Five children sat excitedly in the back of the car whispering spells from movies and challenging each others knowledge of the literary sensation that is Harry Potter. They spent the seventy miles that separated our home from the Warner Bros. Studio Tour discussing Quidditch techniques and guessing how the story ends.
Aged between five and seven, none of the children had seen or read the final Harry Potter Books.
This did not dampen their enthusiasm in the slightest.
Upon arrival at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour the children leapt from the car with fingers already shaped in a point.
“Look, look,” they cried with wonder in their voices.
Huge images dominated the side of the building with movie posters featuring Daniel Radcliffe and friends. Giant chess pieces stood to the side of the entrance and the kids gathered eagerly in front for the first of many pictures.
Little arms tugged at mine, hurrying me inside, making me smile with their unrestrained enthusiasm. I worried for a second that the day may not meet their expectations.
It was an unnecessary worry.
Once inside the reception hall the kids cooed with delight at the pictures of the stars that squared the room. The flying car was spotted dangling from the ceiling and the shouting and pointing swelled.
We hadn’t even started the tour yet.
Once inside the actual Harry Potter tour I became quickly drawn into the magic that had captivated the small ones from the car park. Scenery from one of my favourite books was spread out in front of me and as I drew a breath I was transported into the novel that JK Rowling so cleverly created.
I grinned when I saw the bedroom where Ron and Harry plotted and played. I felt a shudder of repulsion when I showed the children the potions room, remembering the traitor Snape was proven to be in the end.
The tour is expertly laid out, with guides sharing the history and facts about the books and movies. The children are given Harry Potter passports and are challenged to find tiny golden snitches hidden among the scenery.
They can also ride broomsticks.
Even I rode a broomstick.
Any Potter fan should make time to visit the tour, you can knock on the Dursleys door, sip on butterbeer (not for us thank you), and uncover some of the secrets about how the filming worked.
I guarantee as soon as you return home you will want to curl up with the book or switch on the DVD.
Simple facts about the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter
The tour takes a minimum of two hours to complete. I would advise going in the morning so you don’t feel you have to rush through the day as it gets busier as time pushes by.
You can purchase food and drink (including the rather strange tasting butterbeer) halfway through the tour. Or for a cheaper option take a packed lunch which can be consumed in the picnic area.
It may interest anyone else taking five children that the small cafe is licensed. So you can have an afternoon pick me up.
Chocolate frogs (purchased from the gift shop) are delicious and don’t make you croak.
Family tickets (2 adults & 2 children) start from £85.
Full details can be found at www.wbstudiotour.co.uk
Disclosure: We were given tickets to visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter for the purpose of this review. All comments are my own.
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The explanation of the children with readily pointed fingers – sounds exactly the same as the way I bounced out of my car on arrival too – such a wonderful attraction! x
Snape wasn’t a traitor, he was a hero (although not keen on Harry as he hated his dad), that’s why Harry named one of his kids after him!
You are so right! I read the last book the day it came out and clearly forgot. We watched the film yesterday and it all came flooding back! Poor Snape – thanks for the nudge.