We went on the Studio Tour PLUS. This review is for the Studio Tour PLUS.
This was the highlight of our trip to Los Angeles. On arrival we explored a museum as we waited for our tour to be called. Give yourself about 30 minutes to enjoy this space. If you don't finish, you can go back to it at the end.
Because we were on PLUS, we were then ushered into a smaller room to enjoy pastries, cookies, drinks, and other snacks. We were given a book about the history of WB, also sold in the gift shop. This lasted about 20 minutes. Then we went into a screening room for a 15-10 minute film about the history of the studio.
We were then separated into our groups. Our group had 11 people, I think, and our guide Amanda was exceptional. You travel around the property (which is huge) in the golf cart, making stops along the way. There are a few opportunities to get off but keeping in mind that this is a working studio, access is limited so as not to interfere with the work going on.
We visited the backlot, entered into one building used for several familiar shows, etc. Interestingly, shortly after visiting one area it was closed off to tours because they started filming. So, it really varies by day, or even by hour, what you'll see. We passed by the costume department and the place where they build sets, etc.
As part of the PLUS tour we toured the Props Department (crazy huge) and were escorted onto set of a currently filming show (though not actively filming when we were there). These were neat bonuses.
After 2 hours we were dropped off at Central Perk, where lunch was included in our ticket. The food was mediocre, but kept us fed.... Next, explore a lot about Friends, Big Bang Theory, and Harry Potter. We did every single activity and photo op. They have photogs there to photograph you in various scenes including a greenscreen video, and yes then they do have those pictures for sale.
Last, a shuttle will take you to the superheros section of the tour, where you can spend time seeing that type of thing.
The ticket was advertised as 4 hours (2 guided, 2 unguided) but we took about 5 hours I guess because we didn't skip any of the photo ops.
Excellent experience. I know the PLUS isn't cheap but if you can swing it I would say do is. If you can't, I still think the experience of the standard tour is probably fantastic.