Kualoa Ranch Movie Tour – Our Jurassic Park Backyard Experience
As movie buffs, my husband Evan and I were excited to come back to Kualoa Ranch for their Hollywood Movie Sites Tour in Oahu. We’ve both seen Jurassic Park and I’m a fan of the movie Jumanji and 50 First Dates, so we were curious to explore their filming locations in person. The tour turned out to be one of our favorite parts of our Oahu trip. Here’s what we experienced during our Kualoa Ranch Movie Tour.
What’s the Hollywood Movie Sites Tour About?
At Kualoa Ranch, the Hollywood Movie Tour lets you explore famous filming locations from big Hollywood blockbusters – it’s a real-life movie set and the tour is a must for film buffs!
You’ll ride in a cool vintage school bus (with open-air sides) through Ka’a’awa Valley, where over 50 Hollywood films and TV shows have been filmed! We recognized spots from Jurassic Park, Godzilla, and LOST.
The tour took us through Kualoa Ranch’s stunning scenery, with views of Mokoli’i Island and Kaneohe Bay. We got to see:
- The fallen tree from Jurassic Park
- The Godzilla footprint
- Scenes from Hawaii Five-O
- Where Kong smashed helicopters in Skull Island.
- Scenes from Jumanji and 50 First Dates
The tour guides share fun behind-the-scenes stories about the films. You can even take photos at these famous movie locations. Keep your eyes peeled for current film crews too as the ranch is always hosting new productions!
Overall, the tour felt like we were walking through some of our favorite films – it was super cool and we highly recommend it!
How Much Does Kualoa Ranch Movie Tour Cost?
Here’s a quick breakdown of the tour prices for when we went in 2024:
- Adults (13+): $54.95
- Children (3-12): $34.95
- Infants (0-2): Free
Note that these prices are for their 90-minute tour, but you can choose a longer 2.5-hour option (costs more) if you want to soak in more of the sights.
Once you’re in the ranch itself, take time to explore the grounds. The ranch is huge – 4,000 acres to be exact. And while you won’t be able to wander past the visitor welcome area without tickets to other tours, there are still so many cool spots to see by the entrance!
Making the Reservation for the Movie Tour
We booked our tour through their online reservation system, which was super easy. You can also call their office if you prefer.
Just make sure to book early! These tours can fill up fast, especially during peak season.
If your plans change, no worries. They have a flexible cancellation policy. Just give them a heads up at least 24 hours before your tour.
Remember to wear comfy shoes and bring a camera (a phone camera works great too!)
How Much Time To Set Aside for the Tour at Kualoa Ranch
The main movie tour lasts about 90 minutes. But don’t rush off right after!
Plan for at least 2-3 hours total. This gives you time to check in (45 minutes before the tour), enjoy the ride, and maybe grab a snack or souvenir after.
There are other tours you can add on too, like ATV rides and jungle expeditions. You can mix and match for a full day of fun!
Meet The Tour Guide
Your guide isn’t just any tour leader – they’re a movie buff and local expert rolled into one. They know all the cool behind-the-scenes facts about the films shot here.
Got questions? Fire away! Our guide shared a ton of fun facts and welcomed questions. He pointed out the exact spots where famous scenes were filmed.
All the guides at Kualoa are pretty great. They’ll share stories and jokes to keep you engaged throughout the tour and it was helpful to have someone there who knows everything about movies filmed at Kualoa Ranch.
Accessibility and Amenities
The movie tour at the ranch is wheelchair accessible. They use special vehicles that can accommodate wheelchairs. Service animals are welcome too.
Other handy amenities include:
- Restrooms at the main visitor center
- A gift shop for souvenirs
- Snack bars and food options
Looking for More Fun Things to Do in Hawaii?
- 14 Best Oahu Hikes & Top Trails for First-Time Visitors
- Where to Buy the Best Malasadas in Oahu, Hawaii
- Aloha Kai Luau at Sea Life Park Review – Our First Time!
Subscribe to DWELL and get new travel ideas delivered straight to your inbox! In addition, follow along on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram to get all the latest updates!
Have you been on Kualoa Ranch’s Movie Tour? Feel free to leave a comment below!
Copyright © All Rights Reserved. Content is written by Michelle Schmidt and/or team of dwellbymichelle.com.
