The Harry Potter Experience

By Jordan Wagner

On Wednesday, July 11^th, 2012, I had the privilege of attending the Warner Brothers studio tour of the making of Harry Potter. As a Harry Potter fan from Orlando, FL, going on a studio tour in England was even more rewarding than going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, right down the road from where I live. The atmosphere of the entire place could only be described as ecstatic. Every person I saw looked so happy to be there. There were no rides or amazing shows at this place; in fact the pace of the tour could be called slow and humble. In spite of this, it was a blessing for someone that grew up reading the Harry Potter books and seeing them turned into big screen hits.

The tour featured the actual costumes, props and sets used in all the films. For example, encased in glass was the TriWizard cup from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Set up was the hut Hagrid lived in. The studio contained a ton of different icons from the film series that left everyone in awe. To go “behind the scenes” of the movies was as close to magical as muggles (non magical people) can get. Warner Brothers was smart to open this attraction following the release of the final movie, as Harry Potter fans are eager to keep the spirit of the series alive. I walked through the tour observing the different families with children that were present, and it was encouraging to see excitement in the eyes of even the youngest ones. I grew up with Harry Potter, reading the first book in 4^th grade and seeing the first movie when I was 11. To see a younger generation becoming engulfed by the Potter phenomena was uplifting.

 

After an hour and a half walking through the studio I was completely satisfied, although I now realize I could have purchased the complimentary audiotape and extended my stay much longer. As with any good journey, mine ended in the gift shop. I just had to buy a 40-pound (roughly 60 U.S dollars) Hufflepuff jacket. You might call it the effects of an American exposed to commercialism; I call it the wonder and innocence of a 22-year-old graduate student. The Warner Brothers studio tour was absolutely fantastic, and I would recommend it to any student going abroad to London. Cue the cheesy music, but it made my experience that much more magical.