If you’re a Harry Potter fan, we’ve got a lot to talk about!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Orlando is a fun place to visit if you’re a Harry Potter fan, but it isn’t the only place. We recently had a chance to visit the Warner Brothers Studio Tour London, and it was pure magic! Let’s talk about it!
When you’ve only got a week in London, you want to make every moment count, and if you or anyone in your group even remotely likes Harry Potter, theme parks, or movie-making magic, the Warner Bros Studio Tour in London is a must-do. We went on this adventure during our brief stay in the UK, and let me tell you, it was an absolutely spellbinding experience.
The Journey There
Our journey to the Warner Bros Studio Tour was just the beginning of the magic. We hopped on a train out of London. (Picture the English countryside whizzing by and you’ll have an idea of the tone for this adventure.) And then, here was the cherry on top, a themed double-decker bus whisked us away to the studio.
Not only did it take us to our destination, but it was a themed entrance into the Harry Potter universe. While on the bus, Tom Felton, the infamous Draco Malfoy, greeted us through the onboard video, setting the stage for our adventure.
More Cast Appearances
Even before we entered the studio, we were treated to exclusive videos featuring the cast from the movies. Imagine our thrill when hearing Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson talk about the tour. The Phelps twins made appearances, too!
These videos were created exclusively for the tour, and they added an extra layer of magic. We were able to get a glimpse into their personal experiences while filming, and it made the entire journey feel like we were part of something truly magical.
The Entrance and Lobby
Stepping off the bus, we were greeted by the very back lot where the Harry Potter films came to life. It was like walking into a dream! The entrance space, though not officially part of the tour, was full of charm.
There was an ice cream parlor that served house-themed sundaes, and for the die-hard fans, a restaurant offering magical culinary delights. The prices were theme-park-worthy, but the quality of the food took us by surprise. It made us feel like we were in the heart of the Wizarding World.
We also saw costumes from other Warner Brothers films. The Heath Ledger Joker costume was epic and reminded us of the cinematic magic that Warner Bros. has been responsible for.
The Tour
We began with a pre-show featuring heartfelt fan testimonials and an introduction to the magical journey ahead. The tour then continued with a visit to a large movie theater where the screen lifted, revealing the actual Great Hall doors.
It was a tease of what we would experience soon, and the moment we walked into the Great Hall shivers ran down my spine. It was as if I were stepping into the Wizarding World itself.
Fun fact, this isn’t its original location, but it’s got the original floors, tables, and costumes — like Harry’s Little Wizard robes from when he was just 11.
The set is huge, and it’s just incredible to be standing in a place that you watched for years in the movies that brought the books to life. It’s a way for them to start the tour. and then you start walking into the sound stages.
Sound Stage One
The tour is divided into two massive sound stages. The first stage had smaller sets, costumes, and props, each filled with attention to detail. Some of the highlights included the Yule Ball section, complete with the original chocolate sculpture, and sets like the common rooms.
Since these sets were so close, it made it feel like we were truly walking through the magic of the movies. We were able to walk through these iconic locations, taking in every detail and experiencing the magic of the film sets. It was as if we had been transported to Hogwarts, and we couldn’t help but be awed.
One of the things that set this tour apart is its emphasis on practical effects. The first sound stage had the Great Hall doors, complete with a magical lock mechanism that wasn’t just CGI—it was real! You could watch the mechanism in action.
The tour also featured interactive experiences like a broomstick that levitated upon your command and a green screen Quidditch experience. The practical effects extended to many parts of the tour, making the magic of the films come to life right before our eyes.
As we ventured into the Forbidden Forest section, we encountered one of the actual sets used in the films. This part had a more “theme park-like feel.” We were able to bow to a functioning hippogriff animatronic and trigger effects like descending spiders.
There’s also a section that’s called the Dark Arts room. It has a lot of the costumes and sets that were for the death eaters. This part was a little less memorable, but they did have the prop that they used to suspend that woman above the table when Voldemort kills her in front of all the death eaters, which was kind of scary.
Then you move on to the Hogwarts Express section where they have the Platform 9 and 3/4 area and the Hogwarts Express. You can walk on the train, but this is one of the few places where a line forms to get on the train (but it doesn’t take too long so don’t let the line scare you away.)
Between the sound stages
From there you finally step into an open area between the two sound stages. It serves as a much-needed resting place. Here, you’ll find a restaurant and of course, there’s the much-anticipated butterbeer stand. This is the only place where you can savor the authentic “real” butterbeer, and it’s served in a unique souvenir cup that you won’t find anywhere else. While it tasted just like the butterbeer in Orlando, the souvenir mug adds an extra layer of magic to the experience. We couldn’t resist taking one home as a memento of this adventure.
This outdoor section also has a scale model of the Burrow and then there’s Privet Drive, the home of the Dursleys. Initially filmed on location, it later required a full reconstruction on the backlot due to the soaring popularity of the movies. This part of the tour allowed us to explore the place where Harry’s journey begins, complete with the practical props used to blow up Aunt Marge in one of the films.
We also saw the greenhouse, where we could “pull” Mandrakes just like in the books and movies. While we were there, we learned history about the bridge, and how it wasn’t described in the books — it was specially designed for the films and became an iconic part of the magical school.
This bridge was definitely the highlight for me as it was one of my favorite parts of Hogwarts when it appeared in the films. It might sound strange, but there’s something truly magical about walking on the actual bridge, even if it’s just sitting in the middle of a parking lot. It was a moment of pure enchantment and nostalgia.
On another note, there was a practical touch we found here, which I believe Disney World and Universal should adopt. It was a station where you could wash your souvenir mug. Now that might sound like a small thing, but who wants a sticky mug in their bag?
Sound Stage Two
Sound stage two was also incredible. The creature effects area offered a peek behind the scenes with prosthetics, puppets, and informative videos. The werewolf suit used in the movies was on display. It was the original vision before they decided to go with CGI. It was massive and intimidating, giving you a glimpse into what could have been.
Diagon Alley was another highlight. To be honest, it was a lot like the one in Orlando. Still, walking through Diagon Alley was like stepping into the heart of the wizarding world, with shops and storefronts that felt as real as if they had been taken straight from the pages of the books.
After heading through Diagon Alley, we stepped into Gringotts. Now, the Gringotts lobby here might not have been as large as the one in Orlando and it might have animatronic goblins, but the one here had its own unique charm. Here’s the thing: This Gringott’s had the actual goblins. Sure, they might not be animated, but they were the real deal. It felt like stepping right into the set of the film.
As we moved further, we ventured into the vaults. What really caught our attention was a nifty practical effect –- a door lock in action. You could see it moving, and it was a cool example of the attention to detail that made this tour so special. But it didn’t stop at practical effects. This section offered some fun photo opportunities too like Bellatrix’s vault, with its towering piles of treasure.
We moved on from there to the Art Department where we saw a lot of concept art for the films. Then we arrived at the Model Room. This was the grand finale of the tour, where a large-scale replica of Hogwarts awaited.
The level of detail and the sheer scale of the model were breathtaking. We couldn’t get over how this was used to get those sweeping shots of Hogwarts for the movies.
The model room was a testament to the incredible craftsmanship and artistry that went into creating the magical world of Harry Potter. It was truly impressive and a great way to end the tour.
The tour wrapped up with a visit to the shop and it had exclusive merchandise you won’t find anywhere else. There were a couple of collections we had seen at the Harry Potter store in New York but not at the Harry Potter world in Orlando. Overall, the variety was worth exploring, and you might just find something truly unique.
That was the tour! The Warner Bros Studio Tour London is an absolute must for Harry Potter fans. It’s a full-day adventure filled with magic, practical effects, and behind-the-scenes insights that truly bring the world of Harry Potter to life. So, if you’re in London and have a day to spare, we’d definitely recommend going on this tour!
Be sure to check back with AllEars again soon for more Disney and Universal tips, tricks, reviews, and news.
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Will you be visiting the Warner Bros Studio Tour London? Let us know in the comments below.Â
I’ve been a few times as I live nearby and my no. 1 tip is to book the earliest arrival time you can. There is no time limit to how long you can stay so if you play your cards right (and do a little bit of backtracking) you can make the most of the cost and really take your time in there. I’ve been known to spend around 6 hours looking at everything, taking our time, enjoying the music…
I went in January on my birthday. We booked the afternoon tea first which was really special. The Christmas overlay was still in the great hall which was spectacular so I’d recommend timing a trip when that’s on. It was also in the Burrow & the Gryffindor common room. If you ask at the information desk when you get there, you will be given a free passport with trivia questions & spaces to stamp as you go round. Our waiter at the afternoon tea gave me a birthday badge & told me to sit near the front of the theatre in one of the first rooms. Doing this ensured I got picked to open the doors into the great hall. Afternoon tea took about 90 minutes & the tour took 3 hours (& we’re the sort of people who look at everything in detail not just skim through).