Harry Potter studio tour - reviews?

[DillyTante]

Thinking of booking the HP studio tour as a birthday present for DH. My mum just said someone told her the tour was horrible and boring . Anyone else got any reviews?

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I think it depends on how big a HP fan you are. Do a search on threads, there are at least a couple on this already.

I went btw, and loved it

No way was it horrible and boring. We absolutely loved it! Took my DSs (8 and 9) and went with my two BILs. Everybody - adults and children - loved it. Even one BIL who isn't a huge Harry Potter fan enjoyed seeing the behind-the-scenes stuff.

Be prepared for a queue to get in. We didn't have to wait long - maybe 20 minutes, though I've heard it can be longer. You're shown a short film then you go through to the first part where there's a guide who talks you through it. Then you're through to the second part which you take at your own pace.

I thought it was very well planned and very well laid out. There were guides on hand to answer questions - they were all very friendly and very helpful. Plenty to see and lots of opportunities for photos.

My only negative comment is that the shop was ludicrously expensive. £7.95 for a chocolate frog, for example!

The site estimates about 3hrs to get round. Is that about right?

I'd say 3 hours is about right. I think we spent 3 hours actually in the attraction, so add on a bit for browsing the gift shop etc.

It was less than 3 hours as we didn't Que for the broomstick. It was enjoyable. Make sure you get the butterbeer half way around.

I'm not a huge HP (though live with four people who are), and we all really enjoyed it. Seeing the detail of the sets, props and costumes was great. It did take us about 3 hours to go round and we didn't queue for butter beer or the brookstick photos. Diagon Alley is awesome! Do ask the guides if you have any questions - they are very knowledgeable indeed and have lots of interesting insights. Avoid the shop, very expensive.

If you're not much of a fan then I don't think its for you. We loved it.
We didn't queue to get in though - I thoght you could only pre-book tickets? we got there 30 mins before our allotted time (expecting a queue) and had time to dump coats, quick spin around the gift shop and have a cup of coffee.

Our tickets were pre-booked but we had to queue to get into the cinema part. Not long, though. Three hours is about right to get round (we didn't bother with the broomstick either). We were very grateful for a coffee stop halfway round and were impressed that there were no queues there and plenty of tables. DS2 went dressed as Lord Voldemort which got us a lot of attention from the guides. We learnt an awful lot about Voldemort and the way he is presented in the films!

Mummy - yes I'd forgotten about the holding pen bit before the cinema part. There was a little wait there, but I've been to Florida so was expecting a lot worse.

Would agree the guides are excellent, a lovely man in the wand room has the patience of a saint, answering the barrage of Daniel Radcliffe related questions from my DS. and we've watched PS twice trying to spot the girl who told us she was an extra in the film.

Thanks, yes DH & I big fans so hope it will be good.

If you're fans, you'll love it. Go armed with all the HP questions you've always wanted the answers to.