Day Trips: Italy, Leaning Tower of Pisa
Warner Bros Studio Tours - London at Christmas
‘I solemnly swear that I am up to no good…’
For any Harry Potter fans not looking to fly to America and deal with some of the worst jet lag I’ve ever experienced, Warner Brothers tour is a dream. Full of the actual props used in the movies and immersive sets that will transport you into the story. But will the tour do this epic franchise justice or would it prove to be absolutely riddikulus?
Stepping into the magical world
Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio tours is a film buff’s dream, and if you’re a Harry Potter mega fan like me, it’s worth the day trip to just outside London. Stepping into the magical world, you encounter the real props as you go behind the scenes on iconic sets. The tri wizard cup, how the invisibility cloak works and more behind the secrets of how quidditch came to life (along with why Ravenclaw and Slytherin could never play a match against each other). Being a lover of all things behind the scenes, I also enjoyed the technical magic, costumes and how they created various effects such as the ‘troll bogies’ from the first movie. Everything authentic and how it was on set, but I won’t give away too much on this page. The tour also gives insights to many parts of filming you wouldn’t have thought of, like the multiple cats to play Hermione’s cat ‘Crookshanks’. Animatronics and effects that brought the movies to life and created the magical hippogriffs and dragons we saw on screen.
Halfway with a Butter Beer
Halfway through the tour, between studio ‘J’ and ‘K’, there’s a chance for refreshments. Butterbeer being the drink of choice with other food options too. Most of the tour is inside, however here you can walk across the famous Hogwarts bridge, peep inside the knight bus and much more. After refreshments, you enter the second studio, focusing on mind blowing prosthetics and displays on how the goblins from Gringotts Wizarding Bank were brought to life. Creatures and concept art being one of my favourite sections of the tour.
Immersive Sets
Throughout Warner Bros Studios there are a number of immersive sets. Using smoke effects, screens and technology you can walk through Diagon Alley, step foot in the Herbology Greenhouse, the iconic great hall, venture through the Forbidden Forest and more (though the forest can be skipped for those scared of spiders like I am). I won’t say much more or many of the other surprises will be revealed. Then towards the end is of course the gift shop. I’ve been multiple times and never could resist buying some Honeydukes chocolate ‘fudge flies’ or similar. Though, as you would expect the queue paying for items from the shop is a lot and it is quite expensive (especially if you want to purchase one of the many character wands).
Overall Rating Card
Christmas at Hogwarts
The last thing I will say is the festive decorations are incredible. Once I was lucky enough to go round the tour at Christmas. Unbelievable! The amount of fake snow, massive Christmas trees and lights lit up the tour in a new way, definitely making me want to do the Harry Potter movie countdown to Christmas.
Would I go back ?
So if you haven’t guessed, I absolutely loved the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tours. Every time I’ve gone, I come away with new secrets from set and wanting to do another Harry Potter marathon. However, the time you take going around the tour will depend on how much of a fan you are. But word of warning if you do go, there is much more there than you think and you may never see Quidditch the same way again…
‘Mischief managed…’
Top Tips if your planning a visit
You will need at leaast 2 to 3 hours if not longer
2. If its your birthday let them know… I wont spoil it but they can do a cool surprise at the start.
3. Half way round you get a chance to sit down with refreshing Butter Beer. ( pricey, though )
4. Ideal time to visit is between meals as its quite expensive for food.
5. Chrismas time is a great time to visit as they add in extra snowing themes.
6. Parking is easy but you need to arrive 30 minutes before your slot.
Typical Day Plan
Arrive after lunch 2/3 pm
Start the tour with the Great Hall
Approx 1hr – Wonder around part 1 studio J with special effects and the forbidden forest walk ( with, yes the spiders )
Approx 30 min – Half way rest with a Butter Beer and food if you need it.
Approx 1.5 hours – Second half looking at animatronics, immersive Gringotts Bank and then the incredible model of Hogwarts.
Useful links
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