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Original poster

Harry Potter World

58 replies

Lookingforbargains · 02/10/2022 11:26

Am I unreasonable to be shocked that this venue is booked up until January ?!

I get that it’s popular, but so are places like Alton Towers, and you don’t have to book that weeks ahead. Wtf is going on??

OP posts:
CloseYourEyesAndSee · 02/10/2022 11:29

You mean the studio tour?
It's very popular and they don't allow too many in at once to prevent it getting crowded. It's always been booked well in advance.

megletthesecond · 02/10/2022 11:29

January is nothing. It used to be much longer.
By controlling numbers they stop it getting rammed so everyone gets a good day out.

theluckiest · 02/10/2022 11:30

I think it's because they still have timed tickets with specific slots so it never gets too busy.

Because it's enclosed (unlike Alton Towers which is a vastly bigger site) they have to restrict it somehow.

I went before lockdown when it was rammed &, although it was great, it could have spoiled it. Post-lockdown with fewer numbers, it's a much better experience.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 02/10/2022 11:30

We booked in January for August. It’s limited numbers but so worth it. I have nothing but love of the team behind it.

Clymene · 02/10/2022 11:37

It's because it's winter and it's largely indoors. It is October. Of course it's booked up for Christmas!

Birdie135 · 02/10/2022 11:38

Book it, it’s so worth it!

millefeuille1 · 02/10/2022 11:40

We went last weekend and a member of staff told me they had had 7.5k visitors daily since early summer. It was very busy.

VanishingViolet · 02/10/2022 11:51

We absolutely LOVED the HP tour and more has opened up since we last went, so I’m itching to return!

I’ve just checked on the site and can’t seem to book anything, even for Feb ‘23! There’s not a problem with the site is there? When I click on check availability it just takes me back to the ticket booking page, doesn’t even say not available?

YellowTreeHouse · 02/10/2022 11:54

So you didn’t do any research, didn’t book in time and now can’t go when you want and are annoyed at them?

OneFrenchEgg · 02/10/2022 11:56

It's always been timed slots - I can't remember not having to book a day and time.

JamSandle · 02/10/2022 11:59

This time of year its especially popular. Seems a popular Christmas thing to do!

Marigoldandivy · 02/10/2022 12:01

We went years ago, ages before Covid, and you had to book a day and time slot then. It’s pretty expensive so the thought of not being able to move around freely because of crowds would be off putting. You get more value for money this way. Have fun when you do get there!

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 02/10/2022 12:03

We went years ago and had to book a long way in advance. It's a very well managed venue, I think, and well worth the wait.

Cas112 · 02/10/2022 12:05

People travel from all over the world for Harry Potter world unlike Alton towers

Abraxan · 02/10/2022 12:05

It's always have timed slots to manage the amount of people inside and has always been booked up for months in advance. It used to be much longer, especially for a school holiday it weekend slot during the day.

It's worth the wait through.

Although you have a time to go in, you can stay inside as long as you want. Though once you come out you can't return inside again.

picklemewalnuts · 02/10/2022 12:11

To be fair, to discover first time you try that there's a 6 month wait for tickets is a bit shocking.

I've never managed to go, for that reason.

Original poster
Lookingforbargains · 02/10/2022 12:12

OneFrenchEgg · 02/10/2022 11:56

It's always been timed slots - I can't remember not having to book a day and time.

Wow! Get out of bed the wrong side or something?!
I am doing my research- and am shocked by what I found!

OP posts:
Original poster
Lookingforbargains · 02/10/2022 12:13

@OneFrenchEgg sorry - didn’t mean to quote you!! Meant to quote @YellowTreeHouse who was really nasty.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lookingforbargains · 02/10/2022 12:14

Thanks for the responses (except @YellowTreeHouse ) - at least I know I’m not being tricked by the website! It is a very long wait though 😐

OP posts:
GetOffTheRoof · 02/10/2022 12:16

It's luck of the draw - we got two tickets this summer at a week's notice. I checked every morning, and got lucky - maybe a cancellation.

OneFrenchEgg · 02/10/2022 12:18

@Lookingforbargains that's ok! I remember it being quite booked so I bought gift tickets (we'd wanted it as a Christmas present) instead so they had something to unwrap.

SirSamVimesCityWatch · 02/10/2022 12:19

It's always been like that. I'm glad they don't let more people through at a time, there's so much to see and it would be crap if it was so busy you were always stuck behind people.

If you can, get an early slot, as they only move you on out of the Great hall at the start in your timed group, after that it's free wandering so if you go with the first couple of slots of the day it will be quieter all the way through.

Don't forget to take out a second mortgage for the gift shop!

YerAWizardHarry · 02/10/2022 12:19

They decorate for Christmas and it’s BEAUTIFUL!

ordinarilyordinary · 02/10/2022 12:25

Not sure if this is still the case as we went last summer when there were still a few Covid restrictions, but we hadn't booked in advance. However loads of tickets became available the night before, so we got them last minute.

It was amazing!

VanishingViolet · 02/10/2022 12:29

@SirSamVimesCityWatch we went in on the last slot and the advantage is we could return to the Great Hall and spend as much time as we liked in there, so going later has it’s advantages too.

I found the whole experience really well organised. Even in the restaurant we weren’t battling for a seat and didn’t have to wait long for food.