Everyone has a comfort show. For some, it’s the iconic sitcoms with snappy one-liners and laugh tracks, like ‘Friends’. For others, it’s those animated classics so ingrained in memory they could recite every line in their sleep.
For me, though, nothing beats the ‘Harry Potter’ saga.
Warner Bros.’ eight-film journey through the Wizarding World has been my go-to for years. Ever since ‘Deathly Hallows — Part 2’ wrapped up the series in 2011, I’ve spent countless hours bingeing the films, watching the stars grow up before my eyes as I follow their adventures through Hogwarts and beyond.
So you can imagine my excitement when I heard that ‘Harry Potter: Visions of Magic’ was arriving in Singapore.
Image courtesy of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic
By now, you’ve probably seen videos offering quick peeks into the interactive exhibition, which previously cast its spell in France and Belgium.
Its opening at Resorts World Sentosa on Friday (22 Nov) marks its Asian debut, complete with a few Singapore-exclusive surprises that even Europe didn’t get.
This immersive experience is bound to make Potterheads feel like they’ve taken a Portkey straight into the movies — here’s what you can expect.
Before entering the exhibition, you’ll be handed your very own wand. Keep it close — not just because you’ll need to return it at the end, but because it’s your ticket to unlocking a world of hidden magic.
And let me tell you, it really made me feel like I’d been promoted from a magic-less Muggle to someone who’s mastered their spells.
With a wave of my wand, I got to do some Sirius-ly cool things, from uncovering hidden members on the Black Family Tapestry at 12 Grimmauld Place to bringing glowing orbs to life in the Hall of Prophecy.
Being in the cluttered Room of Requirement felt like I’d been dropped straight into a real-life hidden object game, surrounded by piles of furniture and random objects.
By simply flicking my wand, I could unearth iconic, instantly recognisable items — including a few Horcruxes — and even set off some indoor ‘fireworks’. Definitely not something you see every day.
Image by MS News
But perhaps my favourite area in the entire 40,000 sq ft attraction was the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets, the mysterious lair of the terrifying Basilisk, exclusive to the Lion City.
Just like in the film, the passageway is guarded by a massive round door with seven serpents that slink back, making way for an eighth that slithers across the edge to unlock it with yet another wave of your wand — proficiency in Parseltongue not required.
It was so mesmerising, I couldn’t resist staying back to watch it twice.
Image by MS News
Once inside, you’ll even come face-to-face with the Basilisk — well, sort of. It appears as a projection in the windows, and with a wave of your wand, you can summon it to slither by (don’t worry, it’s completely harmless).
Image by MS News
If you’ve ever secretly dreamed of joining Voldemort’s crew (just for fun, of course), Knockturn Alley offers a chance to flirt with the dark side. Point your wand at the sky — well, ceiling — and conjure a creepy image of the Dark Mark.
Image by MS News
“He Who Must Not Be Named” won’t actually show up (thankfully), but you will get to see him in an epic animation of the Battle of Hogwarts in another zone featuring The Pensieve, another standout feature of the exhibition.
The adventures don’t stop there. From delving into the Ministries of Magic to wandering through Newt’s Menagerie (a treat for ‘Fantastic Beasts’ fans), there’s so much to explore that you might wish you had a Time-Turner to see it all.
Even James and Oliver Phelps, who brought the mischievous Fred and George Weasley to life in the ‘Harry Potter’ films, were in awe of the exhibition.
During a quick chat with MS News, the twins shared how strolling through the various zones brought back a flood of memories.
James shared: “I remember when we filmed in the Room of Requirement, everyone had their wands and we’d cast spells, but nothing would happen. But here, things actually happen! It’s like going full circle, but now it actually works.”
Source: Harry Potter
When asked about their favourite parts of the exhibition, James expressed his excitement about the Chamber of Secrets.
“We’ve seen [the exhibition] in Cologne and Brussels, but it’s twice as big here in Singapore, and the Chamber of Secrets is incredible,” he enthused. “The door to get in is awesome, and once you’re inside, it’s so immersive. It’s so cool — you’ll love it!” (Indeed I did, James.)
Oliver added: “It literally feels like you’re stepping into the Wizarding World.” (Indeed it did, Oliver.)
It’s hard to describe, but the whole experience made me feel like I wasn’t just watching ‘Harry Potter’ from the sidelines anymore, wishing I could be part of that world.
This time, I was right in the middle of it, doing things I’d only seen on screen.
While the ‘Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience’ earlier this year let visitors try their hand at spell-casting as well, ‘Visions of Magic’ takes it to a whole new level, actually putting you into iconic scenes and sets from the films.
So whether you’re a long-time Potterhead, new to the Wizarding World, or just love interactive and immersive exhibitions, ‘Harry Potter: Visions of Magic’ will enchant you and leave you feeling like a true wizard or witch.
For more information and to get tickets, visit the official website.
During my inevitable next watch of the films, I can already picture myself pointing at the TV like that Leonardo DiCaprio meme and exclaiming: “Hey, I’ve been there!” Well, sort of — but you get what I mean.
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Featured image by MS News and courtesy of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic.
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