Platform 9 ¾ is no longer outside of London. It now sits inside the Franklin Institute and nobody has to run through a brick wall to get on the Hogwarts Express.
The world premiere of “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” might be the most immersive, impressive and, maybe, overwhelming exhibit to take over the famed science museum.
“It’s amazing, right,” said Larry Dubinski, the President and CEO of The Franklin Institute. “This exhibition just is immersive. It’s a great experience. It’s just a home run, not just for the Institute but for the whole city. People are going to have a great time when they go through it.”
Harry Potter must have turned on some wizarding magic as the presales to attend are outpacing every other exhibit the Institute has hosted since 2007 when King Tut-mania took over. That includes such big sellers as the Titanic, Star Wars, Marvel Comics and the Jurassic World.
“It has surpassed all those,” Dubinski said. “When you think about it, surpassing Marvel, Jurassic, Star Wars, Cleopatra, this is amazing.”
Fans of Harry Potter will be amazed right from the start of the 18,000-square foot exhibit that features 21 different galleries. After a ceremonial boarding of the train (complete with choosing your wizarding house and other Harry Potter-world accoutrements), it’s a short walk to enter a new world.
As visitors explore each gallery, their interactions are captured using RFID wristbands to deliver unique experiences linked to their visitor profile. They will get an up-close look at authentic props and original costumes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films and an opportunity to engage with innovative, awe-inspiring, and magical environments and installations in ways never before experienced in a touring exhibition.
“Being the world premiere, it’s the first time this exhibition has come together,” Dubinski said. “It came from a variety of different locations being built to come here. So, it has been in process for awhile. It was a really intensive build here. No doubt, how large as it is and issues we are still seeing with supply chain and transportation and things like that. We’ve overcome those obstacles and everything is ready to go.”
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” was created and developed by Imagine Exhibitions in partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment in association with EMC Presents.
“I run Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment out of Burbank, Calif., and I’m proud to be there, but I’m a Philly boy, born and raised,” said Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President of Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment. “The Franklin Institute was my go-to place growing up. We are thrilled to be launching ‘Harry Potter: The Exhibition’ here.”
After “disembarking” the Hogwarts Express, there is a short video that highlights the book and movie series. An original first edition of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” encased in a Gringotts-inspired vault and is surrounded by inspirational video and literary quotes, reconnecting guests to the story as they are introduced to the exhibition.
Hogwarts Castle features an immersive multimedia experience with iconic elements like the Whomping Willow, Dementors, and the Marauder’s Map, where guests will see their name appear, prompting them to continue their exploration of the exhibition.
The Great Hall is a projection-mapped space that allows visitors to celebrate magical seasonal moments on its majestic grounds.
The Hogwarts Houses gallery sets the foundation for the exhibition experience, allowing guests the opportunity to experience more personalized moments with the house they select during their registration. While guests may gravitate towards one house, this Gallery will enable visitors to experience all of the Hogwarts houses in a celebratory hall featuring an iconic Sorting Hat, perfect for photo ops, while surrounded by freshly designed house crests on meticulously created stained glass windows.
Hogwarts Classrooms are filled with iconic props, creatures, and costumes. Visitors will interact with magical lessons and games through digital touchscreens to reveal behind-the-scenes secrets about iconic classroom moments. They will brew potions in the Potions Classroom, predict the future in Divination, pot a mandrake in the Herbology Greenhouse, and use their digital wand to defeat a boggart in Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Hagrid’s Hut The Forbidden Forest offers an interactive Patronus charm experience. Guests will then uncover iconic creatures, such as Centaurs and Acromantula, hidden in the forest and explore inside a recreation of Hagrid’s Hut.
Newt’s Suitcase photo opportunity allows guests to step inside his enchanted case and be surrounded by creatures seen in the Fantastic Beasts films.
That only is the tip of the Wizarding iceberg. You can see some of the iconic costumes and wands used in the movies. There’s even a recreation of Harry Potter’s bedroom under the stairs of the Dursley house.
In the end, you can even take home a Butterbeer.
“I think there is a one-of-a-kind fanbase,” Dubinski said. “You know, because of the breath of books and movies and plays, it just has this unbelievable world-wide appeal. It’s great timing for us as restrictions begin to be lifted and people are feeling more comfortable to come out.”
‘Harry Potter: The Exhibition’ is open daily from 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and requires special timed tickets; advance reservations are strongly recommended. Daytime Tickets: 9:30 am-5 pm, Adult $43; Child $39 + includes admission to The Franklin Institute. Evening Tickets: 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Adult $30; Child $30.