'Allo, 'Arry!

YES!!! (Photo credit: my friend Hal)

Oooh, so I just got back from vacation in London and Malta last week. Malta will be a later post. (If you're wondering where Malta is, it's an island south of Sicily in the middle of the Mediterranean and it is awesome.)

But before Malta, I stayed the weekend in London. Please. Don't be surprised. I try to finagle a visit there every year, obvs. The first thing that came to mind for this trip was Warner Bros.' Harry Potter Studio Tour. Which was amazing and wonderful and everything I wanted it to be. If you're an HP geek, you should head out there. Tons of sets, props, tech -- everything they used in the making of the film. And you can take photos of it all. Like, seriously, I took them up on that offer. Want to knock on the Dursleys' door? You can. Want to stand in Dumbledore's office or the Gryffindor Common Room? Yup. Want to buy Hermione's Yule Ball dress? You can do that too.

I just watched all the movies to prep for this visit, so one thing that surprised me was how small many of the sets seemed. The exceptions were maybe the Great Hall and the Potions classroom. Even Diagon Alley seemed smallish. But that was my favorite part ... until we saw the 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts they built for the movies. I think there's a collective gasp when you come upon it.  Here are some photos from the tour. I highly recommend a visit.

(By the by, the rest of the short visit in London was awesome as well: A visit to the Shard to see London from superduper high up, "Book of Mormon" in previews and the fabulous Underground poster exhibit at the London Transport Museum. Less than 72 hours in London, and we did a lot!)

The Great Hall with costumes from the different houses. (Photo credit: ME)

The ice sculpture from the Yule Ball in HP4.  (Photo credit: ME)

Hermione's, Viktor's, Harry's and Cho's costumes from the Yule Ball.  (Photo credit: ME)

Ron's bed from the dorm room. The beds were made to fit the boys when they were 11 and never changed -- so when they got older the boys had to curl up their legs to fit in them!  (Photo credit: ME)

The mirror of Erised!  (Photo credit: ME)

Hangin' with Ron's mannequin in the Gryffindor Common Room.  (Photo credit: ME)

On the way to Dumbledore's office? (Photo credit: My friend Hal)

Dumbledore's office!  (Photo credit: ME)

Potions class. Ruh-roh, I think I see the Half-Blood Prince's textbook.  (Photo credit: ME)

The Burrow! Press a button and the knitting needles move.  (Photo credit: ME)

I am NOT the heir of Slytherin. (Photo credit: Hal) 

Aww, the Potters' house in Godric's Hollow.  (Photo credit: ME)

Gross Voldemort doll. Press a button and his chest rises and falls and he squirms a bit. Like I said: GROSS.  (Photo credit: ME)

In Diagon Alley!  (Photo credit: ME)

I like this sign in the potions store window.  (Photo credit: ME)

Ollivander's!  (Photo credit: ME)

The huge model of the castle. It has lights inside that make it look like torches are lit and students are walking by! The light changes from night to say and the score plays as you walk around it.  (Photo credit: ME)

I'm on the top of two levels here -- that's how big it is. (Photo credit: Hal)

The castle at "day."  (Photo credit: ME)

The last room is a room of wand boxes with the names of cast and crew. A docent points out the names if you tell them the character. I thought this one was funny.  (Photo credit: ME)

Awww.  (Photo credit: ME)

"That's wizard's chess!" (tm Ron)  (Photo credit: ME)

I bought tons of stuff at the store: gloves for my sister, keychains, Gryffindor scarf (although we pretty much decided I am a Hufflepuff), magnets. My friend got a Timeturner. I'm kinda jealous that I didn't buy one too. Oh well. I'll have to go back! You can def spend a whole day there if you're a hardcore Potter nerd. For serious. You should go.