I wouldn’t call myself a Harry Potter fanatic, but even I’ve had the dreams: You’re walking the misty grounds of Hogwarts, mesmerized by the magical sight before you, when a group of uniform-clad kids stops you and invites you to play a game of Quidditch. Anyone? Just me? Okay…
Regardless, I know that will never happen, but the second best thing is on the way. Warner Brothers confirmed to EW that a Harry Potter exhibit will be part of their multimillion dollar overhaul of Leavesden Studios in London, which has been home to the Potter film franchise for the last decade. Along with the chance to see memorabilia, the tour will give fans a chance to see sets from the movies, according to Deadline.
Along with the ode to Potter, planned renovations to the studio include the addition of two new sound stages, which will make it one of the largest production lots in Europe. The project is set to be completed in 2012.
Before you check, I’ve done the leg work for you: Airlines are not selling tickets to London for 2012 yet. Instead, tell me, PopWatchers, how excited are you about this news? Does this sound like the Potter people’s version of Graceland? And have you had dreams about of touring Potter land, too?
More on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I:
New ‘Harry Potter’ featurette: Same drama. New joke!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows tickets now on sale
Harry Potter: New TV spots are dark (unless pale Radcliffe is in a bra)
New Harry Potter posters: Okay, who wanted Harry and Hermione together?
The new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows trailer: So much to see! So little time!
Harry Potter trio talks ‘war film’ final installment. WARNING: You might cry.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Dreams really DO come true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AS soon as it’s open, I’m there. Across the pond has never looked so appealing. The Wizarding World is amazing, but the actual sets!!! I can’t wait
Well, I’ve got the Wizarding World of Harry Potter less than two hours away by car…I SUPPOSE it’s fair for HP fans across the pond to get their own Potter mecca.
This is certainly great news for the people of UK. “Potter” is “theirs” in the sense that it was homegrown from the UK.
But I would much rather go to the Wizarding World in FL. I’m sure the illusion of being inside “Potter” is much better there.
I actually feel like a completely fabricated tourist-trap like the one in FL, crawling with tourists wearing sunscreen and fanny packs would bear a lot less illusion than the actual sets in the actual country where the movies were filmed. Just me though.
ITA with Nope^. Something about people walking around wearing Disney Pins and Daisy Duck t-shirts, light up necklaces, turn me off quite a bit.
wrong theme park my man!
Universal Orlando should solve this problem by having everyone who enters the Wizarding World first put on the Sorting Hat and then don the robes of their selected house. Robes could be purchased or surrendered as they exit back into the muggle world.
I love this.
That sounds like a really fun idea, but it’s just too hot in Florida for that. People would be passing out from heat stroke.
Oh, I sooooo love this idea…and as a Floridian, may I suggest poncho type robes? As it rains 6 months out of the year…just a thought. Even if the sun was shining at the time, I’d still probably buy it (unless they put me in Slytherin…)
I’ll actually be apparating to the Wizarding World in a couple of days, but I would MUCH rather be going to London! When I think of Hogsmeade, I certainly don’t think of scorching heat and palm trees. I much prefer the beautiful English countryside and the opportunity to see actual filming sites throughout the U.K. Can’t wait to book a portkey to Leavesden!
ps – you’re so lucky! Much jealousy directed toward you now
I feel like seeing the sets will remove some of the magic of Harry Potter. Usually, sets are just shells that have none of the magic of special effects. I agree that Orlando seems like a much more attractive option.
Funny the timing, but some friends went to the Universal Harry Potter thang today in Orlando and said it was amazing.
I don’t want to see the sets I want to see the real Hogwarts castle
I WOULD call myself a Harry Potter fanatic! Proudly so!
So…I’m planning on studying abroad in England next school year, so yeah, this is now about equal on my things to do list with the West End and Stratford and all that.
I’m SO excited!!! They’re even going to re-create Dan, Rupert, and Emma’s dressing rooms!