A few HP questions

[Ariel620]

universal newbie here:

1. Where is the best place to buy the interactive wands? We are potter fans!

2. Does the Hogwarts express go both directions? Is it worth riding both ways? We have EP and park to park Tix.

 

[leiaorgana]

1. Defo get your wand from Ollivanders in Diagon Alley if you want the full Potter experience but they do also sell them at most places that sell wands in the parks.

2. Yes, the Hogwarts Express goes both ways & it’s a different experience both directions. You get on at King’s Cross Station at Uni & at Hogsmeade Station in IOA & you can use your EP for it too.

 

[sam_gordon]

Defo get your wand from Ollivanders in Diagon Alley if you want the full Potter experience but they do also sell them at most places that sell wands in the parks.

When we were there the day after Christmas, the line for Ollivanders was LONG. However, right outside was a cart selling the same wands (interactive and not). We elected to get ours from the cart (no wait). Yes, we probably missed some theming, but it wasn't worth waiting in the line. Just letting OP know that's an option.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Both Diagon Alley (at US) and Hogsmeade (at IOA) have an Ollivander's shop where you are brought in by small groups to see a "wand pick the wizard" usually a youngster. After the show, everyone is herded into the wand shop, where you can browse and/or purchase a wand for yourself. The Ollivander's show is not required to purchase a wand, it's just a fun experience to see at least once, but I'd skip it if the lines are long outside or wait until evening when it's less crowded. The wand shops are small and get cramped since everyone is opening boxes to check out different style wands. If you want, you can go online and look at different character's wands which will save time when you go to purchase them. Hermione's wand seems to be a favorite as well as the Elder wand. My daughter and I didn't buy character wands, instead we opted for wands made of the wood associated with our birthday on the Celtic calendar, which I think JK Rowling did with at least some of the HP characters. We used google to find the calendar. There are several carts that sell all the wands, also Gregorovitch's Wand Shop in Diagon Alley, as well as the big Universal gift shops at the front of the parks, so you have plenty of choices when you want to buy.

Have a blast picking out your wand! Be sure to keep the box it comes in, the TSA has never bothered us as long as we pack it in the box.

 

[leiaorgana]

I meant just go straight into the Ollivanders wand shop, not do the full show......

 

[AngiTN]

When we were there the day after Christmas, the line for Ollivanders was LONG. However, right outside was a cart selling the same wands (interactive and not). We elected to get ours from the cart (no wait). Yes, we probably missed some theming, but it wasn't worth waiting in the line. Just letting OP know that's an option.

The line you saw would have been for the show/choosing ceremony. You can always go in the shop to buy, without going through the ceremony.

That said, I'd do the ceremony if you are a Potter fan. If Diagon Alley is too long you can always go to the Hogsmeade and do it where the line is often shorter.

 

[Travelgrrl]

We saw the wand show in Hogsmeade in fall of 2017 and it was a highlight of our trip. Even before my niece was picked for the wand ceremony, I was enthralled by the cast member who played the wand maker. He was just excellent, and it honestly moved me to soft tears, just from the realism of it. I REALLY felt as if I was in the books! When my niece was chosen, I ended up all out boo hoo-ing with fond emotion.

If the lines aren't terrible (and it seemed as if the Hogsmeade (IOA) Ollivanders one is less so), it's certainly worth a look, especially if you're planning to buy a wand anyway!