Harry Potter question UPDATED in post #35 with TRIP REPORT!!

[kristilew]

Wondering if anyone who has been to London (either ABD or on your own) has gone out the WB Studio tour of the Harry Potter movie sets?

We are going to spend a couple of nights in London en route to our Italy ABD and have been there enough to have already done many of the traditional tourist things. According to their website, the WB studio has a Christmas overlay of the HP sets and should be fun for fans to tour. If anyone has done this (regular or at Christmas time, doesn't matter) I'd love to hear any thoughts, feedback, or tips you might have.

TIA!

 

[RSM]

Wondering if anyone who has been to London (either ABD or on your own) has gone out the WB Studio tour of the Harry Potter movie sets?

We are going to spend a couple of nights in London en route to our Italy ABD and have been there enough to have already done many of the traditional tourist things. According to their website, the WB studio has a Christmas overlay of the HP sets and should be fun for fans to tour. If anyone has done this (regular or at Christmas time, doesn't matter) I'd love to hear any thoughts, feedback, or tips you might have.

TIA!

Hi Kristilew--we spent 8 days in London last August and pretty much every day had some Harry Potter tie in (Lacock where his house was shot, Oxford, HP tour of filming locations in London, etc.). We did go to WB Studios one day. We had about 4 hours, and honestly, that wasn't nearly enough to really see all the detail. Pretty much every indoor set is displayed across a couple of aircraft hangars. In those sets are literally thousands of the props. There is also an outdoor display of house exteriors, Hogwarts Express, etc. The final section contains a lot of the models and artwork that were part of the movie making process. We loved this day as the sets are so detailed and the props are the actual props used in the movies. I think is a must do for any HP fan. However, it can lead to sensory overload, especially if you are short on time. The tickets are timed and my understanding is that they sell out well in advance. In retrospect, we probably spent too much time working with our 11 y/o son on the game they gave the kids (find 11 objects in the displays). But, overall, we thought it was awesome. If there are any questions feel free to PM me or post a response.

 

[tufbuf]

Hi Kristilew--we spent 8 days in London last August and pretty much every day had some Harry Potter tie in (Lacock where his house was shot, Oxford, HP tour of filming locations in London, etc.). We did go to WB Studios one day. We had about 4 hours, and honestly, that wasn't nearly enough to really see all the detail. Pretty much every indoor set is displayed across a couple of aircraft hangars. In those sets are literally thousands of the props. There is also an outdoor display of house exteriors, Hogwarts Express, etc. The final section contains a lot of the models and artwork that were part of the movie making process. We loved this day as the sets are so detailed and the props are the actual props used in the movies. I think is a must do for any HP fan. However, it can lead to sensory overload, especially if you are short on time. The tickets are timed and my understanding is that they sell out well in advance. In retrospect, we probably spent too much time working with our 11 y/o son on the game they gave the kids (find 11 objects in the displays). But, overall, we thought it was awesome. If there are any questions feel free to PM me or post a response.

Did you use their transfers to get there and back?

 

[RSM]

Did you use their transfers to get there and back?

We booked the transportation and ticket through Viator. We took a double decker HP decorated bus from Central London to the studio. It took about an hour or so to get there. This provided 3-4 hours in the studios. If we were to do it again, we would try to go on our own so as not to feel time constrained. One other thing I forgot, you have the option of renting an audio tour. We used this for about 50% of the tour. I don't think it was really necessary, but it did provide some good commentary. It wasn't that expensive so it's probably worth it.

 

[kristilew]

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of info I needed!

 

[Rapunzellover]

Hello- new poster/first timer here- I did the WB studios set tour last year when I went with ABD to London/Paris.

Viator offers an option that goes from London, but they only leave at specific times, IIRC.

For more flexibility as to when you go and how long you stay, you might just want to book the tickets online, and take the train to watford junction (not the other watford station) from euston station in london. It's approximately a 20 mintue ride with a high speed train. You can find train times online. Watford junction is a very small station, and right outside you will see the double deckers which go to the WB studios. You can't miss them because they're painted with HP images. Very pretty. The double decker ride is about another 15 minutes to the studio from watford junction. Times are posted online; they tend to coinside with the trains from euston, so you shouldn't have to wait long. It's about 2 pounds round trip for the double decker bus; I forget how much train tickets were but I found them reasonable.

That is what I did when I went to the WB studio last year and i found it convienient because I could decide when I wanted to visit the studio and how long I wanted to stay. It was very simple and easy, and possibly cheaper.

Just know that train and bus tickets don't need pre-purchasing but the WB studio tour does. So if you decide not to use viator, purchase your tour tickets in advance. They are not sold on site.

PS- visit platform 9 and 3/4 at King's cross station if you love Potter!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I went right after it opened. It's very easy to get there on your own; no need to pay for a tour. There's a good explanation in the post above. Even if you're not a Harry Potter fan, it's an interesting place to visit.

 

[jon18uk]

We live in London and took the train from Euston to Watford and then the bus and it was very easy.

Do make sure you book in advance, you cannot purchase tickets at the studio!

The tour is great, only the first section in the great hall is guided and then you go at your own pace. Can fill 3-4 hours easily.

Also possible to get Butterbeer and drink it with a view of privett drive. But for a full meal I would go elsewhere.

Merchandise is similar to WWOHP at Universal and very expensive.

 

[sayhello]

Kristilew, I just went to the WB HP studio tour during one of my ABD pre-days in London. I agree with all of the above. It's a total must if you are a Harry Potter fan! I spent 5 1/2 hours there, and felt that was about right. As RSM said, it's really detailed, with tons and TONS of real sets and props. I got the audio tour, and really enjoyed it.

As Rapunzellover detailed, it's really easy to get there on your own. The trains from London Euston to Watford Junction run really frequently, and the shuttle buses run very frequently. You have to purchase your tickets for the studio tour ahead of time.

Let me know if you have *any* questions! I'd be happy to answer!

Sayhello

 

[monkeyknuckler]

Its a great place to go if you're into HP. Being in the Great Hall was trippy.
Took the bus thats associated with the studio tour. Had a little trouble locating the bus stop, as we're not used to the naming/numbering system in Westminster.

 

[Rapunzellover]

As sayhello notes, you could easily spend 5 and 1/2 hours at the studio. I was there for about 4 and only left because the place was closing!

If you even think you'd want that much time, don't go through viator. You'll be stuck to their schedule.

If I were you, I'd take the train to have time for an extra glass of butter beer. And for the final room of the studio, which is spectacular!

But don't buy your HP goods there- they're highly overpriced.

 

[tufbuf]

As sayhello notes, you could easily spend 5 and 1/2 hours at the studio. I was there for about 4 and only left because the place was closing! If you even think you'd want that much time, don't go through viator. You'll be stuck to their schedule. If I were you, I'd take the train to have time for an extra glass of butter beer. And for the final room of the studio, which is spectacular! But don't buy your HP goods there- they're highly overpriced.

Where is a good place to buy HP goods then?

 

[Rapunzellover]

Where is a good place to buy HP goods then?

Well, if you're an america, buy them in america. The exchange rate alone ups the price in the UK.

As someone above noted, the WB studio merch is very similar to what's sold at the Wizarding worlds and online. It's likely cheaper that way.

 

[knewton64]

Wondering if anyone who has been to London (either ABD or on your own) has gone out the WB Studio tour of the Harry Potter movie sets?

We are going to spend a couple of nights in London en route to our Italy ABD and have been there enough to have already done many of the traditional tourist things. According to their website, the WB studio has a Christmas overlay of the HP sets and should be fun for fans to tour. If anyone has done this (regular or at Christmas time, doesn't matter) I'd love to hear any thoughts, feedback, or tips you might have.

TIA!

I inquired a few weeks ago via Viator.com also and was just amazed at how much of a hot ticket this is.

It's currently selling out approx 3 to 4 weeks in advance so IMO, if ya wanna go, book it asap.



Have fun on it - heard lots to see, etc.






T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[iheartglaciers]

I went in July and it was amazing! I am a big Harry Potter fan so it was no question that I'd go, but was still a little skeptical whether it was worth the price and time. However I was completely blown away!

I booked a bus trip with Golden Tours. The 5pm and 6pm entrance times are discounted. Plus if you stick the trip in your shopping cart and don't checkout, wait a few days and you'll get an additional 5% coupon in your email! (You'll get one reminder email without a coupon and then a second with a coupon a few days later).

The bus tour gives you approx 3.5 hours, we took about 3 hours to see everything. Though I can see how someone could spend more time there. I didn't do the audio your but kind of wished I did.

It sounds like the train option is pretty easy. The downside to the bus is that you can hit traffic and there's no AC. Not usually a problem but we were there during a heat wave and it was like a sauna on there!

 

[ailee]

I went in July and it was amazing! I am a big Harry Potter fan so it was no question that I'd go, but was still a little skeptical whether it was worth the price and time. However I was completely blown away!

I booked a bus trip with Golden Tours. The 5pm and 6pm entrance times are discounted. Plus if you stick the trip in your shopping cart and don't checkout, wait a few days and you'll get an additional 5% coupon in your email! (You'll get one reminder email without a coupon and then a second with a coupon a few days later).

The bus tour gives you approx 3.5 hours, we took about 3 hours to see everything. Though I can see how someone could spend more time there. I didn't do the audio your but kind of wished I did.

It sounds like the train option is pretty easy. The downside to the bus is that you can hit traffic and there's no AC. Not usually a problem but we were there during a heat wave and it was like a sauna on there!

I was there too, and agree with you amazing time.

 

[kristilew]

Thanks, everyone for all this good info! I will be purchasing my tix today! Getting excited for this whole trip

 

[kristilew]

So I do have one more question, after all. Am I correct in understanding that we can't get back out to the cafe once we start the tour? So we would need to plan to eat either before or after however long we end up spending there?

Trying to decide what time frame to book the tix. Ideally, we'd do the 10:30 slot, tour for a bit, break for lunch, then finish. But not sure this is possible. So now am thinking maybe the 12:30 pm, and get there a little early to eat lunch.

We will be jet lagged, and in theory at least should be resting up for the actual trip, so I don't want to end up getting back to the city very late. What have y'all done about eating while on the tour?

Thanks!

 

[RSM]

So I do have one more question, after all. Am I correct in understanding that we can't get back out to the cafe once we start the tour? So we would need to plan to eat either before or after however long we end up spending there?

Trying to decide what time frame to book the tix. Ideally, we'd do the 10:30 slot, tour for a bit, break for lunch, then finish. But not sure this is possible. So now am thinking maybe the 12:30 pm, and get there a little early to eat lunch.

We will be jet lagged, and in theory at least should be resting up for the actual trip, so I don't want to end up getting back to the city very late. What have y'all done about eating while on the tour?

Thanks!

I think you are correct that you cannot get back out to the café once you start. If I remember correctly, in the outside area (the backlot), you could get drinks and some snacks. I think we got an ice cream and some butterbeer. I don't remember if they had sandwiches or hot dogs or something more substantial. The backlot is at the midpoint of the tour. You finish one building, go out to the backlot, then go to the next building.

 

[jon18uk]

There is food available such as cold sandwiches or hotdogs at the backlot outdoor section but I would recommend eating either before or after your tour and just grab a ButterBeer as a snack at the backlot. The selection at the backlot cafe isn't great.

When you are in the tour you cannot backtrack after you leave the first "soundstage" and go out to the backlot. You also cannot get back out to the lobby at all until you finish the tour.

I also felt like the backlot was more like two-thirds of the way through but everyone tours at a different pace.