After you talked about how there's so many details and props, it made me think maybe one of the reasons for guided tours and not letting people just wander around is to keep stuff from being messed with.
so glad you enjoyed it. You've probably left NZ by now, but as a pale skinned kiwi to a pale skinned Viking I just wanted to say - wear sunblock in NZ. The burn time in NZ in the middle of the day in summer is under 10 minutes. The sun is brutal there.
The guide should be dressed like a hobbit. Or Gandalf. They should allow you to wander after the tour. There should be recreations, too. Like you're walking on the tour and an actor playing Bilbo runs past you shouting 'im going on an adventure' as he disappears over a hill.
If the area was open for people to wander as they liked, with as many people as possible, it would be completely destroyed after a few years. While the majority of people and most of us watching would be respectful, anyone who travels regularly knows a good 10% of all tourists suck and either accidentally or intentionally destroy the places they visit by stealing things as souvenirs, vandalizing and breaking things, or walking off trail. Having it guided will preserve it for many years to come. It’s on my budget list!
Oh man, I am so so desperate to do this! I plan to visit my friend in Australia next year and have been debating adding on some time in New Zealand to go.
Gotta admit, even with some of the potential negatives, this looks magical. A bit jealous, for sure, but thanks for sharing your experience and insights!
It is pretty expensive imo, worth it if you are a fan though. I live 40 mins away and have been twice. Check out the south island though, heaps of middle earth film locations you can access for free!
The harry potter studio tour in london seems to be about the same price. Its £56 which is currently ~$123 new Zealand dollars so basically the same price. I don't know how the experience compares however
After you talked about how there's so many details and props, it made me think maybe one of the reasons for guided tours and not letting people just wander around is to keep stuff from being messed with.
totally
so glad you enjoyed it. You've probably left NZ by now, but as a pale skinned kiwi to a pale skinned Viking I just wanted to say - wear sunblock in NZ. The burn time in NZ in the middle of the day in summer is under 10 minutes. The sun is brutal there.
My jealousy is immeasurable right now.
The guide should be dressed like a hobbit. Or Gandalf. They should allow you to wander after the tour. There should be recreations, too. Like you're walking on the tour and an actor playing Bilbo runs past you shouting 'im going on an adventure' as he disappears over a hill.
If the area was open for people to wander as they liked, with as many people as possible, it would be completely destroyed after a few years. While the majority of people and most of us watching would be respectful, anyone who travels regularly knows a good 10% of all tourists suck and either accidentally or intentionally destroy the places they visit by stealing things as souvenirs, vandalizing and breaking things, or walking off trail. Having it guided will preserve it for many years to come. It’s on my budget list!
Very cool! Glad you were able to have this experience. I hope to some day as well!
@@RedFuryBooks thank you, mate!
Oh man, I am so so desperate to do this! I plan to visit my friend in Australia next year and have been debating adding on some time in New Zealand to go.
Love that you got to do this!
@@AndrewsWizardlyReads Thank you, Andrew!
I live nearby and have been three times, I love it every time!
Very cool mate glad you got to see this
Feels like a dream! Seemed like a pretty good time, great vid!
Looks amazing place!! 😊
Gotta admit, even with some of the potential negatives, this looks magical. A bit jealous, for sure, but thanks for sharing your experience and insights!
That's such a cool trip to make. Definitely worth it sounds like.
It is pretty expensive imo, worth it if you are a fan though. I live 40 mins away and have been twice.
Check out the south island though, heaps of middle earth film locations you can access for free!
The harry potter studio tour in london seems to be about the same price. Its £56 which is currently ~$123 new Zealand dollars so basically the same price. I don't know how the experience compares however
Total bucket list item for me. Happy for you but jealous AF.
Awww man I wanna go too
dude why are you taking pictures of my house
Frodo B-Baggins? Is that you?
@@HelloFutureMe 😅
Are these actually homes or is it just a door and nothing behind it? I know you said they are empty but are they just empty homes ?