This summer, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London will transport fans back to where the Harry Potter film series started. To mark the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the Studio Tour will unveil a brand-new feature, First Year at Hogwarts – Where the Filmmaking Magic Began. Visitors will have the chance to feel how Harry Potter did during his first year at Hogwarts as the tour showcases iconic moments, displays and props that are introduced in the first film.
The Great Hall hosts many special occasions; including the moment first-year Hogwarts students are assigned their houses at the annual Sorting Ceremony. Before beginning the Studio Tour visitors will relive the scene where Harry Potter encounters the Sorting Hat, complete with Professor McGonagall placing the hat on Harry’s head as he wishes to not be in Slytherin.
Gryffindor house banners will hang proudly above the long tables in the Great Hall, setting the scene for a first-year End of Term Feast. A flurry of floating hats will be suspended from the ceiling capturing the joyful moment students toss them into the air as Gryffindor secures the House Cup.
The Gryffindor common room will display the scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone where Hermione Granger casts the Petrificus Totalus spell on Neville Longbottom as he attempts to stop his friends leaving the common room after-hours.
Visitors will learn how flying lessons and Quidditch matches were filmed at the demonstration stage. The original Quidditch polearm rig will be showcased and the techniques used that set the standard for Quidditch throughout the film series will be revealed.The Backlot Stage will debut a brand-new show, Secrets of Sound Effects, a behind-the-scenes exploration of the art of Foley. The new audiovisual experience will unveil how sound effects are used
to bring the films to life.
Fans are introduced to Hagrid’s love for animals in the first film and one of his greatest purchases from someone he met in the pub is Fluffy. The three-headed dog was lent to Dumbledore, as one of the obstacles protecting the Philosopher’s Stone. The Studio Tour will house Fluffy’s paw mould, brought back to life by some of the original Creature Effects Team, accompanied by the original self-playing harp that lulled the dog to sleep, a secret Hagrid didn’t mean to spill!
Visitors will be able to take part in a brand-new Wizard’s Chess photo opportunity, inspired by the dramatic, high stakes challenge Harry, Ron and Hermione must overcome on their journey to the Philosopher’s Stone. The display will feature moving chess pieces as well as the original Knight that Ron sacrifices himself on. Visitors can also enjoy a newly expanded Activity Passport, taking a trip down Diagon Alley to check-off their first-year wizarding supplies list at shops such as Ollivanders and the Magical Menagerie, following in the footsteps of Hogwarts students.
That’s not all, a brand-new exclusive preview event First Year at Hogwarts – Opening Night will also be coming to the Studio Tour in celebration of the anniversary. Guests will have the chance to see the feature up close with insight from behind-the-scenes talent who worked tirelessly to bring the first film to life.
