Harry Potter Exhibition in Times Square - anyone been yet?

[cheesekate2005]

Has anyone been the the Harry Potter Exhibition in Times Square yet? I saw that the LIRR is having a great ticket/train deal. The only drawback I see is that you have to bring your ticket to will call and arrange an entry time. The customer service rep at Discovery Times Square said that it is possible that there might be no available times on that particular day.

So, I was wondering, how crowded does it get? Is it a large exhibit? Thanks in advance!

 

[HMag]

we are going tomorrow!! and DD and her BFF are very excited, (i jus thope they sleep tongiht). I will post on Thursday about the experience.
H

 

[LorlovesStitch]

Its a fairly large exhibit, we went 2 weeks ago. They let in a certain amount of people at a time and then i guess they let them get part way through and then let another group through. At the beginning there is a little "show" so I guess that is how they time the groups to go in. We went on a Thursday afternoon at about 2 or 3 pm and there were barely any people there. You can also purchase headsets to hear an audio tour as you go along, however we did not do that and didn't feel like we should have.

It is AWESOME! Just as a warning though, you cannot take pictures and there are only three things you are allowed to touch. That really disappointed me! Also, they take your picture at the beginning of the exhibit which is kinda cool, but costs a lot to buy. Of course, there is a gift shop at the end with pricey but cool merchandise. One of my friends told me that most of the things are also at Universal's World of Harry Potter and surprising a bit cheaper (such as wands). There are things that say "Harry Potter Experience, NYC" if you so desire, and those obviously could only be purchased there.

We really enjoyed it and my girls are still talking about it 2 weeks later. I do suggest purchasing the "guidebook" they offer at the end since you can't take any pictures inside.

Hope you get to go, it's really cool!

 

[cheesekate2005]

we are going tomorrow!! and DD and her BFF are very excited, (i jus thope they sleep tongiht). I will post on Thursday about the experience.
H

Please do post tomorrow! We are leaving early Friday morning for it! I am curious to see how the spring break week crowds are. Do you have tickets for it yet?

 

[cheesekate2005]

Its a fairly large exhibit, we went 2 weeks ago. They let in a certain amount of people at a time and then i guess they let them get part way through and then let another group through. At the beginning there is a little "show" so I guess that is how they time the groups to go in. We went on a Thursday afternoon at about 2 or 3 pm and there were barely any people there. You can also purchase headsets to hear an audio tour as you go along, however we did not do that and didn't feel like we should have.

It is AWESOME! Just as a warning though, you cannot take pictures and there are only three things you are allowed to touch. That really disappointed me! Also, they take your picture at the beginning of the exhibit which is kinda cool, but costs a lot to buy. Of course, there is a gift shop at the end with pricey but cool merchandise. One of my friends told me that most of the things are also at Universal's World of Harry Potter and surprising a bit cheaper (such as wands). There are things that say "Harry Potter Experience, NYC" if you so desire, and those obviously could only be purchased there.

We really enjoyed it and my girls are still talking about it 2 weeks later. I do suggest purchasing the "guidebook" they offer at the end since you can't take any pictures inside.

Hope you get to go, it's really cool!

Thanks you for the review. I hope it is not insanely crowded when we go, but I think we can handle the crowds, as long as we can get in. I will have to look into the guide book...the kids would love it I am certain!

 

[MPLsDad]

My wife and DS, 10 and DD, 6 went last Friday night. My wife said that the timed tickets help control the crowds and they were able to move at their own pace. They bought the audio tour (actually, they received one free by using AMEX to reserve tickets - there's the budget board aspect). They LOVED it! My DD was picked for the sorting hat show. My wife even managed to blow the equivalent of a plane ticket to Disney in the gift shop. I am not a Harry Potter fan, but did love waiting in a nearby pub and eating at John's Pizza when they were done. The roasted vegetable appetizer, fried calamari, and cheese pizza made it all worth while!

 

[mountdew1]

We went when it was in Boston a while back. The items in the exhibit are pretty awesome if you are a HP fan. But as a PP said, no photos, and no touching most stuff. But seeing the detail on some of the other items is just amazing. Seeing the progression of things like quidditch costumes was cool. They have timed slots to ensure that you aren't crowded or rushed as you go through the exhibit. So we never felt crammed except for the very end where it was smaller, with a lot more details that everyone was looking at. Stuff from Diagon Alley and the Yule ball. Do keep in mind that it is pretty much one way only, and they strongly discourage backtracking. Is it really budget? Tickets were friggin expensive in Boston. And the merchandise was as well. And like current WDW merchandise, there wasn't much that was subtle for adults. We also didn't see anything specific to Boston, not sure if we just missed it, or the NY location made their own merch that Boston passed on.

 

[aprilgail2]

I was there two weeks ago-it was really great. I got tickets at costco for 24.99 including the audio guide! I saw something on facebook on the discovery centers facebook page-- "Due to unprecedented demand Discovery Times Square will open at 9:30am from Wednesday April 20th - Saturday April 23rd - Purchase your tickets in advance! "

 

[kacaju]

I was just going to say i saw tickets at Costco. How long is it going to be in NYC does anyone know

 

[DizneyDogs]

I was just going to say i saw tickets at Costco. How long is it going to be in NYC does anyone know

Harry Potter: The Exhibition opens at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, and runs through Monday, September 5, 2011.

 

[bigmama67]

We got 2 adults tickets at Costco for $25 each (includes an audio tour so it saves $7 per ticket). We will buy my son's ticket when we go and DD doesn't need one. We're planning to go one Friday during the summer (DH is off Fridays from June-August) so hopefully it won't be difficult to get in. I'm excited! We'll also sign out our library's INTREPID pass and make a day of it! The exhibit looks really cool.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

We saw the Exhibition in Boston last winter. We really enjoyed seeing the detailed, exquisitely-made props.

 

[krnlmustrd]

The audio tour is well worth the money if you're a big HP fan. It offers lots of little behind the scenes stories that help expand - and prolong - the experience.

 

[cheesekate2005]

I was there two weeks ago-it was really great. I got tickets at costco for 24.99 including the audio guide! I saw something on facebook on the discovery centers facebook page-- "Due to unprecedented demand Discovery Times Square will open at 9:30am from Wednesday April 20th - Saturday April 23rd - Purchase your tickets in advance! "

This is what worries for me for going on Friday. I have the ticket, but I won't get a time slot until I get to will call on Friday morning. I can really go at any time that day, so it should work out...I hope!

 

[aprilgail2]

Today by 11 they were sold out until 330! You can check discovery times square facebook page for more updates.

 

[cheesekate2005]

I know! I have been checking all day. I guess I will just hope that I can get in there sometime Friday!

 

[MaleficentRN]

I was thinking of pairing it with the Pompeii exhibit. Anyone do both? How long did just the HP take?

 

[disneyismyname]

I really want to go to this!! Since I was there for the opening of the park ...I feel dumb for not going to this which is easier to get to from Ohio.

 

[NotUrsula]

Is this is the same exhibit that was in Chicago at MSI two summers ago? (Harry Potter: the Exhibition). If so, it's a wonderful experience and well worth the money. (Although actually we didn't have to pay for it, because we have an MSI membership and it was included.)

PS: I've also seen the Pompeii exhibit, "Stories from an Eruption" (again in Chicago, at the Field.) It is also excellent, but it can be quite disturbing for kids; I saw several kids in my group who were visibly disturbed by the casts of the dead. DS was 10 when he saw it, and he still tends to get quiet when the subject comes up -- he found it very sad.

 

[MaleficentRN]

PS: I've also seen the Pompeii exhibit, "Stories from an Eruption" (again in Chicago, at the Field.) It is also excellent, but it can be quite disturbing for kids; I saw several kids in my group who were visibly disturbed by the casts of the dead. DS was 10 when he saw it, and he still tends to get quiet when the subject comes up -- he found it very sad.

Thanks for the heads up. My kids are very sensitive and I can see that going bad. I'll wait for a time I can go without them.