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Universal Studios Hollywood

Get Ready for the Ultimate Hollywood Movie Experience!

Find a full day of action-packed entertainment all in one place: thrilling Theme Park rides and shows, a real working movie studio, and Los Angeles’ best shops, restaurants and cinemas at CityWalk. Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family.

Parking and Directions to Universal Studios Hollywood

Review our most updated information before your visit.

The World-Famous Studio Tour

Explore the largest and busiest motion picture and TV studio in the world. More movies and television shows have filmed on this lot than any other lot in the world.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

Explore the mysteries of Hogwarts™ castle, and experience pulse-pounding rides and attractions that transport you into a world of magic and excitement.

Jurassic World – The Ride

Climb aboard an unforgettable journey with imposing prehistoric creatures that first roamed the earth more than 65 million years ago in our epic adventure.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Join Gru, his daughters and the mischievous Minions on a heartwarming and thrilling ride.

The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash

Join Max, Duke, Gidget, Snowball and all your favorite Pets characters for a thrilling ride through the streets of New York City.

Experience a tidal wave of explosive action at WaterWorld – Universal Studios’ #1 rated show.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™

Enter through the towering castle gates and make your way down the familiar passageways and corridors of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

King Kong 360 3-D

Come face to face with King Kong 360 3-D created by Peter Jackson. It’s the world’s largest, most intense 3-D experience.

Fast & Furious - Supercharged!

Hold on tight for the grand finale of the Studio Tour, Fast & Furious – Supercharged!

Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride

If you dare, face heart-pounding special effects and unexpected twists at every turn as you escape the Mummy’s revenge in life-like horror.

TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride-3D

TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride 3D is an immersive, next generation thrill ride that blurs the line between fiction and reality.

Springfield, U.S.A.

Enter the world of The Simpsons™ like never before and visit downtown Springfield, U.S.A.

Foreign Language Studio Tours

We offer Studio Tours in Spanish on select days. Please check digital boards located throughout the Park for tour times during your visit.

Explore where fun is always unexpected to experience movies like Hollywood directors, dining for every taste, shopping & entertainment that will surprise and delight.

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Universal Studios Hollywood

Here's everything you need to know about visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, from the best rides and restaurants to seasonal events and more.

Did you know that in the heart of Los Angeles you can sip on Butterbeer , come face to face with terrifying dinosaurs, and have an epic journey with adorable Minions? No acting experience required.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park like no other, connected to a working movie and television production lot that's been around since the early 20 th century. The film studio first got into attractions with a tram tour in 1964 but has since evolved and grown into a bonafide theme park with thrilling rides, live entertainment, immersive lands, and thematically pleasing (and delicious) foods.

The theme park may be compact compared to its East Coast sibling, but it makes up for its smaller stature with top-notch attractions. Unlike other parks, it offers a welcomed level of flexibility requiring minimal pre-planning for visitors, appealing to both solo travelers and families alike. The park can be accomplished in one day for those short on time but looking to get a taste of what Tinseltown's only theme park has to offer.

Related : 20 Best Amusement Parks in the World

Universal Studios Hollywood Ticket Types and Prices

The ultimate Hollywood experience is surprisingly more affordable than you may have imagined. One-day general admission begins at $109, with two-day general admission beginning at $149. Using a dynamic ticket pricing system, the cost depends on the date of your visit, with weekends and holidays tiered higher. Front gate purchases will cost significantly more, and advanced online purchases are suggested.

Universal Express offers expedited access to almost every attraction and show with ticket packages beginning at $189. Guided VIP experiences begin at $349 and offer small group expedited access to rides and complimentary refreshments.

Luckily, when you inevitably fall in love with the park, it won't require a mortgage payment to visit again. Universal Studios Hollywood has one of the most affordable annual pass programs in the country, with the value of your park ticket able to be used towards the upgrade. Perks include free parking and discounts on food and merchandise, with the pass program starting at $159 for California residents and $199 for general guests.

Universal Studios Hollywood Layout

Comprised of two different levels, the upper lot and the lower lot, Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the easiest parks to navigate for first-time visitors. Guests enter on the upper lot and a series of escalators, known as the Starway, travel a quarter mile down to the lower lot.

The upper lot is the largest, comprised of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Simpsons -inspired Springfield U.S.A., the World-Famous Studio Tour, live shows, and more. The lower lot is home to Revenge of The Mummy — The Ride, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3-D, Jurassic World —The Ride, and several eateries and shops.

Universal Studios Hollywood Rides

Universal Studios Hollywood has a little something for everyone, from thrill junkies to young children, with attractions featuring your favorite characters, movies, and television series.

The park has experienced a period of growth over the last decade, including the milestone addition of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. While the land is smaller than its counterpart in Florida, it brings along its greatest hits, including e-ticket attraction, Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey, and the popular wand-choosing experience, Ollivanders.

The newest attraction, Secret Life of Pets: Off The Leash! (exclusive to the Hollywood park), opened in 2021 and is a marvel of a dark ride seamlessly mixing industry-leading screen-based technology with animatronics. Located on the upper lot's Manhattan-inspired streets, the colorful area immerses guests in the loved movie franchise through playful character interactions.

On the lower lot, Jurassic World — The Ride is a water-based attraction that shines as one of the biggest thrills offered with pioneering feats in audio-animatronics since its refurbishment in 2021.

The World-Famous Studio Tour is a unique 60-minute journey that includes behind-the-scenes access to working sets while intermixing themed attraction experiences , all while sitting aboard a tram. With ever-changing production schedules, no two rides on this iconic attraction are ever the same. Through the theme park's commitment to becoming more environmentally friendly, the trams are being given an upgrade and will soon utilize all electric vehicles.

Other rides include a family-friendly Minions attraction, a Harry Potter -themed coaster for all ages, and interactive playscapes.

The first Super Nintendo World in the United States is slated to open in 2023, bringing new attractions.

Where to Eat at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood's dining options are quick-service, but that doesn't mean you'll sacrifice taste thanks to multitudes of globally inspired bites served in highly themed locations.

The popular eatery, Three Broomsticks, transports guests to the fantastical world of Harry Potter inside a dining hall straight out of the blockbuster franchise. British delicacies are the menu's focus, with traditional dishes like fish and chips and a standout English breakfast. No meal is complete without fan-favorite Butterbeer ice cream.

The whimsically themed Super Silly Fun Land houses a Minions-themed cafe with approachable eats, like a homestyle grilled cheese and tomato soup. In Springfield, beloved eateries from The Simpsons come to life, including Krusty Burger and Lard Lad (serving up giant pink donuts). On the lower lot, Jurassic Café offers unique bites, like slow-roasted mojo pork, and it is steps away from Isla Nu-Bar, a tiki outpost pouring tropical cocktails.

For those looking to imbibe during their park visit, there's no shortage of highly themed bars, including Moe's Tavern, Hog's Head in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Mulligan's Irish Pub.

Those seeking a caffeine fix should avoid Starbucks and head straight to the French Street Bistro, a charming hidden gem with coffee drinks, breakfast, and snacks served throughout the day.

Universal CityWalk Hollywood

The property's dining and entertainment district, CityWalk, is adjacent to the theme park, where you can find the destination's table-service dining options. NBC Sports Bar & Grill is your go-to spot for sporting events and offers surprisingly excellent pub food, while Antojitos Cocina Mexicano has a wonderful patio and sprawling bar with Mexican eats and handcrafted cocktails. For casual options, the recently opened Chick Chick Chicken dishes out authentic Nashville-style hot chicken while the legendary Pink's Hot Dogs has an easy-to-access outpost of their iconic eatery.

No park ticket is required to visit CityWalk.

When to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood

Given its location in sunny Southern California, visitors can enjoy pleasant weather almost year-round. Weekdays between holiday seasons are the best time to visit for shorter lines at attractions and restaurants.

Visits during the theme park's two annual events, Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas, tend to be the most crowded. Halloween Horror Nights, a separately ticketed event, is the country's leading haunt event where Universal's soundstages are transformed into frightening walk-through experiences themed to the biggest horror franchises. Grinchmas, included with general theme park admission, sees gleeful holiday-inspired upgrades. Universal Express proves to be invaluable during these times.

How to Get There and Where To Stay Near Universal Studios

Universal Studios Hollywood is located in the heart of Los Angeles, approximately 20 minutes from nearby Hollywood Burbank Airport and 40 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport.

Daily parking rates for theme park visitors begin at $30 if entering the lot before 5 p.m. For those visiting a full-service restaurant at CityWalk, valet parking is available for up to 2.5 hours for $10.

Unlike Orlando's version, they do not have on-site, Universal-operated hotels, but hotel partners. Hilton Universal City & Sheraton Universal Hotel are located within walking distance of the park, with guests receiving perks like complimentary shuttles and discounted ticket packages.

Entertainment at the Theme Park

It's of no surprise that entertainment is a cornerstone of the theme park, including some of the most impressive displays of free-roaming characters that interact with guests, like Beetlejuice, Dracula, and Lucille Ball.

The theme park's live shows also shine, like "Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular." Inspired by the cult-favorite film, the stunt show is celebrating over 25 years and uses actual pieces from the movie's sets along with large-scale pyrotechnics and captivating live actors. Other shows include the hilarious Universal's Animal Actors featuring real-life, Hollywood-trained pets.

Their nighttime offerings may be more scaled back than other parks, but the Harry Potter -themed evening spectacular is worth staying for. "Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle" combines music, lights, and projections all set to the stunning backdrop of the towering school of wizardry.

Universal Studios Hollywood Planning Tips

Download the official app, where you can quickly access the most up-to-date wait times, showtimes, maps, and more.

Many guests enter and begin their day at the upper lot's attractions. Instead, work backward by beginning at the lower lot to possibly relieve wait times.

The World-Famous Studio Tour typically embarks on its last ride of the day over an hour before park closing, so it is best to plan ahead for this experience.

Guide to Los Angeles' Studio Tours

 Universal Studios

Going on a studio tour in Los Angeles is a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at some of your favorite TV and movie sets. As a tourgoer, you'll get to see some of the most iconic backdrops in town, from Monica's apartment on "Friends" to the RV from "Breaking Bad"—but access is limited and be aware that your favorite movie scenes might actually be just a bunch of warehouses full of lights, cables, and set pieces.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Warner Bros.' studio tour in Burbank entails both walking and riding in a cart around to working sets (although rarely are there any actors around). It's the most expensive of the studio tours, but that's because it's a bigger studio and it's also home to some of the most familiar stages like "Friends," "Big Bang Theory," the Harry Potter series, and more. There's even a working Central Perk Café on-site. The regular tour takes three hours and there's also a deluxe version that takes six hours.

Paramount Studio Tour

TripSavvy / Kayte Deioma

Two-hour cart tours of the studio behind the famous Paramount Arches are offered several times a day. Here, you'll see the Bronson Gate, the New York Street Backlot (which is designed to look like NYC), and the Prop Warehouse. You might recognize things from "Forrest Gump" and "I Love Lucy." The VIP Paramount Studio Tour includes a gourmet lunch and talks with archivists and last four hours, 30 minutes long.

Sony Pictures Studios Tour

Michael Kovac / Getty Images

The two-hour guided walking tour of Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City includes photo opportunities on the "Jeopardy" set and in front of the mobile meth lab from "Breaking Bad." Tours are offered four times a day Monday through Friday, but they can get very busy—probably because this is one of the cheapest studio tours in town—so it's recommended to make a reservation beforehand.

Universal Studios Tour

Universal Studios Tours are unique in that they're actually part of the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park . You'll have to pay theme park prices to take the tram tour, which includes special effects sets so you get to experience earthquakes, floods, car crashes, "King Kong" in 3D, and a "Fast and the Furious" simulation along the way. You'll also get to see outdoor backlot sets that have been used in TV shows and famous movies like "Psycho" and "War of the Worlds." The route is ever-changing depending on which sets are in use.

Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio & Museum

Rick R.1 / Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio in Newhall, north of Los Angeles, is a working set for everything from westerns to war movies. Its museum houses nine decades of movie memorabilia, including the famous "Dukes of Hazard" car. Tours of the 22-acre lot are only available for groups, but if you come in April, you might be able to attend the annual Cowboy Festival  (that is if it doesn't get relocated due to filming).

Paramount Ranch

Patrick Slaven / Flickr CC By-NC 2.0

In addition to the Paramount Studio Tour, you can also visit Paramount Ranch , located in the Santa Monica Mountains. This old western movie set was built back in 1927 and operated for 25 years. After that, it changed hands numerous times, until the National Park Service finally took it over. It is still available for use as a film set or for weddings, but it's open to the public, so you can sometimes watch filming from afar. The ranch is a hub for surrounding hiking and equestrian trails. Best of all, it's free to visit. 

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Universal Studio Tour in Los Angeles

A streetcar tour at universal studios hollywood.

The Universal Studio Tour is perhaps the main signature draw of Universal City, Los Angeles. Some know it as the Backlot Tour because it whisks you from the metropolis of glitz and glamor into the very movie sets where famous Hollywood flicks are made.

The whole thing lasts 45-60 minutes and takes place on a streetcar, which navigates the vast Universal Studios complex. You'll encounter some of the most iconic props and backdrops in movie theater history, not to mention lesser-known stages where A-listers work their magic. They include UFO-inhabited Sci-Fi sets and make-believe Mexican towns, dinosaur-ravaged jungles and shark-snapping water tanks.

Universal Studio Tour in Los Angeles - one of the highlights of 12 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles and 9 TV and Movie Moments in Los Angeles (Read all about Los Angeles here)

A short history of the Universal Studio Tour

The Universal Studio Tour has been the centerpiece of Universal Studios Hollywood since the attraction first opened its gates back in 1915. It's changed a lot over the last century or so. In fact, it began with spectators coming to see early movie sets on the site of a rustic ranch in the depths of the San Fernando Valley.

The 1960s saw the addition of nifty streetcars. Later again, hi-tech audio-visual experiences were dropped in to make it a whole load more immersive and exciting. That's what you get today, along with voiceover guides from Jimmy Fallon, Whoopie Goldberg and others.  

What are the highlights of the Universal Studio Tour?

There are plenty of highlights during the Universal Studio Tour. First off, you're standing on hallowed ground in the world of movie theater. The tour takes you to the beating heart of the Universal Studios Backlot. It's a place where big-name blockbusters aplenty have been acted out and made, with a history going back to the early 1900s.

You'll even get to see some sets in action. Take the Metropolitan Neighborhood. It's gotten a recreation of Midtown New York that's hosted the filming for Bruce Almighty and Austin Powers . Next, you could be lost down Wisteria Lane – the backdrop for Desperate Housewives. Then, it's a spine-tingling trip to the Bates Motel from Hitchcock's Psycho , if you dare.

Some spots will get the adrenaline pumping. An encounter with the great white's snapping teeth from the Spielberg mainstay Jaws comes to mind. So does the post-apocalyptic scenery of the War of the Worlds section.

Also, keep watch for live events. They're a special part of the Universal Studio Tour that transportation visitors behind the silver screen. Events change regularly but include the likes of festive shows by the Whos of Whoville, a close encounter with King Kong, or wobbling tectonics courtesy of the Earthquake set.

Good to know about the Universal Studio Tour

The Universal Studio Tour takes place in Universal Studios Hollywood, one of the biggest theme parks in Los Angeles. Find it on the Red Line of the LA metro. The entrance to the Universal Studios itself sits atop the hill close to the station. Don't worry, there's a free streetcar to whisk you straight there.

It's always a good idea to pre-book tickets for the tour – this is one of LA's bucket-list activities. Bring your own water and try not to come hungry. The journey through the star-studded Backlot takes about 1 hour and there's nowhere to stop for food. Thankfully, the ride is all in sun-shaded streetcars and there's an audio-visual guide to help you make sense of the attractions as you go.

Location: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, USA

Open: Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm, Sunday–Friday from 10 am to 6 pm

Phone: +1 800-864-8377

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

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Universal studios hollywood.

100 Universal City Plaza Universal City CA 91608

Go behind the scenes on at the legendary Universal Studios Hollywood, with the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter now open!

• Meetings / Events

As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Attractions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”, the mega attraction “Jurassic World—The Ride” featuring the spectacularly realistic Indominus rex dinosaur, and the ride “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!” Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons Ride™” and DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda Adventure.” The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television production studio where they can also experience such thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” and “King Kong 360 3D.” Universal CityWalk, located adjacent to the theme park, features such popular restaurants as The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Voodoo Doughnut, along with dynamic shopping and entertainment options, including Universal Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: A New Way to Play!

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ takes you into the world of Super Mario™. Battle Team Bowser on Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge, dine at Toadstool Cafe, and level up with Nintendo themed merch from the 1-UP Factory™ store.

An A-Lister Kind of Day

Valet parking. The red carpet. The velvet rope. A gourmet meal. And those are just the extras. What really sets this day apart is the exclusive access you’ll have on the VIP Experience. You’re riding all the rides, but with unlimited express access. You’re not just seeing the famous studio sets, but you’re walking among them. Today, you’re a VIP.

Long before you enjoy all that access, you’ll be treated like a star. The personalized attention you’ll receive on the VIP Experience starts the moment you call to book your reservation. A friendly voice awaits your call from 8am – 6pm daily.

Average Review

With each visit, I'm greeted by a sense of excitement and anticipation that never fails to make it a fantastic outing. The recent addition of Nintendo World and the thrilling Jurassic Park ride elevated my experience to new heights, leaving me exhilarated and wanting more. Full Review

You know what's great about Universal Studios Hollywood? It's the OG Universal, it's got a backlot, and it's got some really cool things happening inside of the theme park! Full Review

Universal Studios Hollywood sets the stage as the premier destination for uniquely themed corporate, industry and private special events with its array of one-of-a-kind venues.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s backdrop provides event planners with customizable event spaces designed to meet an array of specifications, budgets and needs. From conferences to company retreats, and industry and charitable events to weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and anniversary celebrations, Universal Studios Hollywood’s Meetings & Special Events division can execute a variety of unique programs accompanied by personalized menus prepared by Universal Studios Hollywood’s on-site Executive Chef and fine dining culinary team.

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Studio tours in Los Angeles for behind-the-scenes moviemaking magic

Check out these studio tours in L.A. for a behind-the-scenes look at how movies and TV shows come to life

Embark on a studio tour and you’ll discover what Angelenos already know: (Almost) everything is filmed in L.A. That quiet East Coast cul-de-sac? A fake residential block at Universal Studios. That New York cityscape? The backlot at Warner Bros. Studios. An elaborate sci-fi ship? That would be a soundstage at Sony Pictures Studios. When L.A.’s  beaches , scenic hillsides and aesthetically diverse neighborhoods can’t quite cut it, productions set up shop at one of the city’s studios—and some of the biggest ones have opened their gates for tours. From  Culver City  to  Hollywood , take a peek behind the soundstage doors with these studio tours in Los Angeles.

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Go behind the scenes on these studio tours in L.A.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

• Things to do
• Walks and tours
• price 2 of 4

Warner Bros.’ guided tram tour zips through the studio’s sizeable footprint—110 acres on the Valley-side of the Hollywood Hills—with about a dozen other passengers onboard. It’s an encyclopedic tour of all types of filming locations, with a journey through the backlot’s city stand-ins and Gilmore Girls -starring residential square, as well as a stops inside a soundstage and at a few museum-caliber displays of props. Though you’ll spend some time simply navigating the sprawling grid of soundstages, you’ll also stop and venture on foot with memorable photo ops: a seat on the couch at Friends’ Central Perk or The Big Bang Theory’s  Apartment 4A, an opportunity to mount a Harry Potter broomstick and the chance to come face to face with almost every Batmobile imaginable. 

For fans of: Ellen , Conan , The Big Bang Theory , Friends , Harry Potter , Batman ,  Aquaman ,  Wonder Woman ,  Crazy Rich Asians ,  Looney Tunes

You won’t find anywhere else: A dedicated studio museum, and by far the most to see on any studio tour.

Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour

• Theme parks
• Universal City
• price 3 of 4

While Universal Studios’ tram tour is technically an amusement park attraction—which means you’ll have to stomach the hefty price of admission—it manages to combine the look of a living, working studio with entertaining theme park polish. The tour mixes live narration and pre-recorded bits as you cart through backlot sets of New York, a mutt of European villages, the Old West and familiar movie landmarks—most impressively the 747 crash site from  War of the Worlds . The majority of live filming is securely tucked away—and if it’s not, expect portions of the backlot to be chopped off of your experience—but Universal compensates with preplanned encounters that mimic special effects: a wet and fiery earthquake simulation, a sudden flash flood and that delightfully rubbery, toothy grin on the face of Bruce—a.k.a.  Jaws . While the 3-D motion simulation that replaced the iconically campy (and burned down) King Kong section is a welcome technical upgrade, the tunnel lacks the same immersion and charm of the original—the same can sadly be said for the similarly dizzying and ill-executed Fast & Furious: Supercharged segment.

For fans of: Psycho , The Fast and the Furious , all things Steven Spielberg

You won’t find anywhere else: Rubber sharks, CGI gorillas and plenty of pyro.

Up to 1hr, $109–$139 theme park admission

Sony Pictures Studio Tour

• Culver City

As you pass through the studio gates on this walking tour, you’re immediately greeted by Tony Tasset’s arching  Rainbow  sculpture—a nod to the studio’s past as the home of  The Wizard of Oz . The lot’s footprint has been significantly downsized since then, when it was known as the iconic MGM Studios; virtually all of its colorful backlot sets are now gone with the wind. But the magnolia tree-lined sidewalks and clean, white Art Deco facades provide a pleasant ambience that the other industrial-edged studios lack. A leisurely pace allows time to peer through the elephant doors of a soundstage and look out for passing celebrities. The tour skews toward contemporary productions—the bullet-riddled RV from  Breaking Bad , a stock car from  Talladega Nights  and a stop in the studios for  Jeopardy  or  Wheel of Fortune —but there are still plenty of small moments where that old moviemaking charm endures.

For fans of:   The Wizard of Oz ,  Singin’ in the Rain ,  Ben-Hur ,  Spiderman ,  Breaking Bad ,  Talladega Nights ,  Jeopardy ,  Wheel of Fortune

You won’t find anywhere else:  The acoustic bliss during a stop in a foley studio. 2hrs, $50 

Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

Believe it or not, Paramount is the last major studio to keep its headquarters located in Hollywood—and the only one there to open its doors to the public. Inside the famous wrought iron gate, you’ll be treated to a guided tram tour through the prop house and a sizable New York backlot. Of particular note, there’s the open-air Blue Sky Tank, which holds almost one million gallons of water to film anything from surfing scenes to maritime disasters.

For fans of:   This Is Us, Grace and Frankie ,  Dr. Phil

You won’t find anywhere else:  A seasonal after-dark tour that takes a macabre walk through moviemaking history and the neighboring Hollywood Forever Cemetery .

What can’t you see?

Some of the biggest and most exciting studios are open to public tours, but you may be scratching your head at some big name omissions. CBS Television City (which has been solf for future redevlopment) technically doesn’t offer tours, but there are tons of  TV shows  that film there everyday for which you can secure tickets. NBC’s famous Burbank studio tour was discontinued in 2012 after most of its productions had migrated to Universal City—notable holdout  The Tonight Show  fled the lot for New York in 2014. Sunset Gower and Sunset Bronson (the locations of the original Warner Brothers and Columbia studios, respectively) are closed to the public, but you can get a fantastic oral history from the  Felix in Hollywood Tour . Similarly,  Siren Studios ,  L.A. Center Studios ,  the Jim Henson Company Lot  and the 20th Century Fox Studios are for serious business only, though all have been known to host the occasional public-facing event. And not to stomp all over your childhood dreams, but unless you know an employee, don’t plan on getting inside the gates at the Walt Disney Studios or Nickelodeon’s Burbank animation studio.

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Hollywood Studio Tours

Which are the best.

This post covers the most enjoyable movie studio tours in and around Hollywood.

With so many historic studios in the area, it might be difficult to pick just one to visit.

Taking a studio tour is one of the top things to do in LA .

• Studio Tours
• Celebrity Homes Tours
• Ways to Save on Tours
• LA TV Show Tickets
• Things To Do in Hollywood
• Tips from Locals and Travelers

Disclosure:  While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the  full text .

STUDIO TOURS

Interestingly enough, there are quite a few differences between the tours offered at each studio, and that should make it easier to figure out which tour best fits your expectations.

Ticket prices vary from $62 per person to literally thousands of dollars.

However, 3 of the tours, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, and Universal Studios are included for free or at a lower cost in several tourist attraction passes. 

It's also worth noting that the length of these tours can run from roughly an hour to almost a week.

With all of that said, let's start talking about what each movie studio offers with their tours.

• Warner Bros.
• Sony Pictures
• Universal Studios
• Paramount Pictures
• Adventures by Disney: Disney Backstage

At the bottom of this post , we share some thoughts and opinions from members of our Los Angeles Travel Tips group on Facebook.

Our group comprises roughly 9,000 locals (like our tour guides), tourists, returning visitors, and newbies to LA.

You don't need to be a member to read the posts, comments, and recommendations.

WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR

Below is a summary of our post on Warner Brothers Studio tours , where we also provide tips on planning your trip.

If you're in the market for a somewhat normal tour on the backlot, this might be one of your best bets.

In addition to seeing movie sets and sound stages from some of the most notable movies in film history, you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a few specific activities.

  While on this movie studio tour, you'll be able to re-create a famous scene from the hit television show Friends , climb aboard Harry Potter 's broomstick, and even create your own Batmobile.

Warner Bros. even offers an interactive sound stage that explores the entire process of making a film from start to finish.

At three hours in length, this tour is probably the longest duration of all of the options in Hollywood.

• $70/adult | $60/child
• Availability: Thursday - Monday
• Hours: Every half hour from 9 am - 3:30 pm
• Duration: 3 hours
• Available in both English and Spanish
• Click here for more information .

TIP: This tour is included for free with the purchase of the Go City Los Angeles Explorer Tourist Pass .

You can also combine this tour with the Universal Studios tour using the combo deal below!

With an overall score of 4.5 out of 5 stars , it's fair to say that this Hollywood studio tour is very well rated ( read reviews here ).

Some guests have gone so far as to suggest that this trip is worth every single penny.

Visitors were typically very happy with their tour guides, referring to them as both friendly and informative. 

SONY PICTURES STUDIO TOUR

This might be the most affordable movie studio tour in Hollywood, and it's also one of the most historic. Do note, that is is a walking tour.

While on this tour, you'll see the sound stages where they recorded classics such as The Wizard of Oz and superhero flicks like Spider-man .

Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to see where Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are recorded.

Although they don't make any promises, there's always a chance that you'll run into someone famous on this active studio back lot!

They also offer a premium tour which includes transportation via golf cart, access to the Sony Museum, a free souvenir photo, a complimentary beverage, and lower prices at the Sony Studio Store.

Tickets 

• $55 per person | $150 for the Premium tour
• Availability: Monday – Friday at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm
• Duration: 2 hours

Tip: Admission is usually included for free with the purchase of at least one Los Angeles tourist pass .

With an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor, it's clear that this is a pretty popular Hollywood studio tour.

Customers really appreciated the opportunity to see several historic filming locations and learn a lot about the process of making a movie.

Although some reviewers were unhappy that this is a walking tour, others simply appreciated the opportunity to see where film history was made.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TOUR

This is where things get interesting, as Universal Studios has essentially made their tour one of the services offered at their amusement park.

In other words, you need to buy a ticket for Universal Studios Hollywood in order to experience this studio tour.

Clocking in at only one hour in length, this is definitely the shortest studio tour available. Check out this video of Stephen Spielberg giving a tour of the site.

In addition to seeing the back lot, you'll also experience attractions such as the Jaws ride, King Kong 360 in 3D, Bates Motel and Fast & The Furious : Supercharged.

Although it will cost more to take this tour, it's worth noting that your ticket lasts all day and guarantees access to all of the rides. 

• $119-$139/adult | $109-$129/child
• Availability: Daily from 8 am - 6 pm
• Duration: 1 hour
• Click here for ticket information .

TIP:   Universal Studios Hollywood is included for free with the purchase of a tourist pass. Read about all the opportunities for deals in our full post .

Despite the higher price tag, this movie studio tour has still received quite excellent ratings ( read reviews here ). The overall Universal Studios Hollywood experience has a score of 4.7 out of 5 stars .

A few visitors have even suggested that this trip around the studio is worth the price of admission.

Although most customers feel that the ticket price is a bit high, even the critics can't deny that they had a blast. 

PARAMOUNT PICTURES STUDIO TOUR

Unlike the other movie studios, Paramount Pictures offers three different studio tours.

The main tour is 2 hours long and covers quite a lot of ground on the backlot.

However, if you want to experience more, their VIP tour lasts for 4 ½ hours and includes access to several additional areas.

The VIP tour also provides a gourmet lunch at a unique location in the studio.

Alternatively, you can also choose a 2 ½ hour night tour that reveals a lot of historic locations such as notable theaters and original film vaults.

No matter which option you choose, you'll learn a lot about the history of Paramount.

• $65 for the studio tour | $215 for the VIP tour
• Availability of Studio tour: Mon-Fri, every half hour from 9 AM - 3:30 PM
• Availability of VIP tour: Mon, Wed, Fri at 9:30 AM
• Duration of Studio tour: 2 hours
• Duration of VIP tour: 4 ½ hours
• Click here for additional information .

Reviews for the Paramount Pictures Studio tours are very positive, averaging a rating of 4 ½ out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. 

Some visitors referred to the excursion as a movie buff's dream, while others were just impressed with how much they learned and discovered.

Some reviewers indicated that Paramount alters the tour slightly depending on the season, ensuring a nice variety of topics and locations to cover no matter when you decide to buy a ticket.

ADVENTURES BY DISNEY: DISNEY BACKSTAGE

You had to figure that Disney was going to be a little more expensive, but the actual cost of this week-long experience might shock you.

To be fair, the package includes meals and accommodation at both the Loews Hollywood Hotel and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

This Disney backstage adventure includes a tour of the Walt Disney Studios & Archives, an Imagineering tour, a Hollywood walking tour, and a tour of the Jim Henson Company.

Most of these tours are only available via this week-long package. The entire itinerary takes six days to complete, and it will keep you busy with plenty of fun activities from start to finish. 

• $4,999 for Adults | $4,749 for Children
• Availability: 2-4 times per month
• Duration: 6 days
• Hotel accommodation included
• 11 Meals included
• VIP Disneyland ticket included

As you can probably imagine, the testimonials for this experience are quite positive ( read reviews here ).

Some guests even noted that they made friends with their tour guides and continue to stay in touch with them to this very day.

Additionally, customers also appreciated the opportunity to see some behind-the-scenes areas that bring the history of Walt Disney to life.

One visitor even suggested that this trip allowed them to become kids again as they explored secret and wonderful locations at the happiest place on earth.

COMBO DEALS

If you're looking for a better price on these tours and other activities in Hollywood, you might want to consider one of the following combo packages.

Studios like Warner Bros. and Universal often work with tour companies to provide their services at lower prices.

There are several options to mull over, and almost all of them provide additional tours and services.

If you plan on spending more than one day in Hollywood, these combo deals are definitely worth a look.

GO CITY LOS ANGELES ALL-INCLUSIVE PASS

There's a reason that this is one of the premier attraction passes in Los Angeles.

In addition to offering access to a variety of notable locations, they also provide admission to some studio tours.

In particular, you can enjoy the Universal Studios tour, the Warner Bros. Studio tour and (sometimes) the Sony Pictures Studio tour with one version of this pass or another.

The Warner Bros. Studio tour is currently only offered with their Explorer Pass, and you'll need to purchase at least a 3-Day All-Inclusive pass to get admission to the Universal Studios tour .

Given that this tourist pass also supplies tickets to Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm, it's fair to say that the Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass could be a real bargain.

• $109 for 1-day pass
• $164 for 2-day pass
• $284 for 3-day pass
• $344 for 4-day pass
• $374 for 5-day pass
• $434 for 7-day pass
• $99 for 2 choices
• $119 for 3 choices
• $144 for 4 choices
• $154 for 5 choices
• $189 for 7 choices
• This attraction pass is available every day of the week
• Includes up to 3 movie studio tours

Read our post comparing the different tourist attraction passes available in Los Angeles.

TRANSPORTATION COMBO PACKAGES

If you're looking for transportation to and from each movie studio tour, the following services are available.

The advantage of these combo deals is that you won't have to pay for parking, gas, or car rental in order to visit each location.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included with each package.

Take your time and enjoy the studio tour without having to worry about anything else!

• Not currently available as of January 2024

CELEBRITY HOMES TOUR COMBO PACKAGES

These combo deals provide both a celebrity home tour and a movie studio tour.

Each option includes transportation not only around Hollywood but also to and from the studios.

While some of these services use a mini-bus, others drive you around town in a luxury sedan or an SUV.

Each company offers both hotel pickup and drop-off.

Expect these outings to last for between 6-8 hours on average.

• Warner Bros. Studio Tour & Movie Star Homes Tour (Starline Tours) - $119/Adults | $99/Children
• Alternatively, we offer our own self-guided celebrity homes tour .

This might be a good way to save even more money if you don't mind doing a bit of driving around Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

While we provide the details of what each tour offers, costs, and other information, here you can see what members of our Los Angeles Travel Tips group on Facebook have to say.

There are plenty of fans of the Warner Brothers tour.

And some enjoyed Paramount as well.

If you have to choose only one, between Warners or Paramount, these members’ insight may help.

Universal Studios received mixed reviews. Some people felt it was a waste of time and money.

On the other hand, Issa had a fantastic time, so much so that she wrote a very long post detailing her time there and how to make the most of your visit.

Take a look at our Los Angeles Travel Tips group for more recommendations, opinions and advice.

You don't need to join to read comments, but if you do join you can post a question regarding the studios!

RELATED POSTS

• Top Things to Do in LA
• TV Show Tapings in LA
• Things to Do in Hollywood

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THE 10 BEST Universal Studios Hollywood Bus Tours

Bus tours in universal studios hollywood.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Helicopter Tours
• Private Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Photography Tours
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• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 2-Hour Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour

2. Los Angeles: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

3. Private Tour - Day Hollywood Tour of Los Angeles - 6 Hours.

4. Private Full-Day Grand Tour of Los Angeles - 10 hours.

5. Hollywood Private Transfer to/from Universal Studios or Burbank.

6. Private Full Day Guided Tour in Los Angeles

7. Happiest Magical LA Tour

8. Private and Small Group Universal Studios LA Tour from San Diego

9. Los Angeles Private Transfer to or from Universal Studios.

10. Hop On Hop Off Los Angeles & Hollywood Celebrity Homes Tour

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More

Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Air Bus

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Shared 3 Hour Los Angeles VIP Tour

Half-Day Sightseeing Tour of the Best of Los Angeles

Hollywood and Celebrity Homes Bus Tour

The Best of LA Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Griffith Park +More

Authentic 3-Hour Hollywood to Beverly Hills Tour

Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Bus tours

2-Hour Hollywood Bus Tour

Grand Beach Tour: LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica

The Original Hollywood Sign Tour: Easiest Walking Tour to The Hollywood Sign

Los Angeles Celebrity Homes Bus Tour

All Day LA Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica

Celebrity and Lifestyle Hollywood Bus Tour

Hollywood Celebrity and Star Homes Self-Guided Driving Tour

Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Celebrity Homes Tour

The Ultimate LA & Hollywood Photo Tour

Hollywood and Beverly Hills Shared 3-Hour Tour with 3 Stops

30-Minute Private Ferrari Driving Tour To Hollywood Sign

What travelers are saying.

• 2-Hour Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour
• Los Angeles: City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour
• Private Full Day Guided Tour in Los Angeles
• Hollywood Private Transfer to/from Universal Studios or Burbank.
• Private Full-Day Grand Tour of Los Angeles - 10 hours.

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A Day in LA Tours - LA City Tour, Sightseeing & Tours

A Day in LA Tours - LA City Tour, All Destinations

Enjoy a full day tour of Los Angeles' top attractions provided by A Day in LA with complimentary pick up and drop-off at your Universal Studios Hollywood Partner Hotel.

Location: A Day in LA Tours

• Enjoy navigational expertise and insider knowledge of your driver/guide.
• Best Western Plus Carriage Inn and Suites guests MUST TRAVEL TO LOEWS HOLLYWOOD HOTEL for complimentary pick up. Guests will be dropped off at the same location where they were picked up.
• Guests will be dropped off at the same location they were picked up from or alternative transportation from the last stop of the tour will be arranged at Vendor's cost to return guest to the original pick-up spot.
• A Day in LA Tours will rebook a guest for free on a later date due to a missed pick up.
• Price Includes: Round-Trip service and tour with pick up and drop off at your eligible Universal Studios Hollywood Partner Hotel. All prices shown are in U.S. Dollars ($) and include applicable taxes, fees and charges. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Modifications to your tour date MUST BE MADE AT LEAST FORTY-EIGHT (48) HOURS IN ADVANCE

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• Universal Studios

Get ready for the ultimate Hollywood experience!

Universal Studios is the best place to be for an unforgettable day! If you want to combine thrill rides and famous movies, Universal Studios is the best theme park in California. Here you can enjoy thrill rides and participate in the Universal Studio tour to see movie spots from famous films such as Fast & Furious. 

The tour includes roundtrip transportation to Universal Studios, entrance tickets, and a tour leader.

The World-Famous Studio Tour

Explore where Hollywood movies are made on the legendary Studio Tour.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

Explore the mysteries of Hogwarts™ castle, and experience pulse-pounding rides and attractions that transport you into a world of magic and excitement.

The Walking Dead Attraction

Enter the post-apocalyptic world of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” in an all-new year-round attraction.

Fast & Furious – Supercharged

Hold on tight for the grand finale of the Studio Tour, Fast & Furious – Supercharged!

King Kong 360 3-D

Come face to face with King Kong 360 3-D created by Peter Jackson. It’s the world’s largest, most intense 3-D experience.

Springfield U.S.A.

Enter the world of The Simpsons™ like never before and visit downtown Springfield.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Join Gru, his daughters and the mischievous Minions on a heartwarming and thrilling 3-D ride.

WaterWorld®

Experience a tidal wave of explosive action at WaterWorld ®  – Universal Studios’ #1 rated show.

Transformers™: The Ride-3D

Transformers™: The Ride 3D is an immersive, next generation thrill ride that blurs the line between fiction and reality.

• 6:45am - 8:30am - Pickups in San Diego
• 11am - Arrive at Universal Studios
• 11:15am - 7:15pm - Universal Studios
• 7:30pm - Depart back to San Diego
• 9pm - 10pm - Back at pickup locations in SD
• 8:45am - Pickup Santa Barbara
• 10:45am - Arrive at Universal Studios
• - Universal Studios
• - Depart back to Santa Barbara
• - Back at pickup location in SB
• 7:30am - 9:30am - Pickups in Los Angeles
• 10am - Arrive at Universal Studios
• 10:15am - 8:30pm - Universal Studios
• 8:45pm - Depart back to LA Pickup locations
• 9:30pm - 10:30pm - Back at pickup locations in LA

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Pick-up from: Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara See Pick Location Details

Room Occupancy Guide – Overnight & Weekend Trips

Quad – 4 people in a room with 2 beds (guests will share beds) Triple – 3 people in a room with 2 beds (guests will share beds) Double – 2 people in a room with 2 beds (each person will have their own bed) Single – 1 person will have their own room with 2 beds

***Mixed gender rooms will NOT be allowed unless they are approved in writing by your school or academic institution. NO mixed gender rooms will ever be allowed with any guests under the age of 18 unless other guests are family members and are also approved by your school. **

Universal Studios vs Warner Bros (Hollywood, LA): Which Film Studio to Visit & Why

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 21, 2024

No trip to Los Angeles would be complete without visiting some of its famous film studios. But which one to choose – Universal Studios Hollywood or Warner Bros Studio Tour?

We recently visited both of LA’s most famous film studios – Warner Bros and Universal Studios Hollywood. In this guide, we compare the two giving you a good overview of the main things you can see and do at each place and what the main differences are.

That way, you know what to expect and can choose the one that looks the most interesting to you, or the one that best fits your LA itinerary.

Spoiler alert: Visiting Universal Studios or Warner Bros are two totally different experiences. So if you have time, we highly recommend you do both. You can even get a combination ticket for both studios .

But if you have to pick just one, there are quite a few things you may want to know before deciding which one to visit. There are big differences in price, but also in what you get to see, how much time you need, etc. Find out!

Tickets & Prices

Let’s start with one of the biggest deciding factors on which place to visit – the ticket prices of the Warner Bros Studio Tour vs Universal Studios in LA.

Good to know: Visiting Warner Bros Studios is significantly cheaper (further below, you will learn why there is such as big difference in price).

At the moment of the last update, a regular ticket for Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood costs $70. Whereas the prices of Universal Studios Hollywood tickets vary per day and per season. Even on the cheapest dates, a regular adult ticket here costs about twice the price compared to Warner Bros.

Also, at Universal Studios, you can upgrade to an ‘Express’ ticket or even opt for a VIP experience , which is obviously, a lot more expensive.

Parking: Parking at Warner Bros Studios costs $15 and it’s located just at the entrance. Parking at Universal Studios costs $30-60 per day depending on how close to the entrance you park. In most cases, you’ll have to walk about 5-10 minutes to the entrance.

For families: Warner Bros has small discounts for children between 5 and 10 years old (children under the age of 5 are not allowed on their studio tours!). At Universal Studios, infants can visit for free, and kids between 3 and 9 get a small discount. In both cases, discounts for children are just a few dollars.

TIP: Both – Warner Bros and Universal Studios Hollywood – are among the most popular things to do in Los Angeles. To save time and money, book your tickets in advance! That way, you just walk straight to the entrance and can skip the lines at the ticket desk (or have to wait for hours for the next available tour). Also, if you can, visit Universal Studios on a weekday and ideally outside of the school holidays.

Good to know: You can book tickets for both studios on various websites and the prices are normally the same everywhere. We booked all our tickets via GetYourGuide and recommend them for several reasons. First, the booking process is simple and takes just a few clicks. Second, you pay the price that you see, so there are no extra sales taxes or other costs added at check out. And finally, they normally offer free cancelation up to 24 hours before your visit, so it’s very simple to cancel or amend your visit times if you have to.

What to Expect & How Much Time Do You Need

Both – Universal Studios Hollywood and Warner Brothers Studios in Los Angeles – are working film studios. In both cases, you can see some film sets and the actual studios where movies are being made. However, that’s also pretty much where the similarity ends.

Universal Studios Hollywood is first and foremost a theme park where a studio tour is just one of the many activities on offer. Whereas Warner Bros Studios are exclusively movie studios, so everything you see and do here is focused around their film sets.

Further below, you can read more about each place and what exactly you can see and do there. But first, some practical information about how much time you need at each place.

Universal Studios Hollywood ticket is valid for the whole day, and indeed, you can easily spend an entire day here. The studio tour itself takes just 1 hour. The rest of the time is spent on various rollercoaster rides and some shows.

Unless you upgrade to an ‘Express’ ticket or opt for a VIP experience , a visit here includes lots of queuing (just like any other theme park, really).

Whereas Warner Bros Studio Tour takes only around 3 hours , and the tickets can be booked for various time slots throughout the day. You start with a guided tour of the studios which takes about 1 hour. You then spend about 1 hour at some of their most famous film/sitcom sets and the rest of the time exploring costumes and vehicles from famous movies, plus various Harry Potter-themed experiences.

If you rush through everything, you could probably visit in about 2 hours. And if you take it easy, you can spend a bit more time. All in all, you should plan 2.5 to 3.5 hours for a visit to Warner Bros Studios.

While both studios are very popular, it feels significantly busier at Universal Studios than at Warner Bros. This has several reasons.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a huge theme park, so there are simply many more people who can visit the park at any given time. Also, most people spend the entire day here and try to do as many of the most popular attractions as possible.

Wait times at the most popular rides during the peak hours of the day can often exceed 1 hour. If you want to avoid this, try to visit on weekdays in the low season, or upgrade your tickets that allow skipping the lines (you can see the prices for both – regular and express tickets when you choose your travel dates).

Whereas at Warner Bros Studios , the visits are timed, and they all start with an introductory film and a 1-hour guided tour of the film studios. This part is where you go with a guide and the number of seats in a vehicle is limited. When you book your ticket , you choose a specific time slot, so there is hardly any wait involved.

Once the guided tour is finished, you do the rest at your own pace. You may have to wait a few minutes to take pictures of yourself sitting on the ‘Friends’ couch or similar, but it’s not comparable to the wait times at Universal Studios.

Our experience: We visited both – Warner Bros Studios and Universal Studios Hollywood during the peak holiday season right after New Year. While it was crazy busy at Universal Studios, it was rather quiet at Warner Bros Studios. The longest wait at Warner Bros was to order lunch at their cafe, and it was literally less than 5 minutes.

Whereas at Universal Studios, we were glad to find an attraction or a restaurant where we ‘only’ had to queue for half an hour. Many popular rides had waiting times of 40-60 minutes, and some even required to make timed reservations for the queue via their app.

Shopping & Dining

Both studios have a few dining options and both have gift shops where you can find all kinds of movie-themed souvenirs.

Universal Studios are much bigger, so you will find countless restaurants, cafes, and food stands. They also have souvenir shops at each attraction and pretty much all around you.

Warner Bros. has a cafe at the entrance and also a small restaurant at the studio where you stop for a self-guided tour of ‘Friends’ and other film sets.

Good to know: Souvenir and food prices at Warner Bros Studios are significantly lower than at Universal Studios. Just to give you an idea. Our kids wanted to buy Harry Potter wands. They were about 30-40% cheaper at Warner Bros than at Universal Studios (and yet quite a lot cheaper on Amazon – often a small fraction of the price we paid at the studios).

What to See & Do at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood  is a theme park/film studio. As a visitor, you spend most of your time at the theme park which seems to get bigger and bigger every year.

In the past, the whole experience was much more focused on film studios and shows, whereas now there are more and more rides and attractions. Just recently, they discontinued a few of their film-themed shows and are planning to build yet another rollercoaster on that location…

Still, the main reason to visit Universal Studios Hollywood is their world-famous  studio tour . It’s something unique to Hollywood and is not available in any other Universal Studios theme parks in the U.S.

This studio tour takes about 1 hour and brings you to the actual film studios. On a standard studio tour, you remain seated inside an open-air bus and drive through various film sets and even studios, but you don’t step out of the vehicle at all.

On this tour, you pass several iconic movie sets from War of the Worlds, Jaws, or Psycho (Bates Motel). In addition, you ‘take part’ in some exhilarating high-speed chases, 3D experiences, etc.

You can find more information about this online, but I recommend that you just go and experience it for yourself. It’s much better and more surprising that way.

Good to know: If you want to explore the studios deeper, you can only do it with a VIP ticket . Among many other perks, it includes a visit to the Universal Backlot which is not open to the general public.

Further, be sure to also see the  WaterWorld show. The movie was a total flop, but the show is really good. It’s been the most popular show at Universal Studios Hollywood for decades. Oh, and prepare to get very wet (even in a so-called no-splash zone).

Other attractions that are probably worth your time the most include The Simpsons Ride and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The best ride here is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey , but also the Flight of the Hippogriff can be fun if you like rollercoasters.

Some of the ‘wildest’ rides are located on the lower lot of the studios. We highly recommend Transformers: The Ride-3D experience, the Jurassic World Ride , and the Revenge of the Mummy Ride . And the most recent addition – Super Nintendo World – is fun too.

With younger kids, concentrate on the upper loft and don’t miss The Secret Life of Pets , Despicable Me Minion Mayhem , and Super Silly Fun Land .

TIP: Check if there are any shows or extra activities on the day when you visit. When we were there, they had a wonderful light show at Hogwarts Castle.

READ ALSO: Tips for Your First Visit to Univeral Studios Hollywood

What to See & Do at Warner Bros. Studios Hollywood

Warner Bros. Studios Hollywood are the actual studios where movies are being made. While at Universal Studios, you mostly drive through the old film sets that are not used anymore, here, you drive through a working studio and might even spot a famous actor.

Plus, you also get out of the vehicle and walk around some movie sets and might even be able to visit an actual studio (an empty one).

They have several tour options available. The Studio Tour is the most popular option that most people do. This is also what we did and what is described below. If you are more interested in the Hollywood classics from the 1900-1970s, you may want to opt for their ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ tour instead.

As said, the Warner Brothers studio tour is the most popular option and the one we did. So in this article, we focus on that.

This tour is divided into three parts, out of which only the first one is guided. After a short introduction, a guide will take you to the  film studios . This takes about 1 hour.

Our tour involved a short walk through a ‘New York City street’ where we could also enter one of the buildings. We then also visited one of the stages inside. Usually, tours also stop at the famous Friends couch at the fountain in a tiny patch of greenery that serves as NYC’s Central Park… Ours didn’t because of the torrential downpour at that moment (yes, it does rain in LA (like once a year :)).

The second part of the tour is self-guided. You visit the studios with the reconstructions of the  original film sets  from ‘Friends’, ‘The Big Bang Theory’, and others. You can also see costumes from movies, design your own Batmobile, or fly on the Harry Potter broomstick.

This studio is now purely used for tourists and you can take as many pictures as you like. They also have a professional photographer to take pictures of your group (and you can purchase them if you like).

There is also a ‘Friends’-themed gift shop and Central Perk café where you can get some small snacks or have lunch. You can even have your coffee or lunch inside Monica’s kitchen or on the Friends’ couch if you like.

This part of the tour can take as long or as short as you like, but you should probably count about an hour for a relaxed visit. We spent 1.5 hours here including lunch.

The last part of the tour is also self-guided and you’ll probably need about half an hour here. It’s a bit like a museum where you can see various costumes and vehicles from Warner Bros. Studios’ blockbuster movies.

They also have a big section dedicated to Harry Potter films. You can see his tiny bedroom under the stairs, make a magic potion, or sit under the Sorting Hat. You’ll also find attributes from the Fantastic Beasts movies, and so much more.

Just before you leave, you also get to hold a real Oscar statuette and take a picture with it if you like.

At the exit, you’ll find a big gift store where you can buy all kinds of WB movie-themed souvenirs. There is a Starbucks café here as well.

Which Hollywood Studios are Better Suited for Families

Quite frankly, younger kids will not be able to appreciate (or have the patience) for the Warner Brothers Studio tour. In addition, as already mentioned before, children under the age of 5 are not even allowed at Warner Bros.

Universal Studios Hollywood is definitely a better option for families with younger children since there is so much to do for all ages. That being said, there are quite a few rides where small kids are not allowed. Some rides offer a ‘child switch’ room where one adult can wait with the kids until the other one rides and then switch around without having to wait in line again.

We visited Warner Bros and Universal Studios with our teenagers and they really enjoyed both experiences. At Warner Bros Studios, it sure helped that they all had seen Friends and The Big Bang Theory, and – of course – Harry Potter, Batman, etc. Universal Studios theme park is also a paradise for teens since there are so many cool rides for that age group.

Conclusion: Warner Bros. Studios OR Universal Studios Hollywood

So now that you know what to expect, you probably already realize that both places are very different and each is worth a visit for different reasons.

If you are still doubting which film studios to visit in Los Angeles – Universal Studios or Warner Bros – here are a few things to consider:

If you are short on time and can only visit one of the two studios, opt for Warner Bros Studio Tour. It’s cheaper, it only takes a couple of hours, and you get to see real working film studios and film sets. If you want to get behind the scenes and get a better idea of how movies are made, this tour is also a much better option than Universal Studios.

However, if visiting actual film studios is not the main focus and you are just looking for a fun day, then Universal Studios Hollywood is a better option. Yes, it’s more expensive, but you can stay inside the park from early morning to late evening and get to experience not just their iconic studio tour, but also many amazing rides and attractions.

Universal Studios Hollywood is also a better choice for families with young children.

Our recommendation: Visit both! As you can see, both – Warner Bros Studio Tour and Universal Studios Hollywood offer completely different experiences. Even the actual studio tours are very different. So if you have the time, try to visit them both. See below for more details on how you could plan your itinerary if you only have a day.

How to Visit Universal Studios & Warner Bros Studios in 1 Day

Ideally, you visit the two film studios on two different days and make the most out of the expensive Universal Studio tickets. But if you only have a day and don’t mind the budget, it is also possible to visit both – Warner Bros and Universal Studios – in one day.

In that case, get this combination ticket for both studios , and start with Warner Bros as early in the morning as you can. Then spend the rest of the day at Universal Studios. At Universal, do the studio tour first (that’s one thing you really shouldn’t miss), and then choose a few other shows or rides depending on your interests and the time that you have.

The reason to start at Warner Bros is that they have shorter opening hours and work with timed entry slots. Whereas at Universal Studios, your ticket is valid for the whole day and you can stay until late in the evening. Their opening hours vary per season and day of the week, etc, but in any case, Universal Studios stay open much later than Warner Bros Studios.

Good to know: As you can see on the map below, the two studios are located just 3 miles – less than 10 minutes driving distance – from each other.

TIP: If you stay at one of the hotels near Universal Studios , you could just take a taxi/Uber to Warner Bros and back. This would save you parking fees at both places. In the evening, you can simply walk to your hotel.

READ ALSO: Los Angeles in 3 Days: Best Places to See & Itinerary

So, this is our guide for visiting Universal Studios Hollywood and Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

I hope that it gives you a better idea of what to expect and hopefully, inspires you to visit both places. After all, the film industry is what made LA world famous, so no visit to the city would be complete without checking out at least one of the biggest film studios.

Don’t forget to get your tickets for the studios in advance and enjoy your visit!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: San Diego Itinerary

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Sunday 12th of February 2023

I want to go to the studios where I can meet Jessica Alba. 😀😀

Wednesday 15th of February 2023

Ha ha, good luck, Michael!

Tuesday 7th of February 2023

This is my first time in LA and I was not sure how these studios compare. I think I have a much better idea now. We are not interested in rollercoasters and similar so we decided to just visit Warner bros. Thanks!

Wednesday 8th of February 2023

Glad to help, Erik. Have a great time in LA!