Harry Potter fans are in for a treat this summer as Warner Bros Studio Tour London introduces Sweets and Treats to its The Making of Harry Potter. This feature is dedicated to allowing visitors the opportunity to discover the Prop department’s secrets behind the food used in the films. There’s plenty of time to visit the attraction with the feature running from Monday 20th July to Sunday 6th September. Tours must be pre-booked in advanced with no extra charges for these features.
Harry Potter Studio Tour Sweets and Treats Preview
As part of the Sweets and Treats preview we saw some of the food props, and found that it was really was difficult to tell which were real and which were replica. We were told how they were made and saw some being created in action. We got to try the delicious Butterbeer ice-cream and frothy tankards of the drink – reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch (which will be available to purchase for the first time this summer in the Studio Tour’s new backlot café). The whole tour was an amazing discovery of just how much work goes on behind the scenes. Graphic designers were tasked with creating dozens of unique sweet boxes and wrappers for treats from Honeydukes and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. Original sketches of the designs can be found in the Art Department during Sweets and Treats. We were lucky enough to be sent home with a bar of chocolate each.
Harry Potter Studio Tour Sweets and Treats Features
Based in the Ministry Munchies Kiosk from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix prop and cake makers will demonstrate the techniques used to construct the floating pudding from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (that Dobby drops on the Dursleys’ guests). Also edible Gillyweed, as used in the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. On the Diagon Alley set how towering ‘frozen’ desserts were assembled outside Florean Fortescue’s ice-cream parlour. There will be moulded jelly snakes, decorated sugar skulls and piped ice-cream sundaes. Also some iconic sets such as the Great Hall’s long tables will be given a makeover, with props from Hogwarts feasts and the Gryffindor common room is dressed as it was for Quidditch victory scenes in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Some Harry Potter Sweets and Treats Secrets:
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’s chocolate desserts which covered the Great Hall tables were made out of intricately-painted resin. The chocolate phoenix cake is displayed at the Studio Tour and is one of the edible pieces that were baked, and it has survived more than seven years in storage.
- The slugs that Ron Weasley threw up in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets were actually made of orange-flavoured jelly o make it more pleasant for actor Rupert Grint.
- Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes had more than 300 litres of silicone to make up the vibrantly-coloured sweets which included Puking Pastilles and Nosebleed Nougat.
The whole tour was really hands on and interactive. We also hired an audio set to further add to the experience. We were given a Passport which gave you clues as to where to find the Snitches – and had spaces for stamps in the different areas, as well as other questions and things to solve. It was great to see that it was enjoyable for all ages as there were so many different reasons that it was such a magical experience, with so much detail and thought put into it. For me it was really interesting to see how little space is required to film something so amazing. We look forward to returning again and have purchased the whole blue ray box set and have a pyjama day Harry Potter marathon planned for the holidays. We spent 3 hours going around and could have easily stayed longer. There is plenty to spend money on once you are inside and I think it would be very hard not to. There’s amazing green screen photos/DVDs and all manner of fantastic merchandise in the shop.
To see more images visit my Pinkoddy Facebook Page – Harry Potter Sweets and Treats album
I received free entry to The Warner Bros Studio Tour London The Making of Harry Potter for myself and 5 other members of my family, plus a bar of chocolate each. All words and opinions are my own.