Harry Potter: The Exhibit, first visit
I didn't get my hopes up for it, I'm trying my best to not do that lately for a lot of things. I usually set myself up for dissapointment if I do. But this exhibit was well beyond my expectations.
I don't know how detailed you folks want me to be, in case it shows up in your town and you want to be pleasently surprised. So, for the sake of spoilers, I'll put it behind a cut. And this is EVERYTHING, nothing left out. So it's super spoiler-rific.
It was a nice rainy day, perfect time to go to an indoor exhibit. Until I found out that it was actually so big that the Museum didn't have a place for it, so it was actually in a big tent outside. In the end, the pitter patter of rain against the tent worked really well for the ambiance of the exhibit.
The Sorting Hat was sitting so wonderfully on his stool, ready for the kids to be sorted. A few eager kids were sorted, and then one eager child at heart was sorted. Into Slytherin! Despite the fact I was wearing my Gryffindor jacket! Oh well, that's what I wanted. Snape as my Head of House? HELL YES!
You walk through the big double doors and they have 8 screens set up with the 6 movie posters. The posters melt away and turn into a wonderful montage of the films, including some stuff from HBP of course.
When the movie montage ended, a big curtain arose and we were all doused into the headlight of THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS. YES, THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS. The engine, man! There was a girl holding a lantern, smoke billowing out everywhere. It was surreal. They did a FANTASTIC job of entering you into the wizarding world. Next to the engine was a stack of luggage, Hermione's was on top as you could see her name written on the front of it.
You walk in and the Fat Lady is screaming in her frame, trying to break the wine glass, there are paintings along the wall, a few of which moved. Right when you walk in, the first section is Harry, Hermione, and Ron's casual clothes from the 4th film, Ron and Hermione's wands, the Dumbledore's Army sign up paper, Gringot's coins, Ginny's uniform, Neville's Yule Ball shoes (why it was there and not in the Great Hall room is beyond me). Across the isle then was Ron and Harry's bed, with their student uniforms. It was surprising to me that the red in the robes was really really dark, and that the white shirts were, indeed, cream. The Map, Harry's glasses and wand, Ron's R sweater from OotP, Harry's shoe care and shaving kit, a Chudley Cannon's shirt signed by ... someone, the cursed box of chocolates from HBP, the Howler, Ron's knitted afghan, the Golden Egg from the 1st Task, Harry's Hogwarts accepance letter and envelope, and some other Chudley Cannon's stuff were on display.
Next to that was Professor Trelawny's section, the Grim cup, the Crystal Ball, some tea pots, a lamp, and Trelawny's green outfit from PoA.
Across the way from that is the Potion section. Slughorn and Snape's outfits (you could see the make up still on Snape's collar. I touched it when no one was looking XD), a ton of potion ingredient bottles and jars, a cauldron, the felix felici vial (but no potion?) from HBP, the Advanced Potion Making book from HBP, and Snape and Slughorn's wands.
Next was Umbridge's station. Kitten plates, her really pretty dark oak desk, framed photo of Fudge, her pink furry twill suit (from when we first see her, including the kitten pin!), and her evil quill with the 'I must not tell lies' paper written in Harry's blood.
Next was Gilderoy Lockhart. His dueling outfit and gold Professor suit were on display, along with some signed photos, his 'entire collected works' including "Wanderings with Werewolves", his first day test papers, a maquette of a cornish pixie, Lockhart's wand, and the framed painting of Lockhart painting himself :D
Then, beside that is my favorite DADA teacher EVAR. Professor Remus Lupin *siiiiigh*. His wand, a Defense book, 2 of his swing music records, and his Professor's suit were standing beside the boggart wardrobe *_* It was making sounds, and it almost looked like it was moving. Beside that was the creepy Jack in a Box. Yes, it looks just as scary up close than in the film. Still, it was awesome to see the detail in it, and not have it jump out at you.
Next to Lupin's display was Professor Sprout. Her Greenhouse outfit was made of suede, and in a box in front of it was a Mandrake and her wand. Beside her display was a 'pull your own Mandrake!' interactive display. Yeah, I pulled all of them and made them ALL scream at once. It was epically annoying.
You turn to the left and enter what appears to be the 1st Task tent. Off to the right was the gorgeous lifesize stand in of Buckbeak and I about cried. I LOVE Buckbeak. He smelled a little funky, though. Surrounding him were pumpkins from Hagrid's hut, and the Trio's casual outfits from the finale of PoA. It was amazing to see just how SMALL they were. I know they were kids, but still. It's surreal.
Across from Beaky was a display case that had the Nimbus 2000 and Nimbus 2001, along with a ton of Quidditch World Cup pamphlets, the Omnoculars, some binoculars, the trunk of Quidditch balls, of course the Golden Snitch, and some Quidditch flags. Next to that was an interactive game, where you can play Chaser and toss quaffles into some hoops that dinged when you made it. The balls were actual quaffles, so that was neat to see just how you hold one.
Farther down the way from Beaky, in the corner of this room was a reproduction of Hagrid's hut. You could sit in his huge chair and Norbert's unhatched egg was on the table. There were also hanging baskets everywhere, and the fireplace. On the other side of Hagrid's hut was the Hungarian Horntail head, the baby thestral, and Firenze and (maybe?) Bane lifesize maquettes.
Across from Hagrid's hut were 2 displays of Quidditch outfits. The first display was Madame Hooch's regular professorial robes (not her referee outfit), Ireland and Bulgarian outfits, some Quidditch tropheys, Harry's training Quidditch outfit and Ron's game outfit from HBP, all sitting on the risers from the Quidditch pitch. Next to that was the Hogwart's Quidditch outfits, the first was Harry's from SS, then in the middle was Cedric's from PoA, and next was Draco's from CoS. Harry's arm guards were installed upside down. And one of the fake British accent ladies came up to inform me "Do you notice that Robert Pattenson isn't actually mentioned in this? It's Cedric's outfit, you see, but this was BEFORE Pattenson was chosen to play Cedric!" I just smile and nodded. I could talk circles around these girls, no joke. There were also two plaques behind Harry and Draco's uniforms that showed past Captains of Gryffindor and Slytherin. That was cool.
Past that is the Dark Magic section, the one that was the least watched by staff and the most bad ass (of course). The first thing you see is Tom Riddle's suit, the stabbed diary with basilisk fang, Collin's camera and the petrified Collin. Next to Riddle and Collin was the Angel of Death statue (NOT the whole tomb stone) from GoF. And when you stood in front of that, Voldemort whispered to you. Again, creepy and effective. Next was Harry's finale Sorcerer's Stone outfit beside Quirrel's outfit. In a display case off to the side was the Sorcerer's Stone and the old flying key.
Next to Quirrel were Wanted posters for ... oh, now their names escape me ... Amycus Carrow, Bellatrix, Fenrir, and 2 other Death Eaters from HBP. Following that wall and you hit Draco's CoS robes and Lucius Malfoy's PIMPIN' suit. PINSTRIPES, MAN! It blows the mind. After spending a little too long staring at that, I turned and saw the Death Eater robes. They're actually made of a patterned taffeta, and the hoods are just awesome. It looks like they simply skinned a cow and sewed the skins together. Next to that was Voldemort's wand and rebirth outfit. It was so thin and so raw, it made sense that it was simple. Twill tape, dyed silk, raw edges. And it WAS green. Although with the lighting placed on it, and the white sheet used beneith it, it looks far more green than one would initially think.
Continuing on, next to Lucius and Draco's CoS outfits was the life sized maquette of a dementor. It's tail was like the end of a tail bone, and it was very, very creepy as a dementor should be. Beside that was Sirius's prison robes, a lifesized Kreacher maquette, and Bellatrix's prison gown.
And finally, onto the last room. The Great Hall. Just before you hit the Great Hall, there's a display case with the Bloody Baron's shimmery gauzey outfit. Now there's a pirate costume I'd love to make, had I the means and the motivation to do so. You walk through the ACTUAL Great Hall doors, lined on each side by a dozen or so of Umbridge's Decrees. Right down the middle of the Great Hall room is a table filled with fake food, all of which looked delicious and made my stomach growl, forgetting that I hadn't eaten yet that day.
Off to the left was Cedric's school uniform, and Krum and Fleur's welcoming feast outfits, with the box that held the Goblet of Fire behind them. Next to that was a chunk of the Yule Ball Great Hall set, a table with party favors and fake food, even the lovely silver velvet chairs they sat on. And in front of the table are the Yule Ball outfits. Krum, Hermione, Ron, Harry, Cho and ... not quite Cedric's Yule Ball outfit. I say not quite, because the robes were TINY and didn't look a thing like they belonged on the mannequin. Dana and I both agreed that Rob probably stole the originals and they just put a random set of robes on it. I mean, the robe sleeves were a good 3 inches too short, the white shirt sleeves could be easily seen! And it only went to the knees. Totally not Cedric's.
Next to the Not Cedric robes was a case displaying the Tri-Wizard tournament cup, Rita Skeeter's acid green quill, a lovely set of her dragonskin, monogramed notebooks and a pile of "Potter Stinks" pins.
On the other side of the Great Hall room was Fudge's pinestripe robes, his not lime green bowler hat, and Percy's matching suit. Beside that was a display case of ALL the candy from the films. Chocolate frogs, Berttie Bott's, fizzing whizzbees, skiving snack boxes, and even a Quidditch board game.
Finally, at the head of the Great Hall was a platform that had McGonnigal's green Yule Ball dress, Dumbeldore's Yule Ball robes, and my favorite costume in the whole exhibit, one of Richard Harris' Sorcerer's Stone outfits. Oh my GOD the level of detail in that was just well beyond me. All of that embroidery, all of those buttons, all of that brocade and embossed purple-blue velvet. Wow, just wow. I sketched out the embroidery, in case I ever had a couple thousand dollars to spend on my career-ending Dumbledore outfit.
Next to that was a display case of Dumbledore and McGonnigal's wands, and beside McGonnigal's dress was Fawkes. He was a lot bigger than I thought, and just awe inspiring. He was really really gorgeous, I wanted to take him home with me. Oh, and behind the SS Dumbledore outfit was a naked statue of Dobby. Downright CREEPY, need I say more? On the other side was Sirius Black's "Black Family Tree room" outfit, the burgundy velvet long coat one. That whole outfit is just kick ass and is so Sirius. Next to it was Tonk's magenta dragonskin coat. And that was it!
And as you're leaving the exhibit, there's a wall full of clapping portraits, and you're in the gift shop! Yaaay, gift shop! I'm still beyond frustrated that they don't have an exhibit book, and I'm to the point where I'd love to write the WB and tell them to pull that stick out already. I've never seen a company so uptight over such miniscule things. I can understand not making it because you want other people to pay to see it, and having a book would consitute the scanning of images and such maybe ... but c'mon, it's about time the fans got a visual companion! They didn't even have regular shirts, just stupid glittery girl-cut shirts with those super short sleeves that never look good on me.
Overpriced shirts aside, they had a neat sweatshirt I might get next time I go, but for my first trip I found something I couldn't let go of. They had Gentle Giant Ltd. busts, including the one I'd been craving about as long as I knew it was coming out. The transforming Remus Lupin limited edition bust. And it was only $5 more than what GG was selling it for, but they've been out of stock on them since 2008. Ebay only has a few that are about 3 times that price. Now Severus has his wolfie friend to chill next to! So, with werewolf in hand, it ended a wonderful day.
Pictures are up on my facebook here
I couldn't get too many photos, because photography was forbiden. But I was sorted into Slytherin, so I had to break the rules just a bit. When I go again, I'm more confident that I can take more photos and not get caught!
I don't know how detailed you folks want me to be, in case it shows up in your town and you want to be pleasently surprised. So, for the sake of spoilers, I'll put it behind a cut. And this is EVERYTHING, nothing left out. So it's super spoiler-rific.
It was a nice rainy day, perfect time to go to an indoor exhibit. Until I found out that it was actually so big that the Museum didn't have a place for it, so it was actually in a big tent outside. In the end, the pitter patter of rain against the tent worked really well for the ambiance of the exhibit.
The Sorting Hat was sitting so wonderfully on his stool, ready for the kids to be sorted. A few eager kids were sorted, and then one eager child at heart was sorted. Into Slytherin! Despite the fact I was wearing my Gryffindor jacket! Oh well, that's what I wanted. Snape as my Head of House? HELL YES!
You walk through the big double doors and they have 8 screens set up with the 6 movie posters. The posters melt away and turn into a wonderful montage of the films, including some stuff from HBP of course.
When the movie montage ended, a big curtain arose and we were all doused into the headlight of THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS. YES, THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS. The engine, man! There was a girl holding a lantern, smoke billowing out everywhere. It was surreal. They did a FANTASTIC job of entering you into the wizarding world. Next to the engine was a stack of luggage, Hermione's was on top as you could see her name written on the front of it.
You walk in and the Fat Lady is screaming in her frame, trying to break the wine glass, there are paintings along the wall, a few of which moved. Right when you walk in, the first section is Harry, Hermione, and Ron's casual clothes from the 4th film, Ron and Hermione's wands, the Dumbledore's Army sign up paper, Gringot's coins, Ginny's uniform, Neville's Yule Ball shoes (why it was there and not in the Great Hall room is beyond me). Across the isle then was Ron and Harry's bed, with their student uniforms. It was surprising to me that the red in the robes was really really dark, and that the white shirts were, indeed, cream. The Map, Harry's glasses and wand, Ron's R sweater from OotP, Harry's shoe care and shaving kit, a Chudley Cannon's shirt signed by ... someone, the cursed box of chocolates from HBP, the Howler, Ron's knitted afghan, the Golden Egg from the 1st Task, Harry's Hogwarts accepance letter and envelope, and some other Chudley Cannon's stuff were on display.
Next to that was Professor Trelawny's section, the Grim cup, the Crystal Ball, some tea pots, a lamp, and Trelawny's green outfit from PoA.
Across the way from that is the Potion section. Slughorn and Snape's outfits (you could see the make up still on Snape's collar. I touched it when no one was looking XD), a ton of potion ingredient bottles and jars, a cauldron, the felix felici vial (but no potion?) from HBP, the Advanced Potion Making book from HBP, and Snape and Slughorn's wands.
Next was Umbridge's station. Kitten plates, her really pretty dark oak desk, framed photo of Fudge, her pink furry twill suit (from when we first see her, including the kitten pin!), and her evil quill with the 'I must not tell lies' paper written in Harry's blood.
Next was Gilderoy Lockhart. His dueling outfit and gold Professor suit were on display, along with some signed photos, his 'entire collected works' including "Wanderings with Werewolves", his first day test papers, a maquette of a cornish pixie, Lockhart's wand, and the framed painting of Lockhart painting himself :D
Then, beside that is my favorite DADA teacher EVAR. Professor Remus Lupin *siiiiigh*. His wand, a Defense book, 2 of his swing music records, and his Professor's suit were standing beside the boggart wardrobe *_* It was making sounds, and it almost looked like it was moving. Beside that was the creepy Jack in a Box. Yes, it looks just as scary up close than in the film. Still, it was awesome to see the detail in it, and not have it jump out at you.
Next to Lupin's display was Professor Sprout. Her Greenhouse outfit was made of suede, and in a box in front of it was a Mandrake and her wand. Beside her display was a 'pull your own Mandrake!' interactive display. Yeah, I pulled all of them and made them ALL scream at once. It was epically annoying.
You turn to the left and enter what appears to be the 1st Task tent. Off to the right was the gorgeous lifesize stand in of Buckbeak and I about cried. I LOVE Buckbeak. He smelled a little funky, though. Surrounding him were pumpkins from Hagrid's hut, and the Trio's casual outfits from the finale of PoA. It was amazing to see just how SMALL they were. I know they were kids, but still. It's surreal.
Across from Beaky was a display case that had the Nimbus 2000 and Nimbus 2001, along with a ton of Quidditch World Cup pamphlets, the Omnoculars, some binoculars, the trunk of Quidditch balls, of course the Golden Snitch, and some Quidditch flags. Next to that was an interactive game, where you can play Chaser and toss quaffles into some hoops that dinged when you made it. The balls were actual quaffles, so that was neat to see just how you hold one.
Farther down the way from Beaky, in the corner of this room was a reproduction of Hagrid's hut. You could sit in his huge chair and Norbert's unhatched egg was on the table. There were also hanging baskets everywhere, and the fireplace. On the other side of Hagrid's hut was the Hungarian Horntail head, the baby thestral, and Firenze and (maybe?) Bane lifesize maquettes.
Across from Hagrid's hut were 2 displays of Quidditch outfits. The first display was Madame Hooch's regular professorial robes (not her referee outfit), Ireland and Bulgarian outfits, some Quidditch tropheys, Harry's training Quidditch outfit and Ron's game outfit from HBP, all sitting on the risers from the Quidditch pitch. Next to that was the Hogwart's Quidditch outfits, the first was Harry's from SS, then in the middle was Cedric's from PoA, and next was Draco's from CoS. Harry's arm guards were installed upside down. And one of the fake British accent ladies came up to inform me "Do you notice that Robert Pattenson isn't actually mentioned in this? It's Cedric's outfit, you see, but this was BEFORE Pattenson was chosen to play Cedric!" I just smile and nodded. I could talk circles around these girls, no joke. There were also two plaques behind Harry and Draco's uniforms that showed past Captains of Gryffindor and Slytherin. That was cool.
Past that is the Dark Magic section, the one that was the least watched by staff and the most bad ass (of course). The first thing you see is Tom Riddle's suit, the stabbed diary with basilisk fang, Collin's camera and the petrified Collin. Next to Riddle and Collin was the Angel of Death statue (NOT the whole tomb stone) from GoF. And when you stood in front of that, Voldemort whispered to you. Again, creepy and effective. Next was Harry's finale Sorcerer's Stone outfit beside Quirrel's outfit. In a display case off to the side was the Sorcerer's Stone and the old flying key.
Next to Quirrel were Wanted posters for ... oh, now their names escape me ... Amycus Carrow, Bellatrix, Fenrir, and 2 other Death Eaters from HBP. Following that wall and you hit Draco's CoS robes and Lucius Malfoy's PIMPIN' suit. PINSTRIPES, MAN! It blows the mind. After spending a little too long staring at that, I turned and saw the Death Eater robes. They're actually made of a patterned taffeta, and the hoods are just awesome. It looks like they simply skinned a cow and sewed the skins together. Next to that was Voldemort's wand and rebirth outfit. It was so thin and so raw, it made sense that it was simple. Twill tape, dyed silk, raw edges. And it WAS green. Although with the lighting placed on it, and the white sheet used beneith it, it looks far more green than one would initially think.
Continuing on, next to Lucius and Draco's CoS outfits was the life sized maquette of a dementor. It's tail was like the end of a tail bone, and it was very, very creepy as a dementor should be. Beside that was Sirius's prison robes, a lifesized Kreacher maquette, and Bellatrix's prison gown.
And finally, onto the last room. The Great Hall. Just before you hit the Great Hall, there's a display case with the Bloody Baron's shimmery gauzey outfit. Now there's a pirate costume I'd love to make, had I the means and the motivation to do so. You walk through the ACTUAL Great Hall doors, lined on each side by a dozen or so of Umbridge's Decrees. Right down the middle of the Great Hall room is a table filled with fake food, all of which looked delicious and made my stomach growl, forgetting that I hadn't eaten yet that day.
Off to the left was Cedric's school uniform, and Krum and Fleur's welcoming feast outfits, with the box that held the Goblet of Fire behind them. Next to that was a chunk of the Yule Ball Great Hall set, a table with party favors and fake food, even the lovely silver velvet chairs they sat on. And in front of the table are the Yule Ball outfits. Krum, Hermione, Ron, Harry, Cho and ... not quite Cedric's Yule Ball outfit. I say not quite, because the robes were TINY and didn't look a thing like they belonged on the mannequin. Dana and I both agreed that Rob probably stole the originals and they just put a random set of robes on it. I mean, the robe sleeves were a good 3 inches too short, the white shirt sleeves could be easily seen! And it only went to the knees. Totally not Cedric's.
Next to the Not Cedric robes was a case displaying the Tri-Wizard tournament cup, Rita Skeeter's acid green quill, a lovely set of her dragonskin, monogramed notebooks and a pile of "Potter Stinks" pins.
On the other side of the Great Hall room was Fudge's pinestripe robes, his not lime green bowler hat, and Percy's matching suit. Beside that was a display case of ALL the candy from the films. Chocolate frogs, Berttie Bott's, fizzing whizzbees, skiving snack boxes, and even a Quidditch board game.
Finally, at the head of the Great Hall was a platform that had McGonnigal's green Yule Ball dress, Dumbeldore's Yule Ball robes, and my favorite costume in the whole exhibit, one of Richard Harris' Sorcerer's Stone outfits. Oh my GOD the level of detail in that was just well beyond me. All of that embroidery, all of those buttons, all of that brocade and embossed purple-blue velvet. Wow, just wow. I sketched out the embroidery, in case I ever had a couple thousand dollars to spend on my career-ending Dumbledore outfit.
Next to that was a display case of Dumbledore and McGonnigal's wands, and beside McGonnigal's dress was Fawkes. He was a lot bigger than I thought, and just awe inspiring. He was really really gorgeous, I wanted to take him home with me. Oh, and behind the SS Dumbledore outfit was a naked statue of Dobby. Downright CREEPY, need I say more? On the other side was Sirius Black's "Black Family Tree room" outfit, the burgundy velvet long coat one. That whole outfit is just kick ass and is so Sirius. Next to it was Tonk's magenta dragonskin coat. And that was it!
And as you're leaving the exhibit, there's a wall full of clapping portraits, and you're in the gift shop! Yaaay, gift shop! I'm still beyond frustrated that they don't have an exhibit book, and I'm to the point where I'd love to write the WB and tell them to pull that stick out already. I've never seen a company so uptight over such miniscule things. I can understand not making it because you want other people to pay to see it, and having a book would consitute the scanning of images and such maybe ... but c'mon, it's about time the fans got a visual companion! They didn't even have regular shirts, just stupid glittery girl-cut shirts with those super short sleeves that never look good on me.
Overpriced shirts aside, they had a neat sweatshirt I might get next time I go, but for my first trip I found something I couldn't let go of. They had Gentle Giant Ltd. busts, including the one I'd been craving about as long as I knew it was coming out. The transforming Remus Lupin limited edition bust. And it was only $5 more than what GG was selling it for, but they've been out of stock on them since 2008. Ebay only has a few that are about 3 times that price. Now Severus has his wolfie friend to chill next to! So, with werewolf in hand, it ended a wonderful day.
Pictures are up on my facebook here
I couldn't get too many photos, because photography was forbiden. But I was sorted into Slytherin, so I had to break the rules just a bit. When I go again, I'm more confident that I can take more photos and not get caught!