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Original poster

Making of Harry Potter tour - booked tickets today for tomorrow!

20 replies

WomanInChains · 04/09/2018 16:56

This is pretty odd is it not seeing as every other time I've looked at booking its been full for months ahead!

Any tips from anyone who's been recently? TIA.

DD (21) will be taking DS (8) as I would rather watch paint dry but they are both rabid fans. Trying to convince DS to wear his costume that he only got one wear out of on world book day last year .

OP posts:

sachabloom · 04/09/2018 17:28

No advice really, besides to take your time and have a wonderful day!

Also, I am super jealous! 😃

Beamur · 04/09/2018 17:30

No tips really, it's well organised.
DD (age 10) decided not to go in character, but lots of kids (and grown ups) do.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 04/09/2018 17:32

The Hertfordshire schools went back this week.

Don't buy the Butterbeer!

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LIZS · 04/09/2018 17:33

Think tour companies block book in advance but maybe release tickets if the coach is not full. Entry is well managed but once beyond the great hall you are free to roam.

PandaG · 04/09/2018 17:35

Buy one small butterbeer to try it - we thought it was disgusting! Brilliant day out, one of the best we have had as a family of 2 adults and 2 teens. I would happily go again.

MadisonAvenue · 04/09/2018 17:35

If the Butterbeer is the same recipe as it is at the Universals in Florida and California, you have to try it!

EvaHarknessRose · 04/09/2018 17:55

Lots of people in costume there last week some adult some kids. Butterbeer is like a fizzy caramel drink. Wands are £25 in the shop I think. Some amazing props models and info, a lot more focused on 'how we filmed it' than the actual characters, story or fan bits we thought.

fairiedemon · 04/09/2018 17:58

I have been 8 times (but I do live locally)! My only suggestion is to make sure you take your time and make sure you see everything! Once you pass a certain point you can’t go back. There is a wonderful surprise at the end.

Whatsthisbear · 04/09/2018 17:58

Try not to pass out in shock at the extortionate prices in the shop!
Make sure batteries are fully charged. We had two 12 year olds who depleted their phone battery before they were half way round because of the amount of photos they were taking.

littleemma1 · 04/09/2018 18:00

I have been 3 times and live in Newcastle, it is 100% worth the trip!!
When I was last there they had Butterbeer ice cream which was much better than the drink

ALemonyPea · 04/09/2018 18:03

If they stand at the back of the first room, they’ll get a good view in the next room. That’s all I’m saying.

BigRedBoat · 04/09/2018 18:04

I liked the butter beer!

TellMeItsNotTrue · 04/09/2018 18:06

Ask any staff you come across for secrets they know lots of facts

Butterbeer ice-cream is nicer than the drink

IAmAllAstonishment · 04/09/2018 18:09

Go with them?

If you can book an extra ticket it’s really not an experience you HAVE to be a fan to enjoy. It’s a pretty amazing experience.

Definitely buy one small butter beer/ ice cream and share as they are....an acquired taste. Also the food is rather good (not crazy pricey but a bit) so I would suggest grabbing a nice lunch (we did).

Also half way their is a train station gift shop. Most of the stuff isn’t available in the final gift shop so if you like anything make sure to buy it!

(If you ask in the main gift shop they’ll go and fetch you the item you wanted but it’s sooo much easier to buy at the time - one of our items was faulty that’s how we found this out)

Bubblysqueak · 04/09/2018 18:13

If you get there early ask if you are able to join a different time slot. we accidentally arrived 3 hours early as there was no traffic etc. We had something to eat at the café at the entrance and then asked the kiosk if there was anything to do locally but they checked their computer and said there was early availability as people hadn't turned up/tickets were still available so we could go in early.

cheesemongery · 04/09/2018 18:13

Don't worry if after queuing for an hour you are last in line and have to wait until next time - the usher told us we were in for a treat, stand at the front fill up from your left hand side as you go in. It's where the doors open. I nearly cried when it happened!! Take your time, it's so easy to be rushed round. We got a free Butter beer and meal as groupon - I wouldn't pay for the Butter beer

Take photos in the Erised mirror, seemed to be very slimming for me!

Enjoy!

cheesemongery · 04/09/2018 18:15

*Fill up from your right hand side - I don't know, just be at the front

Schoolchoicesucks · 04/09/2018 18:25

Definitely get him to wear his costume, will be loads of kids in gowns

Original poster

WomanInChains · 04/09/2018 19:20

Thanks so much! Have told them about the Butter Beer ice cream.

Lovely treat for DS on his last day of the school holidays. We couldn't book it for his birthday as we didn't book early enough and was thinking this morning of taking him out of school for a day (very educational for wannabe wizards right?) to go in the next few months so was well chuffed to see tomorrow had availability.

He is a HP bore, read all the books already, watched all the films and he only wants to converse on the subject of HP and test me on the spells so DD can deal with it. I'll be dropping them and then treating myself to a nice lunch and some shopping!

OP posts:

cheesemongery · 04/09/2018 22:38

Oh another thought - they don't put the prices on the start of the queue if you want the green screen video experience, I can't remember what they were - but they were too expensive for us (which prob isn't saying much!)

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