Lunch at Lorelai Gilmore's House
Warner Brothers, while always open to the public for guided tours, recently added a special experience for "Gilmore girls" fans called "Lunch at Lorelai's" from Saturday, Dec. 22 - Sunday, Jan. 6. Although, I've taken this tour an embarrassing amount of times before, I had to experience this. Anything Gilmore related, count me in! Somehow, it always seems to be fall or winter in Stars Hollow - a magical dreamlike town and what better time to experience it than at Christmas?
As a writer, Amy Sherman-Palladino has been one of my biggest writing heroes for as long as I can remember and "Gilmore girls" has been my all-time favorite show. I found it on ABC Family when I was about 10-years-old and fell in love with it after just a few episodes. I am now almost 27. This show, the characters, its cast and the crazy town known as Stars Hollow all have such a special place in my heart. Especially after it became the thing that my mom and I do together, tuning in on Tuesday nights, standing in line to meet Lauren Graham at her book signing or watching reruns whenever we get the chance.
Having lunch at Lorelai's on the Warner Brothers lot truly was every bit as incredible as I'd hoped it would be. If you're going or curious as to how it works or want to know for your own visit, let me walk you through the day.
Studio Tour
There are a few options when it comes to purchasing tickets, but the most common is the "studio tour." It is $65 for adults and $55 for children, if you buy online, which makes it much easier and you can add to your wallet on your iphone. Tickets can be purchased here. For the Gilmore girls Lunch at Lorelai's event, that is the only one you need, as it is all included. However, lunch is sold separately once you get to the lot.
It is only advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to your tour, if you've already bought tickets. This will allow you time to park ($12 for parking in the garage below the meeting spot), use the restroom, go through security and check in. We arrived a little early, but it's better than being late - we had the 12 p.m. tour. Inside, after you've checked in, you are given a letter card and are instructed to wait in the lobby area until your letter is called and you can line up, before you're taken into a screening room to watch a short film about the history of Warner Brothers Studio.
After the video ends, you are dismissed to meet your tour guides. Each tour has about 12 people on it, so that it's a bit more intimate and catered to your interests. From there, it's about a two-and-a-half hour around the lot, including a visit to soundstages, like "Ellen" or "The Big Bang Theory," Hennesy Street, the Midwest section (Stars Hollow), the prop house, the Batmobile warehouse, the DC Universe/Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts exhibit. No two tours are exactly alike, which makes it all the more exciting, if you visit again in a couple years. There's always something different to see.
You will see a few "Gilmore" related locations during the tour, such as Stars Hollow High, the outside of Chilton (used for a few scenes), Rory's study tree in the park area, center of town with Luke's, Miss Patty's, Doose's and more, though they are not dressed as they were on the show.
After the guided tour came to a close, we were dropped off at the Stage 48 experience. You'll walk through the double doors of the building and go to the right. Once outside, you'll hear lots of commotion and excitement. But, should you have any trouble, there are employees around in the Warner Brothers gift shop to help out. When you see this sign (below), you'll know you're in the right place. Plan for at least another hour-and-a-half to two hours to walk through Stars Hollow, visit Lorelai and wander through the Stage 48 exhibits.
When we arrived, everything came into view - the house, the stations, the decorations, the actual Stars Hollow sign (although, if I remember correctly, I think Amy Sherman-Palladino was gifted the original after the show wrapped. I could be mistaken, though).
My mom and I geeked out at everything first - the Stars Hollow sign, usually seen in the center of town, the Luke's coffee bar with photos from the show and the famous Luke's sign hanging up proudly against the fence; Lorelai's house dressed for Christmas with lights and props from the show and of course, the jeep that she used throughout the entirety of the show. Music featured on the show was blasting as you walk up, complete with the "la la la's" that it's known for.
It really does feel like a party in Lorelai's front yard and makes me wonder why she didn't throw more parties (Ha, just kidding).
Lunch
My mom and I decided to do this portion before anything else, because we took our tour around lunchtime and wanted to eat. Just in front of Lorelai's house, there's a table with catering services for lunch. Step right up, order your food and you'll get it within minutes. It's mostly diner food options, aside from the roasted turkey or chicken breast. We figured we'd stick with the diner theme and order burgers - my mom had a regular burger with cheese and I had a veggie burger. You can also fix your burger to your liking with condiments on the side.
Complete menu and prices below:
There are tables and chairs at Lorelai's house, but we decided to eat on the residential street where Sookie and Jackson's house is located. It also has the perfect view of the gazebo and the rest of town. As if in true Stars Hollow fashion, a breeze was blowing and leaves were falling from the trees, although a little warmer than an actual Connecticut day would be.
Lorelai's House
Decorated with lights and other Christmas decorations around the porch, you're free to wander (within reason) to take as many photos as you want in front of the house and everyone took advantage of that opportunity.
Although, it's not a practical set (meaning it wasn't used for interior and exterior shots), you can step into the foyer of the house to see Rory's Chilton uniform and one of Lorelai's most popular from the first season. Around the corner is one of Luke's famous plaid shirts, jeans and of course, the blue baseball cap that Lorelai gifted him with. *swoon*
There are also other props placed around the porch, so keep an eye out and have fun with it. Make sure you get just the right picture before leaving!
Luke's Coffee
There's something about coffee and the idea of Luke's Diner that just warms my heart. While the diner set wasn't open, seeing this display made me very excited. They sell coffee, pop tarts, pastries, Dragonfly Inn cookies and other snacks. The Gilmores would've been proud. Also, if you purchase a Luke's mug from the gift store, be sure to show your receipt to get a free cup of coffee. You'll need to keep your energy up for all of the festivities in town. And pose next to the Luke's diner sign!
Luke's Diner will always have special significance for me. The very first time I took the Warner Brothers Studio tour, I was about 8 or 9. "Gilmore girls" would've just wrapped its second season and starting its third. I had no clue about the show at the time, though we visited Emily and Richard's house and patio sets and of course Stars Hollow. I remember my parents telling me to pose under the sign and me rolling my eyes, wondering why I'd take a picture with something from a show I'd never paid attention to. Now, it all makes sense. Parents really do just know about these things, ha!
I got my free cup of coffee, then we were set for our stroll in Stars Hollow. We walked back past Sookie and Jackson's house and Mrs. Kim's, then got in line for our photo at the gazebo.
Gift Shop
The gift shop is smaller, as it is to the left on Lorelai's front porch, where their back door would've been located on the show, but there are plenty of goodies to buy, either as gifts or for yourself. There are a couple racks and shelves of t-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, keychains, magnets, pens, Luke's mugs and more. I spent a little too much, but how can you not when you're standing on Lorelai's porch? Suddenly, you need it all!
Lorelai's Jeep
Perhaps one of the coolest things that I'd never seen before on the lot was Lorelai's jeep! Yes, the one that gets hit by a deer while Rory is driving to Chilton and gets them to and from Hartford for their Friday night dinners. So cool!
Stars Hollow Gazebo
Perhaps the most perfect photo spot and the most recognizable of the locations is the Stars Hollow gazebo, which is back in its rightful place on the lot. So many sweet and jaw-dropping moments happened here, including Luke and Lorelai's wedding and Rory saying those famous last words in the series revival. You really do have the best view from all around at the top, too.
I didn't want to leave. It felt like time stopped and I was in this beautiful little "Gilmore girls" bubble.
The weather couldn't have been better either! I had planned on wearing a pink Lorelai inspired coat, but it is Los Angeles, so I decided to lose it at the last minute.
Stage 48
While there's nothing Gilmore related this time around in Stage 48, it is still part of your tour experience and an incredible one at that. Walk through the process of TV and filmmaking from "script to screen," see costumes from some of the latest Warner Brothers pictures, including "A Star is Born" and "Crazy Rich Asians," then have a seat on the famous "Friends" couch at Central Perk.
See costumes from some of Hollywood's classic films, such as "Casablanca," "My Fair Lady," "Rebel without a Cause" and others. Then, get a behind-the-scenes look at how some of the technical scenes are made for films, like "Harry Potter" and "Gravity." Then, make your way to the last exhibit of memorabilia from shows and movies like "Full House," "Friends," "ER," "The West Wing" and "The Music Man." You can even have the opportunity to hold an Oscar for one of their productions.
Then finish off at the café, recreated to look like Central Perk with a sweet treat or something to drink. I couldn't leave without getting another cup of coffee - this time a cold brew. Besides, look how cute it is all decorated for Christmas!
It was the perfect day to be able to spend with my mom, celebrating "Gilmore girls" and some of my other favorites. If you've never been to Warner Brothers Studios or want to visit for the special Gilmore event, buy your tickets and book a trip! It's definitely worth it for any fan of the show or any of the other WB content.
As the tagline of the event says, "Tis the season to Live more. Laugh more. Eat more. Talk more. Gilmore." Crossing my fingers for more events like this in the future!
That's all for now,