Harry Potter Studio Tour tips

[Toobuktim]

After being disappointed before the kids broke up for summer when there were no slots available till September, I’ve checked again today and they’ve opened up more times for people to visit!!
So, I’ve been looking forward to this for ages and want to make the most of our visit - please can you let me know any tips to make it as fabulous as possible?
We’ve gone for a 6.30pm Saturday slot and are hoping it’s not so busy then.

[Mrsjayy]

I don't think there is any real tips you just follow round if you see what I mean just enjoy it. The shop is pricey and the butter beer isn't that great but try it.

[Sparkletastic]

Hurry your kids through the shop is my top tip. Prices are extortionate. Other than that just follow the set route and have fun.

[InTheNightWeWillWish]

I’d get a butter beer to share, you don’t need one each as it’s an acquired taste. The butter beer ice cream is worth having one each though

We had the audio guide when we went and there’s extra bits on there. We really enjoyed the audio bit and thought it was worth the extra money.

[AluckyEllie]

What time does it shut as that doesn’t seem very long to see it all? We were there all day, well over 6/7 hours and there was loads to see. We also went at peak time and it wasn’t super busy, I think they stagger arrivals so it doesn’t bottleneck.
Definately buy a chocolate frog! Wasn’t a fan of butterbeer so share one. The every flavour beans are funny but we ended up binning them because the novelty wore off and half of them are rank 😂

[HalzTangz]

@Toobuktim

After being disappointed before the kids broke up for summer when there were no slots available till September, I’ve checked again today and they’ve opened up more times for people to visit!!
So, I’ve been looking forward to this for ages and want to make the most of our visit - please can you let me know any tips to make it as fabulous as possible?
We’ve gone for a 6.30pm Saturday slot and are hoping it’s not so busy then.

Really take your time walking round (otherwise you can literally be done 8n an hour).
Gift shop is mega expensive, so bear in mind for any spends you give to the kids

[Annoy]

Don’t take kids with you! Spend more time in the dorms. Once you’re through an area you can’t go back

[AustinPowerful]

Avoid the butter beer at all costs!

If kids are likely to want something from the shop, get them to bring their pocket money or savings cos it's ££££. Mine wanted wands 🤑

But no tips as you just wander round and take it all in! It's a fab day out.

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

From memory, there are two massive indoor sections with one outside section in between. Once you go out of Indoor One, you cant go back in. So make sure you take it all in.

[Niceicebaby]

First half is better than the second, spend more time there. Second half is models mainly apart from diagon alley and gringots.

[StarryNight468]

Order wands online before you go!

[SnitchyBitch]

My tip was going to be: get the first slot of the day so no one is front of you. But I see that is of no use
We spent about 5/6 hours there. Loved it, the gift shop is amazing. We took packed lunches and then only had to buy butterbeer rather than a full lunch.

[123rd]

It is great and we have just been for a second time ( well over 8 yes between visits)
Butter beer was grim the first time, didn't bother the second visit
Really really take your time looking and watching and talking to the staff. There aren't 100s around but they are knowledgable. The first half is better than second.
It won't be heaving as the staggered starts really help with the crowds. Shame you didn't get a bit earlier as it must close about 9/10?

[Toobuktim]

I’m not sure my husband or youngest would survive 8 hours of it, though I would! Unfortunately we are rather restricted by time and will be travelling down from the north during the day. I booked the last slot as I just don’t want to risk being stuck in traffic jams. We’ll have to leave first thing in the morning as well to get back home.
Not sure what time the studio closes at night, but am hoping it’s around 9/9.30pm

[Endeavormorse]

I was there yesterday!
It’s all well organised. Wear comfy shoes. Eat before you go in. My DS wanted to try butterbeer, I think if you are a fan of the films you do need to try it. It’s a fizzy butterscotch so weird but ok. It’s £6.95 but you do get to keep the cup.
I had the audiobook guide but had enough of it half way round so took it off.
The green screen broom flight is £20 alone plus there’s photos if you want them. The shop is massive and very expensive. Wands are £33!
My DS got a few sweets. Our trip was instead of a holiday so I didn’t
mind spending a bit on him.
We were there just under 4 hours, numbers are still limited so it’s not too packed.
It’s easy to find and plenty of free parking. Have fun!

[RosesandPumpkins]

We were there yesterday too!

I wish I’d seen this thread - we bought butter beer for all. I love butterscotch flavour but the combination of frothy cream and then bubbly liquid was rank.
I wish we’d all had butterbeer ice cream instead.

We had a fab time. Wear a bag that you can easily access your phone from. I had a backpack and it was a faff having to keep getting my phone out and not wanting to hold it constantly.

Also take a pen. We each had a passport which I wrote our names in because luckily I had a pen.

And if you have little ones get them to dress up!

[Daisyhoney]

I don't agree with Halztangz that you can do it all in an hour - we were there for 5 hours. There's so much to see and any true Harry Potter fan will want to see everything and take it all in. If you're through in one hour then you've wasted your money and you're not a true Potterhead tbh.
Also agree that you should try the butterbeer but they're quite pricey so best to get one and share but like someone else said, you do get to keep the cup.
Enjoy.

[Vanilla1Cookies]

It’s a great day. I went around Xmas time when they opened up.

Gift shop is £££££.

Butter beer is odd. We ate there and the food was ok. Ice cream was nice.

This is a pic I took ..

[tiredanddangerous]

The butterbeer ice cream is much nicer than the drink

[Ohbuggeroffcovid]

For my sins I have been there about 15 times but luckily enough lots of press trips.

Is it someone’s birthday? If it is be sure to say so. A late slot isn’t bad actually it quietens down a bit. I wouldn’t bother with the green screens lots of other good free photo ops.

Deffo share the butter beer. The ice cream is nice though.

A good tip is to pose against the doors in the great hall when they have closed behind you. That way it looks like you are opening them. I’ve seen lots of Instagrammers do it!

[Toobuktim]

Thanks everyone! Am getting very excited! Youngest wants a wand (of course!) the older two are just happy to be going, but I’m sure the shop will def entice them. We’ll share a butterbeer between us whilst having ice cream, I just think it’ll be a fascinating and marvellous trip

[LaurieFairyCake]

Er yeah you definitely can't get round in an hour

I've never read a HP book (too old) or had more than a rudimentary glance at a film when children visited and I STILL found 5 hours worth of stuff to read and look at

It's a lovely set, really well done

[LaurieFairyCake]

And I loved the butterscotch 'beer' and the ice cream

And bought plenty in the shop for friends kids - really good shop, I didn't even think it was expensive

[Stompythedinosaur]

Bring lots of money!

We went week before last and had a good time, but we paid for the green screen broomstick ride photos, butterbeer, wands at the gift shop etc.

My other advice is to engage with the staff - they did brilliantly answering my dc's questions and chatting at harry potter.

You get a passport and there are stamping machines. Also there are golden snitches to spot.

[MazDazzle]

We swore we wouldn’t buy anything in the gift shop and would order something from eBay instead, but we got caught up in the moment and bought all three of our kids a wand! Total waste of money.

[Selkiesarereal]

Wear comfortable shoes and just head to the sweet section in the shop as it’s the cheapest part!