Harry Potter & The Ritz
Sept. 8th
Woke up early … probably around 6:30am so that we have time to have breakfast and get to Euston station, which is a short walk from where we are staying.
When we got to the station, we didn’t realize that we had to stand and look at the screens until our train showed up. I haven’t experience that when I’ve been on trains so, that wasn’t good for my anxiety BUT the train did end up coming.
I mostly slept on the train, but towards the end of the trip, someone kept making a clicking noise that echoed in the compartment. The compartment was mostly empty but there were a few people. The clicking was EXTREMELY annoying, kind of like when someone fidgets with clicking a pen (it wasn’t a pen though). I ended up asking whomever was doing that to please stop. Well, I just asked loud enough so the people in the compartment could hear me. It stopped.
We arrived to Watford Junction, which is the last stop on the route (which does take Oyster cards). One train, pretty easy! Once there, we had to locate the bus stop, which was out the main station doors and kind of across the street.
The bus stop kind of lets you know where you’re going
There was a line for the bus, so it was pretty easy to spot. If you look directly the the left of the doors of the station upon exiting, you may see more of the busses but those are the drop off points, NOT boarding.
We didn’t wait too long for the bus
We were one of the last people on. You pay for your bus tickets onboard. As we left towards the studio, a video played with the actor that plays Lucious Malfoy explaining a little bit how the tour works.
Once we arrived, there were the windows where you could pick up your tickets OR kiosks. There was no line for the kiosk, so we went there (and many others followed). We didn’t take any photos of the outside because we didn’t want to be late for our tour time.
We lined up for the bag check (inside) and the bags were checked and we were “wanded” (handheld metal detector).
Taken right after the security area.
Left to right: Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint
We walked into the main area that has the cafe and shop. In between those to areas was the Triwizard Cup and the actual line to enter the tour. The theme for the time we were there was the Goblet of Fire.
Above the waiting/cup area
We took a quick bathroom break since we had a few minutes before our tour actually started. Then we hopped in line. It was pretty funny because someone from the cruise recognized me! She asked if I am Kris, I said “yes” and she said who she was (I didn’t write down the name, I’m sorry!) and that she recognized me because I had on my Tinker Bell Half Marathon (2015) backpack and Rich had on his Minnesota Wild sweatshirt on. She had 1 boy and 2 girls and they were all dressed up for the tour, they were pretty cute.
The famous Cupboard Under the Stairs.
This was on display while waiting in line.
Another angle
A picture looking back at the line (we were near the front)
When the doors finally opened, we were gathered into a room where they have one end with doors (that were closed) and they close the doors that you just entered behind you. There were screens on the walls that showed how Harry Potter was chosen to become a movie.
After the short video, the once closed doors now opens to a movie theater area where you can sit down and view the introduction video. The seating is very similar to Philharmagic in Magic Kingdom.
When the introduction video is over you will go to the entrance to the Great Hall! The doors are opened by kids that are celebrating their birthday.
The guide talking about entering the Great Hall
Alohomora!
Inside, we were lead to the end of the Hall to see the Goblet demonstration.
The Goblet of Fire worked just as it did in the movie, where blue flames spit out some pieces of paper. There were names on it, I believe they were names of some of the kids in the group (like 2 or 3).
After the demonstration, the doors to the left of the hall opened up and we were invited to do the rest of the tour on our leisure. Most everyone started taking photos inside the hall, including us!
The Grey Lady’s costume (Ravenclaw House Ghost)
Hufflepuff costumes
Slightly blurry picture of one of the sconces that lined the hall
Moaning Myrtle costume
Better sconce picture
Us!
I was wearing my radish earrings since I’m a huge fan of Luna Lovegood (I’m also a Ravenclaw). Rich is a Hufflepuff.
Art on the wall behind the professors’ table
The professors’ table with costumes
House points. Looks like Ravenclaw isn’t doing too well …
They showed the scene from when Fred and George crossed the age line
The goblet that did the demonstration. Looking towards where the doors opened up to the rest of the tour
The Great Hall
(looking back where we entered)
Last look before going out the side doors
Construction of the outside of the Great Hall.
These were the REAL sets!
Up to this point, we’ve had guides and after the Great Hall, we were on our own. Immediately to our left is one of the tapestries from the movies and … well, they all are pretty grim. You never notice it until you see them up close.
They are killing a unicorn …
Yule Ball costumes (Cho Chang, Hermione, Viktor Krum)
Beautiful drink set up from the Yule Ball
The drink bottles have little pumpkins on top
Ron, Harry and Madam Maxime Yule Ball costumes
Chocolate dessert props for the Yule Ball
More costumes (Luna’s is the yellow on the left!)
Sorry, slightly blurry
~ To Be Continued in Next
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