The Warner Brothers Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter in London

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live"

 - Albus Dumbledore

A few weeks ago I was able to visit The Warner Brothers Studio Tour in London, The Making of Harry Potter. This was a dream come true because anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE Harry Potter. (If you haven't checked out my previous Harry Potter related content, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando or the Celebration of Harry Potter, Part 1 and Part 2, event they hold every year, please go do so now!)

Here is how to get tickets, get there, and what to see!

When looking into tickets there are a few options on how to choose them. We purchased ours on the HP Official Website. To buy a ticket WITH transportation through the official partners, click here. If you would like to buy a ticket NOT with transportation, click here. My aunt and I chose to find our way there with out transportation to see if it cost less. The website above has a link that shows you how to get there from multiple places such as the airport or if you are driving, but since we were coming from London the best plan was as follows:

1) Take the tube from your hotel to the Euston Station conveniently located right next to Kings's Cross Station. Make sure you take the time to at least see Platform 9 3/4! The line can get lengthy for a picture if you chose to wait.

2) Purchase a round trip ticket to Watford Station (23 pounds) per person, round trip. Worried about knowing which station to get off at? The announcer of the train lets you know when it is time to get off if you are headed to the tour. 

3) Take the bus from Watford Station to the entrance of the tour. The bus is extremely recognizable and costs either 2,50 pounds per person or 5 pounds. I can't remember whether the price was round trip or not. Still not convinced it was easy? Look at the bus that takes you there from the Watford station. Also, simply follow the crowds since everyone has the same idea to visit the tour from London.

This way was extremely easy to navigate and the cost was 41 pounds for the ticket + 23 pounds for the train + 2,50 or 5 pounds for the bus. So the total was around 70 pounds per person. For reference it cost around 90 pounds to buy the bus transportation with your ticket so you save around 20 pounds if you chose to navigate yourself. 

Once we were there we went to will call to collect our tickets.

Then we went in and had our bags searched and hit up the gift shop since we were early. We also took plenty of pictures outside and leading up to the beginning of the tour!

Outside the entrance to the tour

Once inside the building leading to the entrance. 

Pretty much every single Harry Potter memorable quote from the movies and books were on these walls and I took a picture with almost all of them!

They even had stuff from the newest Fantastic Beasts movie, The Crimes of Grindelwald up and the preview for the movie playing.

Jude Law as young Albus Dumbledore has me EXTREMELY excited to see this new movie.

Once inside, the real magic began. Side note: The normal tour lasts about 3/4 hours so either come prepared with snacks or you can buy food at their two food locations through out the tour. Anyways, the tour begins with a small movie and then BAM suddenly you are standing in front of the doors leading to the great hall.

During our visit they had props from the Goblet of Fire set up as a special promotion, so that was cool to see!

The tour is self lead and the set up is really easy to follow since it guides you through the enormous buildings. No getting lost or maps needed! Here are some highlights from my visit.

Everyone's costumes from the movies were there, Dumbledore and Snape.

 

Some of the giant props from the sets!

They showed us how they made Hagrid seem so big in all the 

scenes with the kids around his kitchen table

Umbridge's office

The Burrow!!!

The Forbidden Forest with me bowing down to Buckbeak so I don't get attacked (yes I did an outfit change)

The Hogwarts Express when Ron and Harry take their first ride to Hogwarts

Outside and inside #4 Privet Drive

And of course this life size replica of Hogwarts...breath taking!!!!!!!!!

In the middle of the tour they have a green screen room that shows how they made all the flying happen in the quidditch games and other scenes. I was peer pressured into buying my photos and movie...

...but how good do I look on a broom?!

I could have stayed all day but finally it was time to return back to the city. No worries though because "Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home" - J.K. Rowling. See ya later Potterheads!