Harry Potter Studios

The first time I tried reading Harry Potter, I couldn't get into it. When the 1st movie was about to come out, I was in film school in college. I thought I should read the book before judging the movies because I wanted to experience the movie the same way most of the audience would too. So started reading them. Just a shade under a decade later, I finally finished them all (the books). I liked the movies a lot too, of course. I've visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando, and it was great. But this was something else. This was the real deal.

These are a few wizard's chess pieces in front of the entrance.

The lobby

The Great Hall

Wands. My favorite part. How people design wands to match fictional characters' personalities is really interestingto me.

Door to Chamber of Secrets. One of many things that were surprisingly not CG. Moody's eye was also not CG.

Phoenix staircase to Dumbledore's office. It actually works. It required a moving poll that extends into the ground several yards.

Dumbledore's office

Dumbledore's memory cabinet. It contains hundreds of vials filled with memories. Each is hand made and hand labeled.

"Magic is Might" statue. Those are Muggles being crushed. It was carved out of styrofoam.

#4 Privet Drive, home of Harry Potter. The house is real and has an interior. The neighbors' houses are just facades.

Stephanie on the bridge to Hogwarts

Hogwarts model (1:24 scale)