Can someone please explain to me the big deal about Ollivander's?

[Deb in IA]

Sorry if I missed it in earlier threads, but I keep reading about all the horrific lines for Ollivander's.

I thought it was just a wand shop, but it sounds like there is some sort of "show" there?

What is it all about, and is it worth the wait? Spoilers are OK!

We have 2 teens, ages 19 and 15, who are HP fans, but I don't know if this is something we HAVE to do with them.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[xApril]

It's more or less the wand selection process that Harry Potter went through to get his wand. I think 20 or 25 are let in at a time. One person is chosen to be selected for a wand.

There's videos on Youtube, if you want to get a general idea.

 

[Deb in IA]

Oh, OK, thanks.

I think we'll skip this. Sounds like it appeals more with younger kids. I think my teens will be bored.

 

[La2kw]

Sorry if I missed it in earlier threads, but I keep reading about all the horrific lines for Ollivander's.

I thought it was just a wand shop, but it sounds like there is some sort of "show" there?

What is it all about, and is it worth the wait? Spoilers are OK!

We have 2 teens, ages 19 and 15, who are HP fans, but I don't know if this is something we HAVE to do with them.

Thanks for any advice!

Ask your teens what Ollivander's is. If they are fans, they will know what it is. Tell them it's a show based on what happens to HP in book one when he buys his wand. They'll tell you if they want to go or not.

 

[La2kw]

Oh, OK, thanks.

I think we'll skip this. Sounds like it appeals more with younger kids. I think my teens will be bored.

You may be surprised. A teenager was picked in our group and she was totally surprised, a bit embarrassed, but enjoyed every minute of it. It was so cool to see her truly appreciate the experience.

 

[Freaky]

We did this this morning and even with early entry still had to wait in line for 1 hour!!!! They took about 20 people into the wand room and both our kids, DD14 & DS10, were selected by Olivanders so for us it was a very special experience

You may well be surprised as we too saw older children/young adults very excited about returning to the store. One guy in the line was relaying what happens to the family in front of him

 

[knieriem]

We did this this morning and even with early entry still had to wait in line for 1 hour!!!! They took about 20 people into the wand room and both our kids, DD14 & DS10, were selected by Olivanders so for us it was a very special experience

You may well be surprised as we too saw older children/young adults very excited about returning to the store. One guy in the line was relaying what happens to the family in front of him

Did your kids get to keep the wands or did you have to buy them?

My Big sis and I were talking about that when we were there on Tuesday. We thought it would be rude to give the kid a wand and then take it away if parents can't afford it!

 

[sunshineNJ]

How much does a wand cost? What do they do if anything? Thanks

 

[Freaky]

Did your kids get to keep the wands or did you have to buy them?

My Big sis and I were talking about that when we were there on Tuesday. We thought it would be rude to give the kid a wand and then take it away if parents can't afford it!

Yes they are given the wands and then everyone is led into the main shop where you can decide whether you wish to purchase them or just leave them on a shelf with the other wands which are for sale. I agree that it will put some parents in a difficult position - they were also given the speciality wands at $10 more than the normal Harry Potter one at $28.95!

Our eldest hadn't planned on getting a wand but then really wanted to keep the one 'selected' for her ......... so we bought both. Suppose if is a once in a lifetime thing and it's something they will always remember

 

[Albytaps]

I don't think the wait was worth it at all. I'd only see it again if the wait was 5 minutes or less.

I rather go on FJ single rider over and over.

 

[bdoyledimou]

What is so special about the wand that makes it anything more than a $30 piece of molded plastic? Does it light up? Sparkle? Talk?

 

[Albytaps]

The light up wands cost over $40. They are pretty neat though I must say.

 

[CTFamilyCruisers]

I'm so glad you asked this question and that I stumbled upon it and read the replies. We are totally skipping this one. Not much is worth a 1 hour wait in my book, let alone, a gift shop trap. Sorry - I haven't had my morning coffee yet --- I realize I am a little cranky. But man, I would have been rippin' mad if I had waited in that long line for that.

 

[John_RN]

I remember seeing someone's video posted on youtube of the show in Ollivanders. I thought it looked sort of cool, but once I heard about the horrendous lines everyday for it, I decided it is definitely something we will skip in 3 weeks when we go. I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan and so is my SO, but we both would rather see everything else.

 

[christykny]

Adding in my thanks for the question/answers on this. I'll be skipping this. With three boys, I cannot afford $30 wands and if one was chosen he'd want to buy his wand and the other three would reasonably expect the same.

 

[Deb in IA]

I remember seeing someone's video posted on youtube of the show in Ollivanders. I thought it looked sort of cool, but once I heard about the horrendous lines everyday for it, I decided it is definitely something we will skip in 3 weeks when we go. I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan and so is my SO, but we both would rather see everything else.

See, I'm thinking the same, John.

Not that my kids wouldn't enjoy it - or us, for that matter.

But if we have to wait for 2 hours for a show that might be "lame" to them, well, I think I'd rather spend my time on other things.

 

[knieriem]

Yes they are given the wands and then everyone is led into the main shop where you can decide whether you wish to purchase them or just leave them on a shelf with the other wands which are for sale. I agree that it will put some parents in a difficult position - they were also given the speciality wands at $10 more than the normal Harry Potter one at $28.95!

Our eldest hadn't planned on getting a wand but then really wanted to keep the one 'selected' for her ......... so we bought both. Suppose if is a once in a lifetime thing and it's something they will always remember

I can't believe they'd give a kid a wand and then not actually give it to them!! If it were Disney I think that they would just give the kid a wand.

I now feel bad for all those kids that get selected and their parents say no to the wand!

On a side note if you want to buy wands and not want to see the show they usually have a wagon of sorts set up across from FJ that sells wands.

 

[bubba's mom]

The light up wands cost over $40. They are pretty neat though I must say.

They are. Last nite I saw a little boy with the tip of his wand lit up and he was saying all sorts of weird words (spells i'm guessing), waving his wand around....he was really into it!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

>>n't believe they'd give a kid a wand and then not actually give it to them!! If it were Disney I think that they would just give the kid a wand.
<<

Disney doesn't give the light sabers from the Jedi Training Academy but you are more than welcome to buy them in the gift shop- Doesn't bother me a bit...

 

[damo]

I can't believe they'd give a kid a wand and then not actually give it to them!! If it were Disney I think that they would just give the kid a wand.

I now feel bad for all those kids that get selected and their parents say no to the wand!

On a side note if you want to buy wands and not want to see the show they usually have a wagon of sorts set up across from FJ that sells wands.

Maybe if it was a little plastic thingy that cost $.99 but at $30 a wand and a show every 10 minutes, that's about $2000.00 a day, $700,000.00 a year. I don't think any park would be doing that.

Also, in the movies and books, Ollivander doesn't give the students a wand, they have to purchase it so it should come as no surprise to anyone that people are expected to purchase their wand.