Holidays Made Here: 2022

My family and I have taken the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood more times than I can count (or should probably care to admit) over the years. Being a huge Gilmore girls fan and overall entertainment junkie, I live for movie studio tours. The great thing about Warner Bros. is that they're always finding new ways to enhance the experience, whether it's new focuses for the tour, interactive aspects like Stage 48 or events, like fan favorite "A Gilmore girls Holiday."

This event has become a tradition for my mom and I since they started it back in 2018. After several years of the lot being closed for tours during the pandemic, we were so excited to learn of its return.

The first hour of the tour is dedicated to the various sections of the backlot, like Hennessy Street (New York City), Warner Village (all of the exteriors they use for homes, but are mostly actually production offices), the jungle set (which can be used for a jungle, wilderness or for a 16-year-old Rory getting hit by a deer).

There's a romance to a real Hollywood backlot. Think "La La Land" vibes. Especially on a rainy day!

You take a look around at some of the most famous backdrops set in different areas. Could be Chicago or New York City, could be a jungle in the rainforest or a small town in the Midwest. They make sets extremely versatile so they can easily be stripped and rebuilt for whatever production is filming there.

The tour guides drive you around on the lot, occasionally hopping off to see a practical set (a facade that is actually able to film inside and use as you would a regular building), pointing out insider secrets for how your favorite movies and television shows are made.

Every time we go back something new is always filming there or I have a new obsession that I'm excited to learn more about.

We were also able to see the school from Abbott Elementary, which was cool, because as soon as I got home I started working to catch up on that and absolutely love it!

Stage 48 is all about the moviegoer/fan, as there are props, costumes and sets from all of our favorite TV shows and movies, as well as favorites from the past, like "Friends."

Walking through the exhibit, you get to see how the entire process works from "Script to Screen" as they say, from the screenwriting aspect to casting to costume and the final product of filming.

They're always switching out costumes from their latest productions. This time around it was one of Austin Butler's costumes as Elvis from the Blockbuster hit, "Elvis." Being that it was the holiday tour, they also had props and items from holiday classics like "Jack Frost" and "A Christmas Story," which was incredibly cool to see.

And, of course, my favorite part of the tour is the "Friends" set. They've also recently turned, what was, the studio store into a recreation of the "Friends" apartments and Central Perk, giving fans a chance to hang out at Monica's or Joey and Chandler's or grab a cup of coffee just in time for Phoebe Buffay's next performance.

Stage 48 is all about the moviegoer/fan, as there are props, costumes and sets from all of our favorite TV shows and movies, as well as favorites from the past, like "Friends."

Walking through the exhibit, you get to see how the entire process works from "Script to Screen" as they say, from the screenwriting aspect to casting to costume and the final product of filming.

They're always switching out costumes from their latest productions. This time around it was one of Austin Butler's costumes as Elvis from the Blockbuster hit, "Elvis." Being that it was the holiday tour, they also had props and items from holiday classics like "Jack Frost" and "A Christmas Story," which was incredibly cool to see.

And, of course, my favorite part of the tour is the "Friends" set. They've also recently turned, what was, the studio store into a recreation of the "Friends" apartments and Central Perk, giving fans a chance to hang out at Monica's or Joey and Chandler's or grab a cup of coffee just in time for Phoebe Buffay's next performance.

Also in Stage 48 are a couple Big Bang Theory sets, like Sheldon and Leonard's apartment as well as the connecting hallway and infamous elevator that doesn't work just across from Penny's apartment. Sit in Sheldon's spot or knock on Penny's door. Warner Bros. allows you to get up close and pretend that you're the movie or TV star for the day!

Each year this event expands and it's incredible to see it transform each time. This year, the town was open for people to walk, shop and eat just as you would if you lived in Stars Hollow. There were coffee stations to purchase "Luke's Coffee" (which was from Scott Patterson's coffee company, Luke himself), PopTarts or other pastries themed with the occasion, or shop in one of the merch stores, whether it was to purchase Chilton gear, apparel or smaller items, like mugs and pens. Scotty P’s Coffee was also available for purchase, and the peppermint was delicious and Gilmore-approved.

Nods to the show and props were sprinkled throughout so you were constantly aware of what was around you and freaking out as you went. There were the paintings that were hung in the Gilmore's home, as well as costumes, like Lorelai, Rory and Luke, as well as other signage and decorations honoring the show, even if that wasn't an original location or prop.

If you’re a fan of the show, this is a dream come true.

My ADHD was all over the place and overwhelmed with where to go first because everything feels magical:

• Lorelai's house;
• Sookie's house;
• Get a cup of Luke's coffee (at one of the nearby stands);
• Stop by the church;
• Walk around town and sit in the gazebo for awhile;
• Stars Hollow High;
• Mrs. Kim's Antiques;
• Stars Hollow Books;
• Stars Hollow Gazette;
• Stars Hollow Mercantile;
• Luke's Diner;
• And so much more...

While you weren’t able to walk through the house this year (like in 2019), part of the house was a gift shop. Shopping in Lorelai’s? Don’t mind if I do. They also have a few trinkets and mugs on the wraparound porch.


The original "Friends" fountain, used in the opening sequence of the show was moved to the lot from the Warner Bros. Ranch a few years ago. I recently learned that it's due to the fact that they will be permanently closing that lot.

Sit on the (hard plastic) Friends couch in front of the fountain for a photo, then stop by Phoebe's car just behind. It makes for a fun photo op!

Every year that we’ve gone, I’ve taken a photo with the Gilmore mailbox in front of Lorelai’s house. It’s just a thing now!

Warner Bros. Studios has expanded and renovated like never before with a much larger tour office, which includes the Storytelling Showcase highlighting 100 years of movie and TV magic through the years, then follow the crowd as you’re broken into groups to view the trailer for what you’re about to see the lot - the iconic moments, the romantic moments, the funny and everything in-between. After leaving Stars Hollow to go back to reality, the tram dropped us off at the DC and Supervillain exhibit, featuring a Bat Mobile, Shazam costumes and props, along with others movies, like “42” and the Leonard Nimoy signed napkin that Sheldon gets on “Big Bang Theory.”

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• Plan a date and buy your tickets ahead of time on the WB website! If you have an iPhone, you can add your tickets to the Apple Wallet, which makes it much easier to reference once you're going through security and checking in on the day of your tour.
• There is a parking structure next to the lot that you can park in without worrying about validation or whether your car is going to be towed;
• Be sure to get there early; Most times you can squeeze onto an earlier tour. Plus, you have to go through security (much like you would for a concert);
• There is a gift shop that has merchandise from all of your favorite shows. But if you don't have time on the way in, that's where you'll be dropped off at the end of your experience;
• Wear comfortable shoes, especially if it is a larger event like "Holidays Made Here" where you have the freedom to walk through Stars Hollow at your own pace;
• Plan to spend several hours there - grab a snack or eat on the lot at one of the stands or "restaurants" set up;
• Take pictures of everything, unless told to put your camera/phone away (which is usually the case on a working set or inside of a soundstage if it's dressed for a production);
• Ask your tour guides questions! Let them know what you're a fan of as they try to cater to what you're interested in;
• Take your time. You are able to go at your own leisure around the town to take photos, sit for awhile and sip your coffee or just walk around to take it all in.
• Enjoy yourself! This is a great experience for you and your family to do together so make the most of it.

If you’ve never been, do yourself a favor and book a ticket to California for a tour! Or if you’ve been, make another visit. You’ll thank me later!