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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to go to Harry Potter studio Tour alone?

42 replies

zoobaby · 21/04/2017 19:37

I really want to go to the studio tour. DP is a bit "meh" about the whole franchise. Plus we have a DS (4) and DD (2), obviously too young to know anything about it, requiring attention. AIBU to go alone? Or would I be the sad Neville No-Mates?

I envisage (all excluding my fellow visitees) a leisurely stroll around, time to listen to the audio tour, time to read the signs, time to look at stuff that takes my fancy, time to browse the store in peace, time to try out the butterbeer and whatever else without a thousand tiny little distractions. Or would I hate having to ask strangers to take my photo 100 separate times in 3 hours?

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 21/04/2017 19:40

I've been travelling alone and so done a fair few tours alone. It's really no big deal.

Sandsnake · 21/04/2017 19:40

I actually think it will be fine. DH and I went with DS, who was about 7mo at the time. Although we were together one of us quite often was off entertaining the baby with one thing whilst the other had a proper look at something they were interested in. If you're a big HP fan then I think you'll really enjoy yourself .

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 21/04/2017 19:42

It'd be fine. There's loads of people asking each other for photos etc.
Don't bother with the audio guide though - it had no relation to the things on display

FeelingSmurfy · 21/04/2017 19:44

Don't buy the audio tour for first visit, far too much to look at and read, you will attempt it about twice then give up. I would use it on additional visits but we made the mistake of getting them on first visit and it was just a waste of money and something else to carry around

Going alone - wouldn't give it a second thought. May be worth putting feelers out to friends and family though, a lot of people I know have really surprised me by going, so there may be someone who would like to join you

urbanrock · 21/04/2017 19:47

I went by myself with work. I had a lovely time. I wandered round slowly, bought a butterbeer and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Do it op. Much better than taking kids and a dh who won't appreciate it!

urbanrock · 21/04/2017 19:47

I went by myself with work. I had a lovely time. I wandered round slowly, bought a butterbeer and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Do it op. Much better than taking kids and a dh who won't appreciate it!

PersonalClown · 21/04/2017 19:51

Go for it. I took the anti- social child on Tuesday. Loads of people there on their own.
Sometimes I think it would be better for me to go alone as I am the HP geek of the house. ASC just wanted to go for the Hogwarts Express.

Staff and other guests are more than happy to take photos for you. Or take a selfie stick (as suggested by DP).

Oh and 3 hours?? You're having a laugh! I took me 4 hours with the ASC who didn't really want to look at everything. My first time was about 5 hours and I still didn't get to look at everything properly.
I want to go again on my own now!

TitsalinaBumSquash · 21/04/2017 19:56

Do it! I've been twice with the family and am scheduled to go again with another family member, I'd go everyday if I could! I keep seeing them recruiting for tour guides and then I spend hours trying to rearrange life so I can take the job because if quite frankly be amazing at it!

ChippyMinton · 21/04/2017 19:57

It will be heavenly. No distractions.

RTKangaMummy · 21/04/2017 19:58

One of my family works there as an interactor (the guides that are all around to tell visitors about the things on show) anyway, they are always taking photos of visitors for them SmileSmileSmile

do just ask the staff in beige trousers and pale blue stripped shirts SmileSmileSmile

You will have a fab time by yourself and you will have time to just enjoy looking at everything without bring hurried SmileSmileSmile

No one will notice you are alone anyway cos even if you went with DH you would be looking at different things anyway

Expect to be there at least 4 hours so your DH can take children to the cassiobury park so they have fun too

SmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmile

PurpleDaisies · 21/04/2017 19:59

Do you have enough smiley faces RT? Grin

tangerino · 21/04/2017 20:02

Do it- it's the sort of place that no one will notice you being on your own (if that bothers you) and you'll get much more out of it if you can take your time. It's great!

R2G · 21/04/2017 20:06

Totally fine. Loads of people alone including in the queues for the cheesy photos

Storminateapot · 21/04/2017 20:07

Do it! I went with my children when they were much younger, there was loads I didn't look at properly because of the 'come ooooonnnn, I'm boooored' whinging. Go at your own pace, spend as long as you like. Sounds awesome to me!

watchoutformybutt · 21/04/2017 20:11

I went on my own. Well I had my baby in a carrier but she was tiny and slept all the way around. I loved it. I went at my own pace and had a really nice day.

RTKangaMummy · 21/04/2017 20:16

Purple SmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmile

Just messaged and found out they all wear same uniform BlushBlushBlush

Anyway, it was confirmed that lots of people go alone, and take their time

SmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmile

Original poster
zoobaby · 21/04/2017 20:29

Haha. Going alone totally doesn't bother me. It's just the missed photo opportunities because there will be NO selfie stick thankyouverymuch and I defo WILL be getting on the flying broomstick unless the beige uniforms tell me otherwise. 4 or 5 hours sounds like the perfect amount of time for DP to make his way around Costco take the kids to the park too.

OP posts:
lucyandpoppy123 · 21/04/2017 20:37

YANBU it's kind of like a museum - but a Harry Potter one and busy! I don't think you'd look out of place by yourself. I'd recommend the butterbeer

user1471537877 · 21/04/2017 20:54

Do it we had a fab day, one tip we were given was to take a plastic bag with you to put your sticky butter beer tankard in after you finished it

maisiejones · 21/04/2017 23:45

Do it. I had a lovely day at Hampton Court by myself. Could spend as long as I wanted just wandering and looking at things. Went round the Tudor bit a second time as that was the bit that really interested me. It was so nice not to have to consider anyone else and to do exactly what I wanted.

EBearhug · 21/04/2017 23:48

I do loads of things by myself. It's much better - I can go at my own pace and focus on the things which interest me most.

strawberrygate · 21/04/2017 23:51

well, if you're a grown up then yes, that is pretty bloody sad. if you are under 12 yo then of course yanbu

KindleBueno · 21/04/2017 23:58

It would be a total wasted opportunity if you're a proper fan and going with kids and/or someone who's not a lover of HP.

It is totally amazing!

MadamePomfrey · 22/04/2017 00:01

Go for it there are loads of staff around who are happy to help with photo ops as are fellow fans Smile.

SleepOhHowIMissYou · 22/04/2017 01:51

I'm the Potter fan in our house. February half term in Orlando, I didn't fancy outlet shopping so took myself off to Universal Studios alone, bought a $50 interactive wand and spent the first part of the afternoon at Hogsmeade doing the spells in the shop windows then took the Hogwarts Express over to Diagon Alley and did all the interactive spells there. Loads of people dressed up (I wasn't) and really into it so didn't feel daft being there on my own waving a plastic wand about, but still couldn't bring myself to say the spells out load despite the encouragement of Universal's excellent Harry Potter crew members. If it's your thing and others will get bored (or in my case take the piss and tell me to grow up) then going alone will ensure you get the most out of your day on the tour.

For future adventures can thoroughly recommend Universal's Parks in Orlando Florida, and I believe LA has The Wizarding World of Harry Potter too, but have not yet visited.

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