From the looks of it, I've got quite a few Potter-heads for readers! I'm so glad you all enjoyed yesterdays post…and as promised, here's the last of the photos from the HP Studio Tour! Halfway through our tour route, there was an outdoor covered cafe where you could order snacks and…you guessed it…BUTTERBEER! That stuff is beyond delicious. Of course, no actual beer is involved (aw shucks), but it does taste like a butterscotch cream soda with marshmallow on top. Sounds like heaven, right? It was. ;) Just beside the cafe was a whole outdoor set area where you could get a more hands-on approach to all things Potter. After you moved back inside, you could roam through the makeup and mask department…very, very interesting. They even had life-size replicas of many of the major characters so you could see how you stack up to the likes of Harry, Hermione, and Hagrid.
Next came one of my favorite parts of the tour…a stroll through Diagon Alley! You could peek into each of the storefronts and see wands and owls and all the fun toys at the Weasley's store. The only thing I really didn't love was that the whole place was uplit with red, blue, and purple lighting. I think the idea was to show the alleyway as it changed from day to night, but it made for some really odd photo taking.
The next to the last room of the tour was quite amazing. You could take a 360° view of a 1:24 hand-sculpted model of Hogwarts Castle. It was built for the first film and has been used in all films for aerial photography shots and digitally scanned for CGI scenes. This room also had quite a bit of lighting (to show Hogwarts day to night), but it definitely added to the experience as you could see flickering lights that simulated lanterns and torches and the illusion of students walking the halls. You can get a better idea of the scale of the whole model from the photo where I'm standing below the castle. It was HUGE, and insanely cool. :)
And lastly…you pass through the "Tribute Room" which is what was used as Ollivander's Wand Shop. This room was filled to the brim with wand boxes all labeled with the names of the people who helped to create the films over the last 10 years. There are over 3,000 boxes and if you look close enough, you can find the boxes paying tribute Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, as well as J.K Rowling. We were only able to find J.K. Rowling's box…but we were assured every actor was there!
And with that, we've reached the end of the tour! Of course, like with any good studio tour, you are released into the gift shop where you can purchase all the Potter memorabilia you could stand. We bought wands for family (who are also big HP fans), t-shrits, and my Gryffindor scarf here before making our way back into London. Seriously, guys…this place is every Harry Potter fanatic's dream! Make sure to plan a visit if you're ever in or around the London area. D and I are really looking forward to seeing how the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Florida stacks up to this studio tour. I'm sure it won't quite be the same since everything at the studio tour was actually in the movie and the theme park consists of mostly replicas, but it should be a fun visit nevertheless! After this tour, I think it's safe to say I've officially gone down in history as the greatest wife in the world. Thanks, Harry! ;)
The gravestone is totally creepy. I love your scarf!
ReplyDeleteThanks, girl!
Deleteahhhh!!! I love HP, my husband well I'm still trying to convince him to watch the movies with me, I loved all the books and movies, and gosh now I just want to watch them again! I told my hubby this is on our list of things to do when we move to England this Fall!!! I can't wait!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I think this is definitely on my list of things to do. My husband has never been to Universal or Disney so I'm determined to take him before we have kids. Harry Potter World will be a stop on our list.
ReplyDeleteSo incredibly cool. That model is so detailed and intricate!
ReplyDeleteIt totally was. I couldn't believe that it was actually used in the movie. Must have taken FOREVER to build!
DeleteAh! I would love to visit! They didn't open until a couple months after I visited London I was so gutted. I definitely have to make it a priority the next time I visit and to check out the theme park in Florida too.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely do! It was one of the highlights of our London trip and we're so looking forward to checking out the park at Universal, too!
DeleteSo, so, so, so, so, so jealous! I will go and check out your other post about it now!
ReplyDeleteI was actually going to ask if a trip to Harry Potter World was on your agenda once you are Floridians, but you beat me to it! I'm dying to go there, and now I'm dying to go to this in England. Again, so cool!
ReplyDeleteThese are just amazing! The bridge looks much smaller than I imagined, movies work magic I think!
ReplyDeleteLOTS of movie magic, for sure!
DeleteSo these past 2 posts have made me want to go to London just to visit Harry Potter World... think I can get my husband on board for that?? He is a Harry Potter Skeptic... so I don't know how he would feel about it... but I may just have to try.
ReplyDeleteI totally got goosebumps when I entered the room with Hogwarts! The most magical room in the entire world!!! :) Did y'all not get to do wand practice and ride the flying car? :( that was so much fun!!
ReplyDeleteThis is SO cool! Just one more reason to cross the pond!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, amazing. I somehow doubt Universal's WW could hold a candle to this awesomeness.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like so much fun! I'm such a bit HP fan and I'm hoping to make a trip there while we are living in LT.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you do…it's a total Potter-fan's dream!
DeleteUm amazing! Best wife award right there. I don't think Universal will compare at all after that magic. But, the frozen butter beer is worth the price of admission, and the ride is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI freaking love it! I loved the first part of this post and I love this one even more. This place looks fantastic! I wanted to say "it looks like out of a movie" but hahah it really is out of a movie. I'm sure you guys had a blast :)
ReplyDeleteWere there people there who were just losing it? I feel like I'd be so excited that I'd just have tears streaming down my face. They would be like, how old are you, lady? Thanks for sharing these awesome photos. Your Potter-head readers appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I didn't realize they had the studio open for tours. This is definitely something I want to do someday!
ReplyDeleteCan you believe I've never seen one HP film?
ReplyDeleteOhmygoshhhh THIS IS SO AWESOME! I've been to London a few times, and had no idea this existed! Obviously I will be making a trip next time. I think I may be one of those crazy people though, but I'm totally ok with that.
ReplyDeleteSo fun!!! Great pics. Now I understand why my daughter has been dying to go to England! :)
ReplyDeleteSo fun!!! Great pics. Now I understand why my daughter has been dying to go to England! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Suzanne!
DeleteI totally want to see the Dursleys houses and Diagon Alley! Just seeing Diagon Alley would have made my life complete, haha!
ReplyDeleteI so love this post!
ReplyDeleteI love anything having do with Harry Potter..
I have not seen the new part yet but I need to make a trip to do so :)
I love the butter beer!
I love this post! I was there as well half a year ago and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever done. The sets and props are amazing! Thanks for sharing! :D
ReplyDelete~ theliterarychic.wordpress.com
Oh yay! You've experienced the magic, too! Glad we could relive it together. :)
DeleteThe tour looks amazing! Will have to go one day. Great photos.
ReplyDeletehttp://wanderlustandmemoirs.blogspot.com
Thanks, Melissa!
DeleteWe have got to go check this out, the kids would love it!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.worldtravelingmilitaryfamily.com
They absolutely would! Very kid friendly place. :)
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