The first Harry Potter™ movie was released more than 20 years ago, but still today the craze for the Wizarding World grows larger yearly. We absolutely love anything Harry Potter-related in Singapore so when we heard the world-famous Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience was coming to Sentosa…we went into a frenzy.
The famous immersive experience made its Asia Pacific debut along Sentosa Coastal Trail on February 3. The 1.3km trail has been transformed into an eerie-but-enchanting Forbidden Forest to take Harry Potter fans on a journey into the unknown.
Already, the Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience has mesmerised thousands of people in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. But the Singapore event is only temporary until April 21 so if you want to check it out, you’ll need to book a visit soon.
Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest review
As night falls, the experience will teleport visitors into a whimsical world filled with fantasy creatures from the Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™ movies, unlike anything you have ever imagined, in a unique location along the waterfront on the Sentosa Coastal Trail.
The adventure combines state-of-the-art technology, colourful projections, and special effects, which brings the famous creatures from the franchises to life – all complemented by an audio soundtrack and popular quotes only true Potterheads will know. Fever and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc’s experience was crafted by award-winning designers and a team of experts. Here’s what to expect from Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience in Singapore.
First impressions at Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience
I began my journey into the Forbidden Forest at the entrance across from Siloso Point Station. Upon arrival, friendly staff guided me into the Harry Potter™ outdoor walk which boasts colourful projections in the trees, stunning lanterns, and the well-known Harry Potter™ theme tune playing in the background.
Feel like you’ve stepped inside the Harry Potter books and movies as you wander around 14 interactive elements within one hour. Side note: I completed my journey in 45 minutes but I’m a fast walker and I decided to avoid queues by instead watching people try the cool activities and attractions.
Singapore’s Forbidden Forest highlights
The first highlight is the illuminated Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience landmark where you’ll find people lining up to get their picture taken. The queue moves quickly because there are a few crew members ready to use your phones to take iconic pictures of you and your gang. So, it’s the perfect activity to do alone too!
The entertainment continues along the pathway through the woodlands which is continuously illuminated with colourful projections until you reach larger-than-life sculptures of Hagrid and Fangs around pumpkins. There, you’ll hear Hagrid’s best quotes playing which will make you feel part of the magic.
Further down the path, you’ll come across owls like a Hedwig, gentle giants, illuminated mushrooms, a talking spider Aragog from the Chamber of Secrets, naughty nifflers from Fantastic Beasts, and fiercely proud Hippogriffs. Particularly, visitors were super excited about bowing in front of a Hippogriff to see if the Hippogriff would bow back – and in most cases he did. After the Hippogriffs, you’ll come across an iconic sculpture of Hagrid’s half brother, Grawp the gentle giant, which is another epic photo opportunity.
I absolutely loved the disappearing illusions of Harry’s Patronus charm from the Prisoner of Azkaban halfway through the experience. Harry’s Expecto Patronus spell can be heard when this ball of light appears and you can also queue up to cast your own Patronus charm. Another life-like illusion of a unicorn walking through the forest had visitors fascinated too just like me!
Meanwhile, Muggles are frequently warned with BEWARE signs along the pathway throughout the immersive experience.
My favourite part of Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience has to be the projections along the waterfront. Here, the team set up a place to light up lanterns by shouting INCENDIO and using a wand to cast spells. Further along the pathway, you can unleash your inner wizard and dual it out in a wand battle just like Harry and Voldemort. The backdrop of Fort Siloso makes it even more spectacular and adds to the magic!
Additionally, you can relive the iconic scene from the Chamber of Secrets of Ron’s car smashed in the Forbidden Forest near the end of the immersive experience. Definitely, one of the most unique things to do in Singapore this season.
The Village and other activities
The Village is the perfect place to rest and recharge once you’ve finished roaming around the Harry Potter™ outdoor walk in Sentosa. The pop-up Harry Potter market features themed food, delicious cakes, drinks, and a gift shop selling the Forbidden Forest exclusive merchandise that features magical creatures from both Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter™.
The menus are filled with exciting bespoke items offered by a resort-quality catering partner. Forest Fancies highlights include indulgent treats such as Hogwarts Delight chicken wings, Chocolate Bon Bons filled with popping candy, Chocolate Frog Mug Cake, Hogwarts House Surprise Buns where you can take a bite to find out your Hogwarts House, Iced Salted Caramel Macchiato for coffee lovers, to name a few.
Meanwhile, you can sip Butterbeer to your heart’s content from the Butterbeer stand, alongside drooling cookies and ice cream like soft-serve Chocolate Chili Ice Cream and Butterscotch Ice Cream.
Be sure to download the app which offers extra interactive elements and you can use it to navigate the woodlands walk.
How to get tickets
Tickets begin at $35 for children and $44 per adult. There’s elevated family bundle packs which includes the likes of souvenirs and tote bags, starting at $38. Get tickets via Fever for this extraordinary experience in Sentosa.
Overall, Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience is a truly unmissable experience in Singapore for Harry Potter fans. Definitely, one of the most exciting things to do in Singapore until April 2024 and it lives up to the expectation if you’re a true Harry Potter fan.
🕒 7:45 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (last entry at 10:15 p.m.)
📍 Siloso Point, Coastal Trail, Sentosa
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