Magic selfies Chicago is a popular trend among tourists and locals alike. In this era of social media and technology, taking pictures has become an essential part of our lives. And what better way to capture memories than with magical selfies in the vibrant city of Chicago? Chicago is known for its stunning architecture, beautiful parks, and dynamic cityscape. From iconic skyscrapers like the Willis Tower and John Hancock Center to famous landmarks like Millennium Park and Navy Pier, there is no shortage of picturesque spots to take your magic selfies. But what exactly are magic selfies? Magic selfies are imaginative and creative photos that use special effects and editing techniques to transform ordinary pictures into extraordinary ones. These selfies often incorporate elements of fantasy, such as levitation, manipulation of objects, or illusionary backgrounds.
Designing a Harry Potter LEGO Minifig
Select a Hogwarts House, hair color, accessories, and backdrop for your figure, then step in front of the lectern and gaze into the Mirror of Erised. Select a Hogwarts House, hair color, accessories, and backdrop for your figure, then step in front of the lectern and gaze into the Mirror of Erised.
These selfies often incorporate elements of fantasy, such as levitation, manipulation of objects, or illusionary backgrounds. There are several ways to achieve magic selfies in Chicago. One popular method is through the use of photography apps and editing software.
Harry Potter: Magic at Play at Water Tower Place in Chicago
Start out on Privet Drive outside the Dursley's house, where you can see hedges, the brick exterior, and owls perched on the rooftop. Step inside to see the letters flying out of the fireplace to invite Harry to Hogwarts. You can also peek inside the closet under the stairs that serves as Harry's bedroom. A small climbing structure lets kids climb up the chimney and slide down the stairs—it's a little tight for grown-ups, but our kids loved it.
Platform 9 3/4
Next, visit King's Cross Station, where kids can take pictures pushing a luggage cart through a brick wall. You'll also get a glimpse of the Hogwarts Express as it travels towards.
Hogsmeade
This tiny taste of the fictional village shows the luggage being unloaded from the train and a candy cart representing Honeydukes. It makes for a few fun pictures, but there's nothing to touch or play with here.
Exploring the Hogwarts Boats
Hogwarts Boats
Kids can sit in the Hogwarts boats and imagine traveling across the Black Lake to get to the fabled school. Lighting effects mimic water and create the shadows of the creatures within the lake on the floor.
The Great Hall
See floating chandeliers and find your house table before taking a picture with your group in the Great Hall. Lots of little details make this a fun room to explore.
Portrait Gallery and Sorting Hats
Walk past a series of pictures of famous and semi-famous witches, wizards, and ghosts. If you're using your imagination, you just may see some of them move or follow you with their eyes! Kids can then sit on a stool beneath the Sorting Hat and listen as it chooses which house they should be placed in. Your picture is taken as you are sorted, so you can choose to purchase it at the end or as part of a photo package.
Class is in session at Hogwarts.
Hogwarts Classrooms
Take a picture with stacks of books before learning how to cast a spell in the Charms classroom. You'll learn to swish and flick while chanting "Wingardium Leviosa" to make a feather float up within a glass cloche. Then, move on to the Potions section where you can see, touch, and smell the many different ingredients you read about in the Harry Potter books, from Adder's Fork to Wormwood.
Four giant cauldrons in the Divination room are ready for kids to stir and see what images they can conjure. They'll also see the shadows of pixies—not the sweet Tinkerbell kind—in the Defense Against the Dark Arts room. See if you can come up with the right magic word to freeze their shadows on the wall. This series of rooms was my daughter's favorite because of all the chances for interaction and the chance to identify the plotlines from the books.
Do you have what it takes for Quidditch?
Quidditch Pitch
Do you have the reflexes to be a great seeker or the aim to be a good chaser? Find out on the Quidditch pitch! Try to touch the light-up Snitch before it disappears in an array of hexagons to prove your seeking skills. Then, take pictures on a broomstick against a green screen to create a gravity-defying shot to share. One of our kids may have actually thrown a bludger at just the right moment, so it looks like they're actually playing. Then, you can toss quaffles through a series of hoops to prove your skills as a chaser. This room is also highly interactive and probably the most fun for the not-as-diehard fans of the stories, like our son. The active sports elements are great for burning some energy.
Designing a Harry Potter LEGO Minifig
Create and animate your own Harry Potter LEGO Minifigure
Step up to a lectern with an electronic touch screen to create a LEGO Harry Potter figure. Select a Hogwarts House, hair color, accessories, and backdrop for your figure, then step in front of the lectern and gaze into the Mirror of Erised. The LEGO figure will follow your motions to make a short video. Kids should have their dance moves ready to have some fun with this part of the pop-up. You'll get an image of the minifig you create sent to your email.
The Forbidden Forest
For kids who are a little more skittish, the lead-up to the Forbidden Forest may be a little scary, but there are no jump scares here. Kids can pick up a lantern to walk through the black-lit forest and shine a light on the walls and trees to see what they find. Patronuses and dementors are hidden and waiting to be illuminated as you pass through. A final green screen photo allows you to cast a spell and see your own Patronus when you order the pictures.
TriWizard Tournament Maze
This is the semi-final stop on the journey, where kids run though an astroturf hedge maze with little surprises in each hidden corner. It's actually kind of easy to lose your kids in here, so make sure you keep an eye on potential runners. Look out for Spectrespecs, Nifflers, Whomping Willows, and more as you turn around each bend. Check out the Knight Bus on your way out to.
You can taste Butter Beer and buy gifts with your house logo or mascot.
The Gift Shop, Butter Beer Bar, and Owl Post Office
You can buy almost anything you can imagine with your house logo or mascot on it. Apparel, pins, plush toys, mugs, keychains, and of course, wands are all available for Harry Potter fans of all ages. Luckily, there are a few reasonably priced items, like pins and water bottle stickers, if you're not ready to spring for a full set of Gryffindor robes yet (because you know once you do that they'll decide they're actually a Hufflepuff.)
If you've every wanted a taste of Butter Beer, here's your chance. It's non-alcoholic and it's actually on tap for $9 for a 12 ounce cup. Spoiler alert: It's a little like a melted butterscotch Dum Dum with light carbonation and foam. You get to keep the cup, so if you're looking for an inexpensive souvenir, this may be your winner. Our kids also wanted to try the Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, which are on hand here for $3 for a 1.2 ounce package. Fair warning: Half or more of the package we got were actually disgusting flavors like vomit, dirt, booger, and earthworm, and the kids dared Dad to eat most of those. This was fun for about three beans and then kind of gross. Choose chocolate frogs or one of the array of pastries available if you're looking for something to fill little bellies.
You can also stop by the Owl Post and pick out an exclusive Harry Potter themed post card to send to Muggles back home. This is a fun way to commemorate the experience.
For kids (and adults) who are truly Order of Merlin Witches and Wizards, the Harry Potter: Magic at Play experience is not to be missed. It's also a great place for little Gilderoy Lockharts to take one-of a-kind selfies to share and show off. Muggles and squibs will also likely find something they like here, but they may be in and out in a shorter period of time. So grab your wand, get on your broomstick and kick off for a unique experience in Harry Potter: Magic at Play.
All photos are courtesy of the author.
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Step up to a lectern with an electronic touch screen to create a LEGO Harry Potter figure. Select a Hogwarts House, hair color, accessories, and backdrop for your figure, then step in front of the lectern and gaze into the Mirror of Erised. The LEGO figure will follow your motions to make a short video. Kids should have their dance moves ready to have some fun with this part of the pop-up. You'll get an image of the minifig you create sent to your email.
Apps like Snapseed, Adobe Photoshop, or VSCO offer a wide range of filters, effects, and tools that can help you create visually stunning and enchanting images. Another way to achieve magic selfies is through the use of props and costumes. Chicago has a variety of stores and boutiques where you can find unique and quirky accessories or costumes to enhance your photos. Whether it's fairy wings, a unicorn horn, or a superhero cape, these props can add a touch of magic and whimsy to your selfies. Moreover, Chicago offers numerous street art and mural installations that serve as perfect backdrops for magic selfies. Local artists have beautified the city's walls with vibrant and thought-provoking artwork, providing endless opportunities for creative photography. It's important to remember that magic selfies are not just about the final image but also about the experience and story behind them. Exploring the city, discovering hidden gems, and immersing yourself in the Chicago culture can all contribute to making your magic selfies memorable and unique. So, grab your camera or smartphone, unleash your imagination, and venture out into the marvelous city of Chicago to capture your very own magic selfies. Whether you're a visitor or a native, this trend is sure to bring a touch of enchantment and wonder to your photography journey..
Reviews for "Mastering the Selfie Wand: Tips and Tricks for Magical Chicago Photos"
1. Jane - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with my experience at Magic Selfies Chicago. The props were worn-out and looked like they hadn't been replaced in ages. The quality of the printed photos was also very poor, with most of them coming out blurred or pixelated. The staff were unhelpful and seemed disinterested in ensuring we had a good time. Overall, it was a complete waste of money and I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a fun photo booth experience.
2. Mark - 2 stars - I had high expectations for Magic Selfies Chicago but unfortunately, they fell short. The photo booth itself was tiny and cramped, making it difficult to take pictures comfortably. The lighting was also poor, resulting in dull and unflattering photos. The pricing was quite high for the subpar experience we received. I will definitely be looking for a better photo booth option next time I'm in Chicago.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was not impressed with Magic Selfies Chicago. The staff seemed disorganized and overwhelmed with the number of customers. We had to wait in line for a long time to get our turn, and even then, the photo booth was not properly set up. The props were limited and uninteresting. The photos we received were of low quality and not worth the price we paid. I would not recommend this place if you're looking for a professional and enjoyable photo booth experience.