Harry Potter Mania: London Edition
When you hear London, Britain, or England, your train of thought probably goes: Big Ben, the Queen, then Harry Potter. Depending on your age and interests, some people might think about Kate Middleton and others about the Beatles or the Stones, but everyone definitely knows about Harry Potter. And anyone who is remotely a fan of the movies or books knows all the big stops: King’s Cross Station, the Reptile House at the London Zoo, Oxford, etc.
As previously confessed, my entire family are Harry Potter geeks. We’ve read all the books and seen all the movies multiple times. We’ve been to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios Orlando twice. And, of course we’ve been “sorted”. My dad and I are Gryffindors, and my mom and brother are Hufflepuffs. Clearly, you can tell who has the good genes.
Knowing that London is the center of the Harry Potter world, I knew I had to prepare. So, obviously, my first thought was Harry Potter clothing. I bought a Harry Potter skirt. Trust me, it was an essential. I couldn’t have shown up at the theatre wearing a plain skirt! Going to the play was simply not enough to prove that I was a Harry Potter dork.
Platform 9 3/4
On our way to Dover, we left London from King’s Cross Station. My family didn’t believe me when I said that there was an actual “Platform 9 ¾,” and thought I was ridiculous as I continued to search for it. My dad was thought that we were supposed to be looking for the famous “Platform 8 2/7”. I showed them: there is a sign for the made up platform with a cart halfway through the wall. I was a little concerned with the counting skills of British people because the platform was not even remotely close to platform 9 or 10.
It was cool how they set it up, but it had a very long line and people charging money to take your “official” picture of becoming a wizard and going off to Hogwarts. This was so unfair because I don’t think just anybody can pay to become a wizard. I mean, most of those people weren’t even 11! Anyway, we didn’t wait in line because anyone who was as smart as us would sit at home and wait for their letter. But, if you’re a fan, go and see it, just don’t actually try running into the wall.
The Play, The Play, It’s All About the Play
Our last day in London was our designated Harry Potter day. We climbed 77 steps to our seats (Expecto Transportum!) and spent 4 ½ hours sitting in a chair, 60 feet from the stage and 45 ft high, feeling privileged just to have seats to see the latest installment of the Harry Potter universe: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I couldn’t feel my butt at the end of the 4 ½ hours, but I willingly paid the price, and my parents literally paid the price. As my mom says, it was the most she has ever spent on theatre tickets for the worst seats she has ever had. However, it was the best play ever!
J.K. Rowling definitely delivered; the play was a huge hit. Every character was perfectly played, and, even if we were 60 feet from the stage, and even if our tickets did say “partial view”, we didn’t feel like we had bad seats.
Note that if you are somehow unwilling to part with your life savings just to see this play, the official website does offer returned and late-release tickets. Also on the site, they explain “The Friday Forty” where they release forty really good seats for shows the following week every Friday at 1. Better than winning Powerball.
SPOILER ALERT——
Draco is still obnoxious; Ron is still an idiot; Ginny continues to stand in the background, with good posture I must say; Harry still needs to grow a pair; Hermione is dipped in chocolate; Draco passed along the albino gene to his son, while Harry passed along the persecution complex to his middle son. And Voldemort (sorry, I said it) apparently got it on with Bellatrix. I’m glad someone finds those without noses lovable.
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Need more Afegirls in London? Check out our other posts about this trip:
– Our complete one-week London itinerary.
– A recap of how we planned the London trip
– Our suggestions for food and lodging in London
– Our family’s Amazing Race competition through London
– A day out in Dover: cliffs, castles, and lots and lots of tunnels!
Trip Date: July 2016
Kids’ Ages: Jonny 16 & Emma 14