The world-famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary this year and Universal Studios Hollywood is ready with a bunch of limited-time offerings to enhance and celebrate the iconic Hollywood attraction.
Glamor Trams evocative of the original trams in the 1960s are sporting a nostalgic homage while other parts of the tour are being enhanced including a unique step-off the tram moment, a reimagined Earthquake experience, a new T. rex encounter, and more.
What to Expect
Several iconic red and white candy-striped Glamor Trams are being re-introduced as centerpieces of the Studio Tour 60th anniversary celebration. The Studio Tour is being glammed up with several enhancements.
Step Off Moment
- Guests to the unique opportunity to step off the tram and onto a legendary movie set!
- The area will provide additional memorable photo opportunities, including a giant King Kong backdrop and the theme park’s original hanging Jaws shark.
- Guests will find an original, fully restored 1964 vintage Glamor Tram
Queue Enhancements
- An all-original augmented reality (AR) Studio Tour trivia challenge designed to test their knowledge of this iconic attraction through the years with the ability to share their results on social media.
- As guests queue up to board the Studio Tour and experience the magic and mystery of the studio backlot, they will be met with archival images and videos detailing its incredible history.
Earthquake—The Big One
- The “Earthquake—The Big One” attraction, which debuted on the Studio Tour in 1989 with its eerily realistic 8.3 magnitude quake.
- To coincide with this diamond anniversary, this simulated natural disaster attraction has undergone a top to bottom renovation and will debut anew with contemporary technology and aesthetics.
T-Rex Encounter
- Straight from the archive, a behemoth dimensional Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur display — used in the promotion of Universal Pictures’ Jurassic World movie — will be on display
- This giant, growling creature, bearing a large bite of sharp teeth, will be located adjacent to a locked paddock of wild dinosaurs that can be heard screeching and clamoring to escape.
More to Explore
- A visit to Courthouse Square aboard the Studio Tour, where scenes from the blockbuster Back to the Future movies were filmed and where an original time machine picture car will sit prominently on display, not far from a nearby Doc Brown character.
- Additional surprises from a time long gone will make a cameo appearance, including the temporary return of the 1976 Runaway Train as warning bells and sirens alarm from its stationary location.
- Moments of nostalgia will also be featured aboard the tram’s monitors showing clips of former Studio Tour attractions as they once appeared on the tour.
Hollywood Sign Re-creation
- Universal Studios Hollywood is debuting the first-ever original replica of the Hollywood Sign to be situated along the studio backlot, adjacent to the tram step off moment.
- Guests disembarking the tram to experience the original movie set on the studio backlot will now have the unique and exclusive opportunity to pose for the first time ever in close proximity to this officially sanctioned Hollywood Sign replica for interactive social media posts.
-
This large scale reproduction was meticulously crafted from the Sign’s historic records to faithfully recreate this iconic landmark and bring it to visiting Studio Tour guests, where it will be nestled for several years along the hillside.
- Universal Studios Hollywood partnered with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, (the body responsible for promoting and enhancing the business, cultural and civic well-being of Hollywood) and the Hollywood Sign Trust (a 501(c)3 nonprofit, responsible for maintaining the Hollywood Sign and educating the world about its historical and cultural importance) to make this happen.
A Green Future Continues
- The Studio Tour is still in the midst of its previously-announced initiative of converting its fleet of 21 diesel-hydraulic engines to electric trams to help reduce carbon emissions, noises from the engines, and the fumes that fans of the attraction know well.
About the Studio Tour
In 1964, Universal City Studios invited tourists to take a whirlwind adventure for a first-hand look at Hollywood moviemaking in action. Five times a day, for approximately just over two hours, Monday through Friday, iconic red and white Glamor Trams, with their ruffled awnings, would whisk eager tourists through its studio backlot to be a fly on the wall in the making of Universal movie and television productions.
Over the span of 60 years, Universal Studios Hollywood has cultivated the Studio Tour into a dynamic world-renowned experience visited by over 200 million guests worldwide. As part of the origins of Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Destinations & Experiences’ (UDX) global theme parks portfolio, the Studio Tour is stepping into the spotlight and inviting guests along for the ride as part of this notable celebration.
While much has transpired in six decades, the Studio Tour has remained true to its roots of immersing guests in the awe-inspiring world of movie-making magic, providing remarkable access to production sets on a genuine studio backlot. The once celebrated two-hour Glamor Trams have been replaced with a contemporary, approximate 60-minute experience, infused with advanced technology that enlightens and entertains millions of film buffs, theme park fans and tourists alike visiting from across the globe.
See it for Yourself
The Studio Tour’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations takes place at Universal Studios Hollywood from April 26 through August 11, 2024.
MORE INFO: Check out all of our coverage for the Studio Tour 60th anniversary
