AIBU to buy DD tickets to Harry Potter world but not actually take her?

[Justaboutawake]

Ok so hear me out. DD is 11 soon and for Xmas all she wants is Harry Potter “stuff”. Now I admit that I have never read or watched HP and can’t actually stand it (for no reason) but I know she loves it and would love to go to HP world. So WIBU to buy 3 tickets as part of an Xmas present but not actually be the one to take her? Her uncles GF loves Harry Potter and they would probably love to take her if asked. They’re in their 20’s (big age gap between uncle and DP) so are responsible enough to take care of her whilst out and about. Obviously I would have to ask them and will (suck it up) take her myself if inconvenient for them but is this unreasonable? Do you think she’d rather go with me and DDad???

BTW she loves uncles GF and all I hear is “GF this, GF that”. I just feel a bit guilty in buying her an experience and not actually experiencing it with her IYSWIM

Ok so spoke to DP and he wants us to take her even though he’s as clueless about it all as I am.

I told him I’m buying 2 adults and 1 child ticket and DD can choose who she likes to take her. If she chooses us I will make a New Years resolution to read all of the books prior to going. At the rate I read books I reckon I can do that in one weekend and I will make DP a cheat sheet

Autumn she will definitely have a much better time with them than me! I have no misconceptions about that at all

OP just check the tickets don’t need to be in the name they were bought in iyswim. We’re going next week and tickets state ID is required so tickets may need to be in the name of whoever is taking DD.

@Justaboutawake. Sounds a brilliant idea! Just ask your DBro and his GF first . They get a treat too then!! It's nice for them to have excuse of a favourite neice to take around with their shared interest together. I loved Harry Potter world (you mean one by London or is there another one -UK?) So I happily took my DC but would have asked my Dsis and paid for her ticket if not, as she's have jumped at chance were all potterheads! DC know when you're not enjoying something and waiting it out as PP noted above in her experience.

Anyway it's definitely a fabulous day out for those that love Harry Potter and she'll the best day & precious memories with her Uncle and GF. You are very kind.

I bought my 14 yo tickets for her birthday to see a band she loves earlier in the year, and for her friend and my (very sensible) god daughter (aged 20, whom I'd asked & paid for including their travel and tea) who took her as the adult. (All agreed with friends mum too that Godauntie would take!). DD2 didn't want her uncoool mum with her. She wanted her cool "Godauntie" to take her.

According to my DD It was best birthday present ever and best night of her life, they really bonded and had a far better time than going with an almost 50 yo boring parent who doesn't appreciate "her music"! The whole thing was an adventure from start to finish for DD!

That’s a very good point Hiding especially if I get a groupon deal.... will check the finer details

Yes London Whereis. We live a short trip away so that’s a bonus. She knows we’re not really that interested in HP and I’ve already promised to sit as far away as possible at the cinema for fantastic beasts so I can’t ask questions lol.

Think she would much prefer DU and GF to take her as they are “super cool” and I will pay for all costs to make sure she has a great time.

Seems like a win win really. She gets to go and I get to stay at home eating crisps

Sorry OP, cross posted. So I hope you enjoy the books.then. They really are super. But you could just watch the films they are great and easier if your DH doesn't want to read the books. It really is something you want to be into if you go. Or it's be better for DBro and DBroGF to take her. You can't fake the enjoyment and much more fun when you're all squealing and getting excited about every little wonderful potterfilled nook and cranny there!

Ps. Buy the pencils from gift shop you go through at the end & nothing else! It's sooo expensive but pencils are like £2! Wands, books and stuff £20-40+
Oh and take a packed lunch (food isn't great there) and
DO NOT try the butterbeer. Ever. It is like syrup mixed with washing up water.

YABVU to say you can't stand Harry Potter without having read the books. I was the same 12 years ago and then had to eat my words when I was persuaded to try, loved them, and binge read them all in 4 weeks

The first time we took dd to HP world i hadnt seen it or read the books. It is fascinating as an insight into film making, which incidentally not an interest of mine but i was blown away.

So whilst yanbu to send her with someone else. You may be missing out

Lol. Cross posted again! Maybe DP might rethink it after seeing films.... Either get excited himself or concede that DBro and DBroGF are better escorts!

Usually I would take eating crisps at home over DD’s preferred days out (gaming conventions ) but HP is the exception. Think I’m more excited than she is

I want to go again now....

I would just check with your daughter after you've given her the ticket that she's really okay with going with uncle/uncle's GF, and tell her that if she really wants you to go too, that you will. At 11, she's probably fine not, but I'd think it's worth making sure that she's happy.

Unfortunately DP has the attention span of a gnat when it comes to films and trying to keep him awake during one is akin to me finding the lost world of Atlanta.

I reckon I should just present her with 3 tickets and let her choose who to take. As much as it pains me (not really) I know she will choose DU’s GF over me and dad any day of the week.

Completely understand that I may miss out but... I reckon she’ll choose DU/DUGF and I will happily accept the consolation prize of a whole tube of BBQ Pringles

Instead of getting her a lot of Harry Potter stuff she might not want, make her a kind of personal gift certificate that she can spend at the shops there. Yes, they're expensive, but the quality is excellent. And even if the gift certificate is for £20 and a butterbeer, she can get a good mug and some sweets for that; or a small scarf; or whatever. She's going to want to go to the gift shop anyway, so at least this way it's baked in to the gift.

I will make a New Years resolution to read all of the books prior to going. At the rate I read books I reckon I can do that in one weekend and I will make DP a cheat sheet

In same boat here, so DH bought me the full set, started on Christmas Day couldn't get all the way through the 4th one (this was Boxing Day) Gets boringly samey if you read them all one after the other IMO.

My Auntie isn't interested in HP at all, she fell asleep through every single one of the movies BUT she really enjoyed the Studio Tour.

I would love to go again, I've been twice now. I also recommend Hogwarts in the Snow!

Doing this for another event I think it's fine might aswell give the ticket to a adult that will enjoy it

I love HP and HP World - and so do my boys - but my DH only saw the last 2 HP films with me because I had no one else to go with and don't like going to the cinema by myself.

He can watch them, but he'd rather not, and he'd probably sooner stick forks in his eyes than go to HP World. And tbh, I'd rather not take him either!

I hope your DD chooses her DU and GF, and that your DH lets her have her way. Lovely thing to do, by the way - they'll all appreciate it!

One word of warning though - the shop is pretty expensive at the end, and you can buy green-screen pics and videos (last time I went I think they were about £25 and £20 each but that was about 3 years ago) so I would consider that in the present too - I managed to spend rather more than I wanted to but it was still in the £130 region (pics, videos, t-shirts, and a few little bits). But then we live in Australia so it's not often we get to do it. You can always give the money to DU to "look after" - but I'd give her a reasonable amount for spending.

There is a café there that sells food and butterbeer (butterscotch float type of thing!) - can't remember how expensive that was, not drastic, but still another consideration.