For more than a decade and a half, the Wizarding World has established itself as a global leader in immersive theme park experiences.
Amid the continued growth of the franchise’s theme park presence, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, the behind-the-scenes experience located at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire, UK, is no less popular than the Universal experiences.
The tour opened in 2012 inside the very soundstages where all eight Harry Potter films were shot. The Studio Tour preserves original sets including the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest, and Platform 9¾.
Thousands of authentic props, costumes, and animatronic creatures are maintained on-site, many by former crew members who worked on the productions. The attraction has steadily expanded since its opening, adding the Gringotts Wizarding Bank set in 2019 and introducing seasonal experiences such as Hogwarts in the Snow and Magical Mischief.
Related: Universal Fast-Tracks Changes Inside ‘Harry Potter’ Land
This summer, the Studio Tour will debut a new feature, First Year at Hogwarts, running from May 7 to September 7, 2026, commemorating 25 years since the release of the original film in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001).
The experience highlights key moments from the first film: floating hats in the Great Hall, Gryffindor banners above the tables, Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) casting “Petrificus Totalus” in the Common Room, and Quidditch sequences with the original polearm rig on display.
A Backlot Stage presentation, Secrets of Sound Effects, will reveal Foley techniques and other sound design used in the films, while props including Fluffy’s paw mould and Wizard Chess pieces return for fans to explore.
An exclusive ticketed event, First Year at Hogwarts – Opening Night, offers behind-the-scenes commentary from original crew members. Despite the upcoming HBO adaptation that’s currently in development, the Studio Tour’s design remains centered on the eight films that launched the franchise, ensuring continuity for the millions of visitors who return annually to relive the original magic.
Meanwhile, the franchise’s presence at Universal Studios continues to expand.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade opened at Universal Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort in 2010, introducing guests to Hogwarts Castle and the Forbidden Journey.
Diagon Alley followed in 2014, connected to Hogsmeade via the Hogwarts Express, and similar lands launched at Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Hollywood in 2016, and Universal Studios Beijing in 2021.
Most recently, in 2025, Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe debuted its Ministry of Magic area, featuring Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry and blending elements of 1920s Paris from the Fantastic Beasts films.
Over the years, rides such as Flight of the Hippogriff, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts have expanded the footprint across all locations.
Have you visited The Making of Harry Potter in London? Let us know in the comments!
