#HarryPotter #WarnerBrosStudio #HarryPotterLondon

We are traveling to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to visit the authentic sets, props and costumes of the films from the Harry Potter franchise. This is the studio they filmed the majority of the Harry Potter Movies. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is located about 20 minutes North West of London in Watford, United Kingdom. We drove but there are tour buses that leave from central London. Just make sure to purchase your timed tickets ahead of time. Stepping into the grand open lobby there is a Ukranian Ironbelly Dragon hanging from the ceiling and we know we are in for something special. Here at Doodle the Travel Bug we are no strangers to Harry Potter Themed Travel, We've done potion classes, filming locations in Ireland and the UK, we've seen The Cursed Child on Broadway and Universal Studios Florida. So how does this compare? It far excedes all our expectations. It is a must do pilgramage for all Harry Potter fans. The lobby also has a giant all things Harry Potter gift shop and if you are hungry they have a food hall, a Chocolate Frog Cafe and a restaurant serving afternoon tea (Harry Potter themed of course. ) As our ticket time approached, we were put in a theater for instructions and a welcome video with the stars of the Harry Potter films Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson AKA Harry, Ron and Hermione Granger. But the real magic starts when you are let out into the soundstages of sets, original costumes and props. The Warner Bros Studio Tour is self guided but takes about 4 hours, even at kid speed, because it is so humongous. The doors open on the first set and it's the Great Hall. This is where all the feasts are held. Their collection is so complete. We saw the Grifindor Common Room, Professor Snape's Potion Class, Dumbledoors Office, Hagrid's Hut, The Weasley's Burrow and the props are incredible like the Fat Lady portrait, The Philosopher Stone, Nimbus 2000, there are also tons of photo opps and a green screen so guests can ride a broom inside a game of Quidith. And just when you think London Studio Tour could not get more epic, it takes your breat away when you step onto Platform 9 3/4 . Now in the begining films the Hogwarts Express Scenes were shot on location at King's Cross Train Station in London. It wasn't until the Deathly Hollows that King's Cross was turned into a set. We then move outside where there is an incredible model of the Burrow for exterior shots, the flying Ford Ancgelina (The Weasley's Flying Car) is here, the Knight Bus and The Dursley's House #4 Privet Drive. Now in the first film, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerror Stone" Privet Drive was a real house and filming locations. Gringots was the next big set. Gringots interior for Sorceror Stone was shot in Australia House Embassy. The rest of the film was on a soundstage. And remember that Ukranian Ironbelly dragon from the lobby? Well he is back in a realistic digital form and is setting the bank a blaze. One of the coolest parts of exploring Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio London is teaching the kids all the different jobs that go into putting a movie together. There is hair and makeup, lighting, art department, costume design, production design, special effects and more. We step inside the last big set Digon Alley. it feels so sureal perusing the windows of shops in the wizarding world. Leadenhall Market in London is one of the original filming locations and where the Leaky Caldron is located. The tour ends with the crown jewel of the art departmen, a huge itricate model of Hogwarts Castle. The castle is lit for all times of day and the castle is outfitted with 2,500 little tiny fibre lights.
Like all tours we exit through the gift shop. This was a highlight of our family trip to England. It is a must for all fans of movie making and Harry Potter.