don't try to find street parking in Burbank near the lot; you’ll end up walking two miles in the California sun and regret every life choice you've ever made.
- Check the schedule. Since this is a working lot, some areas might be closed because they’re actually filming. If you see a bunch of white trailers and cables everywhere, stay quiet. You might be three feet away from the next Emmy winner.
wb studio tour hollywood isn't about the thrill of a drop-tower; it's about the weird, meticulous, and sometimes frustrating reality of show business. You'll leave with a sore neck from looking up at the rafters and a much deeper respect for the people who spend twelve hours a day making sure a fake street looks like a real home.
Actionable Next Steps
- Book at least 3 weeks out. Tickets for morning slots (the best time to avoid the heat) disappear fast.
- Pack a portable charger. Between the Harry Potter green-screen photos and the Big Bang Theory set, your phone battery will be dead by noon.
- Eat before or after. The Central Perk Café is fun for the novelty, but if you want a real meal without the "theme park" markup, hit up the restaurants in nearby Magnolia Park or downtown Burbank.