Tags

, , , , , ,

We love Harry Potter.  We’ve read all seven books; we’ve seen all eight movies.  We are true fans.  Today, we visited the studio where the beloved movies were made.  We were in Hogwarts heaven!

imageFrom Aidan:  My favorite  set was the Wesley’s Burrow.  There were these boards that were remote control.  When you moved your hand on one, something “magically” moved in the house.  At the end of the tour, there was a big surprise: a HUGE replica of Hogwarts.  It was bigger that 3 normal classrooms.  It was awesome!

From Nathan:  I enjoyed seeing all the sets used in the movies.  My favorite part was the mini-sized castle, which was actually in the films.  For the castle flyovers, they used this 1/24 scale model of Hogwarts.

This model of Hogwarts is spectacular!

Travel TipTravel Tip 2:  Plan Ahead

 If you’re interested in visiting Warner Bros. Studio, you must buy your ticket online and in advance.  It’s about 20 miles outside of London – accessible by train or car.

The Warner Bros. Studio – located 20 miles outside of London in Leavensden – is where the majority of the eight Harry Potter movies were shot.
Inside the lobby, giant portraits all the main cast members hang on the wall. Here we see the young Harry Potter.
Here we see the wizarding trio of Ron, Harry, and Hermonie.
The room under the stairs, complete with Harry’s eyeglasses.
These are the doors to the Great Hall inside Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The Great Hall seems smaller than how it appears on the big screen.
The tables are set in the Great Hall.
The Gryffindor uniform on the far left was Harry Potter’s in the first movie.
The podium at the head of the Great Hall.
Uniforms of Slytherin House.
Aidan, Nathan, and Shellie sit at the student table in the Great Hall.
Costumes and “ice” sculpture from the Yule Ball.
Aidan gazes into the Mirror of Erised.
A look inside the Gryffindor Common Room.
Aidan at the entrance to Professor Dumbledore’s office.
Inside the office of the Headmaster.
The Tri-Wizard Cup and the Golden Egg.
The Golden Snitch from Harry’s first quidditch match.
The potion book belonging to the Half-Blood Prince.
Snape stands in the potions classroom.
Aidan speaks parseltongue at the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets.
Inside Hagrid’s hut.
Animal actors who’ve played Fang.
Quidditch broom atop the mechanics that make it move in front of the CG screen.
Quidditch uniforms.
Quidditch robes of Harry Potter.
Magic is Might statue at the Ministry of Magic.
Copy of the Daily Prophet.
Maurauder’s Map: “I solemnly swear I’m up to no good.”
Dolores Umbridge’s very pink wardrobe.
Aidan and Nathan in the portrait gallery.
Aidan at the controls of Hagrid’s motorbike. Nathan is a reluctant passenger.
Aidan exiting the Knight Bus.
Aidan knocks on the door of number 4 Privet Drive.
Four boys in the enchanted car that was attached by the Whooping Willow.
Aidan runs the bridge that Neville and friends blew up in the Deathly Hallows, Part 2.
The whole gang in the enchanted muggle car.
The boys belly up to the Butter Beer bar.
Butter beer tastes like liquid butter rum Lifesavers.
Aidan, Anders, and Jonas knock back butter beers.
Merperson from the Black Lake.
Huge Grawp head hanging from ceiling.
Head of the Norwegian Ridgeback dragon.
Drawings of props and sets prior to being built.
The set drawings are then made into white-card miniature models.
Many of the story boards are actually beautiful paintings.
In a room of 8000 wands belonging to every person who worked on the 8 movies, we find Daniel Radcliffe’s wand.
Aidan gets “sorted” in the gift shop.
Nathan picks up some Every Flavor Beans. He said the “vomit” flavor was not appealing!
Aidan samples his Chocolate Frog.