magic In mid-November, the famous London studio already launched the end-of-year festivities. From the ugly Weasley family sweaters to the huge Christmas tree in the Great Hall, Christmas promises to be magical
Harry Potter Studios in London change mood with the seasons — Pauline Ferrari
- From November 12 to January 15, Harry Potter Studios London is transformed into the Christmas holiday occasion
- Visit the Great Hall, Diagon Alley or Dumbledore’s office… Fans will find the mythical filming locations of the saga
- Beyond the sets and costumes, the studios are an opportunity to discover shooting secrets and the work of the special effects teams
Visiting the Harry Potter Studios in London is a dream for many… The legendary saga of the little wizard the scar, whose first film was released in 2001 on the big screen, continues to fascinate the crowds, from 7 to; 77 years old. On a rainy November day, typical of England, young and old alike crowd in front of the Watford film studios, in London. about an hour from London. Wizarding cloaks mingle with cozier jean-sneaker ensembles, and a wave of tourists (and fans) throng as soon as it opens. From November 12th until January 15th, the studios will start updating. the holiday season at the end of the year with “Hogwarts under the snow”, an emblematic period in all the films of the saga.
In the grand entrance, a huge dragon hung; on the ceiling sets the tone: the visit will be magical. Christmas atmosphere obliges, a huge illuminated Christmas tree and snowy welcomes visitors, who are not yet at the end of their surprises. While some are rushing to taste a Butterbeer (a drink that is far too watery, in our opinion), or are already starting to drink. to machine-gun each decorative element, it’s time to begin the visit. After a quick glance at the famous cupboard under the stairs, visitors are briefed on the rules for studio apartments, announced by J.K. Rowling herself on é giant notch: thankfully she won’t utter any transphobic remarks (at least not here).
On the way to Hogwarts, scene by scene
First shock for those who dreamed of throughout their childhood from their letter of acceptance to Hogwarts: the Great Hall does exist. The mythical place where Harry and his other comrades will be assigned their houses and taste the greatest feasts held there, before our eyes. For Christmas, the Great Hall is adorned with illuminated fir trees and (fake) festive dishes. The wonder is total, we are at two fingers to settle down to wait for Dumbledore’s speech. Only disappointment: the ceiling is not made of floating candles, but of big spotlights. Hard back to reality.
The Great Hall is decorated in Christmas colors for the end-of-year celebrations – Pauline Ferrari
The continuation of the visit to the studios is enough to make you dizzy: the costumes from the film are presented alongside the wigs, the miniature decorative elements alongside the stars. ;normous cauldrons, and the room of the potions or the Burrow of Weasley include small artifices which will amuse the observant fans. The interactivity is at the rendezvous in each room, giving rise to long minutes of contemplation for the most curious. Dumbledore’s office is teeming with details, from his phoenix to the 9,000 tiny vials affixed to his desk. side of the pensieve. Passing through the Forbidden Forest, one will be startled by the huge spiders descending from the ceiling. Finally, here we are. on platform 9 ¾, in front of a gleaming Hogwarts Express. Well, if the real train that we can see in all the movies is in reality the Jacobite Steam Train passing over the viaduct of Glenfinnan, in Scotland, one would believe it. The photo break at; side of the Harry Potter cart seems almost obligatory.
Filming secrets and special effects, to know behind the scenes
After a well-deserved break (more than 3 hours of visit, ça hollow), an external part allows to admire the Fountain of Hogwarts, or to visit the famous house of Dursley on Private Drive. This is followed by a tour through Professor Sprout’s greenhouse, where; larger than life Mandrakes will continue to appear; make the ears of the most sensitive even after the visit. The second part of the studio tour is more focused on the special effects and the immense work of the teams of the various films to make the magic happen. It reveals filming secrets (which we will not divulge here), original drawings, and all the mechanics to create the many magical creatures present in the film. Because no, Dobby doesn’t really exist (and ça, the Fake Off service of 20 Minutes refuses to admit it). And yes, we did too, çit broke our hearts.
The famous Diagon Alley, snowy for the occasion – Pauline Ferrari
After a passage to Inside the famous Gringotts bank, whose chandeliers would crush you in the event of an earthquake, here we are. in another rather mythical place in the Harry Potter universe: Diagon Alley, where; Harry will buy his first wand, or Fred and George’s trick and treat shop. Severe; again, the decor is pared; of a film of snow, honoring the the season. The final highlight is the room housing a gigantic model of Hogwarts castle, which will delight fans and possibly cause some disappointment. Because yes, Hogwarts does not really exist, it is a decoration, and even if the snow-covered model has something to amaze with its size and its details, a small part of our inner child I regret that it doesn’t exist somewhere. Before leaving, the true fans will not hesitate to slap a PEL into a few merchandising products, from keychains to stuffed animals to a T-shirt from their favorite house.
So, çit’s worth it  ;?
Despite the high price tickets (60 euros for adults, 46 for children under 15), we are amazed. If the festive atmosphere of Christmas brings a little something extra in a universe already magic, the quantity of animations proposed within the Harry Potter Studios is enough to to amaze. We come out of these four hours of visit empty, with stars in our eyes, despite the the number of visitors sometimes taking up a lot of space.
And even if you’re not a fan, there’s enough to see. see so as not to be bored. We recognize mythical scenes that we all know, which will recall beautiful childhood emotions. Because even if some of us regret not having been able to study at Hogwarts, see here where the films have been turned and touched with the finger of the places which illuminated cold winter evenings is unreal. Leaving the studios, the rain returns, and one thing is certain: we want to see all the films again, marathon style.