"Harry Potter: The Exhibition" is a special exhibit of props and costumes used in all eight "Harry Potter" films. It is currently being shown in Edmonton, Canada. This is the last time the exhibition will be shown in North America. It was previously shown in Sydney, Australia, Chicago and New York City, USA, and Toronto, Canada. It will go on to be shown in Europe and Asia beginning in April 2014.
It is a timed entry to get into the exhibition. You can buy tickets online or at the venue, but you can only enter at the specific time on your ticket.
"Harry Potter: The Exhibition" begins with a small group of guests gathered in a room. "Professor McGonagall" picks a few people to be sorted into houses with the Sorting Hat. The people who did this in my group were all kids who had a specific house that was their favourite. None were Slytherin! They were, of course, sorted into the house that they wanted. I would be interested to know if you did not name a house before-hand, if you would be sorted into the house you wanted. I didn't have the opportunity to try though.
After that we were ushered through a dark room with the Hogwart's Express stationed in the corner. I would have liked to have spent a bit more time looking at the train, but was rushed through to the beginning of the exhibition.
After that I could take my time. The exhibition is separated into different sections. The first section was about Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It had the lady in the door to get into Gryffindor Common Room. Then the first three displays were about Harry, Ron, and Hermione. A set was displayed showing Harry and Ron's beds, bedside tables, and trunks in Gryffindor Tower. Each character had a display case showing items pertaining to that specific character. For example, Harmione's time changer and some books; Ron's howler from his mom and a shirt; Harry's glasses and the Marauder's Map.
Every character's wand was also on display throughout the exhibit.
As you move through this section, you see several items pertaining to some of the main professors including: Snape, Lupin, Slughorn, and Sprout. It was interesting to see the detail in Potions textbooks, liquids in beakers, and the wardrobe in Professor Lupin's classroom.
The next section had an entrance set up to look like a tent. This section was about Quiddich and the Quiddich World Cup. It had costumes on display representing all the countries that took part in the Quiddich World Cup. Also, newspapers about the events that took place, the Golden Snitch, the Nimbus 2000, and a section where you could try your hand at Quiddich (without the broomstick). The far end of this section was about Buckbeak, including a model of Buckbeak that was used in the films.
The next section was about Hagrid's Hut. It included an oversized chair that you could sit in. Then came the Forbidden Forest. This included the Centaur and Aragog, the spider (which was huge!).
The next section dealt with the Death Eaters and Voldemort. It was interesting to see the gravestone from the Goblet of Fire and there was a life-size Dementor hovering just out of sight (at first). It was rather large and loomed above you once you noticed that it was there.
Umbridge's notices from the Order of the Phoenix were on display just outside the door leading to the Great Hall. The Great Hall section had a lot on display. The Goblet of Fire was there along with costumes for the different characters who participated - Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione as well. There was a section in the middle showing various foods that were on the tables in the Great Hall. The last section dealt with the Deathly Hallows and included Ron's Deluminator, and of course the Invisibility Cloak, the Resurrection Stone and the Elder Wand. I was surprised at the details on the Elder Wand because you can't see them on screen, but it is really cool to see in person.
There was a lot to see and I went through again twice more. I still could have seen more, I'm sure.
It was very interesting to see everything. I was amazed at the details - books, chemical beakers, models and the wands. Every wand is different. It was very cool to see it.
If you have the opportunity to go, I highly recommend it. Photographs are understandably not allowed, but you can buy items from the gift shop including a book about the exhibition.
For information about "Harry Potter: the Exhibition", visit: www.harrypotterexhibition.com
It is a timed entry to get into the exhibition. You can buy tickets online or at the venue, but you can only enter at the specific time on your ticket.
"Harry Potter: The Exhibition" begins with a small group of guests gathered in a room. "Professor McGonagall" picks a few people to be sorted into houses with the Sorting Hat. The people who did this in my group were all kids who had a specific house that was their favourite. None were Slytherin! They were, of course, sorted into the house that they wanted. I would be interested to know if you did not name a house before-hand, if you would be sorted into the house you wanted. I didn't have the opportunity to try though.
After that we were ushered through a dark room with the Hogwart's Express stationed in the corner. I would have liked to have spent a bit more time looking at the train, but was rushed through to the beginning of the exhibition.
After that I could take my time. The exhibition is separated into different sections. The first section was about Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It had the lady in the door to get into Gryffindor Common Room. Then the first three displays were about Harry, Ron, and Hermione. A set was displayed showing Harry and Ron's beds, bedside tables, and trunks in Gryffindor Tower. Each character had a display case showing items pertaining to that specific character. For example, Harmione's time changer and some books; Ron's howler from his mom and a shirt; Harry's glasses and the Marauder's Map.
Every character's wand was also on display throughout the exhibit.
As you move through this section, you see several items pertaining to some of the main professors including: Snape, Lupin, Slughorn, and Sprout. It was interesting to see the detail in Potions textbooks, liquids in beakers, and the wardrobe in Professor Lupin's classroom.
The next section had an entrance set up to look like a tent. This section was about Quiddich and the Quiddich World Cup. It had costumes on display representing all the countries that took part in the Quiddich World Cup. Also, newspapers about the events that took place, the Golden Snitch, the Nimbus 2000, and a section where you could try your hand at Quiddich (without the broomstick). The far end of this section was about Buckbeak, including a model of Buckbeak that was used in the films.
The next section was about Hagrid's Hut. It included an oversized chair that you could sit in. Then came the Forbidden Forest. This included the Centaur and Aragog, the spider (which was huge!).
The next section dealt with the Death Eaters and Voldemort. It was interesting to see the gravestone from the Goblet of Fire and there was a life-size Dementor hovering just out of sight (at first). It was rather large and loomed above you once you noticed that it was there.
Umbridge's notices from the Order of the Phoenix were on display just outside the door leading to the Great Hall. The Great Hall section had a lot on display. The Goblet of Fire was there along with costumes for the different characters who participated - Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione as well. There was a section in the middle showing various foods that were on the tables in the Great Hall. The last section dealt with the Deathly Hallows and included Ron's Deluminator, and of course the Invisibility Cloak, the Resurrection Stone and the Elder Wand. I was surprised at the details on the Elder Wand because you can't see them on screen, but it is really cool to see in person.
There was a lot to see and I went through again twice more. I still could have seen more, I'm sure.
It was very interesting to see everything. I was amazed at the details - books, chemical beakers, models and the wands. Every wand is different. It was very cool to see it.
If you have the opportunity to go, I highly recommend it. Photographs are understandably not allowed, but you can buy items from the gift shop including a book about the exhibition.
For information about "Harry Potter: the Exhibition", visit: www.harrypotterexhibition.com
