Taking the Kids: See where Harry Potter came to the big screen

The scale model of Hogwarts (which takes up a very large room) took 40 artists seven months -- with tiny tiles placed on each of the towers by hand.

See how some of the thousands of visual effects worked, like the motion rigs used to make the characters fly. Wave your hand over a screen to make the carrots chop or the pan wash itself in the Weasley kitchen. Learn how the Creatures Effects department built Lord Voldemort's face.

Pose for a selfie on Platform 9-3/4 and climb aboard the original Hogwarts Express steam train. See how those iconic train scenes were filmed.

Who knew the first wands were bejeweled -- until J.K. Rowling said they should be made of wood and designed for each wizard. Who knew those working behind the scenes on the films were models for the 350 enchanted portraits.

Who knew there were more than 250 animal actors who played Fang the dog, Crookshanks the cat, the Snowy Owl and others -- all looked after by a team of dedicated animal trainers.

Rebecca Fielding and her two daughters Rebecca, 11, and Bethany 5, were decked out in wizarding robes and said they'd driven four hours for the experience -- for the second time.

"I'm the biggest fan," she said.

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Make sure to book your Warner Bros. tickets ahead at www.wbstudiotour.co.uk -- the tickets are a little less than $52 for adults, $40 for kids and $158 for a family of four. Take the fast train to Watford Junction where shuttle buses are waiting. Alternatively, you can book (more expensive) bus tours from London throughGolden Tours.

It's actually pretty easy to get here by train -- a 20-minute train ride from Euston Station in London followed by a quick shuttle bus ride -- less than $20 per person with an Oyster Card that gives you discounted train and tube fares.

Of course, there are plenty of options for where to stay in London where hotels are increasingly kid-friendly. The upscale One Aldwych in Covent Garden, for example, touts a kids-free package and a special Afternoon Tea inspired by "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (the musical is playing nearby.)

If you want large American-sized rooms and the kid-friendly JW Steakhouse, consider the historic JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane across the road from Hyde Park or try the new Safestay London Holland Park, a new style luxury hostel opening Aug. 1 in a historic building within the park where family rooms can be had for under $100 a night. You might be able to save some money by booking an air-hotel package on British Airways or Virgin Atlantic, which wins kudos for their family amenities like the new onboard Thomas the Tank engine film coupled with Thomas toys to keep the littlest travelers occupied.

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(For more on Eileen's trip to Britain, read her trip diaries at www.takingthekids and check out her Kid's Guides to major American Cities. Follow @TakingtheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.)