Is the Harry Potter studios tour worth a visit?

[Alexindisguise]

Thinking of getting the dc tickets and overnight stay as a family Christmas present, is it worth it?

It would work out about £300 for the 5 of us, dc are 16 (doing media studies), 13 and 8. They all like HP but not super fans. We'd be travelling down from NW.

It's so hard to find something that works for all the ages.

We’re going 4 weeks today, with the super fan DC.

I'd say yes. We spent hours there. the audio thing is also worth considering

If you’re going by train there’s a great greasy spoon just round the corner from Watford station (Junction Cafe) which will fill you all up for a very moderate cost - we went there for an early lunch before catching the shuttle bus from the station.

Honestly? It was fine, but not amazing for a family of one superfan and three interested people. The adverts oversell the forest bit in my opinion and the written exhibit information is very interesting but dc would have to slow down and read it. If you are into the photo opportunities and interested in the film making process its good. Our family is not very good at being full of wonder though . I did like the gift shop, expect to pay £25 for a wand or t shirt.

I loved - went as an adult with a friend who also loved HP.
Watched the 1st film with dd1 last night coz we've just finished the book & it was even more magical watching the film having been there.

Yes, I would highly recommend it. There is loads to see and it's pretty impressive to see how they made the films, as well as the actual HP stuff, iyswim.

Also, I thought it was good value, which added to my positive feelings about it! Yes the gift shop was expensive but that's par for the course at these places. And they have amazing stuff in there. Tbh I didn't feel like I was being ripped off at any stage. I thought the cafes were priced ok and in any case, they let you bring a picnic and eat it in the actual cafe, which I think is really good. There are loads of picnic tables and space to eat as well (unlike some places, eg Legoland which I really resented as I just felt we were being fleeced the whole time... but that's a whole different story).

Anyway. Yes I would definitely go!

I feel like I'm pissing on someone's chips when I say I was hugely underwhelmed. I went 2 weeks ago with my 10 year old superfan DD, who loved it. I just thought it was a glorified museum and a licence to print money with the structured photo opportunities (14 quid for a 'wanted' photo and 20 quid for a 30 second clip on a greenscreen broomstick). Of course, the shop is massively overpriced but then people were queuing up to pay for the tat (30 quid for a made in china plastic wand) it must just be me that's a bit bah humbug about it. The staff were friendly tho and it was well organised.

OP you're in the NW, what about a family day out at the Chill Factore - if you look on groupon you can definitely get stuff that's cheaper than 300 if that's your budget.

Agree with pp about some ways to save money. Food wasn’t all that bad when I went, but pricey. We went during Halloween season and it was amazing! Definitely just purchase one butter beer and share, just to taste it...I think it tastes like play doh 😆. The shear amount of detail and creativity that goes in to the films is phenomenal when you see all the stuff up close.
As for the shop, we did buy dd a few things, but they were birthday presents. My dsis did text me and ask if I would buy her a slytherin hoody. When I saw the price I told her that even though I loved her...I didn’t love her that much!!

Yes, we went a couple of weeks ago and aren't die-hard Harry Potter fans.

Do not drink the Butterbeer, the butterbeer ice-cream is ok just. Do not waste your money on the photos but do let the kids have a go on the broomsticks. They can see themselves on the video which is fun. Hang about in the forest- there's a surprise and it's lovely watching the younger children with Buckbeak. Do have a wander around the shops but as a pp says but online.

I've been 5 times. Want to go again to see the Forbidden Forest.

I'm glad someone agrees about Butterbeer. It's seriously disgusting.

Ooh they didn't have the forest last time I went

Woop woop! We're going in October. We have a few heinously overpriced Harry Potter shops here in Edinburgh, does the gift shop offer more of the same, or is the stock exclusive?

DS will have birthday money but I don't want him buying a plastic wand for fifty quid.

As an aside, the Tiger Tiger shop has very similar wands for two quid.