The day started with a walk to catch the Harry Potter Studio Tour bus to take us to Warner Bros. Studio just outside of London. It was about an hour and a half ride, and I crossed off one of the things I wanted to do while visiting London– take a ride on a double-decker bus! We sat upstairs and took in the view along the way.
Once off the bus, we passed through security, checking bags, and walking through scanners. Decorated inside the entrance room were pictures of the main characters in the movie displayed along the upper part of the walls near the ceiling. In the middle of the room hanging from the ceiling was an enormous figure of a Hungarian Horntail from the movie.
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Our tour started at 10:30 when the doors opened, and we found ourselves standing in another large room with images of portraits in frames lining the top of the wall near the ceiling. The people in the pictures began to talk just like the portraits in the movie. The talking portraits of Warner Bros. staff members gave us information about the studio layout. Next, we were led into a large theater and shown a video about creating the movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The introduction ended with a scene of double doors as the entrance to the exhibit. We thought we would be leaving by a door on the right but instead were invited to come up on the stage as a curtain lifted to reveal the exact doors that were shown on the screen. We were told to wait to take pictures of anything until we went through the doors to the exhibits. The doors opened and my mouth dropped as we were in a replica of Hogwort’s dining room! At the front of the dining hall, the singing frog choir was performing.
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The dining hall led into the main exhibit area where there were many interactive displays and demonstrations. We walked around for a while looking at everything with great interest. Linda C., Mary Ellen, and I stopped for a quick bite. Linda and I had a “Butterbeer” ice cream cone, while Mary Ellen had a “Butterbeer Millionaire Bar.” Sandy Joined us with her Butterbeer ice cream cone. We split up again while continuing the tour. |
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I was walking with Linda C. when we realized It was almost time to head to the bus. We quickly ran through a couple of exhibits and practically flew through the large-scale model of Hogwarts School to find ourselves in the maze of all mazes: the gift shop. There were so many little rooms connecting. Each room was filled with items from various parts of the exhibit. We didn’t think we would ever find our way out.
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While on the bus heading back to our hotel we discussed our scheduled activity to attend the Evening Thames Sundowner Cruise with prosecco, canopies, and light music entertainment. So, after a brief rest, we jumped in a cab and headed to the Tower Millennium Pier where a few of us grabbed a small bite to eat, not knowing what would be served on the river tour. The cruise was very relaxing. As we boarded, we were served a glass of prosecco, and we found a lovely U-shaped table and bench for all of us to sit together. We toasted as the boat began to move. Throughout the two-hour cruise, two young ladies walked about with a variety of different canapes. We were entertained by a young lady singing songs from various eras of music.
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When we disembarked, it was time to head back to the hotel. We needed a cab, and there was none to be seen near the dock. The only cab there was one that had been ordered for another large party. I asked the driver how to go about getting a cab; he directed us to walk up to the main road where there should be plenty of cabs going by. I just needed to flag one down, but this was not so easy. No cabs appeared on the busy road at the top of the hill. After crossing the street, we headed to another one when I saw a bouncer in front of a pub. I asked him where to get a cab and he pointed us to the curb in front of the pub. We tried several times to flag one down, but all of them were off duty and going home. Linda H suggested we call the hotel to see if they could get a cab for us. Both of us tried to call, but the number we had didn’t appear to work. We turned around to go back and ask the bouncer for further assistance only to see him flagging down a cab for us. He opened the door for us as we climbed in. I could have kissed that man-he was our hero!
Freshly painted phone booths found on the way to get a salad.
Back at the hotel, everyone went to their rooms, but I was still hungry and needed a salad. Mary Ellen agreed to go with me. We asked the night desk clerk for directions, and he pointed us to an area you might call Restaurant Row. It was about 3 blocks away. I found a salad with fried halloumi cheese and a light garlic dressing. Even though it was considered “Street Food” it was one of the best salads I had so far.
We didn't do as much walking as yesterday, but Mary Ellen and I did log in over 4 miles by the time the day was over. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?