Wednesday 28 June 2017

Harry Potter Studio Tour

rljlowe | Harry Potter Studio Tour


As a joint present for mine and Harriet's birthdays, Mum bought us all tickets to go to the Harry Potter tour in London. We've been a couple of times before but as is the way with these things, they keep adding in new attractions, so we just have to keep going back. Such a hardship, I know. It was the first time we'd gone without it being "Christmas at Hogwarts" and they now have the Forbidden Forest section and the Hogwarts Express. Excited didn't even come close.


We'd booked in an early morning slot for the Saturday, so stayed overnight nearby because let's face it, we didn't want to have to get up earlier than needed. Saturday morning comes around and off we trot to the studios, first going through the airport style security they now have at the entrance - we were quite relieved that they had this as it seemed a bit bizarre that they didn't have any security before. Whilst we waited in the queue, Ellen snuck off to one of the reception desks and got Harriet and I some rad little birthday badges.

rljlowe | Harry Potter Studio Tour


When you first get into the Studios, you all congregate into a cinema style room, answer some Harry Potter trivia (the four of us answered at least half of the questions) then watch a little film about the filming process. Without giving too much away, there's a reveal to the doors of the Great Hall and that's pretty much where the fun begins. As it was our birthday, Harriet and I got to open the doors into the Great Hall and I'm almost 100% positive I was the oldest one there.

rljlowe | Harry Potter Studio Tour


The Great Hall looked a little bit bare without all the Christmas decorations but no less spectacular. Despite this being our third trip, we still took our time walking around the first section of the Studios, really taking all the little details in, reading every single information board and of course, taking a selfie in the Mirror of Erised. Harriet commanded a broomstick to go "UP!" into her hands, whilst Ellen picked the brains of the staff to find out just how the magic happens. 

rljlowe | Harry Potter Studio Tour


Forbidden Forest

Then it was time for the Forbidden Forest, which was looming in a dark corner. As we walked in, the ground felt springy under our feet, replicating the feel of a real forest floor. There were huge trees towering above us and lightning flashing between the branches. Before you go off into the exhibit, you're greeted by Buckbeak who, every now and again, bows his head down to you. There was a hilarious lady who we think actually believed that he was responding to her bows. You're then split into a group to see the next section where you encounter Aragog and his family (I would probably recommend cutting this section out if you're arachnophobic). 


Hogwarts Express

After exiting the Forbidden Forest and going through the very conveniently placed "Forbidden Forest Gift Shop" you enter into the Hogwarts Express section. Here's where you can don a Hogwarts scarf and run with your trolley through Platform 9 3/4, or push with a lot of force which is apparently what I chose to do. You then have the opportunity to walk through a couple of the Hogwarts Express carriages, with each compartment representing one film. It was quite small and I can see it gaining big queues on busy days, but it is quite lovely to wander through. After that we went on a Hogwarts Express experience, which is a new green-screen section of the tour. You sit in a carriage and watch as you travel through the countryside before having a few pictures taken. After we had a look at our pictures, it was time for lunch! Harriet desperately wanted to try some Butterbeer, despite us warning her it wasn't particularly nice but she tried it and decided she only liked the sugary foam on top.

rljlowe | Harry Potter Studio Tour
rljlowe | Harry Potter Studio Tour




Privet Drive

Through our excitement of the new Forbidden Forest and Hogwarts Express sections, we hadn't realised that Number Four, Privet Drive was now open to have a wander around. We had seen the cupboard under the stairs numerous times as that's showcased right as you start your tour, the inside of Privet Drive however, was something we hadn't seen. The only space that is available to see is the front room, which I guess is probably the most memorable room especially with all the flying letters that are displayed. It doesn't take much time to have a look, you're stopped by a barrier from entering the room itself, but you can definitely appreciate the amount of work that went into it looking like a real family's living room.

rljlowe | Harry Potter Studio Tour


The second half of the tour is mostly the animatronics, concept art and Diagon Alley. If you've been before, this section hasn't changed. I personally really enjoy looking at all the concept drawings, especially for the architecture and all the knick-knacks that make the Harry Potter world seem real. We affectionately call our Mum, Dobby, only due to her work ethic more than anything else! Previous years we had her take a picture next to the waxwork model and this year we had her pose next to a drawing of herself. So cute.

rljlowe | Harry Potter Studio Tour

rljlowe | Harry Potter Studio Tour

She's happy, I promise











Many hours later and a little money spent in the gift shop, we'd finished our third Harry Potter Studios tour. And you know what? It was bloody brilliant (ten points to anyone who gets that reference, let me know in the comments).

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