The Reel 360 team has long been fans of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Now that the popular Hollywood attraction reopened on June 26, there is even more to get excited about.
“Entertainment is about connecting with fans and we are thrilled to welcome guests back to the tour after a more than 15-month hiatus” said Danny Kahn VP and General Manager said. “Our new experiences will take guests on a journey through our history, how we bring stories to life and celebrate the DC Universe and Wizarding World.”
When Reel 360 was a part of a “Media Only” preview last week, we received a peek of what guests will encounter on the new tour. Upon arrival, we were greeted at the new Studio Tour Welcome Center, the gateway to Hollywood, with all-new ways to go behind the lens of movie-making magic.
After touring the lot with one of Warner Bros.’ expert tour guides, we arrived at Stage 48: Script to Screen, the Studio Tour’s new interactive sound stage where guests can immerse themselves in the technology and methods of production, revel in the Central Perk set from Friends and Sheldon’s apartment set from The Big Bang Theory before dining at the studio’s very own Central Perk Café from Friends.
Also located at Stage 48, guests can now enjoy an authentic New York deli-inspired menu including corned beef melts, pizza wedges, hot dogs, fries, and an assortment of salads, hot and cold sandwiches, and our special blend of Central Perk coffee with new Friends character-inspired beverages.
For dessert, the studio has recreated Rachel’s Thanksgiving trifle (no meat in this version), New York-style cheesecake, Central Perk cupcakes, and other tasty bakery treats.
Guests then get to dine in recreated sets inspired by the show including Central Perk, Joey and Chandler’s Apartment, or Monica’s Apartment, where you can sit at the kitchen table or settle into her comfortable sofa. A variety of costumes worn by the cast are on display, and there are plenty of great photo opportunities throughout
Warner Bros. has also taken painstaking care to ensure guests have the opportunity to not leave empty-handed. After dining, you will have the chance to take your own bit of Friends home from the specialized boutique with exclusive merchandise found only at this location on the Studio Tour.
The store has an exclusive collection of kitchen and dining ware, Monica’s famous door frame, Friends reunion-inspired spirit jerseys and coffee mugs, and a wide range of other gifts, souvenirs, and collectibles. Central Perk coffee beans (only available at the Central Perk Café and Friends boutique) are also on sale for guests to enjoy a cup of joe at home.
From Stage 48, we then went to the amazing “Action and Magic Made Here” grand finale, where they’ll experience the universe of DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains and step behind the scenes of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts with all-new interactive experiences, props, costumes and memorable photo opportunities.
DC fans – consider us superfans – will enter Batman’s secret lair and explore the all-new Batcave, where they can get up close to the authentic Batmobile from Tim Burton’s original Batman, the Tumbler from The Dark Knight, and the Batwing from Batman v. Superman. Memorable photo ops include the Lasso of Hestia from the sequel Wonder Woman 1984, Jared Leto’s Joker and Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn costumes from Suicide Squad, Poison Ivy in front of the actual Arkham Asylum gates featured in the late Joel Schumacher’s Batman and Robin and so much more from Aquaman, Superman and Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
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The journey continues as guests explore recreated sets from Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts where fans can dabble in the art of potion-making, snap an unforgettable photo inside Harry’s cupboard under the stairs at 4 Privet Drive or be surrounded by Hogwarts acceptance letters at
the Dursleys’ fireplace, test their wand choreography skills, and learn more about the magical creatures from Fantastic Beasts in Newt Scamander’s Shed of Magical Creatures.
Warner Bros.’ new Sorting Hat Ceremony will dazzle fans in the Great Hall recreated set; be sure to download the Harry Potter Fan Club mobile app for an even more enchanting experience where fans can discover their official Hogwarts house before arriving. Just like magic, visitors will hear the Sorting Hat call out their true Hogwarts house when it’s placed above their heads.
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.” The exhibit spotlights iconic crown jewel props and costumes from our classic films, such as the trombone that Robert Preston played in The Music Man, the jersey worn by the late Chadwick Boseman to portray Jackie Robinson in 42, and a painstakingly detailed miniature blimp from Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner.
The Welcome Center will house a brand-new Warner Bros Studio Store that will be accessible to the general public. The studio store offers the only in-person shopping experience with exclusive merchandise from legendary Warner Bros. films and TV shows. In the Personalization Area, fans can bring their fandom to life and choose from a host of personalization options, including engraving a wand, a replica award, and more. Later this year, guests will be able to access the merchandise from the studio store online.
Bottom Line: Whether you’re from the Los Angeles area or you are planning on visiting Southern Cal soon, add the Warner Bros. tour onto your “Things to do List.” It’s a great way to spend the afternoon.
Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1
