Harry Potter The Exhibition

Today, the family went to Brussels Expo because I had tickets for this unique experience. 

It`s an exhibition where a lot of props from the movies are shown, and some interactive things take place as well.  It`s also well noting that it wasn`t allowed to take pictures with the Flash on, which I duly followed (well, for 95% of the time...)

Now, there was a LOT of people, but oddly enough not that many kids in comparison, seems the franchise isn`t as big a craze as it was under the previous generation.  But our personal Harry first needed a little bit of courage to take in.

Now, the first thing that happens when entering is that you can have a memento picture taken, and at 15 euro it ain`t cheap, but with a GF and a Smurf totally crazy about it, that was do-able.

The whole queue and blank venue walls where decorated with wall posters, and then we went inside, where some people would be sorted into their house. 

The Smurf, who had lots of adoring looks (I felt like a dad with a dog in the parc, if you know what I mean ;-) ) was logically picked out and sorted into... Slytherin.

Seems our intrests don`t lie in the same house then...

The first hall detailed the common rooms and teachers of Hogwarts, including the one wizard I really liked, Lockhart.

 One could pull out these screaming plants...

The next part of the exhibition handled the noble sport of Quidditch, including a few rings to toss balls at.  Those balls where a bit heavier then Smurf Potter anticipated ;-)

 Love the Irish uniforms...

 Next, we moved into the Dark Forest and to Hagrid's cabin.  That`s a big chair to fill, and stop looking at those pumpkins!

If such a spider lurked under my bed, you`ll be burying me...

Next came the Dark Arts section, which the kid liked the most.  Here I "sinned" against the Flash rule, as the GF really wanted a decent picture of Bellatrix's gown, as she wants to create it for a cosplay in the future.  But that was the only time, I swear...

Moving to the final exhibition room, we enter the great feasting hall of Hogwarts.  here, amongst others are the dresses of the ball from the 4th movie present.

 Looks like a fun boardgame

 Hmmm, chocolate...

 Yep, and I`ve read somewhere this was indeed inspired by the most gorgeous Star Trek uniforms ever made...

And then of course, there is the merchandise store.  Prices weren`t really that much more then at conventions or online including shipping, so the GF and the Smurf did buy some thingies.  An ink and quill set for her, and a Snape wand and some dark mark tattoos for the kid.  And moi... I didn`t purchase anything as there wasn`t really anything that caught my fancy.

It was a wonderful experience, and if it comes near you, or you still could get tickets, it`s definitly worth it.

It`s also worth it to ask loudly in the crowd if this exhibition is about "that movie where they needed to throw a ring in a volcano".  You`ll get mixed glares casted your way hehehe...