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Original poster

Harry Potter Studio Tour tips

104 replies

Toobuktim · 29/07/2021 17:20

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.

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Niceicebaby · 30/07/2021 06:16

£6.95 for a butterbeer, £10 for a chocolate frog or ingot....it's not cheap! The entrance holding area is underwhelming but after the introduction videos/fillers you go into the hall which is good. There is a short cut out of the enchanted forest for any spider phobes. Add on include green screen pics of broomstick flying, car flying and train carriage meet dementors - again not cheap.

Dinosauraddict · 30/07/2021 06:27

If you are proper fans I would definitely get the audio tours. It will take you longer to go round but you find out so much more information and it really brings it all to life. Apart from that - make sure you've got a decent phone battery or camera as I took a lot of photos. I didn't like the taste of the butter beer, but I still have my glass! We were there all day when I went too.

1AngelicFruitCake · 30/07/2021 06:30

When choosing Wands is it a special experience 😄 where they interact with someone or are they literally just on a shelf?

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Vanilla1Cookies · 30/07/2021 06:40

@1AngelicFruitCake

When choosing Wands is it a special experience 😄 where they interact with someone or are they literally just on a shelf?
The wands in the gift shop are just On a shelf
RainingZen · 30/07/2021 06:41

They are just one shelf, sadly @1AngelicFruitCake!
It is a fascinating place. Take the kids dressed up. Everything is film-lit so photos come out amazingly well - I took about 200!
I got some fantastic shots of my DD standing with the cardboard cut out figures in the queue at the start!

We spent 4 hours there and i easily could have spent longer but DD got tired.

1AngelicFruitCake · 30/07/2021 06:56

Thanks both! My daughter is convinced the wand chooses you, I think she’s been watching Harry Potter world version! I’ll order before we go, thanks so much

Ohbuggeroffcovid · 30/07/2021 07:11

They’ve changed the entrance hall, there is now an enormous dragon swooping down from the ceiling.

A chocolate frog cafe in the waiting area as well.

funtimefrank · 30/07/2021 08:33

We went on a coach trip so had a defined time to go round and it wasn't enough really. Could have easily done with another hour.

We did the green screen broom stick bit and it was fun but expensive. Wouldn't do it again.

You can avoid aragog (Dd1 suggested I point this out)

The gift shop is ruinous but there are things in there I think it would be hard to get anywhere else so if you can afford to, it might be nice to get something. We shared a butter beer and an ice cream between 5 of us. Still didn't finish the butter beer - it's like a cream soda ice cream float but not as nice.

We liked the gringotts bit in the second half.

Vanilla1Cookies · 30/07/2021 08:43

@1AngelicFruitCake

Thanks both! My daughter is convinced the wand chooses you, I think she’s been watching Harry Potter world version! I’ll order before we go, thanks so much
I went to Tesco yesterday and they had wands for £10 and you could pick the character.

B&M also do Harry Potter wants and you get a mystery one inside so you could say that wand picked her. They are £15 I think.

Original poster
Toobuktim · 30/07/2021 20:34

Has anyone eaten proper meals in the restaurants there? Am deliberating what to do about food, whether to eat before we go or to eat when we’re there.

OP posts:
Workyticket · 30/07/2021 20:42

If you're not going till half 6 definitely eat before you go - we went last week and it took us 4 and a half hours to get round. We weren't dawdling, there's so much to see.

Change to an earlier slot if you can!

Giftshop is at least 30 mins in itself

MrsSkylerWhite · 30/07/2021 20:44

What time does it close? You’ll need a good few hours, if you want to look at everything in detail. We always spend at least 4.

Tibtab · 30/07/2021 20:48

Looks like it closes at 10pm so you should get a few hours there!

GreatestSh0wUnicorn · 30/07/2021 20:52

I think you’ll struggle for time! We were there 5 hours and still ran short, don’t get the audio guides you’ll definitely run out of time with them to listen to as well.

blaisealex · 30/07/2021 20:55

Can't believe all these comments about the butter beer not being nice. I go just for the butter beer! It's lush. I could easily order 3 or 4 of them. Though I limit myself to one because of cost. I really want to go again now!

Fimofriend · 30/07/2021 20:59

Wear trekking boots as you'll be walking around for at least three hours.

anon12345678901 · 30/07/2021 21:03

@Toobuktim

Has anyone eaten proper meals in the restaurants there? Am deliberating what to do about food, whether to eat before we go or to eat when we’re there.
I've eaten lunch there twice, the food was decent, my son had chips and hotdog, big sizes! It's a great visit, make sure your phones are charged for pictures. Take your time, depending on how old your kids are, they may get scared in certain bits. I took a younger child and they were so scared by the spider forest and by the dragon section. Hold hands tight in those bits if they get scared. It's fantastic though. I did get stung for a wand though 😂
Floralnomad · 30/07/2021 21:09

I’ve been a few times and 2 /3 hours is plenty , the best bit is the model at the end . Our son is going on Monday and it closes at 10 , they’ve got tickets for 5 pm and have been before so it is ample time .

Paquerette · 30/07/2021 21:10

Book the earliest slot of the day as it gets busy after lunchtime.

The butterbeer is just cream soda with some kind of cream on top. Just order it without the cream, it’s lovely, and you get a souvenir cup to keep.

Floralnomad · 30/07/2021 21:12

I’ve never rated the restaurant ( it may have changed I’ve not been for a couple of years ) but I’m not a hotdog and chips type person , ds and his mate are having a late lunch in Watford before they go .

BuddleiasBeesAndButterflies · 30/07/2021 21:15

@Toobuktim

Has anyone eaten proper meals in the restaurants there? Am deliberating what to do about food, whether to eat before we go or to eat when we’re there.
We had burgers in the Backlot cafe, about half way round, about £10 for an adult's, £6 for a child's, can't really remember what they were like, which probably means they were OK but nothing special. I think there are a couple of other cafe's and a bigger food hall with a more extensive menu too.
PossiblyPertunia · 30/07/2021 21:22

Get the butter beer soft serve ice cream! It's blooming delicious! Only share 1 butter beer between you though, it's worth trying but not everyone's tastes...

colouringindoors · 30/07/2021 21:23

It's fab, enjoy! My only tip would be don't buy a wand unless your children do lots of imaginative playing. My kids wands have sat in boxes!

HalzTangz · 30/07/2021 22:12

@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.
Well I can day we did it in an hour and we saw everything plus took pics. How anyone takes longer is beyond me lol
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/07/2021 22:15

You need around 4 hours. Less than 3 wouldn't be anywhere near enough. More than 5 too long for most kids, imo. An hour would barely scratch the surface.

The butter beer is truly horrible. Definitely just buy one to share.

The shop does have 'cheaper' things like key rings, which are good quality and less than a tenner.

I've been 3 times and can't wait to go again, if I can persuade anybody to come with me! Grin