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Then and now: walt disney world’s studio backlot tour and toy story land.

Posted by: Stacy Milford March 22, 2022

It’s been more than 30 years since Disney’s Hollywood Studios first opened its doors – and a lot has changed since then, including its name! 

While Disney’s EPCOT theme park is currently the Park in which the most exciting changes are happening ( Guardians of the Galaxy : Cosmic Rewind, anyone?), Disney’s Hollywood Studios has had its own share of exciting changes over the past few years, with the opening of Toy Story Land and Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge. 

Aside from the iconic Chinese Theater , the current version of the park is almost unrecognizable compared to the version that opened in 1989. Today, we’ll look at Disney’s now extinct Studio Backlot Tour, which paved the way for Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios.

From Film Studio to Theme Park

Guests visiting Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios today may not realize that it was once a working television, film and animation studio, in addition to being a theme park. 

Back then, it wasn’t even called Hollywood Studios: the Park opened in 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios Park, with the beloved Earffel Tower as its icon (later replaced by the Sorcerer’s Hat, which was itself removed in 2015). 

Credit: Disney Tips

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the sound stages and animation studios on site were used to create memorable TV shows and films, including Mulan (1998), The All New Mickey Mouse Club (1989-1994), Lilo & Stitch (2002), Tower of Terror (1997), and Mortal Kombat: Conquest (1998-1999).

On opening day, there were only two actual attractions operational within the Park: the Great Movie Ride on Hollywood Boulevard, recently replaced with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad, and the Studio Backlot Tour. 

Now, of course, there are considerably more rides in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park, including Guest favorites The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror , Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. In 2008, Disney-MGM Studios became Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

Since then, Disney has been phasing out the TV and film production elements of the Park (like Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, the American Idol Experience, and Streets of America) in favor of the current focus on Pixar and LucasFilm productions, and to pave the way for newer areas, such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Studio Backlot Tour

The only remaining opening day attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios , the Studio Backlot Tour opened on May 1, 1989. Originally, it was part walking tour and part tram ride, and it was considerably longer than any attraction on Walt Disney World property nowadays, at two hours in length.  It also embodied the TV and film production theme of the Park perfectly! 

Guests would get a glimpse of scenic and costume departments, and then be treated to the exterior street shots on Residential Street used by movies and TV shows of the day (including The Golden Girls), and New York Street – then not open to other Guests. 

You’d walk through working soundstages and studios, learn how blue screens work, check out movie props, and experience some fabulous special effects like the Water Effects Tank Demonstration and Catastrophe Canyon.  

Credit: ITM

By the early 1990s, the walking tour portion of the Studio Backlot Tour had been separated from the tram tour, and renamed Backstage Pass. Even more changes were in the works, with two future Hollywood Studios lands on the docket.  Residential Street was demolished in 2003, and Streets of America closed in 2016 (along with the beloved Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights ). What remained of the Backlot Tour finally closed on September 27, 2014, to make way for Toy Story Land.

Toy Story Land

There’s a Toy Story-themed land in Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and Walt Disney Studios Park in France, but the largest version is Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, at about 11 acres. It opened in 2018, and has been a hit ever since with kids and kids at heart.

In Toy Story Land, Guests “shrink” down to the size of a toy, which effectively means that everything around you is larger than life.

You might sit on giant Babybel Cheese seating to eat your lunch, pose with the huge and colorful popsicle stick wall, or pass through a display of enormous blocks and childhood toys to use the restroom. Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and all of your favorite characters from the Toy Story franchise are here, and the entire land is a whimsical riot of color and nostalgic fun.

There are three rides to experience in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Toy Story Mania! is a shooting arcade themed like a carnival, Alien Swirling Saucers is a spinning ride akin to a gentler version of the teacups in Mad Tea Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, and Slinky Dog Dash is a family-friendly roller coaster where your ride vehicle is Slinky Dog. 

Of these, Slinky Dog Dash is the ride you won’t want to miss – and if you can, ride it during the day and at night, because the views are completely different and completely fabulous from one to the other.

There’s no table service restaurant in Toy Story Land, but you’ll want to stop at the quick service restaurant Woody’s Lunch Box for a taste of childhood nostalgia. The Lunch Box Tarts are a great throw-back, and the Potato Barrels are Disney’s answer to tater tots.

Credit: Disney

Toy Story Land is an excellent addition to a Park that was once considered a half-day park in Walt Disney World. Suffice it to say that between this land and Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll need more than half a day to do Disney’s Hollywood Studios justice!

Bottom Line

We love experiencing new attractions and areas at Walt Disney World, but it’s always sad to say goodbye to a beloved old favorite. 

At least we’ll always have our memories of extinct rides like Studio Backlot Tour while we enjoy thrilling new offerings like Toy Story Land.

About Stacy Milford

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Studio Backlot Tour

The Studio Backlot Tour is located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the Streets of America.  This action packed, informative tour of the “backlot” gives guests an inside look at special effects and film artifacts.   Keeping in the theme of “studios” at the Hollywood Studios theme park, the Studio Backlot tour is one you won’t want to miss.  In fact, it’s very close to the Great Movie Ride-you can get your movie fix two attractions in a row!

• This is a two part attraction.  The first part is a walking tour where you can see lots of Disney film props.  You will see different (and ever changing) film artifacts from movies such as Narnia,  Indiana Jones, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, as well as some TV shows and films from some of Disney’s other studios.
• For  the second part of your tour you will climb aboard a tram and view the Earful Tower, Walt Disney’s airplane, Herbie the Love Bug and other fun props and scenes.
• Keep in mind that this is a 35 minute attraction and does not offer Fast Pass.  It is also not always open for all of the parks hours.  Most of the time you can begin the walking tour in 15 minutes or less, but as the park crowds up so can this tour!
• There is no height requirement for this attraction, and it is wheelchair and ECV accessible.
• The attraction lasts about 25 minutes, so if you are waiting out a FastPass, then this could take up some time and entertain everyone all at the same time!

If you want to be part of the opening scene at Harbor Attack demonstration, make sure you let a Cast Member know-and be sure to arrive early.  After the Harbor Attack, you’ll enter the queue area and board a tram for the remainder of your time.

Quick Tip:  Some of the vehicles you see in the Boneyard section of the tour are from the Indiana Jones Movies.  Also, be on the lookout for some of the props and drawings from Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean.  

Overall, we give this attraction an “A”.

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3 thoughts on “ Studio Backlot Tour ”

I love this ride but it is need of some serious updating. I miss the old one where you could see houses from old tv shows. We have video from when I was little, walking by the houses when they were all lit up for the Osbourne lights.

This is a classic! I love it!

I miss the old Backlot Tour…

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Studio Backlot Tour

• View history
• 2.1 The queue area
• 2.2 Walking tour
• 2.3 Tram tour
• 2.4 Post-ride

History [ ]

When the park originally opened, the Studio Tour was a much larger combined tram and walking tour, lasting around two hours in all. The Tram section of the tour which started the attraction originally loaded at Animation Courtyard , going through the Costuming and Scenic departments first, then through Residential Street, a neighborhood of house facades used for shooting films and television shows such as Ernest Saves Christmas and The Golden Girls . The tram then passed through Catastrophe Canyon and would travel through New York Street, then having limited guest traffic, before unloading to start the walking part of the tour with the Water Effects Tank Demonstration. This was followed by a trek through shooting sound stages for various television shows, a Special Effects demonstration involving blue-screens, and a giant bee prop from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids , and a Sound Editing studio. The Tour concluded at the Walt Disney Theater, where previews for upcoming films would be shown.

As the park became more popular, the Tour would be scaled back, starting with the Walt Disney Theater's conversion into a stage show venue for Here Come the Muppets and eventually Voyage of the Little Mermaid . New York Street was opened to full guest traffic by the end of 1989. By 1991, the tram and walking tours were split into two separately billed attractions running approximately 30 minutes each, the walking section becoming Backstage Pass and the Tram tour's unload became the regular loading area and absorbed the Water Effects Tank.

In 2003, Residential Street was closed and torn down to make way for the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show .

In 2008, the live cast member spiel was replaced by a pre-recorded one.

The attraction finally closed on September 27, 2014 due to the park's shifting focus away from filmmaking and to the Pixar and LucasFilm properties. Following the attraction's closure, the signage was removed, though reports say that the backlot and props are still intact. It is believed that they were intact until the start of the construction of Toy Story Land which started in early 2016. Catastrophe Canyon was demolished in February 2016 and was watched by visitors at the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show which was also closed in 2016.

Ride summary [ ]

The queue area [ ].

Upon entering the queue area, guests are put into four different lines underneath a large canopy. Throughout the area are props from different movies, including Pearl Harbor , Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl , and The Rock . A film also loops with director Michael Bay telling guests how some of the special effects scenes from Pearl Harbor are filmed. While guests are waiting, four volunteers are chosen to be used in the first part of the attraction.

Walking tour [ ]

A number of guests in each line are taken into a show area with a large water tank in front of them. In the water tank are props reminiscent of Pearl Harbor : the deck and the engine room of the patrol boat. Cast members explain how the water tank and props can be used in filming scenes from action films. Using the volunteers from before the guests are shown a special effects demonstration, known as Harbor Attack . One volunteer sits in the engine room and is overcome by a deluge of water (1000 gallons) coming into the room through a window from two dump trucks. The other three volunteers are standing on the deck when an attack happens. Explosions underwater, simulated torpedo bursts, and fireballs are used to simulate the attack. When filming is finished, the footage is put together with previously recorded footage of airplane attacks and dialogue and shown to the guests.

When the demonstration is finished, guests continue into a large prop warehouse. The line moves guests up and down aisles of props used in different majoring productions including Marvin's Room , The Santa Clause , Honey, I Shrunk the Kids , Honey, I Blew Up the Kid , Who Framed Roger Rabbit , The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , and George of the Jungle as well as some extinct Disney attractions, like World of Motion . Several of the props are tagged with information about each one. At the exit of the building, the tram part of the tour begins.

Tram tour [ ]

As guests exit the prop building, they are boarded onto a tram for the main part of the tour. As the driver brings the tram through different areas, a prerecorded narration explains what is found there and tells the guests facts and trivia about it. Guests first travel past the Earffel Tower , the former icon of the park. The tram ride is the closest that guests can get to the tower in the park. After the tower, the tram drives through the costume and materials in the building, which has a thru-way for the tram and the windows for guests to see the costumes and people working. A highlight in the building is the room full of tires used for Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show .

When the tram leaves the building, it brings guests through an outside area named the boneyard (named after an aircraft boneyard). In the boneyard are vehicles which were featured in many films. Props include the Dip Machine used by Judge Doom during the climax of Who Framed Roger Rabbit , ships from the original Star Wars franchise, the duo motorcycles from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , the escape pod from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy , cars used in the The Love Bug films (the ex-parade vehicle Herbie was taken away from the All-Star Movies Resort on an account of children always climbing on it and is now on display here), bone cages from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest , the spaceship from Flight of the Navigator , and boats and other vehicles used in other Disney-produced films.

After leaving the boneyard, guests are told that they will be entering a current movie set while the cast is on break. It enters into an area known as Catastrophe Canyon , a rocky area with a fuel truck and water tanks inside of it. While the tram is stopped filming starts suddenly, an earthquake shakes the tram and causes the fuel truck to explode, sending a fireball into the air. Then a flood of water comes rushing down from the canyon and from above the tram. When the earthquake subsides and the water stops, the set begins to reset for the next tram and the tour guide on the tram tells guests how it was done as the tram goes around behind the set to show the back of it.

After exiting the canyon, the tram travels through parts of the boneyard again. Guests go past the neighboring attraction, Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show stadium and practice areas. The tram also passes Walt Disney 's private airplane. After this part, the tram pulls to the exit and that part of the attraction is finished.

Post-ride [ ]

In order to leave the attraction, guests must walk through a museum exhibit based on AFI's 50 Greatest Villains . Many of the villains on the list are represented with life-sized figures in display cases, with drawings and pictures of them from their films. The entire list is presented with pictures of all the villains on a wall in the building. While guests on the attraction must go through the exhibit in order to exit, it is not necessary to go on the tour to see the exhibit, as it is possible to enter in the exit.

Gallery [ ]

See also [ ]

• Studio Tram Tour: Behind the Magic
• 3 Powerless

Key Information

Originally the main attraction of Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Backlot Tour is a combination guided walking tour / tram tour of famous movie sets and effect departments, including the well-known Catastrophe Canyon, which crumbles and resets in front of guests.

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Studio Backlot Tour

An Attraction in Hollywood Studios

Last updated: April 9, 2019

At a Glance

A substantial part of the Studios was a film and TV-production facility, although very little actual production takes place these days. Nonetheless, visitors can take a backstage tour to learn about production methods and technologies.

The tour begins on the edge of the back lot with the special-effects walking segment, then continues with the tram segment. To reach the Studio Backlot Tour, turn right off Hollywood Boulevard through the Studio Arch into the Animation Courtyard . Bear left at the corner where Voyage of the Little Mermaid is situated. Follow the street until you see a red brick warehouse on your right. Go through the door and up the ramp.

The first stop is a special-effects water tank where technicians explain the mechanical and optical tricks that "turn the seemingly impossible into on-screen reality." Included are rain effects and a naval battle.

A prop room separates the special-effects tank and the tram tour. Trams depart about once every 4 minutes on busy days, winding among production and shop buildings before stopping at the wardrobe and crafts shops. Here, costumes, sets, and props are designed, created, and stored. Still seated on the tram, you look through large windows to see craftsmen at work.

The tour continues through the back lot, where western desert canyons exist side by side with New York City brownstones. The tour's highlight is Catastrophe Canyon, an elaborate special-effects movie set where a thunderstorm, earthquake, oil-field fire, and flash flood are simulated.

A reader from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, found the tour lacking:

I was extremely disappointed to discover how much the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney Hollywood Studios has been shortened. The tram ride is hardly worth the time, as most of the Backlot is now gone. Catastrophe Canyon is tired and in need of refurbishment. The years of fires have caused significant black scarring on the attraction, which detracts from the realism of the effects. And the special-effects/behind-the-scenes walking tour, which I thought was a great experience when I was a young teen, is also no more.

• Handheld Captioning
• Video Captioning
• Audio Description
• May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV
• Sign Language

Touring Tips

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Pass under the archway located to the right of the Chinese Theater , make a left, walk past Pixar Place, and there you'll find the home of the 25-minute Studio Backlot Tour . Shuttles take you behind the scenes of a real, working studio and through Catastrophe Canyon for a special effects treat, recreating some intense natural disasters.

Pre-Show – While you wait for your tour to begin, overhead monitors show a video on behind-the-scenes special effects and interviews from several recent action/adventure films.

From there, your group boards a long, 200-seat tram that winds its way through many backstage areas, beginning with the wardrobe and props departments. The tram continues on to Catastrophe Canyon , where a make-believe crew is allegedly filming a flash flood sequence.

You exit the tram into the exhibits of the American Film Institute Showcase .

HIDDEN MICKEY : In the rocks on the left-hand side, as you exit Catastrophe Canyon , you just might spy Mickey if you look carefully.

TOURING TIPS

In my experience, this attraction seems to be least crowded earlier in the day.

During the opening segment of the Backlot Tour , guests standing up front along the railing may get wet. Likewise, if you're seated on the left side of the tram, you may get wet during the flood in Catastrophe Canyon .

Be sure to notice the reproduction of the Nautilus, from the movie 20,000 Leagues under the Sea , in one of the water tanks at the tour's beginning.

These attractions are wheelchair and ECV accessible. If you are able to transfer out of the chair/ECV, you can leave it behind and board the tram. If, however, you are unable to transfer, alert the Cast Member, who will direct you up the ramp to the front of the tram. In the space near the tour guide, your chair/ECV can be strapped down securely at three points.

Guest-activated captioning is available on selected video monitors in this attraction.

Restrooms and telephones are located to the left of the entrance to the Backlot Tour .

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

There are no characters associated with this attraction. Check your daily Times Guide for times and locations of other Character Meet and Greet opportunities throughout Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Studio Catering Co., a counter service restaurant that features grilled chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, and snacks is a short walk from the Backlot Tour.

The AFI Showcase Shop , encountered as you exit the Backlot Tour , features TV and movie-related souvenirs.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Streets of America area is home to the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights during the holiday season.

The buildings representing New York, San Francisco, London and other cities are merely facades constructed of fiberglass and Styrofoam.

Forced perspective is used to make the faux Empire State Building appear taller than the four stories it is.

Walt Disney World has 2.5 million garments, making its wardrobe the largest working wardrobe in the world. More than 100 designers produce the costumes for Disney productions.

Some of the vehicles that you see in the " Boneyard " section of the tour were used in the Indiana Jones movies.

If you have comments or tips to share with others about Disney's Hollywood Studios' Backlot Tour , please email us. Thank you.

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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 Backlot at Universal is full of memories and history. Every corner you turn on the Studio Tour trams reveals another familiar view. Below you can find more in-depth information than the tour guides have time to give.

Copyright 2011 by J. Kilmer and Lucid Star Media

Aerial Photos

• Above Falls Lake (Set Storage Area)
• Bates Motel
• Brownstone Street
• Chicken Ranch
• Colonial Street / Wisteria Lane
• Court of Miracles
• Courthouse Square
• Denver Street
• Hollywood Terrace
• Home and Family House
• Little Europe
• Mediterranean Square
• Mexican Street
• New York Street
• Psycho House
• Singapore Lake
• Six Points Texas
• The Appian Way
• Train Station
• Wilderness Road
• 1957 Backlot Fire
• VIP Tram Fire
• Blue Parrot Hotel / Monkey Bar / Boragora
• Colonial Mansion
• Colonial Street – Church
• Colonial Street – Schoolhouse
• Dabney House
• Freeway Park
• Georgetown Avenue
• Hubbard House
• Industrial Street
• Kramer Park
• Marnie House
• San Francisco Street
• Square of Warriors / Spartacus Square
• Sting Alley
• To Kill A Mockingbird Street
• Tower of London
• Uncle Tom’s Cabin / River Road House
• Warehouse Street
• Western Street 1964 to 1967

Backlot Express

• Mobile Orders
• Quick Service Restaurant

Valid admission required. A theme park reservation may be required based on admission type.

An Important Message 

Meal pricing.

Related Activities

Order your meal on your phone, guests also viewed, times for backlot express.

Ultimate Guide: Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood

The Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood is in my opinion one of the best attractions at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.

The World-Famous Studio Tour is a one-hour tour around the backlot at Universal. This is a real working movie studio, as such you’ll see sets from your favourite shows and movies as well as some of Hollywood’s most legendary filming locations.

This tour is suitable for the whole family (I recently did it with my wife and our 14-month-old little boy) and features two cinematic ride experiences; Fast & The Furious: Supercharged & King Kong 3D.

What Is The Universal Studio Tour?

The World-Famous Studio Tour takes you behind the scenes of a real film studio which has been the home to a number of movie and television shows since its inception over 50 years ago.

The tour is hosted by comedian Jimmy Fallon alongside a live guide who provides commentary throughout the duration of the tour.

Highlights Of The Studio Tour

During the tour, you will travel through different past various sound stages, and through movie sets. Throughout this time you’ll experience a variety of attractions including;

Bates Motel

This is perhaps the scariest part of the tour.

Here you’ll pull up to the Bates Motel from the epic thriller film Psycho just as Norman Bates himself is carrying a body from a room to place in the back of his truck.

As he does so, he spots you, a witness.

In an aim to cover his tracks, Norman will come towards you with a fake knife. Thankfully, the driver will begin to pull away just in time.

Norman gets closest to the back two carriages of the tram. As such I highly recommend sitting in the carriages closest to the front if you’re travelling with young children.

Plane Crash Wreckage

After escaping Norman Bates, you’ll enter the plane crash wreckage area of the tour. This features a commercial 747 aircraft which was purchased by the production company behind the hit 2005 film War of the Worlds, directed by Steven Spielberg.

The plane was chopped into pieces and transported to Universal where the full set has been left fully dressed as it was during filming.

Obviously, given how realistic this all is, it can be scary for younger guests.

Jupiter’s Claim

This new area of the backlot tour opened on July 22, 2022 (timed to open the same day as Jordan Peele’s movie Nope).

This is a drive-through area which has been rebuilt at Falls Lake (previously occupied by the Log Cabin) and features select theme park sets used in the sci-fi horror film.

Flash Flood Simulator

As you drive through the Mexcian Village, you’ll experience one of two flooding simulators that feature within the Universal Studios backlot tour.

This is one of the oldest parts of the backlot tour (in operation since 1968) and has appeared in countless films including Big Fat Liar and Fletch Lives.

In my opinion, this isn’t as scary as the other flash flood simulator which takes place as part of Earthquake: The Big One!

Earthquake: The Big One!

Earthquake: The Big One is the only split-level sound stage in the world, and has been in operation at Universal since 1969.

As the tram pulls into the subway area, an 8.4 Richter-level earthquake hits, causing a subway train to come off the tracks as it pulls into the station and flooding from the streets above to pour down into the underground.

Various scenes have been shot here including; Beverly Hills Cop III and Season 5, Episode 15 of the TV show Bones.

The Jaws portion of the Studio Tour dates back to 1967 and subsequently is one of the most nostalgic parts for long-time visitors.

As the tram approaches the water, the tension builds as the tour guide narrates the scene. Suddenly the giant animatronic shark jumps out of the water, jaws wide open.

King Kong 360 3-D

King Kong 360 3-D is one of two simulator-based rides on the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour.

This simulator was created by Peter Jackson himself and is the world’s largest 3-D experience.

The film lasts just a couple of minutes and see’s you caught in the middle of a terrifying struggle between a 35-foot T-Rex and the 8th wonder of the world – King Kong.

Fast & The Furious Supercharged

This is another simulator-based ride situated on the back lot tour.

Once again you’ll put on your 3D glasses and experience a high-speed chase alongside Dom and the gang. This is far from my favourite part of the tour, but sadly it’s not optional. Thankfully, it only lasts a couple of minutes.

Where Is The Universal Studios Tour Located?

The World Famous Studio Tour is located in a dedicated lower lot area of Universal Studios Hollywood which can be accessed from Springfield, home of The Simpsons via a number of escalators.

This dedicated lower lot area is not to be confused with the lower lot escalators down to Jurassic World & Super Nintendo World.

If you’re unsure as to where to go for the Studio Tour be sure to ask one of the Universal Studios team members situated around the park, or the Universal Studios mobile app which features a map with GPS.

How Long Is The Universal Studio Tour?

The Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood lasts between 40 minutes and one hour. During the ride, there are no stops and no toilet breaks.

While the ride itself is between 40 minutes and an hour, the standby wait line for the ride can be another hour (give or take) depending on how busy the park is during your visit.

This ride is eligible for the Universal Express Pass so, if you are upgrading to the Universal Express Pass then you will be able to skip the line here. We did this during our most recent visit and we walked straight on (the standby line at the time was around 20 mins – February 2022).

How Much Does The Universal Studio Tour Cost?

The Universal Studios Tour is free.

However, to go on the tour you will need a Universal Studios Hollywood park ticket.

Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are sold using a dynamic pricing model based on estimated demand.

As such quieter days or times of year often have lower ticket prices, while more popular days and seasons (Christmas, Halloween, Spring Break, Summer etc.) have higher ticket prices.

This dynamic pricing model also applies to Universal Express Pass tickets and tickets for the VIP Experience.

Do You Have To Book The Universal Studio Tour?

Sadly, you can not book your tour of the Universal Studios backlot in advance. Instead, spaces on each tram are on a first-come, first-served basis. Each tram roughly holds between 100 and 150 people split across 6 or so carriages.

How Long Is The Wait For The Universal Studios Tour?

The wait time for the World Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood can vary depending on factors such as the time of day, day of the week, and season.

During quieter times at the park, you can wait as little as 10 or 20 minutes to board the tram. However, during peak periods such as holidays or weekends, wait times can be in excess of one hour.

Can You Use A Universal Express Ticket For The Universal Studio Tour?

A Universal Express ticket at Universal Studios Hollywood can be used for the Studio Tour, as well as for many of the other popular attractions and rides in the park.

The Universal Express ticket gives guests priority access to select attractions, allowing them to bypass the regular standby line and experience the attraction with a shorter wait time.

Best Time To Go On The Universal Studios Tour?

Generally, speaking the best time to go on the tour is in the morning when the park first opens.

During this time the crowds are typically smaller and the lines are shorter, allowing visitors to enjoy the tour with minimal wait times.

On the flip side, the worst time to go on the tour is usually in the early afternoon, just after lunchtime as most people get to this area of the park at this time of day.

Is The Universal Studios Tour Scary?

Certain areas and attractions within the World-Famous Universal Studio Tour may be scary to younger children. However, none of them last long (maximum of four minutes).

If you’re looking for thrill rides then this tour isn’t it!

Is The Universal Studios Tour Suitable For Babies & Toddlers?

The Universal Studios Tour is suitable for babies and toddlers.

However, you will be on the tram ride for up to an hour so be sure to bring any supplies you may need for that duration of time with you.

It’s also worth noting that children must remain seated throughout the duration of the tour for health and safety reasons. So if you have a restless little one consider bringing a book, toy or iPad.

There is an extensive stroller parking lot available in the Lower Lot area from where the tour departs, this is covered so if it does start raining while you’re out on the tour then your stroller should be protected.

Are There Any Height Or Weight Restrictions For The Studio Tour?

Unlike other rides at Universal Studios Hollywood there are no weight or height restrictions on the World-Famous Studio Tour.

Can You Take Photographs & Videos During The Studio Tour?

Visitors are permitted to take photographs and videos during The World Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood.

However, flash photography is not permitted during the tours 3D cinema experiences (King Kong 360 & Fast and Furious: Supercharged).

Is The Studio Tour At Universal Studios Hollywood Worth It?

While going on the Studio Tour takes up a significant portion of your day at Universal Studios Hollywood park. I believe it’s a worthwhile time investment.

This tour provides a unique insight into how scenes from your favourite movies and TV shows are made while the expert tour guide provides some incredible Hollywood secrets.

Can You See Celebrities On The Universal Studios Hollywood Tour?

There is always the possibility of seeing celebrities on the World Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, as the tour takes visitors through active movie and television sets where productions are often being filmed.

However, there is no guarantee.

I’ve been on this tour more than ten times over the past couple of years, and the only person I’ve seen is Mario Lopez who was filming at the entrance of the theme park.

Does Universal Studios Orlando Have A Backlot Tour?

Sadly, Universal Studios in Orlando does not have a backlot tour since it is a dedicated theme park, rather than a film studio.

The Universal Orlando Resort does, however, have a VIP Experience (which is also available at Universal Studios Hollywood).

The VIP Experience is a full-day tour of the Universal Studios park with a dedicated Universal guide. The ratio of guests to guide is roughly 8:1 so it’s a very personal experience in which you’ll skip the line on every ride in the park, go behind the scenes and learn park secrets.

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Disney World | Disney’s Hollywood Studios looks back and ahead…

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Theme parks, disney world, disney world | disney’s hollywood studios looks back and ahead on 35th birthday.

The park opened May 1, 1989, just more than a year before the debut of Universal Studios Florida, and they helped launch a new “made in Orlando” film era.

Wednesday’s festivities included a 15-minute program in the park’s Theater of the Stars open-air venue co-hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. The latter insisted the water fountain topped by a statue of her was the real icon of Hollywood Studios, not Tower of Terror.

The event included appearances by multiple characters from the “Fantasmic” show, current Walt Disney World ambassador Serena Arvizu, Hollywood Studios Vice President Jackie Swisher and several cast members who worked at the park on opening day and are working there these days.

“For 35 years, we have been a place where you can let your adventures begin,” Swisher told an audience of cast members and park visitors.

“We opened by bringing our guests into the world of movie-making and television production. ‘Mulan,’ ‘Brother Bear’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch’ were all filmed here,” she said. “And many TV viewers got their first look at rising stars such as Ryan Gosling and Justin Timberlake in the all-new ‘Mickey Mouse Club’ filmed right here.”

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Disney World’s third theme park opened under the name Disney-MGM Studios with an iconic water tower topped with mouse ears and named the Earffel Tower. Attractions included the Studio Backlot Tour, Great Movie Ride, SuperStar Television and the Monster Sound Show.

As the park’s mission morphed, it was rebranded as Disney’s Hollywood Studios in early 2008. Now it’s the home to attractions such as Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

“Now we’re a place where our guests can really live that adventure inside the stories they love. So we really immerse you into the movies,” Swisher said after the ceremony.

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Tom Vazzana, director of creative development, said he visited Disney-MGM as a guest on opening day.

“I remember walking through the gates and feeling like I was immersed in Hollywood,” he said. “I felt like movies were alive. And I remember going on the Great Movie Ride and being like, ‘How are they doing this?’”

A few years later, Vazzana was cast in the park’s “Hunchback of Notre Dame” show.

“I feel like it was just really moments ago, and it really set the tone for my career,” he said.

Swisher and Vazzana said they were looking forward to an upcoming park addition, a stage show titled “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.”

“We’ve had the opportunity to refocus the telling of ‘The Little Mermaid’ story. It’s Ariel’s point of view. Ariel’s an empowered person with goals, and she makes her own destiny happen,” Vazzana said.

“We’re leaning heavily into beautiful technology so that everyone will be fully immersed in every scene both under the sea and on land,” he said.

The new show slides into the space previously held by “Voyage of the Little Mermaid,” a show that didn’t reopen after WDW’s four-month, pandemic-related shutdown in 2020. There will be new sights and sounds.

“We found the opportunity to add ‘Kiss the Girl’ [song], which I think adds so much heart to the story,” Vazzana said.

Disney has said the new show will debut this fall.

Email me at [email protected] . Threads account: @dbevil . X account: @themeparks . Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters .

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Family’s attorney claims there was ‘mass hysteria’ after Universal Studios tram crash

A family recalls the fear they felt when the studio tram they were riding in crashed at Universal Studios Hollywood, leaving 15 people injured.

Since the incident, the Murrieta family claims park officials have downplayed the severity of the crash and the victims’ injuries.

“He indicated it was incredibly dark at the scene,” said Steven Dhillon, the family’s attorney. “Many victims were holding up their flashlights, trying to locate other victims, everybody was screaming. It was mass hysteria.”

Emergency crews responded to the park on April 20 just after 9 p.m., after reports of a crash taking place during the studio backlot tour attraction.

The tram was passing the Jurassic Park exhibit when, while making a left turn, the last tram car struck a metal guardrail on the right-hand side, according to California Highway Patrol.

The maneuver tilted the vehicle, causing passengers to fall out and onto the road. Emergency crews transported 15 people to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.

One family visiting from Murrieta was injured in the crash, including 11-year-old Sophia who was celebrating her birthday at the theme park.

Sophia was ejected from the tram and her father suffered leg, back and shoulder injuries. The girl’s mother, however, was the most injured in the family.

“She was propelled so violently into the plexiglass wall in front of her,” Dhillon said. “It impacted her brain so much that it started to bleed. She’s been experiencing headaches, nausea, vomiting, disorientation. The list goes on and on.”

All three injured family members were treated at a local hospital and later released.

Universal Studios released a statement after the crash saying, “We are thankful that, based on agency reports, the injuries sustained were minor.”

However, Dhillon believes the tram was traveling unusually fast that night and that the windows and walls of the tram were not strong enough to protect riders.

“The guard walls that come down on the tram were so weak that they gave out and allowed the individuals to be hurled outside of the tram,” Dhillon said. “This was by no means a minor accident with minor injuries. You don’t transport a dozen individuals to the hospital for minor injuries.”

Although the family said they do not plan to sue Universal Studios, they are hoping park officials will “step up and do the right thing.”

The studio trams can hold over 100 people and typically travel at low speeds. It’s unclear how many people were on board when the collision occurred.

The Studio Tour remains one of the theme park’s most popular attractions, taking riders on a one-hour backlot tour of some of the most iconic film and television sets in Hollywood history.

Throughout the tour, guests experience several interactive elements including animatronics, 3-D motion, sound stages with special effects, and more.

The attraction is celebrating its 60th Anniversary celebration this year after debuting in 1964.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities confirmed that alcohol and drugs were not considered factors. Officials with the California Highway Patrol will be leading the investigation.

Anyone with information on the incident can call CHP Investigating Officer L. Hawkins at 213-744-2331.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.

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Universal Studios Marks 60th Anniversary of Backlot Tram Tours

T he famed Universal Studios Hollywood backlot tram tour took a step back in time Friday as the attraction marks its 60th anniversary, and for a limited time it will include a chance for people to step off the tram and wander onto a movie set and snap photos with some iconic props.

“The Studio Tour paved the way for the development of Universal Studios Hollywood and celebrating its 60-year milestone pays homage to its indelible impact,” Scott Strobl, executive vice president and general manager of Universal Studios Hollywood, said in a statement earlier this month announcing plans for the anniversary tribute.

“The Studio Tour is a crown jewel in our theme park portfolio and a beloved attraction for millions of guests. We are thrilled and honored to share our enthusiasm for its historic relevance with guests both new to the experience as well as those who have journeyed with us along the way.”

The celebration began Friday and will continue through Aug. 11, marking the anniversary of an attraction that began in 1964 and has been experienced by an estimated 200 million people over the years.

The park will harken back to its original “Glamor Trams,” which were colored red and white and featured ruffled awnings as they carried visitors through the backlot. Visitors on the anniversary tours will get the chance to disembark from the tram and step onto “a legendary movie set where an original, fully restored 1964 vintage Glamor Tram awaits,” according to the park.

The disembarkment area also includes a King Kong backdrop and the park’s original hanging “Jaws” shark.

Also included on the tour is a revamped version of its “Earthquake — The Big One” attraction, which officials said has “undergone a top-to- bottom renovation and will debut anew with contemporary technology and aesthetics.”

The tour also passes by the Courthouse Square — best known for its appearances in the “Back to the Future” films. An original time machine picture car will be on display in the area for photos, along with a Doc Brown character.

Also back on display will be a Tyrannosaurus Rex display originally used in promotion of the film “Jurassic World.”

In partnership with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the park will also have on display a scaled-model replica of the Hollywood Sign nestled on a hillside for photos.

More information on the anniversary attractions — and accompanying food and merchandise offerings — is available online at www.universalstudioshollywood.com .

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Universal Studios Tram Crash 'Propels' 11-Year-Old 'Violently Into Plexiglass Wall' But Family Won't Sue

A tram crashed at Universal Studios Hollywood and left more than a dozen people injured, including an 11-year-old girl. That family’s attorney is now speaking on their behalf.

The backlot tour at the California theme park is one of the most popular attractions on the property. Guests who go on the tour will experience behind-the-scenes elements, such as animatronics, sound stages, special effects, and more.

On Saturday, April 20, one of the backlot trams crashed into a metal guardrail, ejecting multiple people from the vehicle. Fifteen passengers were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Universal Studios Backlot Tram Crashes Into Metal Guardrail

The Murrieta family was aboard the tram that crashed last weekend, and they claim park officials are not being honest about how bad the crash was. 

“There was a tram incident at the theme park tonight that resulted in multiple minor injuries, confirmed by the LA County Fire Dept,” a Universal Studios spokesperson told KTLA at the time of the crash. “We are working to support our guests and understand the circumstances that led to the accident.”

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, but authorities have ruled out the involvement of alcohol and drugs.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the guests who were involved, and we are thankful that based on agency reports, the injuries sustained were minor," Universal Hollywood said in another statement, per AP News . "We are working closely with public agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, as we continue our review of the incident and safety remains a top priority."

11-Year-Old Girl ‘Propelled’ From Universal Studios Backlot Tram

The Murrieta family’s attorney is speaking on their behalf.

“He indicated it was incredibly dark at the scene,” Steven Dhillon, the family’s attorney, said. “Many victims were holding up their flashlights, trying to locate other victims, everybody was screaming. It was mass hysteria.”

According to KTLA, the California Highway Patrol, the backlot tram was passing the Jurassic Park exhibit when the last tram car hit a metal guardrail. Several people were injured as they fell out and onto the road. 15 people were transported to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.

One of those injured in the accident was 11-year-old Sophia, who was ejected from the tram. “She was propelled so violently into the plexiglass wall in front of her,” Dhillon said. “It impacted her brain so much that it started to bleed. She’s been experiencing headaches, nausea, vomiting, disorientation. The list goes on and on.”

Sophia’s father also sustained injuries to his leg, back and shoulder. Her mom was also severely injured.

Universal Studios Hollywood Releases Statement

While Universal Studios claims they “are thankful that, based on agency reports, the injuries sustained were minor,” the Murrieta family’s attorney says otherwise. 

“The guard walls that come down on the tram were so weak that they gave out and allowed the individuals to be hurled outside of the tram,” Dhillon said. “This was by no means a minor accident with minor injuries. You don’t transport a dozen individuals to the hospital for minor injuries.”

The family does not plan to sue Universal Studios, but they hope officials will “step up and do the right thing.”

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Iconic Backlot Tour

The backlot tour takes Guests “behind the scenes and see where some of your favorite films and television shows were – and are – filmed. Now you can see the original Jupiter’s Claim set from Jordan Peele’s latest horror epic, ‘NOPE,’” per the Universal Studios website .

“This legit journey through the actual sets of some of your favorite movies and television shows is mixed with exhilarating attractions and entertaining insights, making it an educational thrill ride unlike anything you can experience anywhere else,” Universal Studios Hollywood added.

Celebrate 60 Years Of Universal Studios Hollywood’s Tour

When the backlot tour crash occurred, the park was prepping for its 60th anniversary celebration of the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, which kicked off Friday, April 26. 

“Don’t miss the all-new experience that lets you step off the classic tram and onto the studio backlot for a limited time,” Universal Hollywood said. “Explore an iconic film set, take part in immersive photo-ops, experience tour enhancements, and enjoy new themed food with collectible merchandise.”

Anyone with information on the incident can call CHP Investigating Officer L. Hawkins at 213-744-2331.

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A History of The Actors Studio

Written by Andreas Manolikakis

The Actors Studio was founded in New York by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford and Robert Lewis in 1947. For seven decades it has been devoted to the service and development of theatre artists –actors, directors and playwrights. To our members, who are primarily actors, The Actors Studio offers free lifetime membership, with no fee or tuition required, which entitles them to a unique opportunity to explore and improve their craft in a safe, laboratory environment with colleagues with whom they share the same process of work.

The roots of The Actors Studio go back to the Group Theatre (1931-1941) whose work was inspired by the discoveries of the great Russian actor and director Konstantin Stanislavski and his best student Eugene Vakhtangov as revealed in the legendary productions that the Moscow Art Theatre toured in America in 1923. In fact Stanislavski’s dedication to his book, ‘My Life in Art,’ (1924) reads: “I DEDICATE THIS BOOK IN GRATITUDE TO HOSPITABLE AMERICA AS A TOKEN AND A REMEMBRANCE FROM THE MOSCOW ART THEATRE WHICH SHE TOOK SO KINDLY TO HER HEART.”

When the Moscow Art Theatre ended its American tour, several members of the theatre stayed behind and trained artists, including Lee Strasberg, Harold Clurman and Stella Adler, who would go on to form the Group Theatre along with other artists such as Elia Kazan, Sanford Meisner and Robert Lewis. These artists studied, explored, developed and improved the work of the Russian masters with extraordinary results that were unique in the history of the American theatre and a new kind of acting was born.

After the Group Theatre closed, in 1941, many of its members went their separate ways. Elia Kazan has stated that one of the principal reasons he created The Actors Studio, in 1947, was in order to preserve and develop this new American acting. He wanted to create a not-for-profit organization that would provide a laboratory, a private workshop in which the professional actor could work on his or her craft, far away from the commercial pressures of casting, rehearsal and performance. It was to be a place that would offer its member-artists an ongoing training, a continuity of work and the feeling of an artistic home like they had at the Group Theatre.

At the Studio, it was eventually decided that membership should be achieved through an audition process of preliminary and then final auditions where the only requirements are talent and the possibility of improvement.

In 1948, Lee Strasberg was asked by Elia Kazan to join the Studio as one of its teachers and in 1951 he became its Artistic Director, a position he maintained until his death in 1982. Strasberg’s deep understanding of the Stanislavski System and the reformulations of Vakhtangov, together with his own personal discoveries and improvements on the acting process, provided the foundation on which The Actors Studio based its work.

At the same time, the work of Elia Kazan as a theatre and film director demonstrated in the most powerful way the extraordinary results of the deep and personal process of acting espoused by The Actors Studio.

For seven decades, the very existence of The Actors Studio, the principles and values that it represents, the methodology of its work process, its consistency and long life have established the Studio as a unique theatre organization and a guiding light for actors, directors and playwrights around the world. For many it is considered the temple of the acting process.

Today the work that is done at The Actors Studio continues the Stanislavski-Vakhtangov-American approach, and most of the leading members of the Studio today have studied with more than one of these great American teachers: Lee Strasberg, Harold Clurman, Elia Kazan, Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner and Robert Lewis.

Currently, Ellen Burstyn, Alec Baldwin and Al Pacino serve as co-Presidents of the Studio. Beau Gravitte serves as Artistic Director in New York and Salome Jens and Lou Antonio serve as interim co-Associate Artistic Directors in West Hollywood at our Actors Studio West branch, which opened in 1966. The Actors Studio is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of members from both coasts.

After 70 years, The Actors Studio continues to thrive because it is needed. Goethe has said that, “The actor’s career develops in public, but his art develops in private.” The Studio provides its members with this special kind of privacy, along with a group of colleagues who share the same passion for what Studio members refer to as “The Work.”

In spite of the presence of The Actors Studio over many years and its extensive influence in America and worldwide, there still persist many misunderstandings of the Studio, its mentors, its philosophy and its process. These errors most often arise from discussions by some academics, theoreticians, historians and even by some theatre professionals who attempt to analyze and interpret a process of work that they have never learned through serious practice. The work of Stanislavski, Vakhtangov and The Actors Studio was arrived at through deep and lengthy practical experiments that elude rational analysis by non-practitioners.

In 1994 The Actors Studio entered a major new phase with the creation of The Actors Studio Drama School MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Program in acting, directing and playwriting, in order to bring the Studio’s method into a university setting. In September 2006, the Actors Studio Drama School moved to Pace University in downtown New York City, which also is the home of one of the program’s most visible teaching platforms, INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO, hosted by James Lipton.

Andreas Manolikakis is a Board Member of The Actors Studio and Chair of The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in New York City.

Russia: Western ways influence production

Location: Europe - Russia

By Nick Holdsworth

Nick Holdsworth

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Russian public film finance is undergoing major reforms as the country begins a slow process of adopting the soft-money-supported international coproduction model prevalent in Europe.

The 2010 launch of the Cinema Fund — a government body that channels around $64 million annually for production support through eight major production companies — was criticized by many independent producers.

Supporters of the system — backed by Russian prime minister and former president Vladimir Putin — claim it simplifies and streamlines an earlier system characterized by bureaucracy and plagued by allegations of corruption.

The fund has already financed 36 feature-length projects and is aiming to increase its international outreach with the establishment of an $8 million annual co-production fund.

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A network of regional film commissions is developing to assist productions but does not offer financial support.

An annual industry-backed coproduction forum takes places during the Moscow Film Festival as part of a Moscow Business Square event and independent producers from both Russia and Germany are working on finalizing a long-awaited coproduction treaty between the two countries, which are already active partners on a number of projects.

Private equity funding is available in Russia for commercially strong projects. Although much of the annual domestic box office — which broke the $1 billion barrier for the first time in 2010 — is generated by Hollywood blockbusters, a handful of local films make serious money and can generate local financing.

Recent top domestic movies include winter holiday season movies “ Yolki ” (Six Degrees of Celebration), produced by Timur Bekmambetov, which has taken in around $23 million, and cartoon “Three Heroes and the Shamakhanskaya Queen,” grossing more than $19 million.

STUDIOS & FACILITIES UPDATE Moves to modernize Russia’s aging Soviet-era studio infrastructure were delayed by the global economic crisis of 2008 but there are signs that some projects will go ahead.

Mosfilm & Gorky Film Studios: Moscow’s Mosfilm and Gorky Film Studios offer large soundstages, wardrobe, lab and post-production services and — at Mosfilm — backlot facilities.

Lenfilm: Lenfilm in St. Petersburg is planning to modernize under a $10 million-$15 million public-private partnership with Sistema and its subsidiary Russian World Studios , which already runs a newly built studio in the city that includes a 2,000 sq. meter soundstage, digital and post-production facilities.

Options: Other studio projects are on the drawing board in other cities, including Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Vladivostok and Grozny.

RESOURCES & CREW DEPTH Companies offering production facilities, crews and equipment are concentrated in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Gear: Timur Bekmambetov’s Moscow-based production and distribution shingle Bazelevs offers a complete cycle of film production. Other service and equipment rental companies include Bogdan and Brigada, Cinelab, Russian World Studios, and Media City.

Labor Force: Crews are widely available in Russia, where a strong TV production sector has maintained employment possibilities for crew, although English-language skills can be patchy. International producers report that language skills and technical know-how are generally a mismatch, with younger workers more likely to know English but less likely to be highly skilled.

POST & VFX Independent production companies have gained a reputation in recent years for improved post-production and vfx skills, with CGI capacity sometimes on par with European standards.

Bazelevs: This company has built a reputation for its special effects work on movies that include “Wanted,” “Black Lightning” and “Yolki,” and Moscow’s Kino Direktsiya (Film Direction), headed by Anatoly Maksimov, who has produced films that include “Day Watch,” “Night Watch,” “Admiral” and “High Security Vacation,” has also built a strong profile in the field.

Other Vfx Shingles: Cinelex, Cinemateka, Donskaya 32, Gorky Film Studio, Magic Film, Mosfilm and Star Media Russia.

FILM COMMISSION CONTACTS The National Film Commission of Russia An industry-backed initiative was set up in 2009 with the Russian Culture Ministry, RFilms, Russian World Studios, Gorky Film Studio and regional studios. 14 Kalashny Pereulok, Moscow + 7 495 690 37 06 Web: http://www.nfcr.ru Email: [email protected]

The Cinema Fund Elena Romanova, head of international relations 11 Savvinskaya naberezhnaya, Moscow 119435 Tel: + 7 495 287 84 42 [email protected]

THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO KNOW Russia is expensive compared to other Eastern European countries, has high taxes for those who don’t wish to pay in cash — social taxes are 37% plus 18% value added tax — and the lack of English-speaking crews and production executives can hamper productions. According to one European producer who’s worked in Russia, “it’s not a place where you go for services — only if you have no choice because your project is taking place in Russia.

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Top 10: Soviet Russia

If you’re not like me, and if you fancy bad things, you would probably fancy the Soviet Union. Indeed many people currently visit Russia due to its Soviet past. And to be honest they are still plenty of Soviet legacies in Russia…and especially in Moscow. That’s why, and because I am a super nice person (I know you think I’m lying) deeply interested in history, I made a top for you (silly people) that want to dive into the Soviet times. In case you’re a good person and like the Imperial Russia (high five and welcome to my club!) you can visit this amazing top . 

Stars’ city (Moscow)

Located 40 km away from Moscow, Star City is a training complex for Soviet (and now Russian) cosmonauts that will bring you back to Gagarine’s era. Each building hides a specific type of training: centrifuge, hydrolaboratory… It is kind of a highly secured and out of the track activity (that’s why everything is on request), but the visit worths it. Especially because you can meet cosmonautes, eat cosmonautic meal. Really nice!

Ask us if you’re interested, we for sure can do something for you!

Lenin mausoleum (Moscow)

One of of the famous sight of Moscow. And of course one of the key (the “keyest”?) actor of the October Revolution and Soviet Union creation. Lenin corpse has been preserved and is exposed on the Red Square since 1930! (yummy and fresh!). You won’t be able to admire him for hours since it’s difficult to stop once in the mausoleum but at least you’ll be able to see this controversial man from the Soviet times.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday: 10.00-13.00

The Bunker 42 of Taganka (Moscow)

The Soviet times aren’t only the October Revolution but also (and above all?) the Cold War. A war during which nuclear attack was an everyday threat. To feel a bit more secure (and let’s face it, to be able to reply in case of attack), the Soviet military and political had a highly secret and secured bunker under the heart of Moscow. Now that the Cold War is over (please let’s not start a debate on this), you can visit this legacy from the Soviet Union.  

Everyday: 10.00-20.00

Full price: 2200 RUB (35 USD)

Student: 1300 RUB (21 USD)

The Kremlin (Moscow)

Yes the Kremlin isn’t a Soviet building and has a long history. But the Kremlin remains a symbol of the Soviet Union and its leadership. Moreover, the Kremlin has been transformed by the Soviet leadership. From its surroundings to the red stars on the top of each towers, the Soviet past of the Kremlin can’t be dismissed!

(ticket office)

Everyday: 9.30-16.30

Thursday: Closed

Full price: 1,800 RUB (29 USD)

Children (under 16yo): Free

Looking for a guided tour? Check it here!

A tour in Moscow’s city center (Moscow) 

To me if St Petersburg is an European and Imperial city, Moscow is definitely a Soviet city built under the Soviet Union. Indeed all buildings in the center as in the neighbouring cities are impregnated by communism and Soviet architecture. Take a guided tour in Moscow city center’s and embrace this Soviet legacy!

Mosfilm studios (Moscow)

Hollywood is too mainstream for you? Want to discover what a real film industry is? Visit the Soviet studios Mosfilm! Mosfilm studios are a symbol and key element of the Soviet culture. Main TV and movie studio were directed during the Soviet Union, contributing to the emergence of a Soviet culture. Nowadays not a single Russian don’t know movie produced by Mosfilm. Take a tour there and find out more about these movies!

Varenishnaya number 1 (Moscow)

You would think that the Soviet cuisine and the Russian ones are the same. Wrong! Well of course traditional dishes remain quite the same, but the current Russian cuisine is deeply influenced cuisines for other parts of the world. That’s why if you want to feel the Soviet Union you should go to Varenishnaya number 1. The restaurant recreated a Soviet atmosphere and serves traditional, easy going dishes as served during the Soviet Union. A bit touristic but still nice.

The Road of Life (St Petersburg)

One of the major event during World War II for Russians is the blockade of Leningrad. Millions of people starved to death and it has been of the most terrible battle of the War. However, if Leningrad stood up it’s not only because of the incredible resistance from the inhabitants. But also because of the bravour of some men who crossed the iced-Ladoga lake to bring some help to the city. Nowadays you can follow their path by visiting the interactive museum and drive along the road that is, since then, called the Road of Life.

Monday, Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 11.00-17.00

Full price: 900 RUB (14 USD)

Children (under 18yo) & Student: 500 RUB (8 USD)

The Gulag Museum (Moscow)

The Soviet Union, especially in the West, is also known for its darkest sides and its gulags. Gulags became famous after the publication in English in 1974 of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s book “The Gulag Archipelago”. Nowadays a good way to know more about it is to visit the Gulag Museum in Moscow!

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 11.00-18.00

Thursday: 12.-21.00

Full price: 300 RUB (5 USD)

Children (under 18yo) & Student: 150 RUB (2.5 USD)

The Aurora cruiser (St Petersburg)

St-Petersburg doesn’t really fancy its Soviet past. Nevertheless, it hosts a crucial element that led to the October Revolution. Indeed, if the Aurora cruiser mainly served during the Russian Empire and especially during the war with Japan, it became a symbol of Soviet Russia because it gave the signal for the Winter Palace assault on October 24th 1917. Later it became famous through many Soviet films glorifying this (to my upper opinion) terrible night.

Monday, Friday: Closed

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 11.00-18.00

Full price: 600 RUB (10 USD)

Student: 400 RUB (7 USD)

Want to book a guided-tour? Check out Tsar Visit !

+7 916 200 71 16

[email protected]

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