JIM Reviews "HARRY POTTER" exhibit at Museum of Science & Industry

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The new HARRY POTTER exhibit (open to the public April 30th thru September 27, 2009) has been set up in a huge TENT erected on the northeast lawn of the Museum Of Science & Industry. You line up on what used to be the upper main street-level entrance, which has a covered area leading outside down to the tent. Audio tours are available for purchase (at like $ 5) in addition to the normal price of $ 19-26 on up for a General Admission ticket with the special Exhibit. They allow groups of 8-12 or so people in approximately every 15 minutes…

… At the start of the exhibit, we were greeted by an English-accented guy who did a little show with some (very well-informed & enthusiastic!) kids who were touring the exhibit, with some special effects from a “Wizard’s” hat. Around 85% of the exhibit consists of more than 200 ARTIFACTS from the various movies in the series— costumes (including Gryffindor school uniforms), props (including the Sorceror’s Stone & the Tri-Wizards Trophy), special-effect videos, etc…

… There were also screens showing SCENES from various of the films, to help provide the context for the items on display (which also had a bunch of informational plaques near them). It’s quite amazing to see the extent of creativity and hard work that went into crafting the scads of special items used in the various films— from outfits to wands to fantastical creatures (like the Buckbeak). You can see special rooms approximating the various Hogwarts School areas (the student rooms, the great hall, the forests, etc.)…

It’s a really WELL-DONE, FUN exhibit which the kids will likely get a special kick out of; the only really “frightening” thing (at least for parents) are the costs of SOUVENIRS in the giftshop at the end of the exhibit! It’ll likely take an HOUR or so to see it all at a leisurely information-reading pace.