The Harry Potter World Experience

December 12, 2021

 Hey guys!!

Omg!! What an amazing experience! We went to Harry Potter Warner Bro's Studio in Watford for one of my friend's birthday and I literally felt I was a child again. As we went on Tuesday 2nd November it was still Halloween themed with the Death Eaters and pumpkins hanging from the main hall. I honestly don't even think this post will do it justice. When Harry Potter came out I went with my Uncle to the cinema to see each one and I would be hyped for weeks spoiling the film for everyone.

We booked our tickets for 3:30pm so we set off from Liverpool to Crewe at 10am and then one of our friend's picked us up from Crewe and drove. She even made us all little goody bag with all treats ready for the car. Bless her.  One of my other friend's made cupcakes with different icing inside so whatever cake we got determined what house we was in. I was Gryfinndor. Then another one of my friend's bought Harry Potter cookie cutters but used them for our sandwiches. We got there for half 2 so we had our food and then headed on over took some pictures outside and then the fun began. I do recommend going for an earlier time slot as the place shuts at 8pm and we were literally finishing up at the same time (luckily).


So the tour is split into 2 with a food court in between where you can get the famous butterbeer. I think the price of one of these is roughly £2.50-£2.75 and as it was tea time we all got hotdogs and chips too. When you first start the tour get a Harry Potter Passport. When you first walk in there is a huge dragon hanging from the ceiling, a small Fantastic Beasts section and then you line up to enter the tour. The first part includes parts of the script, the film advertising posters, cardboard sizes of the characters and the famous Cupboard under the stairs. This was insane, it had his boots, his glasses, a flannel shirt, a dustpan and brush (haha), blankets and pillows. There is a short talk from some of the biggest Harry Potter fans and the staff and then when you carried on going you entered a cinema in which you watched BTS of the films and interviews from the actors themselves, the directors and the backstage crew. After this has finished the real and magically tour begins (starting with the Great Hall) where you can take it at your own pace. 

First stage of the Tour includes:

  • The Great Hall
  • The Yule Ball - Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire
  • Gryffindor Dorm & Common Room
  • Wands
  • Slytherin Common Room
  • The Mirror of Erised - Harry Potter & the Philospher's Stone
  • Dumbledore's Office
  • Snape's Potions Classroom
  • Hagrid's Hut
  • Green Screen - Flying a broom whilst playing Quidditch 
  • Weasley's Kitchen
  • Voldemort's Table - Death Eaters would gather to plan their evil crimes
  • The Ministry of Magic
  • Umbridge's Office - So pink & pretty - and her locket...
  • The Dark Forest
  • Platform 9 3/4 with Hogwarts Express featuring another Green screen (of riding on the train)

Second stage of the Tour includes: (Also some of it is outdoors) 

The outside Section:

  • 4 Privet Drive
  • Knight Bus - Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban
  • Hogwarts Bridge - Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban
  • The flying car 
The indoors Section:

  • Gringotts bank 
  • Bellatrix Lestrange's vault - Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows (Part 2)
  • Gringotts being destroyed by the dragon - Omg this was insane watching the dragon in 4D destroy the bank with special effects fire and smoke
Special Effects:

  • This section includes masks, makeup effects, wigs and dummies they used during filming to bring it to life. There was the werewolves, Voldemort, Dobby, Hedwig, goblins, the spiders, the trolls etc. 
  • A sewing machine with a fashion board with the goblin outfits
  • Makeup with the makeup tables
  • There was also an office with a desk with drawn out models of sets, endless books for the inspiration
  • Diagon Alley - Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, the broomsticks shop, the shops to buy the owls etc
  • And finally (but not lastly) Hogwarts model 
Verdict:

I absolutely LOVED it. I wouldn't class myself as a Harry Potter nerd - more Star Wars and Avengers haha but what an experience. From the clothes, to the sets, to the props - the details were insane. They even has a section whey showed you the makeup effects, the wigs, the sewing machine (with a fashion board) and an office with desks and a chair with models of the sets drawn out, endless books and screens. Every room I would go into topped the previous room. In the first film, do you remember when the letters to Harry comes flying in? They hung them up on the thinnest string and honestly... From the Great Hall to the Knight Bus, to Privet Drive to The Bank with the amazing chandeliers and then to Hogwarts Castle. To be honest, I did think Hogwarts Castle was gonna be its own castle...like Wales haha. But one of the girls in work had been before and warned me it's not actually a castle so I wasn't expecting anything major. But omg it was still huge. It was amazing to see how they had done a little model and then into the huge model which was used in films. You can actually go to 'Hogwarts' Castle' in Northumberland, which is where Harry Potter learnt to play quidditch and you can have a go at Broomstick training. Definitely on my list next...

Tips:

  • Try the Butterbeer - It's not the best drink but you can't go to Harry Potter and not try it 
  • Try the Butterbeer Ice Cream - I didn't unfortunately and I do regret it as so many people said it's unreal, the sweetness and the amount of ice cream you get is worth it
  • Bring snacks
  • Take as many photos as you can - Definitely when you get to Platform 9 3/4 - There are 2 (I think) green screens where you can't take photos but the rest you can
  • Enjoy the experience!!
For £30-£40 odd pounds it is definitely worth the money - for the time and what you see 100%. You do have to book as early as possible as it does sell out especially at the themed dates (Christmas, Halloween, Easter etc). I definitely want to go around Christmas time as it is apparently even more magical and full of snow. Who doesn't love Christmas?!

Nadine Alex x
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15 comments

  1. It sounds like it has grown since I went 9 years ago. Looks like you had a great time!

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    Replies
    1. Aw you'll have to go back, my friend said there was a lot more compared to when she went the previous time

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  2. That looks like such a fun and cool experience. Thanks for sharing all about it!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading, it was such a magical place

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  3. I am so jealous! I have always wanted to go, I am a huge HP fan!! Is it too late to ask for this as a Christmas Present??

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    Replies
    1. Definitely go!! Definitely not too late to ask for Christmas present, fingers crossed for you haha

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  4. Looks like you had a great time. It also looks like there is so much to do and experience. Thank you for sharing.

    Lauren - bournemouthgirl

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading. It's such a magical place

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  5. Although I am not a fan of harry potter stories it seems like you had a great time there. It is a place I could bring my niece and have a really good time.

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    1. Aw it really was, I'm sure your niece would love the experience. It's so amazing and unreal x

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  6. Oh wow this looks like such a cool place & it looks like you had a great time with your friends! I love Harry Potter so I would love to go here one day!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading. It was honestly unreal, you should definitely check it out

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  7. I went in August this year and it was AMAZING. I've been a Harry Potter fan for years and actually cried when I came home because it was such an amazing, overwhelming experience. I'm so glad you enjoyed it too! x
    Em - https://www.earthlyem.co.uk

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    Replies
    1. Wasn't it just?! I honestly feel the same and like I need to go back to see it all over again and take it in again aha x

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  8. This sounds so much. It is the one place I would love to go to. I am a Harry Potter fan. Hopefully will be able to go this year. Thank you for sharing your experience.

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