Universal Studios Hollywood is officially celebrating 60 years of the Studio Tour with limited-time experiences. From April 26 through August 11, 2024, guests will be able to experience the world famous Studio Tour in a whole new way, both on and off the tram.
Universal Studios Hollywood Entrance
The celebration begins before entering the park. Lampposts leading up to the entrance are decorated with film reel-inspired banners featuring vintage photos of the Studio Tour.
The gates are decorated with a large sparkly blue scrim wrap, “Celebrating 60 Years.”
A retro Glamor Tram is pictured above a film reel of vintage photos.
Above the entrance gates are film reel banners with more vintage photos and the 60th anniversary logo. The logo is shades of blue with the red and white Glamor Tram pictured in front of a big “60.”
Inside the park is the first photo op. A sequin-covered backdrop features the anniversary logo and two flat “spotlights.” A clapboard in front of the backdrop is for the Hollywood production “Universal Studios’ Studio Tour” and scene “Celebrating 60 Years!” The director is @unistudios.
The scene, take, and roll numbers are 07, 15, and 64 for the opening date of the Studio Tour: July 15, 1964.
Studio Tour Entrance & Queue
The billboard and marquee at the Studio Tour escalators have new artwork. The billboard features four different versions of the trams that have been used over the years.
Both have images of past and present Studio Tour experiences, like the Ice Tunnel and Amity Island scenes.
In the queue are photos and signs honoring the Studio Tour’s history.
“Did you know…” signs include trivia facts about the tour.
Did you know…
prior to the Amity Island set being built, this area of the Studio Lot was known as Singapore Lake.
Did you know…
the Doomed Glacier Expedition (AKA The Ice Tunnel) opened in 1975. Became the Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb in 2000, after a brief stint as Dante’s Peak Mine Shaft.
Did you know…
the Psycho house was constructed in 1959 as a two-sided façade for the 1960 film. Over time, additional sides were added to create a “shell.”
Screens display QR codes for guests to create photos with AR filters.
Different large signs display pictures and information from different eras of the Studio Tour. The one above is about the 2000s to the 2010s.
Studio Tour Extras
The diesel trams of the Studio Tour have been re-decorated to look like the old Glamor Trams, which had red and white candy striping. The newer electric trams retain their standard look. No matter what tram you end up on, you’ll experience the anniversary offerings.
The tour is hosted by Jimmy Fallon, with new pre-recorded clips featuring the host and other celebrities. There is a mix of history about the past 60 years and the standard tour.
There are small 60th anniversary touches throughout the tour. For example, the Ted statue holds a sign reading, “Cheers to 60 years! Happy anniversary Studio Tour!”
As the tour nears the town square set, guests see a clip featuring “Back to the Future” screenwriter Bob Gale and star Lea Thompson.
Doc Brown appears in-person with the DeLorean on the town square set. “Back to the Future” was filmed here, although the set has seen changes over the years for other projects.
Universal is still working on new additions to the tour, like a dinosaur paddock.
Guests will also see the Lyon Estates entrance structures from “Back to the Future.”
A “Happy 60th Studio Tour” banner hangs on a fence. It’s from Quint’s Bait and Tackle, a “Jaws” reference.
A painted sign in the Six Points, Texas set reads, “Happy anniversary from 6 60 Points Texas!!”
Earthquake – The Big One
Earthquake – The Big One has been closed for a major refurbishment and has reopened with the 60th anniversary of the Studio Tour. This part of the tour has been experiencing a lot of technical difficulties since the refurbishment. It took 3 rides on the tram before we were able to experience Earthquake. If this part of the tour is down, you will just skip it and continue with the rest of the tour.
This area of the tour got a more modern and updated look.
Earthquake hasn’t changed too much, though. It’s just as thrilling as ever!
Photo Ops
The major highlight of the anniversary Studio Tour is that guests get to step off the trams onto the backlot for photo ops. This experience is after the tour goes through the “War of the Worlds” set and past the “Psycho” house. The trams park at the Bates Motel and allow guests to exit.
An original Universal Studios Glamor Tram is on display and available for photos.
You can go as fast or slow as you want in this area because you can board any tram going back.
There are 60th anniversary red and gold director’s chairs in front of the Glamor Tram.
A bunch of other props and set pieces are set up in the motel’s parking lot. Some of them have “Hold” tags on them.
This is inspired by the old Prop Plaza.
A replica of the Hollywood sign has been built on the hill nearby.
Guests can walk on a ramp to get a photo with the sign in the background.
The tram drops you off at the Bates Motel, so there are a few great opportunities for photos. Norman’s car is parked nearby for a photo op with the ‘Psycho’ house in the background.
You may also see Norman Bates himself wandering the area. He was very busy going in and out of the office. We even spotted him wiping off a bloody knife.
He didn’t like us watching him and made sure we left quickly.
More photo ops are around the back of Bates Motel. There are QR codes on the signs to add effects to each photo.
The King Kong photo op has a backdrop of Kong and a giant fluffy Kong hand. Guests can stand in the hand to look like the ape is holding them, similar to photo ops from the past.
This is similar to a retro photo op that was available in the Universal Studios Florida summer Tribute Store a few years ago.
The “Jaws” photo op is a lot more impressive looking.
There’s a giant hanging shark, also similar to a Universal Studios Florida prop. Crates and barrels are around the shark.
An Amity Island backdrop is behind it.
A “Fast and Furious” photo op has two studio cars used in the films.
There’s a 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 from “2 Fast 2 Furious” and a 1970 Dodge Charger from “Fast X.”
When you’re done taking photos, you get back on a tram to finish the tour. The Studio Tour then takes you through the Jupiter’s Claim set and the Fast and Furious: Supercharged attraction.
The exit of the Studio Tour has one more photo op. This one features stylized artwork like on the billboard and sign. The backlot is pictured with a Glamor Tram going through it. The cutout of a Glamor Tram is in the foreground that guests can pose with.
Take ride with us for the 60th anniversary of the Studio Tour in our video below.
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