Episode 195: A Great Big Magical World

SpeakBeasty: A Fantastic Beasts Podcast

• Time isn't a real thing and we made it up.
• Thanks to this week's Patreon supporter, Allee!
• Phoenix Register: Hogwarts Legacy is the best-selling game in the UK and the US for 2023. It was also the most-searched game on Google.
• A giant elder wand has gone up at Epic Universe! Pictures here. It's acting as a beacon to mark the entrance of the Wizarding World land.
• Sad news: with episode 200, we're bringing SpeakBeasty to a close. It's not goodbye, it's see you later!
• The last episode is actually dropping 3/31, not right before the eclipse.
• “My dog's really cute, and so is my husband, and I'm kinda funny…”
• Main Discussion: Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts experiences in Edinburgh!
• We talk about The Elephant House Cafe, Greyfriars Kirkyard, various inspirations for Hogwarts (including Donaldson Hall), Victoria Street, Museum Context, Loch Ness, the Kelpies, Scottish wildcats, and Edinburgh’s history with witches.
• Marjolaine mentions a special experience in the Elephant House's bathroom.
• How many bottles of whisky did Chris bring home??
• Sometimes the lizard brain kicks in.
• Find out the daring way Ann distracted the TSA from noticing all of Chris’ whisky.
• No-Maj Movie Magic: location scouting!
• Find out what a location scout has to look for, and how it applied to the Fantastic Beasts series.
• We've linked it before, but the interview with Christian Manz can be read here.

Podcast Question: Why do you think the Elder Wand was chosen as the Wizarding World beacon at Epic Universe? What would you have chosen?