It is quite a hike from Swansea to the outskirts of London where the tour is, and I would not recommend trying that as a day trip for most people, but it is how things worked for us and we knew going in that we would be in for one LONG day mid trip.
Our timed tickets were for 12:30, and it was a three and a half hour drive. Last summer both the Starbucks near the entrance and the outdoor area midway served only drinks and light snacks (and something along the lines of hotdogs in that midpoint), so we wanted time to stop for lunch along the way. With a three and a half hour drive, we left at 7:30, figuring we could get a sit down meal if traffic was not an issue and resort to fast food or even snack food on location if need be. Fortunately we did not hit any traffic problems and were eating at a basic chain type place, with a "New York Italian" theme at 11:00 and easily at the studio by 12:30.
At the studio, we showed our prebought ticket voucher to the parking attendants and were them allowed to park at no additional charge. Once inside we picked up the audio guide we had reserved for Marika (I had gotten one in the summer and really like it--there are so many really good clips of the various actors, director, costumer, etc talking about things--I do recommend it. It is also worth noting that it is loaded onto a standard ipod so you can bring your own headphones and be more comfortable). There were many more people in the entry line (2-3 time as many) as last summer. UK schools were out for Easter break and there were advertisements all over the UK and on TV for the new addition of Hogwarts Express (it opened March 19), which I think drew in the crowds.
The entry queue is next to the smallest set from the film: the cupboard under the stairs. Everyone with the same timed entry is let in at once into a standing room where a brief film about the books and how it was decided to make them into a movie plays. From there the entire group goes into a theatre to sit and see a really well done little film about the making of the movies and what a home away from home it was for the many children who literally grew up on set. At the end of that, the screen lifts up and you stand before the entrance to The Great Hall. There were no young children nor birthday celebrants in our group, so the guide asked the young fan dressed in her Ravenclaw robes to open the door and let us in:
Even a second time, it was kind of breathtaking to see the Great Hall before us when Marika opened the door. I do like that they only let one group at a time into that section--it really makes the effect so nice. We all filed in and milled around for about 10 minutes while the guide spoke. She pointed out that Rio was dressed as Cedric and that she had never seen that (she even came by later to say she hoped he wasn't embarrassed but she had truly never seen that in all her tours and just loved it--leave it to Marika to make him the most unique costume!). If you hang back and shoot towards the entry while most people crowd around the speaker you can get some pretty good shots without many people in them:
Do you see one of the actual film Cedric costumes back behind Rio?
Marika in front of the Ravenclaw display
Yeah, we're just hanging out in the great hall . . .
From this point onward the tour is at your own pace. The first (and I consider main) section is all in one giant soundstage and has tons of the various sets from the film as well as lots of props, costumes, wigs, etc. I tried to get photos of different things than what I posted in August, I hope you enjoy:
The boy's dormitory--Gryffindor
and the common room
The Hogwarts gates (those are real, not a painting or anything) are near enough to the beginning that if you hang around until most of your wave has moved on and the next is not yet in you can almost get a photo with no one else in it. I love this shot of the kids rushing up to the school, even if I couldn't keep that woman from walking into the frame
Dumbledore's office is one of my favourite sets
Marika really like the potions set (the same shell was decorated differently and used as the room that Fluffy is standing guard in in the first film)
I had fun reading about some of the animals who starred in the films. 6 of the 9 dogs who worked as Fang were rescue dogs, and another was taken on when his owner became to ill to care for him (which is essentially a rescue, isn't it?). One particularly people friendly owl was used for all of the scenes in which Harry holds Hedwig and another for all of the flying, yet another very quiet one was used to sit in the cage, etc.
Wand lessons!
This room used to exit into the outdoor area, but now exist off to a different side into the new Platform 9 3/4 It IS a nice addition and enjoyable, but not up to all the hype--it's pretty small, not an attraction unto itself as the ads want you to believe.
Of note: the items for sale in the Platform 9 3/4 are cannot be purchased in the main shop at the end of the tour. There was probably a sign about this somewhere, but nothing big and noticeable and we all missed it (and had seen the shirts in the window of the main shop across from the queu as we waited for entry so thought we could buy them there. There was a small sign about the size of postcard in that front shop window, but that was far too small to read while in line and we only saw it when leaving). If you want one of the shirts, do not make the mistake we made and think you will wait until the end. Poor Marika did not get her shirt.
They had a "guess the trolley" game, which ought to be easy for most fans, even young ones, but was cute.
Hogwarts Express from the front--this is one of the actual steam engines used in filming
Of course, they had to have this photo op. They were smart and have three different ones to keep wait times to a minimum
Hurry up--we don't want to miss it!
You can walk onto and down the length of the passenger car. Each section is decorated with props from a different film
Across the way is an open car that would have been used for much filming, and you can sit in it as the screen shows "landscape" going by and act out a little scene
If you see anything you want at this shop, buy now, do not wait for the end of the tour store, it will not be there
Around back of the main train is a compartment that is open in the rear and set up with the candy trolley prop--it is across from the exist and a lot of people seemed not to notice it was there at all, but we had fun seeing that cart of goodies
Leaving the Hogwarts Express area, you head down a hall and are then in the outside section. They've greatly expanded the food offerings and you could actually have lunch here these days (this is also where you are allowed to eat your own packed lunch if you bring one). They've also made a sheltered area to eat in, with walls to break the wind and a roof, but there are large gaps between the tops of the walls and roof and no heat so it is still chilly, but a good improvement none the less:
When we were there the line for "Butter Beer Only" snaked through half the covered area and looked to be taking about 20 minutes to get through. If the same is happening when you go, notice that the food lines also allow you to order butter beer, you just have to be getting something else as well. We bought a yogurt with granola for Marika and an apple crumble for Rio along with his Butter Beer and walked right up to the counter--after I paid Rio was given a slip and sent to a side window at the Butter Beer area and had his drink almost immediately. Even if you don't really want a snack it may be worth the 2.50 to buy a cookie or something to skip that line.
Here are some photos of the outdoor sets. I was really cold so I did not stay out and take much:
Next up is the creature shop. They've added some really well done, three part films here that take you through and make it much more interesting. I only took one photo in there, it was very crowded and hard to get shots. Marika said Buckbeak was one of the highlights for her:
Leaving the creature shops, you find yourself walking up Diagon Alley, which was surprisingly less crowded:
The tour is winding down at that point. There are several small rooms full of the various set design drawings, etc and then the room with just one, beautiful thing in it: the model of Hogwarts:
The last little bit of the tour is the wand room, which is like the movie credits, with each and every person who worked on the films having a box with their name on it. I didn't get any photos this time, but it is fun to see and see how MANY people it takes, and to look for big names you might know.
This is followed by a massive gift shop, of course.
All in all, we had a great time again. We spent about 6 hours looking at everything. It really is a must see place for fans when visiting the area.
--Hadley
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