Our first stop during our time in London was the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter. We'd had little samples of this experience at the Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, but with my wife being a huge fan of all things Potter and me being a fan of the films and the moviemaking process, there was no question about us visiting while in Europe.
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter is a giant collection of soundstages and outdoor spaces playing host to set pieces, props and practical effects big and small that were used in the creation of the Harry Potter films. The experience continues to evolve with new additions and seasonal overlays of portions of the tour. The experience is self guided, though you have the option to pay for a deeper-level guidebook and/or a VIP tour with a guide (this is definitely something we'll get the next time we visit).
Many tour companies recommend three hours in the experience, but it is my recommendation for you to allow more time than that... We were only half way done as of three hours in. Depending on your degree of fandom/interest, you could easily spend closer to six hours there like we did. There are some interactive elements and a few neat photo/video ops (some free and some up-charge). But what is truly amazing about this place is just how much detail is revealed, not only in the making of these films, but in the attention to detail that was put into the design. In theme parks, we recognize the outstanding achievements of parks that bury little details in the background to be discovered... But in film, it almost seems gratuitous to take the time, money and effort to layer detail into the background of scenes that a viewer will never get close to... And yet, it is without question a feat that those involved in the making of these films gone the extra mile to pour writing, labels, background effects and overflowing detail in every corner. That is what makes this experience so surprising--the level of discovery to be had within.
- Attachments
-

- Quite the entrance statement... Some notable statues from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
-

- Once inside, you walk down this long hall covered with notable quotes from the films...
-

- Most people know this one.
-

- The Triward Cup from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is prominently displayed at the entrance of the exhibit space.
-

- Harry's original room under the stairs is among the first things you see upon arrival inside...
-

- It has been preserved from the films.
-

- I won't give away the reveal that takes place before this moment (no photographs allowed) because it is honestly quite an amazing moment.
-

- The Great Hall is one of the most impressive portions of the entire tour. The detail within is overwhelming. The space receives various holiday overlays throughout the year but during our visit, it was set up in the normal way.
-

- It is doubtful you ever saw this fireplace up close in any of the films, but the detail on the Hogwarts crest and the fake fire effect is incredibly impressive!
-

- The age spell surrounding the Goblet of Fire is recreated here for guests to attempt to cross.
-

- All of Hogwarts' most well known professors are at the front of the Great Hall, positioned where their actors stood when filming.
-

- It is always impressive to see how many different creative minds have been involved in these films.
-

- It is easy to forget the Chris Columbus, the director of Home Alone 1 & 2 was also the director of the first two Harry Potter films.
-

- It is amazing to see just how many props were created for single shots in these films. These props were used as a part of the decor for the Yule Ball scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
-

- Fans of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida will recognize the Leaky Cauldron, which has been recreated in Florida.
-

- A full map of the total experience.
-

- One fact that surprised me was that the costuming team for the final two Harry Potter films (Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2) created a progression of faded costumes for Harry and Voldemort that represented their respective journeys from the start to end of these two films. Voldemort's robes are dark and defined at the beginning and faded at the end where Harry's colors are subtle at the start and bold by the end... The two characters switch the scales in strength from start to finish, a detail that most would not likely pick up on as purposeful when watching the films.
-

- The moving staircase and the talking portraits can be seen here.
-

- This practical effect makes it look like the water is flowing freely, but in reality the prop features a series of transparent colored pipes that contain the flowing water.
-

- The Gryffindor Boys Dormatory set is small and charming on the inside...
-

- But getting to see how it was assembled from the outside, shows that is a much larger set piece that you'd expect.
-

- There were no shortage of unique wands created for these films.
-

- The Mirror of Erised.
-

- One of my favorite pieces in the entire tour...
-

- It may seem obvious but the invisibility cloak effect was achieved by chromakey.
-

- Some of the details that were in the background in the films and minor points in the books have gone on to have a significant presence in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park lands around the world. Pumpkin Juice is an example of this, and the packaging is incredibly accurate in the parks compared to what was used on screen.
-

- Gorgeous!
-

- The entrance to Dumbledore's office...
-

- If you've experienced Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey's queue, you're likely familiar with this view.
-

- The set for Dumbledore's office is perfectly recreated in the parks.
-

- The Dumbledore family has a connection to phoenixes... This is elaborated upon in the latest Fantastic Beasts film.
-

- The memories Dumbledore extracts are kept in vials here in his office...
-

- Though you never get this close to them onscreen, it is amazing to see in person the written detail of the labels on each of the vials.
-

- Looking into my own memories...
-

- The egg prop from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is neat to see in person.
-

- Some key, smaller props from the films.
-

- The prop that started it all...
-

- Another major prop from the first film.
-

- Troll armor, something you see more of in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida.
-

- Skelegrow is another recognizable prop from the films.
-

- Voldemorts many horcruxes.
-

- Snape's potions class...
-

- Each vial has its own unique label and ingredients inside.
-

- Another look at how the talking portraits inside of Hogwarts are made.
-

- Hagrid's Hut is surprisingly a pretty small set.
-

- Though it looks bigger on the inside.
-

- A focus on the moving, practical props from the films.
-

- You have the ability to fly on a broom in front of a green screen to take pictures and to make a video...
-

- I had to get one.