Once youve walked through that arch, youre now in Scotland.
Youve traveled to J.K. Rowlings Scottish Highlands, Gilmore says.
Weve taken real buildings and weve referenced real architecture and made it more Harry Potter.
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), the Wizarding World in Hollywood seamlessly condenses various iconic Potter locations into a much smaller space.
Its all designed as a giant film set, Gilmore explains.
And its absolutely identical to the film sets.
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Its the most authentic rendition that could be done.
Movie Magic
The Wizarding Worlds Hogwarts was built using visual tricks to exaggerate its height and majesty.
Its all done in perspective, Gilmore explains.
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Because a film set is one-sided, you might hide everything, he explains.
These are real buildings; they actually function, Gilmore says.
Theres no electricity, he says (meaning eckeltricity, of course).
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Its all gas lighting, oil lighting.
Any machines are mechanical, theyre not modern electronics.
Youll see motors; youll see chains; youll see the kind of older style of engineering.
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You have the mountains, the valley beyond, and it almost looks Scottish to me, he explains.
So that really helps locate it a lot better.
The Hollywood location was particularly significant, too, for being in the home of movies, Gilmore adds.
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Bringing the story here was very important to us, and to tell it exactly as it should be.
And what could be more delightfully British than Madam Puddifoots charming teashop?
Doesnt it look justidealfor Valentines Day?
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Psychologically, it does actually cool you down a bit, Gilmore observes, which is quite nice!"
All these bridges lead to walkways, to bedrooms, Gilmore explains.
Really its this kind of intertwining maze of a building.
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Ten Points to Gryffindor!
This House Cup scoreboard is an exact recreation of the same prop from the movies Hogwarts.
(Gryffindors lead, followed closely by Slytherin, should also come as no surprise to fans.
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Poor showing from Ravenclaw, though!)
The room will actually tell you how youre doing, in a sense, and so will the wandkeeper.
Its a really brilliant experience; theres a whole lot of effects hidden in the room.
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Zonko’s Joke Shop
What would a visit to Hogsmeade be without a trip to Zonkos?
The shop windows here include both merchandise for sale in this location (Pygmy Puffs!)
and props and recreations from the films.
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Inside Honeydukes
The inside of Honeydukes is good enough to eat.
You will not see another brand here.
In this train carriage, the luggage racks are the actual ones from the Hogwarts Express.
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Its all about being in the story.
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