The Universal Studio Tour Hollywood has been thrilling guests for 60 years as 2024 marks the studio’s massive anniversary with lots of exciting new additions planned!
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 200 million guests worldwide have enjoyed the incredible studio tour and we loved our VIP Tram Tour experience. It was my first time over in America and the staff were amazing, I was doing it alone in between production of a film I was helping out with over there and everyone couldn’t have been nicer.
I genuinely felt like royalty, it’s easily one of the best studio tours in Hollywood!
As part of the celebration the park is bringing back its original iconic red and white candy-striped Glamor trains and guests will also be able to step off the tram and onto a legendary movie set where an original, fully restored 1964 vintage Glamor train awaits.
Stepping off the tram was only an exclusive for VIP guests so it’s great to see that everyone will get this opportunity during its 60th anniversary celebration!
This step-off area will provide additional memorable photo opportunities and social media posts, including a giant King Kong backdrop and the theme park’s original hanging Jaws shark.
Debuting in 1989 the ‘Earthquake – The Big One’ is also making a return as guests experience an 8.3 magnitude quake. After a huge renovation from top to bottom the experience will debut anew with contemporary technology and aesthetics.
Other exciting features will include 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.
As the Studio Tour navigates around the historic backlot, 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.
Universal Studios Hollywood will also be digging into its archive of prehistoric props with a behemoth dimensional Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur display used in the promotion of Universal Pictures’ Jurassic World movie. 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 clamouring to escape.
Universal Studios Hollywood is partnering with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, 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.
Guests will come face to face with a perfectly scaled replica of the Hollywood Sign.
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. The original Hollywood Sign towers at 45 feet; this official replica will stand tall at 10 feet to complement the landscape.
As part of sustainability for the future, the fleet of 21 diesel-hydraulic engine trams are being converted to electric trams but not only that, as part of the 60th anniversary celebration there will be a selection of specially created themed food, beverages and even merchandise!
An all-new dedicated Studio Tour 60th anniversary merchandise collection will invite guests to take home a piece of this historical celebration with such unique products as a 60th anniversary popcorn bucket shaped as an iconic Glamor Tram, plus an array of 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.
