Celebrating a Milestone in Magic: Universal Studios Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for the 60th anniversary of its iconic Studio Tour! From April 26 through August 11, 2024, join in the grand celebration with exclusive events and special surprises that honor six decades of behind-the-scenes adventures.
Although the celebration doesn’t official kick off until next week, a few new surprises have already been added to the tour, and passholders have been getting a preview. So, let’s take a ride on the Glamor Tram!
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Sixty years ago, Universal Studios Hollywood – then known as Universal City Studios – was just one of many major movie studios in Los Angeles, but that all changed on July 4, 1964, when Universal invited tourists onto the studio lot to see “current productions, both feature and television, being made at Universal City.” Since then, the studio tour has become an integral part – and an exclusive feature – of the Universal Studios Hollywood experience, with more than 200 million guests (and counting) taking the behind-the-scenes ride.
“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,” said Scott Strobl, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Universal Studios Hollywood. “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 centerpiece of the celebration is the opportunity to step off the tram at the “Pycho” sets see the original, fully-restored 1964 vintage Glamor Tram, a giant King Kong backdrop, and the theme park’s original hanging “Jaws” shark.
But wait, there’s more!
In addition to rolling out the fabulous red-and-white Glamor Trams, shaking things up at the Earthquake experience, and providing the step-off photo opportunities, Universal Studios Hollywood also offers the following 60th-anniversary-worthy experiences:
- As guests wait to board the Studio Tour, they’ll see archival images and videos detailing its incredible history plus be able to participate in an all-original augmented reality (AR) Studio Tour trivia challenge to test their knowledge of the attraction and share their results on social media.
- The tram’s monitors will show clips of former Studio Tour attractions as they once appeared on the tour.
- A dimensional Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur display used in the promotion “Jurassic World,” which will be growling next to a locked paddock of “wild dinosaurs that can be heard screeching and clamoring to escape.”
- And live characters and experiences will help bring the tour to life in new ways.
What’s New On The World Famous Studio Tour
We have a whirlwind of Studio Tour images, news, and history below. Much of it was a heavy dose of nostalgia. And none bigger than a live Doc Brown character interacting with tram passengers in Court House Square (an iconic filming location from the “Back to the Future” movies). A time-traveling picture car from the films is also parked in the square.
Although it no longer “runs away,” the iconic Runaway Train is temporarily parked on the defunct Collapsing Bridge and has new lights, sounds, and smoke (You’ll see it just past the King Kong experience).
The former Fast and Furious segment of the tour has been updated with a new Jurassic Park theme, filled with dinosaur noises and screams of terror inside the Dino paddock. On the opposite side of the tram, a large T-Rex statue has been installed.
A scale model of L.A.’s iconic Hollywood Sign has been installed on the tour route – the first time an official replica of the sign has been constructed.
In another twist, theme park guests can get off the tram mid-tour at the Bates Motel for photo op experiences including with an original 1964 Glamor Tram, a scale Hollywood sign, the Psycho House and Norman Bates’ car, some fast looking cars, a famous gorilla, and an even more famous shark.
While you make your way past the Bates Motel, watch out for Norman Bates who quickly switches from welcoming to psycho as he interacts with guests outside his family motel.
Universal Studios Hollywood annual passholders can preview the new additions on April 22, 23, and 24, 2024. Click here for details.
Shaking Up The Earthquake Experience
To coincide with the epic diamond anniversary celebration, Universal has also spruced up one of the most epic experiences on the Studio Tour, “Earthquake – The Big One,” which has been “shaking things up” on the Universal backlot since 1989.
Native Southern Californians know about earthquakes, but even those of us who grew up in the Golden State haven’t experienced anything like the 8.3 magnitude quake Universal delivers daily on the Studio Tour.
The trouble begins soon after guests enter Stage 50. Suddenly, the ground beneath the tram starts to shake, and the pavement collapses. Next, live electric wires spark, an 18-wheeler crashes down from the street above, and 60,000 gallons of water rush down the stairs. If that’s not enough, a runaway subway train suddenly barrels into the middle of the chaos. It’s special effects magic experienced live!
Here’s what “Earthquake – The Big One” looked like before it’s recent update:
While only 90-seconds, the harrowing experience showcases not only movie magic, but theme park magic as well.
We were given a sneak peek of the updated version of Earthquake, and here’s what we learned.
Earthquake… What’s New?
The iconic attraction has gotten quite a makeover, with remastered technology, enhanced lighting and audio, and updated set dressing. The addition of a storyline that places theme park guests on a “hot set” where a movie is being filmed in a fictional UMT (Universal Mass Transit) subway station also ups the “behind-the-scenes” quotient guests expect on the backlot tour.
“This attraction has obviously been around for a very, very long time, so between the art direction and the years, it needed some TLC,” said Universal Creative Vice President Jon Corfino. “One of the things we wanted to do is take a fresh look at it and say, ‘What if it were to happen today?’”
According to Corfino, that included refreshed graphics, updated colors, and the addition of “2024 touches” like e-bike charging stations, which obviously weren’t even a thing in 1989.
“And that’s just the aesthetic part that you can visually see,” Corfino notes. “We’ve also completely redone the entire audio system… and ‘sweetened’ the original track, so it’s a much more powerful experience.”
It also seems this is a heist movie.
Even the subway train car has a new blue color scheme.
On the walls are a few Easter Eggs, including cheeky ads for earthquake insurance and the nearby Tremor Bar.
The street names on the maps of San Francisco pay tribute to members of the Universal creative team who worked on the original attraction.
And a fictional movie poster honors those who contributed to the updated version (“Jon” is Universal Creative Vice President Jon Corfino).
Did you ever wonder where the 60,000 gallons of water come from? Well, guess what? You’re in Waterfront Station.
And if you wondered where all that water goes…
Another bit of movie magic causes the station’s support pillars to buckle during the quake.
“One thing that we see – though it shouldn’t come as any surprise – is the most popular things on the backlot are the most physically immersive,” Corfino said. “Big physical moments. Flash Flood, War of the Worlds, this one. It goes back to our authentic DNA of being behind the scenes and seeing how this stuff really works.”
The updated Earthquake experience will open in conjunction with the anniversary activities and has already been previewed to passholders!
The Hollywood Sign Joins the Celebration
Originally installed in 1923 as a giant billboard for a real estate development called Hollywoodland (the “land” disappeared long ago), the Hollywood Sign is a universal symbol of both the city of Los Angeles and the movie industry.
As we mentioned above, to commemorate the Studio Tour’s 60th anniversary (and the Hollywood Sign’s centennial), Universal Studios Hollywood has debuted the first-ever original replica of the Hollywood Sign at the tram step off near the “Psycho” sets.
While the original Hollywood Sign towers at 45 feet, the replica will stand tall at 10 feet but nevertheless provides guests with the exclusive opportunity to get photos with the iconic Hollywood Sign.
“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is thrilled that this incredible opportunity will enable guests to step off the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood and enjoy an up close look at a perfectly scaled replica of the Hollywood Sign,” said Steve Nissen, CEO and President of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. “It has been a dream of millions to be able to climb the hillside to the actual sign atop Mt. Lee, so this collaboration with Universal Studios Hollywood is the ideal way to inspire guests around the world to dream big.”
Studio Tour 60th-Anniversary Food & Merch
Highly-themed food and beverages and themed merchandise and memorabilia will be available during the anniversary celebration.
A sampling of the food items includes:
- Hollywood & Dine – BBQ Brisket Sandwich, BBQ Cheeseburger, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Summer Strawberry Salad, BBQ Corn Dog, and Film Reel Cookie Sandwich.
- Mel’s Diner – Mel’s Classic Burger, Beyond Meat BBQ Cheeseburger, Chili Cheese Dog, Tuna Melt, Chicken Caeser Salad. In addition two entrees that “harken back to iconic mid-century TV dinner style platters” are the Meatloaf Combo and Fried Chicken Combo.
- Studio Scoops ice-cream parlor will whip up tasty treats in honor of the theme park’s signature attractions.
- City Snack Shop will be transformed into a Glamor Tram and serve 60th celebration treats, including the Glam Tram Cookie, Film Reel Cookie Sandwich, Giant 60th Pretzel, 60th Celebration Cookies, and Banana Breath Popcorn.
A special 60th-anniversary Dining Pass allows guests to choose six eligible menu items: a choice of two entrees, plus a choice of four snacks, sides, desserts, or beverages at participating restaurants or food carts (valid only on the day of purchase; select venues and food carts excluded).
Because there’s always merch, an all-new dedicated collection will include a 60th-anniversary popcorn bucket shaped as an iconic Glamor Tram, plus retro-themed souvenirs, including a Glamor Tram-themed pillow, blanket, backpack, jacket, tops, tee shirts, hats, mugs, keychains, salt and pepper shakers, chocolates and candies.
And let’s not forget the #1 reason to take the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour: The chance to spot movie and television stars from the tram!
And now, a little bit of terrific tram history…
Universal Was a Trailblazer
While we now take studio tours for granted (Universal is one of four major Hollywood-area studios that offer public tours), in 1964 it was unheard of to invite the public to peek behind the scenes of movie and television production – which is why no one else had ever done it. Nevertheless, Universal’s red and white “Glamor Trams” hit the studio’s streets five times a day, Monday through Friday, for a tour that lasted just over two hours.
During the tour’s first year, visitors saw a make-up demonstration, a display of costumes by award-winning costume designer Edith Head, and a two-man stunt performance. They also got to see some of the studio’s outdoor film sets, including the “Psycho House” from legendary director Alfred Hitchcock, which remains a beloved part of the tour today.
The Bates Motel set for “Psycho II” (1983) was later added to the studio tour (often featuring a live actor encounter).
In the second year, Universal added a full stunt show, an animal show, and a “screen test comedy theatre.” Throughout the early years, guests also saw displays props and “movie magic” techniques, all precursors to what would eventually become the hallmark of Universal theme parks around the world: immersing guests in experiences themed to celebrated film and television properties.
Gone But Not Forgotten
In the 60 years since the Studio Tour debuted, many experiences have been retired, including the Parting of the Red Sea, which opened in 1973 to demonstrate an early special effects technique and the spinning Ice Tunnel, which opened in 1975 to illustrate forced perspective.
Also gone are a dramatic rock slide of (for some reason perfectly-round) faux boulders and a near-miss collision with a runaway train that now sits by the also-retired collapsing bridge near the entrance to King Kong 360 3-D.
Today’s Studio Tour
Thankfully, a few of the “classics” are still around, including the Flash Flood, which debuted in 1971 to demonstrate movie weather effects.
Another fan favorite, “Jaws Lake,” was constructed on the studio backlot way back in 1976 (a year after the movie premiered), yet nearly 50 years later, Bruce the shark still terrorizes theme park guests daily.
The biggest addition to the tour literally crash landed in 2005 when an original movie set from Steven Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds” allowed trams to drive through the movie’s pivotal scene depicting a 747 jetliner crash.
Theme park guests who book a VIP tour can actually walk through the wreckage. (Many years you can also walk through this set during Halloween Horror Nights)
Most recently, the original Jupiter’s Claim set from Jordan Peele’s “Nope” joined the Studio Tour in 2022, where for the first time, an elaborate movie set was disassembled post-production, transported to Universal Studios Hollywood, and reconstructed, complete with original props and details from the film.
I’ll be Your Tour Guide
Thankfully, one aspect of the original Glamor Tram tour remains: live tour guides. Since 2011 they’ve shared the job with “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon through pre-recorded video segments. Despite Jimmy’s assistance, the professionally-trained live Studio Tour Guides not only educate guests about the history and current workings of the world-famous movie and television lot but are also keepers of insider information and first-hand accounts, which is why no two tours are exactly alike.
The once-celebrated Glamor Trams have also been replaced with a fleet of 21 much larger vehicles, many of which have been converted from diesel-hydraulic engines to electric to help reduce carbon emissions and improve the guest experience by reducing noise (you know they’re electric if the lettering is green instead of yellow). The remaining trams are expected to be converted to electric by 2025.
However, in honor of the 60th anniversary, the trams are receiving a glamorous makeover that embraces their early history. (Did you know the original Glamor Trams were designed by Disney Legend Harper Goff in 1964?)
The Studio Tour as a Theme Park Attraction
While the Studio Tour has remained true to its original promise of providing access to production sets on an working studio lot, the experience has evolved considerably to combine “behind-the-scenes” opportunities film and television buffs want along with advanced technology and “attractions within the attraction” theme park fans expect.
When the 1986 King Kong attraction (which Disney Legend Bob Gurr helped design) was destroyed in a 2008 fire, it provided a golden opportunity to update the experience as King Kong 360-3D, inspired by filmmaker Peter Jackson’s Oscar-winning film. In 2015 Fast & Furious – Supercharged became the tour’s second 3-D “attraction within an attraction” experience.
NOTE: Both are stand-alone rides at Universal Orlando Resort: Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Universal Islands of Adventure and Fast & Furious – Supercharged at Universal Studios Florida.
It’s also certainly worth mentioning that a new Fast & Furious-themed roller coaster is currently under construction on the park’s Upper Lot, which in theory, opens up a coveted spot for a new attraction on the Studio Tour. So far, Universal is keeping mum, but we definitely have our eye on this one.
Terror Tram
Last but certainly not least, the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour has a starring role in the theme park’s annual Halloween Horror Nights event: The Terror Tram. And while Orlando’s Halloween event may be bigger, Hollywood is the only place to ride the Terror Tram – and each year with a new terrifying theme.
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Let’s Hear From You!
What’s your favorite part of the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour? Do you love the behind-the-scenes looks at film and television sets or are the high-tech 3-D attractions the reason you ride? And what do we think will be changed up or added once the new Fast & Furious coaster debuts? Let us know in the comments below!
For even more Universal Studios Hollywood news, check out our recent update which includes construction photos and latest news from Universal, including a surprise addition to Water World:
Universal Studios Hollywood News: Fast & Furious Coaster and Fall Guy!