Harry Potter: The Exhibition marks Dallas as the 6th U.S City on tour this season. The exhibit, which opened on Oct. 24 and ends Jan. 31, is currently open seven days a week with tickets required for entry, available for purchase online. The approximate 30,000 square foot of space is filled with 25 interactive galleries filled with exclusive content from both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises, and the Broadway musical “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
The Dallas exhibition is currently the only one open in the US, and according to tour organizers, finding a host city is not a quick process. Tom Zaller, founder and CEO of Imagine, the touring exhibition company behind the showcase, said requirements are specific. “We need to have a big enough space…we do a lot of research in trying to make sure that we have the biggest depth of fans and interest in Harry Potter,” he said.
Extensive research and thorough groundwork were covered to ensure all fans and newcomers to the series experience the magic of Harry Potter. “We do digital survey work online. So, it’s a lot of visiting from the marketing perspective to try and pick the right place,” said Zaller.
The exhibition itself offers various photo ops and hands-on activities from specific scenes of the movies, creating a nostalgic experience for long-time fans. “It just keeps getting better room by room. It’s just nostalgic because I grew up reading the books and watching the movies so it’s cool to kind of see them all come to life,” said visitor Kassy Keeling.
Immersive technology is also displayed where guests can use digital touchscreens to pick a Hogwarts dormitory “house” they want to be a part of, including Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Participants win points for their respective houses in various interactive activities throughout the exhibit, creating a customizable experience for guests.
Guests can explore the walkthrough exhibit at their own pace, with various multisensorial set designs and installations ranging from authentic costumes to props in rooms from the Warner Bros archive.
An onsite gift shop is also available with exclusive product lines and items ranging from apparel to collectibles and treats. “80% of what’s on display on the exhibit, you can’t buy anywhere else in the world. If you’re a fan, you will get something here you can’t get anywhere else,” said Zaller.
While the franchise may be nothing new to some guests, the exhibit served as a catalyst for diving deeper into the fantasy world of Harry Potter. “Honestly, I learned from this even after reading the book, I still learned a lot from this. It’s very inclusive even if you’re, like, new to Harry Potter.” said visitor Mila Watkins.
For self-described Potter neophyte Alan Ayo, the exhibit gave him a solid foundation. “I’m definitely coming out on the other side glad that I spent the time to go through it and feeling like I learned a lot, a whole lot.”
“I think our exhibition is a great example of, if you come to visit, it’ll make you want to binge-watch the movie series.
“It’ll make you want to understand more about the world of Harry Potter, and you just leave with, like, an excitement about discovering all these new things,” said Isabella Ferrari, part of the marketing team at Imagine.
The exhibit even became a way to bond with loved ones. “I can’t wait till she gets old enough so I can read her the books, and we can watch the movies. It’s a testament to Harry Potter because it withstands the test of time,” said Keeling, whose daughter came to the exhibit with her.
“It’s a good family group outing, parents and kids together. Everybody’s got something to enjoy here,” said Ayo.
For more information on Harry Potter: The Exhibition, visit www.harrypotterexhibition.com
