Ten years ago we visited the Warner Brothers Studio to see the sets, costumes and props of the Harry Potter movies. It is not too far from us. I have to admit I was very impressed. Actually walking into the great hall and seeing what goes into the 'magic' is impressive. I really like all the technical stuff like the models and concept art. We were back a few years later when they added Platform 9 3/4. Yesterday was our third visit and there are more new things to see.
They have done a lot of development there since our last visit. As you walk in you are greeted by the Gringotts' dragon. Behind that is the food hall, which is also new. One our first visit there was minimal catering at the ourdoor section half way around.
We started our visit with afternoon tea in a roped off area of the food hall. I had the vegan option and it was pretty good, speaking as someone who has had their share of afternoon teas. It was partly themed with a chocolate frog on the brownie and a biscuit shaped like a witch's hat.
A lot of the first section is the same as last time with various sets and costumes. A few things have been moved around. They currently have some demonstrations of effects techniques such as green screen. They still have the green screen broomstick rides, but we have done that before and paid for the photos.
The first new set was the Forbidden Forest that has giant spiders descending from above. Not something for the arachnophobes.
There is now a big cafe by the outdoor part where you can get your butterbeer. The Knight Buss and Durseley house are still there.
They now have a greenhouse where you can pull up a mandrake root to hear it scream.
I love the creature shop. The detail is amazing and I pity those who spend hours getting made up. Some items were not even used such as a werewolf suit that has stilts as it just did not work. They have to invent ways to bring things to life.
They created lots of goblins for the bank, some based on real people.
The biggest new set is the bank. It is all fake marble and plastic chandeliers, but it looks real enough on screen. There are so many little details that may only be seen for seconds, but someone had to make them anyway.
The bank vault is also new. They had to make many thousands of pieces of 'treasure' to fill it up.
When the bank gets trashed by the dragon they needed to build a whole new set so it looked like real columns had collapsed. They have a screen and smoke effects so you see the dragon come through breathing fire. It was enough to startle small children and some adults.
On my first visit the massive model of the school blew me away and it is still impressive. They projected the fireworks made by the Weasley boys.
Eventually you emerge in the gift shop and it is massive. You could spend a fortune on anything from pencils to a replica broomstick. I am sure it is bigger than last time and I do not remember the sweet shop. We did buy a few items. It can be an expensive day out. Entry is about £50 with various optional extras such as photos. You may well want some food and drinks as it takes a few hours to see it all. We got there for tea about 4pm and left at nearly 10pm.
If you enjoyed the movies then I would really recommend a visit if you can get there. It is just outside London with buses to take you from the station. I had a great time even though I had been before, but then there were plenty of new things to see. We shall have to see if they add anything else.
