If you ever have the opportunity to visit Warner Brothers Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter, do it! I am a huge fan of Harry Potter and love both the books and the movies. I’ve been to Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando multiple times but there is something very special about seeing the actual props and sets from the movies. The Warner Brothers Studio Tour in Leavesden was the home of the Harry Potter film series for more than 10 years. It’s great at any time of year but it’s particularly magical in December during Hogwarts in the Snow.

Hogwarts in the Snow

“Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.” – J.K. Rowling

The tour is about 20 miles from Central London but was about an hour drive from our hotel. There are several ways to get to Leavesden from London including the tube, train, personal car or bus. I also purchased our tickets directly from the Warner Brothers website (recommended) as soon as we had concrete dates for our trip! Haha It was something I really didn’t want to chance missing because it does sell out. I also wanted to make sure we got tickets for earlier in the day because you get to explore at your own pace. You can purchase tickets here.

The major draw of the Studio Tour in December is Hogwarts in the Snow. It runs from the middle of November until the end of January and allows visitors to experience Christmas in the Wizarding World. Not only does the Great Hall go through a Christmas transformation but many of the other sets get festive makeovers as well. Most notably, the Hogwarts Castle model is transformed with a festive layer of filmmaking snow. Remember you have to pre-book tickets to Hogwarts in the Snow.

“He wanted to be stopped, to be dragged back, to be sent back home…But he was home. Hogwarts was the first and best home he had known. He and Voldemort and Snape, the abandoned boys, had all found home here…”
– J.K. Rowling, *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*

Without giving away too much, the special and visual effects featured on the tour are really impressive and it’s really fascinating to see some of the creatures close up. I really loved the Chamber of Secrets door which is actually a fully functional door.

The Great Hall all decked out for Christmas

I was SO excited the morning of our tour and when the double doors opened to the Great Hall I couldn’t help but feel, I was at a loss for the right word, enchanted. During Hogwarts in the Snow the Great Hall is decked out in Christmas décor including Christmas trees (yes, many trees!) wreath and garland. They also have all of the costumes from the Yule Ball including Ron’s ‘ghastly’ dress robes. And Hermione’s now iconic Yule Ball dress that took the designer over three months to create.

“I’m never wearing them,” Ron was saying stubbornly. “Never.”
“Fine,” snapped Mrs. Weasley. “Go naked. And, Harry, make sure you get a picture of him. Goodness knows I could do with a laugh.”
– J.K. Rowling, *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

Since we’ve been there they’ve added The Forbidden Forest and I really hope to get back to see the newest addition. According to the website, The Forbidden Forest is filled with 19 trees each with a diameter of over 12 feet. Impressive! The scenes shot in the forest were a combination of location and studio shooting.

They’ve also added Dinner in the Great Hall which I HAVE to get back to do. This year’s event has already happened and sold out quickly. Essentially guests get to have dinner in the Great Hall while it’s all decked out for Christmas. You get to sit in the actual set that was used in the movies and after dinner you get to explore the Studio Tour. And the night concludes with music and dancing. How awesome? It’s every Potter nerds dream come true.

Vanessa’s Favorite

“Not to worry,” she said. “All you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Don’t stop and don’t be scared you’ll crash into it, that’s very important. Best do it at a bit of a run if you’re nervous. Go on, go now before Ron.”
– J.K. Rowling – *Harry Potter and the Socerer’s Stone*

Everything. To be clear we did the studio tour for me, The MR likes Harry Potter as much as the next person, but is by no means a Potter nerd! My favorite sets were Dumbledore’s Office, specifically the details in the pensieve and all of the 900 memory vials. Each of the 900 vials has a unique label that was created by the Graphics Department. I also loved the Burrow and there is a part/scene from the book/movie Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when Harry first sees the Weasely’s home that I have always loved.

“A lopsided sign stuck in the ground near the entrance that read, THE BURROW. Around the front door lay a jumble of rubber boots and a very rusty cauldron. Several fat brown chickens were pecking their way around the yard.
“It’s not much,” said Ron.
“It’s *wonderful*,” said Harry happily, thinking of Privet Drive.”
– J.K. Rowling – *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*

I also loved the Potions Classroom, Hogwarts Express and pretty much everything else! Of course, Hogwarts in the Snow was awesome and breathtaking. The model is overwhelmingly huge and the details are stunning.

…”I am telling you turn to page 394.”…
“*Silence!*” snarled Snape. ” Well, well, well, I never thought I’d meet a third-year class who wouldn’t even recognize a werewolf when they saw one. I shall make a point of informing Professor Dumbledore how very behind you all are…”
– J.K. Rowling – *Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban*

The Mr’s Favorite

“My favorite part was the Great Hall.” That’s all I could get from him. See, I told you this was pretty much my jam and the Mr just kind of tagged along. He actually said his favorite part was the butterbeer and smoked salmon sandwich, which he accidentally bought for me not realizing that it was smoked salmon.

In my opinion, this tour is fun for all ages and has something for everyone, even muggles. It is a completely different experience then something like Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is equally as awesome. Don’t forget to have a butterbeer in the Backlot Café and share your #butterbeermustache.