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Privit Drive
Set of Harry Potter's Home on Privit DriveToday's blog requires a little background information.
Our children (like most children their age) grew up with Harry Potter. First with the books, then with the films. Allison, in particular, is a huge fan.
After completion of the final Harry Potter film, instead of tearing down the sets, Warner Brothers elected to organize the sets (and props and other Harry Potter paraphernalia) into 2 large sound stages at WB's Studios London and give tours. Ed and Lisa learned about the tours and purchased tickets in advance. But they neglected to tell their children.
On the itinerary for the trip, Sunday, June 30 was reserved for a "visit to Watford Cathedral to see historic tapestries." First of all, there is no Watford Cathedral and there are certainly no tapestries.
From friends and from advertisements around London Allison learned about the existence of the "Harry Potter Experience," but her inquiries were always put off. When she questioned the wisdom of visiting old tapestries, she was told that "it may be better than you think."
Finally the day arrived.
Without enthusiasm, our children boarded the train for Watford. We could not wait for the moment when they figured
Hogwarts
Scale model of Hogwarts, used in production it out ... little did we know it was going to take them a while.
When the train arrived at Watford, there were signs on the platform directing passengers to "Warner Brothers Harry Potter Experience." Allison pointed them out but was polite enough not to complain about the fact that they could be going to Warner Brothers rather than a dusty old cathedral.
We then boarded a Harry Potter bus. Allison thought it was just advertising on the side of the bus, not an actual tour bus. She sat by the window, next to her brother who was sitting on the aisle (this seat positioning will become important a bit later).
When we rolled through the well-marked Warner Brothers gates, the kids were busy playing games on their phones.
As a result, we were literally sitting in front of the sound stages, minutes away from walking through the doors and they had no idea, no suspicions at all.
At this point we pointed out the sound stage sized signs announcing our arrival at the Harry Potter Experience.
We told the kids we had to stop here, on our way to see the tapestries, to
drop off Harry Potter visitors.
We also offered to continue on to the fictional cathedral ... or ... if they preferred, we could go to Harry Potter.
Allison cautiously, but hopefully inquired "really?"
We replied "yes."
At this point Allison shouted "GET OUT!" and shoved her brother (who out weighs her by 50 pounds) out of his seat, and onto the floor of the bus. She scrambled out of the bus, into the sunlight, her energy miraculously restored.
Tyler picked himself up, dusted himself off and followed his sister off the bus.
A triumphant little dance followed.
The tour itself was very interesting (we saw all the sets and learned how to make a "special effects-laden movie") but this is an example of how sometimes the journey far exceeds the destination.
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Tim
non-member comment
Great story!!!!
Poor Allison.... Being tormented by her family.... And her mean brother purposely delaying her entry to Hogwarts!