I'm Going to Hogwarts?!

If you know me, you will also know that Harry Potter is one of my biggest personality traits! Despite being one of those people that are die-hard book fans, the films hold a special place in my heart – these films helped to shape the wizarding world inside my own imagination, with all the excellent set designs, actor casting and prop design (even if they did get some details a bit…). I would have NEVER been able to dream up a Hogwarts castle as beautiful as the one shown in the films.

Pretty much sums me up~

So, of course, the Warner Brothers' Studio Tour in London (well, technically Watford), is at the top of my bucket-list. The sets they have include the Great Hall, the Hogwarts Express, Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest and, most recently, Gringotts. AND AN EFFING SCALE MODEL OF HOGWARTS.

I do have a confession though – I'M GOING IN JANUARY!!! Subscribe to this blog for updates and subscribe to my YouTube channel if ya wanna see the vlog #shamelessselfpromo. Anyway, a trip to Europe (UK, France and Netherlands) is on the horizon, and there was absolutely NO way that I would miss this experience.

The Gringotts set is the latest expansion to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

Step one was literally 'decide if you want to go'. It was a no brainer, so I immediately began researching ticket prices. If you plan on going though, you MUST buy tickets online in advance – don't try to show up and buy one there because they won't even let you in if you don't have a reservation. The ticket prices for January of 2020 are going to go up, from £45 to £47 for adults and £37 to £38 for children. I was seriously considering going for the Complete Studio Tour Package, which includes a Digital Guide and Paperback Souvenir Guidebook – this options goes for £56.95 in 2020.

However, I spotted another option – the Deluxe Tour. Tickets go for £225 each, which is hECKIN' EXPENSIVE. At first, I laughed it off as lunacy, but little did I know I would end up purchasing not one, but TWO Deluxe Tour tickets (one for me and one for my cousin, Jia Le). According to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour website, it includes "entry to the Studio Tour with a complimentary two hour guided tour, reserved parking, a souvenir guidebook, a Butterbeer, four free photographs and a video at one of our photo opportunities and choice of hot meal and drink".

If you do plan on going to the tour, you should definitely book as early as possible! Two months probably? Or three to be really safe. Don't quote me on these.

Me in my Gryffindor uniform! Surprisingly, the maroon colour of the robes is pretty film accurate. Shaun will be wearing this one at the tour.

Next, to bring out a little of my Ravenclaw side (I was hatstalled on Pottermore between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw back before they update the quiz), I decided to make an Excel spreadsheet documenting all the things I would undoubtedly buy at Studios. It's a great idea for anytime you travel, because you always know how much you intend to spend and how much you will have remaining. Currently, my Studio Tour list includes official Gryffindor robes (my current crappy one is from eBay) and multitudes of different pin badges.

My cousin, Jia Le, isn't actually currently a Potterhead right now, but after his final exams, I plan to convert him into this deep pit by forcing recommending he read the books and then watch the films with me afterward. My other cousin, Shaun, will also be coming to the tour with us (on a standard ticket) – sadly, I don't think I'll be able to convert him to this cult fandom though. I've already gotten Jia Le to take the Sorting Quiz on Pottermore, and, to nobody's surprise, he is a Ravenclaw through and through. I suspect Shaun may be a Gryffindor, but I'll have to spring the test on him when I see him.

A picture of the robes I bought for Jia Le on Aliexpress. Had to order a different scarf though - this one isn't accurate enough!

To show our house pride at the tour, we'll be wearing our (well, my) robes. I bought Ravenclaw robes, a tie and scarf for Jia Le, while I'll be lending my old Gryffindor robes, spare tie and scarf to Shaun. You may ask – what about yourself? But, as I already mentioned I will be buying an official set of Gryffindor robes for myself, as well as the official Lochaven scarf. I'm tempted to buy the knitted grey jumper as well, but we'll see…

I also nearly forgot, but while in London, I'll be hitting up a couple more magical Harry Potter locations, such as Platform Nine and Three-Quarters at King's Cross Station, the House of Minalima and Palace Theatre, just to name a few.

Anyway, I'll update this blog again with heaps of photos from my visits (or you can follow me on Instagram for faster updates)! Let me know if you guys want a review post of the Studio Tour and/or a haul of the Wizarding World items I buy by commenting down below, and I'll make it happen!

またね~

Sarah