Harry Potty World

southerndave

My son (8) has asked to go to Harry Bloody Potter world in Herts for his birthday (he always has a choice of party or day out). Now I cannot stand the irritating bespectacled little twerp, but my wife likes the films and so does my son. He also has the DS game.

Now some of his friends at school are really into HP and read all the books over and over, watch the movies, dress up etc. Recently one got some super-duper wand thing for his birthday.

Now the prices for this place are, to me, scandalously high for a family to visit, plus the travel. I do not begrudge my son this for a birthday treat and will fake a smile all day if needs be, but I am concerned that this keeness is more about being seen to be in a crowd that likes Harry Potter rather than an actual desire to go there himself, if that makes sense.

We have tried talking this through, but are getting nowhere with him becoming more adamant he wants to go. Harry Potter is barely mentioned all week, unless this birthday trip comes up. We need to book soon if we are going, so want to make sure we are not paying out for an expensive trip that will ultimately be a bit pointless if no-one is really into it.

I am trying to see past my own indifference to the place but cannot shift the feeling this is more about kudos than interest on the part of my son!?

Any advice? Is Harry Plopper world worth the money? Any cheap deals you're aware of? Help me out here!

p00hsticks

I'm not sure if these all refer to the same thing that you are talking about, but there are some past threads here....

[URL="wlmailhtml:{EA2221A0-2A82-491F-AAA5-E655D4814C3D}mid://00000025/!x-usc:https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4243953[/URL]

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4135349

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3825379

Tigsteroonie

My boss recently took his daughter, he's not particularly a fan (she is!) but he said that he enjoyed the tour. You get to see some of the creature workshops, the clothing/wigs, animatronic heads etc. He showed me photos and video, and it actually looks quite interesting. I'm now trying to work out how we could claim a works trip as a 'team-building exercise'

Valli

southerndave wrote: »

We have tried talking this through, but are getting nowhere with him

If you don't want to go, or find it overpriced (in your opinion) then tell him you're not going; it's no good keep going over old ground.

But it has good reviews; people who I know who have been loved it.

susancs

We are not massive Harry Potter fans, although did enjoy the movies and went last Easter. I know it is expensive but they only let so many in at a time so it is not overcrowded and you can take lots of photos and really get to look at everything easily. Everyone I know who has gone has really enjoyed it, as even if not into Harry Potter the detail of the props and electronics is amazing. I would tell your child in advance that the visit is the treat and that nothing will be purchased from the gift shop as that is very expensive e.g. £8 for a small pack of chocolate frogs, £15 for a wand, hundred of pounds for a cloak. The shop staff are good though and don't mind you taking pictures of gift shop items e.g. an owl on your shoulder, holding a wand etc. Butter beer is on sale half way through in the undercover outdoor bit and worth getting for photos and just to say you have tried it and think it was about £3 a cup. We didn't take a picninc with us but they didn't search our bags so you probably could take with you.

Although we drove to the place, there is a decorated bus that goes from Watford Junction train station (direct from Euston) and it is £2 return fare. This looked like it would have been fun to go to the tour using this to add to the experience as there were video screens inside and a man in costume driving it when we looked at it parked up.

There haven't been any offers since it opened, as it seems to be very popular, so they don't probably need to do offers. They also only let so many in a day so it isn't crowded so this again reduces availability. As regards to worth the money, yes in terms of quality, but it is not a whole day out as we did the tour in a couple of hours (but we do rush everywhere), but most other people I know have taken 3 hours plus.

wallbash

How does the cost compare to 'other' days out ?
Lego Land / Alton Towers / etc .

I was there on the opening day , two mad HP fans for daughters, I actually thought the price was fair.

southerndave

Thanks for replies. With regards to other days out comparisons, I think the point has been made by others this is an equivalent price to Chessington/Legoland etc, but is for three hours or so, whereas the others are ALL day and then you are pushed to do everything. But as pointed out, if they have a market at that, that's what they'll do.

Feel better knowing its not crowded and you can actually see stuff. I think we'll think on it a bit more and see if it is really what he wants to do or not.

Thanks again.

wallbash

Chessington/Legoland, yes it can be all day , but how long are you just queuing ?? Standing around , fine in good weather , not so good when the rain starts!

HP is 99% indoors , timed entrance , thru the Great Hall and then its take as long as you wish and I never felt crowded .

But the draw back , Leavesdon is in the middle of nowhere !

Valli

This is the thing - go to Alton Towers (or any other Theme Park;))on a busy day and most of your time is spent queuing to get on the rides. Plus you pay the same admission whether you actually ride or not (which I think is a HUGE rip-off, personally).

olgadapolga

southerndave wrote: »

but is for three hours or so, whereas the others are ALL day

We spent over six hours there and had a fabulous time. I think that the thing you need to discuss as a family about a visit is that it is about the making of the films. Yes, you get to go into the Great Hall and see the costumes etc, and you can stand on the rear step if the Knight Bus and walk down a section of Diagon Alley (but you cannot go into the shops) but primarily it is about how the films were made, from picking up and reading the book to the final film being made. I found it fascinating, especially if you listen to some of the talks given about things, such as the costume and prop design.

You can have a go on a broomstick (and have photos taken) in the "green screen" roomor sit in the flying Ford Anglia. You can look into The Burrow, and the dorm and the common room and Dunbledore's office etc.

The place is not a huge Hogwarts to wander around (although there is a huge model of Hogwarts there), it is a "tour" of the studio sets/props etc.

We went on my son's ninth birthday and he was made up by it, as were his siblings and parents. We had a brilliant time and I am planning our next visit.

They did say though, that they get really busy at weekends/holidays (as do most of these places) - we went in November and it seemed to be really busy to us but the staff said it was really quiet!

converted

I took my 2 grandsons to london. Stayed at the holiday inn watford junction specifically to get to HP studio's, on leaving early the next morning we spent the day in london, done the london eye and the rib cruise. I am not into HP, but the place was awesome and my grandsons were made up with it. However the overwhelming vote on our way home was in order of enjoyment 1) the rib tour (brilliant) 2) the london eye 3) Harry Potter. A very expensive couple of days and could have saved a fortune only going to the 1st 2.

Having said that HP was interesting, the work that goes into it is incredible.