Day 96

Today was nothing else besides Harry Potter! I slept in to about ten, took a shower and waited for everyone else to wake up before heading down to brunch. After brunch we started on some school work, and then I left around 2:30 to find my way to Leavensden for the Harry Potter Tour. Emelia had gone there before but had taken a really complicated route that took her 3 hours. Luckily, I just took the Overground straight there with only one change, which took about an hour and a half. At the last stop, there was a bus for 2 pounds that would shuttle you to the Warner Brother Studios, and they played Harry Potter movies on the bus. It was pretty packed at the Studios because the sets and everything were all decorated for Christmas. You first watch this short film that's narrated by all the actors then they lead you through the actual Great Hall. The Studios was where the movies were actually filmed, so literally this place had everything. After the Great Hall it was a self-guided tour and took about 3 hours to see everything. There were demonstrations that showed how different effects were made and even had animatronics that moved from the films. But seriously, everything from the movies were there, costumes, wigs, masks, props, sets, the Hogwarts Express, etc. It was so amazing. The full sets for the Burrow, Gryffindor Common Room, Potions Room, Dumbledore's Office, Hagrid's Hut, and the Great Hall were all there. The coolest thing was a huge, huge scale model of Hogwarts that took up and entire room. Halfway through the tour there was a stop to get Butterbeer (which is only sold at 3 locations but Emelia and I can't figure out the 3rd one). After getting Butterbeer there was an outside section to see Number 4 Privet Drive, the Knight Bus, the Ford Anglia, and other outdoor props. It was seriously amazing. I even witnessed a proposal in the Great Hall. It was also really funny to listen to parents who were dragged by their kids pretend to know Harry Potter and getting all the information wrong. After the tour was over, I got a Hufflepuff long-sleeved shirt, and grabbed dinner to go at the cafe there since it was about 8:30. I had no trouble getting back, and I'm really glad I figured out a way to get there and actually went. Ashleigh should be jealous right now.