Harry Potter Exhibit - Ontario Science Centre

[buffalogirl]

We're going this weekend.

Any reviews?

Thanks!

 

[Alderbrook]

We did it. It says to give at least an hour for the exhibit but we did it in like 15 mins. It's just mostly props & costumes. I have never seen a full Harry Potter film, but my son loves the movies so we did it for him, but he's only 4. I really didn't think it was worth the $$$, but I'm not a hard core fan.

 

[snickerboo]

We actually loved it but our kids are big into Harry Potter (dd has read all books multiple times & seen all movies, ds is on book 2 now). It was more extensive than I'd expected. I expected a room of props/costumes but there are several rooms with props and costumes from all the movies. My dd liked best Hermione's dress & jewellery from the Yule Ball. The only downside is absolutely no pictures. Take your time & check out everything. Some of the smaller items are the coolest. Don't forget to check out the flying car right inside the entrance to the Science Center, complete with dents from the whomping willow.

PS: There is a gift shop at the end. It is not cheap.

 

[buffalogirl]

Thanks so much for your replies!

My 14 year old is a huge fan. I wasn't aware that no pictures are allowed - good to know. Thanks for the warning about the gift shop, too.

I'm curious, were you able to enter at your reserved time (we'll be arriving at least 20 minutes early) or should we expect to wait?

 

[amw]

Thanks so much for your replies!

My 14 year old is a huge fan. I wasn't aware that no pictures are allowed - good to know. Thanks for the warning about the gift shop, too.

I'm curious, were you able to enter at your reserved time (we'll be arriving at least 20 minutes early) or should we expect to wait?

My DDs spent a lONG time in there. There are more little "rooms" than I expected, and you do feel immersed in it. Not as much interactivity as you would normally have at the Science Centre, but it is well done.

I don't think they will let you in early, but you can go anytime after your ticketed time. It's really just a way to spread out the crowds. When you get there, they check your ticket and have you line up. When there's a big enough group, they let you in to the first room where there's a little acting production (I won't give it away). That opens up to a second room, and then you're let into the main display. In the main section, you're allowed to stay as long as you like. Some people can just walk through everything in 10 minutes, but you can also read every display and take in every detail. I think we were there for a good hour and a half. Once you leave, you can't go back in so make sure you've had your snacks and bathroom breaks first.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I took my DD last week. I really didn't think it was that great. I've been trying to find things to do with DD so that she doesn't say she did nothing all summer... She thought it was just OK. She enjoyed the other parts of the science centre a lot more. In total we were there for only about 2 hours.....about 30-40 minutes in the HP exhibit.

If you arrive early you can ask if there is a spot for an earlier group than you had booked. If there is they will just tell you to go ahead through. I booked 10:30 and arrived at the ticket counter at 9:45....I thought it would take longer to drive there. I would advise that you go early in the morning because after we left the HP exhibit the line to get in was huge and that was before 11am. Plus, there are day campers there and the rest of the place gets very busy.

BTW, my DD thought the gift shop was the best part. They do have some neat things.

 

[amw]

I would advise that you go early in the morning because after we left the HP exhibit the line to get in was huge and that was before 11am. Plus, there are day campers there and the rest of the place gets very busy.

I know this goes against touring philosophies...

We're members at the Science Centre although we don't go that often. But, what I've noticed is that the lines are indeed huge from 10-12. Since it doesn't take a full day to do the Centre and they are open late, I actually suggest that you go in the afternoon (when entrance lines are non-existant). The place gets pretty quiet after 3. All the wee ones have left for naps, the day camps have left for home, and the parents trying to avoid rush hour traffic are leaving.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I know this goes against touring philosophies...

We're members at the Science Centre although we don't go that often. But, what I've noticed is that the lines are indeed huge from 10-12. Since it doesn't take a full day to do the Centre and they are open late, I actually suggest that you go in the afternoon (when entrance lines are non-existant). The place gets pretty quiet after 3. All the wee ones have left for naps, the day camps have left for home, and the parents trying to avoid rush hour traffic are leaving.

Makes sense.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I was thinking of going to check it out one of these days. Do they confiscate cell phones with cameras or anything like that?

 

[highland3]

If they catch you taking pics you might get a friendly warning.... or be asked to leave. If you are very subtle... just sayin'.

 

[bunnyfoo]

If they catch you taking pics you might get a friendly warning.... or be asked to leave. If you are very subtle... just sayin'.

Oh I didn't have any plans to take pictures. I was just thinking back to when I went to see a movie screener a few years ago and they wouldn't let anybody in the theatre who had a cell phone camera. They had to leave them at the door. I was wondering if this was the same set up

Can you go to the gift shop without going into the HP exhibit?

 

[Alderbrook]

Yes you can go in the gift shop no problem if you don't do the exhibit. They want your $$$ pretty badly that they aren't going to stop you from going in there.

They don't take phones or anything but they do make you very aware you are not to take pics.