Visiting the WB Studio Tour (Leavesden)

fhaps · July 2013

I'm visiting the 'WB Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter' this Friday (I'm so excited!!), and I'm wondering if anyone here has been there before and if you would have any advice for me to take the most out of the experience. You know, small tips on what to do, where not to waste time or stuff like that

silverarrowgriffin · July 2013

good for you!

TubbyToast · July 2013

Best. Place. EVER.

1) You can't ruin time in this tour
2) Start early in the morning, this way you can take as long as you like, you could even stay the whole day
3) Take your time period.
4) Sometimes stop and remind yourself this was really all in the movies (you get overwhelmed so much that sometimes you don't appreciate it enough. Props like the Philosopher's Stone, like, there's only one of them).
5) Take someone else to take the pictures if you can (or if you've got no one to trust with this job, be careful you don't see the whole tour through your lense: if you follow number 2, you ahould be able to do a first round and then do it again to take pics).
6) Don't be afraid to geek out.
7) Be prepared to be surprised.

All I can say. ENJOY

fhaps · July 2013

Thanks for all the tips! I'm a bit afraid because I wanted to go in the morning, but by the time I booked my tickets the earliest available spot was at 18:00. I know the attraction closes at 21:30, so that means I will only have 3:30 hrs to explore, and I wanted to have the freedom to stay as long as possible. I've read from people who stayed only 2 hours to some that spent 5 hours inside.

I've read on some TripAdvisor reviews people saying that if you arrive earlier, there's a chance they will let you in even if it's not the time slot you bought entrance for; do you think it is possible? Are they strict with the times and stuff? I'm thinking on trying this (and also going to the Gift Shop before entering the tour so I don't have to worry about still doing it after touring the atraction).

And I'm going with a friend so the pictures shouldn't be a problem!

silverarrowgriffin · July 2013

I really want to go there but that'd probably like at least 2-3 years from now

TubbyToast · July 2013

Ohhh that's too bad! I heard people that stayed for thirteen hours. I took about six, I think. Then it's up to you what you like better: the sets or the behind the scenes props and techniques and all. Personally I took much more time in the first (there's more to se there, but the difference was still relevant in my case). Find out before you start the tour if it's only the tour closing at 21:30 or the shop too. If the shop's closing at that time too, make sure you save a little time for that as well. There's a big surprise at the end of the tour, keep that in mind.

I can't help you with the time strictness, as I went on the first of the day. Maybe James knows? @Lord Stafford how do you tag the guy

I'm going again round Christmas

I'm already in the can't-wait-mood.

UniversHarryPotter.c · July 2013

for somebody who probably go in when she will have 60 ^^ What your advert :
First the Tour and finish by the shop
First the shop and then Tour ??
What is the best way ?

TubbyToast · July 2013

What I did was scan the shop before going inside (I was half an hour early, so I had some time and the coffee was nice as well

) and then shop till you drop after the tour.

silverarrowgriffin · July 2013

are the prices for the merch the same? or did they increase it a bit?

Samch92 · July 2013

TubbyToast said:
Ohhh that's too bad! I heard people that stayed for thirteen hours. I took about six, I think. Then it's up to you what you like better: the sets or the behind the scenes props and techniques and all. Personally I took much more time in the first (there's more to se there, but the difference was still relevant in my case). Find out before you start the tour if it's only the tour closing at 21:30 or the shop too. If the shop's closing at that time too, make sure you save a little time for that as well. There's a big surprise at the end of the tour, keep that in mind.

I can't help you with the time strictness, as I went on the first of the day. Maybe James knows? @Lord Stafford how do you tag the guy

I'm going again round Christmas I'm already in the can't-wait-mood.

@TubbyToast omg 6hours did you felt the time pass slow or it was fast? me I think I will spend more thin in the sets cause I love movies

I would like to know the surprise? :P since I wont go there before 2-3 years lol :P or its worth the wait ?

silverarrowgriffin · July 2013

this should be the official thread about going to the set tour/guidelines during the set tour

fhaps · July 2013

I will sure post all about my experience and my tips after Friday! I'm a bit less worried now as I just read a recent review on TripAdvisor of someone saying he arrived 3 hours before his assigned time slot and the staff had no problem in letting him and his family early in! I hope I have luck

TubbyToast · July 2013

Why didn't I think of this earlier - if you've only got three and a half hours, you should totally get there an hour early to first go through the shop. This also means it's a good plan to go a few hours early: if they don't let you go in yet, the shop's worth a few hours too lol

Sam, the surprise is a surprise for a reason. You probably already know, I did, too bad, but my mom and sister were flabbergasted. If you don't know, it's the best.

Samch92 · July 2013

I dont know! :O then Im going to wait till I go even if its like in 3years!

im really curious now to know what it is :P

fhaps · July 2013

TubbyToast said:
Why didn't I think of this earlier - if you've only got three and a half hours, you should totally get there an hour early to first go through the shop. This also means it's a good plan to go a few hours early: if they don't let you go in yet, the shop's worth a few hours too lol

Sam, the surprise is a surprise for a reason. You probably already know, I did, too bad, but my mom and sister were flabbergasted. If you don't know, it's the best.

Yes, that's what I'm planning on doing, to visit the shop before entering the tour. Any way, I will arrive about 3 hours before my marked time, if they don't let me in at that time I will just wait in the café outside.

And about the 'surprise' I already know; anyway it's not like WB wants to keep it under wraps, as it is featured on the tour website. Can't wait!!

Samch92 · July 2013

OMG I WANT TO KNOW!!!

Lord Stafford · July 2013

Ask me anything. I know everything there is to know, and I intend to go back soon!

I've been twice; I can't get enough.

Lord Stafford.

TubbyToast · July 2013

I'm aware the surprise is all over the internet. That's why I knew. I'm just not telling anyone who doesn't know and I hope none of you will spoil it for Sam and others (: AND SAM DON'T GO LOOKING FOR IT

Lord Stafford · July 2013

No matter what I'm asked, I will not spoil a thing. I'll answer anything small, but I refuse to reveal much.

Lord Stafford.

Samch92 · July 2013

TubbyToast said:
I'm aware the surprise is all over the internet. That's why I knew. I'm just not telling anyone who doesn't know and I hope none of you will spoil it for Sam and others (: AND SAM DON'T GO LOOKING FOR IT

IVE TRIED @TubbyToast HAHAAHAHAHA BUT WASNT ABLE TO FIND IT!

:P LOOOOOL but maybe I did but its not a big deal for me.

[Spoiler]

If its the huge replica of the hogwarts castle or the knight bus ride...its not that of a surprise...its normal lol

[Spoiler/]

TubbyToast · July 2013

Yes it is but it's just very overwhelming. People tend to be flabbergasted.

Lord Stafford · July 2013

If you're talking about what I think you're both talking about, I say yes, it is very overwhelming.

Lord Stafford.

TubbyToast · July 2013

It's in Sam's post ^

Lord Stafford · July 2013

I know, but I'd prefer not to ruin it for everyone else.

Lord Stafford.

Samch92 · July 2013

[Spoiler]

I agree if i see it for real I will be so excited because its pretty huge and really nice

[Spoiler/]

Lord Stafford · July 2013

Not even because of that, Sam!

Lord Stafford.

Lord Stafford · July 2013

Just seeing it, right there in front of you... it's an experience. The whole thing is.

Lord Stafford.

TubbyToast · July 2013

I don't understand you, James. Why would you spoil anything to anyone by clicking on the spoiler Sam has given?

Lord Stafford · July 2013

I have clicked it, but the thing is, if I start talking about what I've seen in name, I then ruin it for the people who don't want to be spoiled.

Lord Stafford.

TubbyToast · July 2013

Yes, but you now know we're talking about what you thought we were talking about.

Lord Stafford · July 2013

I knew anyway, but had to hide it from others.

Lord Stafford.

Onset23 · July 2013

Went in February and I can honestly say its one of the most magical and amazing experiences I've had in all my 27 years!

Astonishing is all I an say

Like Mecca for potter fans

Far to much to see and take in on first experience.

TubbyToast · July 2013

Onset23 said:

Far to much to see and take in on first experience.

That's why I'm going again in December! We might go on my friend's birthday. Would be awesome, I could give her the best presents!

Lord Stafford · July 2013

Definitely true on the tour not being something that is complete for you on the first going.

As for going again, I must.

Lord Stafford.

chester · July 2013

I still have to visit the place, my trip to London has been postponed to 2014.

TubbyToast · July 2013

That's too bad, Ches!

Lord Stafford · July 2013

The way time flies, hopefully it'll be just around the corner!

Lord Stafford.

fhaps · July 2013

What did you guys think of the Butterbeer they sell in there? I've read comments of people saying it's too sweet they couldn't even finish the small glass. Other people say the one in Orlando is better (even though it is supposed to be the same.)

I'm planning on buying the big one just because I want to keep the cool tankard.

Lord Stafford · July 2013

I liked it, actually. Sure, you can tell that it is nothing special; but drinking something you thought you'd never drink is special.

Lord Stafford.

Visiting the WB Studio Tour (Leavesden)

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