OK here is my feedback, and thanks again to MN and WB.
What were your first impressions on arrival?
The whole area looked really smart and clean. The car park attendants were really friendly and helpful and the studios looked, well, just like something you see on the movies! Loved the big sign and the pictures, as well as the chess pieces. We started to queue up to collect tickets from a window when a member of staff heard me saying ‘email from Mumsnet’ and explained we could go straight inside.
The security staff were very friendly. DD is always scared of security checks so it was great that we went through so quickly and painlessly.
Once indoors I LOVED the ledger on the information desk. I think it is right that you don’t go into anything olde worlde, it feels like a proper film studio rather than a theme park trying to recreate Hogwarts. But the ledger was a great little nod to what lies ahead.
The queue moved steadily although DS announced he was suddenly really thirsty part way through – no one seemed to mind that DH ducked out to get a bottle of water and ducked back in again which was a relief.
How were the facilities throughout the Studio Tour?
The toilets were mostly clean – you could tell they are cleaned often, but there were a couple of unflushed loos and paper on the floor – sadly this is just down to the users so not much anyone can do I guess. I liked the auto sensor flushes and hand dryers that actually work. (Saddo that I am, I also liked the out of order sign on one that was broken as it was in Warner Bros. house style and laminated. Not some tatty scribbled thing.)
The café was very well organised. DH went to the Butterbeer only point whilst I went to get the food and drink. Everything was really tasty. It was great to be able to rinse the souvenir mugs, shame there was no easy way of drying them off. A member of staff was mopping the floor but it seemed like a never ending task. I used napkins to dry them and DH went and bought a plastic bag (he said the sales guy was very apologetic that he had to charge 5p!) so we could carry them on the rest of the tour. A nice addition would be a bag vending machine in that area. By the way I love the fact that although they are ‘just’ plastic mugs they are fairly sturdy and can go in the dishwasher.
Were the staff friendly and helpful?
Yes – all of them. Full of enthusiasm and facts and seemed to care about whether we were enjoying ourselves. I was really really impressed with all the staff.
Did you and your family enjoy the experience?
COMPLETELY! We had an amazing time. The exhibits are just incredible. The cinema screen, the screen disappearing, the OMG we are really HERE moment… So utterly well done. It is flawlessly executed.
I liked being guided round the Great Hall and then the guide explained about moving on but how and when to come back in if you wanted to. All the information explaining each item was really clear, interesting, well laid out and easy to see. It never felt crowded and it was nice kind of moving round with other families. Maybe it was the Mumsnet effect but all the kids there were really NICE and well mannered and there was no one hogging anything.
We have seen all the films so weren’t worried about spoilers, but I did notice that nothing really gave the game away about too much of the plot – you wouldn’t know who dies, you would see the Triwizard Cup but it doesn’t explain who wins it. The staff all know the films inside out and will chat away about them and what is different in each one. Like the size shifting courtyard!
We had fun doing the flying car photo and I was impressed that you get a digital copy as well as a print. The folder is really nice that it is presented in and the staff were very helpful explaining how to get the download.
The Hogwarts Express was such a treat. Loads of wonderful details everywhere you look. I knew it was part of the tour but didn’t realise you could walk down the corridor looking in at all the compartments.
I have a bit of a thing about graphic design and really enjoyed the section with the Quibbler, Daily Prophet, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and so on and could have spent hours at that part. There was a really informative member of staff (who also kindly gave us some special badges, thank you!) who told me lots of interesting facts and pointed out some fascinating features.
After we ate, it was dark by the time we got to the outside area and DS kind of swirled out into the fresh air and declared ‘THIS IS AWESOME’ and he is right. Everything is so well ordered that you think you have said all the ‘wow’s you can and then you see the Knight bus and run down the bridge and knock on the Dursley’s front door – a perfect chance to let off a bit of steam really!
The next sections looking at the animatronics, special effects and art work were incredible. Realising how much work goes into making a film was a massive eye opener for the children and it was valuable for them to see how grown ups actually have proper jobs making models, and drawing and so on.
Mooching down Diagon Alley was so much fun. There were tiny details EVERYWHERE and I’m sure we could have spent all day there.
By the time we got to the Hogwarts castle DH and I both welled up… it’s just spectacular! I had not realised how HUGE it would be. I loved the music playing, the way the whole thing is set out so you can read more facts, walk round the levels, zoom in, and being able to take as many photographs as you like is a wonderful thing because we’ve already been looking at ours and spotting extra things.
The wand room really made me choke up and then JK Rowling’s quote on the exit screen pretty much finished me off. Warner Bros. I KNOW you are toying with my emotions and manipulating me, I can feel you doing it, with your atmospheric music and all the rest of it but you do it so well I don’t mind at all.
So yes we hit the gift shop on a high and spent a fortune, but again, all the products are such good quality. Nothing has been scrimped on so I can see why it is expensive.
Would you recommend other families visit the Studio Tour for a day out?
YES definitely. It is not just enjoyable it is inspirational! Since we came home, DS has made himself a Voldemort door sign and a Minecraft Dumbledore. DD has recreated Hogwarts in the garden with some spare wooden planks, and we have rewatched the Goblet of Fire and spotted so many more things thanks to the tour. It is a day out that we will never forget. Now we are saving up for a Christmas visit.
THANK YOU Warner Bros. and Mumsnet. This really has been a wonderful experience.