Warner Bros. Studio Tour reopens with new "Friends" boutique
Guests can visit some of their favorite “Friends” locations during Warner Bros. recently reopened Studio Tour. Photo by Alex Dominguez
BURBANK - The Warner Bros. Studio Tour held a media preview event last week in anticipation of the attraction's grand reopening.
After an over 15-month hiatus, the Studio Tour returns with brand new exhibits and insight into the Warner Bros. lot.
A miniature replica of the iconic Warner Bros. water tower. Photo by Alex Dominguez.
Upon the tour’s start, guests will enter the “Storytelling Showcase,” getting an in depth look at the studio’s nearly 100-year history in tv, film and animation.
Guests will then tour the lot with an expert guide, before disembarking their shuttle at the improved Studio 48 sound stage.
Brand new to the tour’s Stage 48: from Script to Screen is the “Friends” boutique featuring props, costumes, and iconic set pieces. It joins an expanded Central Perk Café with specialty food and beverages.
“Friends” fans will be delighted to find specialty drinks and food themed to Central Perk. Photo by Alex Dominguez.
Actress Maggie Wheeler, known for her portrayal of fan-favorite “Friends” character Janice, said that the space “feels like the show.”
“I think this is incredible,” said Wheeler. “When I had my walkthrough earlier, I said, ‘I don’t know how you’re going to get people to leave.’”
“I think people are going to be really excited to walk through and spend some time here.”
The grand finale of the tour will see guests enter into “Action and Magic Made Here,” where they will be able to fully immerse themselves into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the DC Superhero Universe with props, costumes, unique photo opportunities and magical hands-on activities.
Concluding the tour is an elegant display of iconic treasures from Warner Bros. most beloved films and TV shows in the “Celebration of Awards Season.”
Guests’ day will end in the massive Warner Bros. Studio Store, which features a massive selection of exclusive merchandise based around their favorite Warner Bros. tv shows and movies.
Patty Jenkins, award-winning director of the recent “Wonder Woman” films, said Warner Bros. sits on a “treasure trove of legendary history.”
“I think it’s incredible that people get to come in and look at photographs, look at props, look at Warner’s address book, look at these things because our entire city is based on this film industry, and what a major anchor Warner Bros. has been to building that industry,” said Jenkins. “Of course, there should be a great museum to celebrate and honor that.”
The tour concludes at “Action and Magic Made Here,” featuring unique photo opportunities and interactive activities.
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is open on weekends only through July 11. After July 15, tours will operate five days a week (remaining closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), departing every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets are available online for $69 for adults (ages 11 and up) and $59 for children ages 5 to 10 at wbstudiotour.com. Additionally, Southern California residents are eligible for a special rate of $57 on weekdays only, through September 30. Advanced reservations are required.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is located at 3400 Warner Blvd. in Burbank.