First Day at WWHP: Ollivanders vs. Gringotts?

[jbish]

Another question for this first-timer. I've seen on other thread that often people like to go through WWHP chronologically, which works well for us given that US is the park that opens early on our trip (first day in will be this Friday, March 29th). So we will hit Diagon Alley on our first morning. My boys are super excited to get wands from Ollivanders (again, works out well that we will have the one hour early access). But then I also want to go through the queue at Gringotts since I hear that this is part of the total experience.

So which should we do first? Seems like going to get the wands first thing would be the wise move. But by the time we are done, will the line for Gringotts be crazy? Or might we get through Ollivanders quickly enough that we can still beat the rest of the crowd?

Also, for Ollivanders, not everyone gets to go through the wand ceremony, correct? I know my boys would be so disappointed if they don't get selected. Should we try splitting them up to better our chances of them both getting selected?

 

[EmJ]

Another question for this first-timer. I've seen on other thread that often people like to go through WWHP chronologically, which works well for us given that US is the park that opens early on our trip (first day in will be this Friday, March 29th). So we will hit Diagon Alley on our first morning. My boys are super excited to get wands from Ollivanders (again, works out well that we will have the one hour early access). But then I also want to go through the queue at Gringotts since I hear that this is part of the total experience.

So which should we do first? Seems like going to get the wands first thing would be the wise move. But by the time we are done, will the line for Gringotts be crazy? Or might we get through Ollivanders quickly enough that we can still beat the rest of the crowd?

Also, for Ollivanders, not everyone gets to go through the wand ceremony, correct? I know my boys would be so disappointed if they don't get selected. Should we try splitting them up to better our chances of them both getting selected?

Gringott first, for sure. You won’t be able to take the wands onto the ride, so you’d then have to spend extra time putting them in lockers. Unless you already plan to need a locker, I’d get on Gringotts first and then head to Ollivanders.

Regarding the selection, I’ve only seen the show once. It’s cute, but very short unless they’ve changed it. Maybe three minutes. I would prepare your boys to not be selected. If they are, it would be a happy surprise, but better to avoid the disappointment if they’re not. Focus instead on having their wand choose them in the sales shop afterward

 

[EmJ]

Also, if you download the Universal app now, you can start seeing what wait times look like for Gringotts at 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, etc. It looks like the wait has been about 20 minutes instantly upon opening, and more than double that within 10 minutes of the park's regular opening time.

 

[jbish]

Gringott first, for sure. You won’t be able to take the wands onto the ride, so you’d then have to spend extra time putting them in lockers. Unless you already plan to need a locker, I’d get on Gringotts first and then head to Ollivanders.

Regarding the selection, I’ve only seen the show once. It’s cute, but very short unless they’ve changed it. Maybe three minutes. I would prepare your boys to not be selected. If they are, it would be a happy surprise, but better to avoid the disappointment if they’re not. Focus instead on having their wand choose them in the sales shop afterward

Oh I see, they can still get the "selection experience" in the shop, even if it's not for "the show" portion.

 

[EmJ]

Oh I see, they can still get the "selection experience" in the shop, even if it's not for "the show" portion.

Oh sorry, no, I wasn't clear. I was thinking more of the process of looking at the various wand choices and seeing which one "speaks" to you. If you are chosen during the Ollivander show, Ollivander picks out the wand, like in the books. So being chosen would be very special indeed, but you might get a wand you don't actually like very much (though, you don't have to buy it of course.) Whereas if you get your wand in the shop, you can see all the choices, try them out, wave them around, and see which one sparks YOUR magic.

Your kids won't care about some internet rando, but I was 100% positive I would purchase Hermione's wand, because I am Hermione to a T. But when I got there, I really felt drawn to Neville's wand, didn't buy anything at all that day because of my internal Potterhead conflict, and the next day decided Neville's wand was the one. So I think it chose me

 

[EmJ]

Oh sorry, no, I wasn't clear. I was thinking more of the process of looking at the various wand choices and seeing which one "speaks" to you. If you are chosen during the Ollivander show, Ollivander picks out the wand, like in the books. So being chosen would be very special indeed, but you might get a wand you don't actually like very much (though, you don't have to buy it of course.) Whereas if you get your wand in the shop, you can see all the choices, try them out, wave them around, and see which one sparks YOUR magic.

Your kids won't care about some internet rando, but I was 100% positive I would purchase Hermione's wand, because I am Hermione to a T. But when I got there, I really felt drawn to Neville's wand, didn't buy anything at all that day because of my internal Potterhead conflict, and the next day decided Neville's wand was the one. So I think it chose me

Also, the wands are interesting and quite different. They are weighted differently, have different handles, different lengths, some have designs carved into them... they each really do have their own feel, which someone might like better or worse. DH got Sirius' wand which has rune-type carvings along its entire length. It's beautiful to look at, but I think it feels thin and scratchy to hold.

Also, have your boys done the Pottermore wand selection? If not, it is really very cool, and they can find out what their "real" wand is. Ollivander's sells generic interactive wands in ash, holly, ivy, reed, birch, and oak, so they might be able to get one that matches their Pottermore wand.

 

[jbish]

Also, the wands are interesting and quite different. They are weighted differently, have different handles, different lengths, some have designs carved into them... they each really do have their own feel, which someone might like better or worse. DH got Sirius' wand which has rune-type carvings along its entire length. It's beautiful to look at, but I think it feels thin and scratchy to hold.

Also, have your boys done the Pottermore wand selection? If not, it is really very cool, and they can find out what their "real" wand is. Ollivander's sells generic interactive wands in ash, holly, ivy, reed, birch, and oak, so they might be able to get one that matches their Pottermore wand.

They have been BEGGING me to do Pottermore for them so that they can definitively know which house they belong to. (We have our guesses.) Did not realize wands were also a part of Pottermore, but of course it is. So, since you're a big Potterhead, do you know if you can do more than one sorting per Pottermore account? Or for my two boys, will one have to do it with my account and then have DH open an account for the other kid?

Thanks for your input, though. I actually like the idea of them getting a wand that they really love. I'm sure, like you, they have an idea of what they want. In the end, that will be more meaningful than what the guy in the shop chooses for them. I'll tell them in advance so that they can know what the two difference experiences are.

 

[EmJ]

They have been BEGGING me to do Pottermore for them so that they can definitively know which house they belong to. (We have our guesses.) Did not realize wands were also a part of Pottermore, but of course it is. So, since you're a big Potterhead, do you know if you can do more than one sorting per Pottermore account? Or for my two boys, will one have to do it with my account and then have DH open an account for the other kid?

Thanks for your input, though. I actually like the idea of them getting a wand that they really love. I'm sure, like you, they have an idea of what they want. In the end, that will be more meaningful than what the guy in the shop chooses for them. I'll tell them in advance so that they can know what the two difference experiences are.

Pottermore is actually quite child-friendly and visually beautiful, but you do need a unique email address for each account. Sorting, getting your wand, and finding out your patronus can only be done once per account—no do-overs—so they would each need their own. My avi is actually my own patronus, the piebald stallion. DH got a Pegasus and I still have major patronus envy, lol!

 

[jbish]

Pottermore is actually quite child-friendly and visually beautiful, but you do need a unique email address for each account. Sorting, getting your wand, and finding out your patronus can only be done once per account—no do-overs—so they would each need their own. My avi is actually my own patronus, the piebald stallion. DH got a Pegasus and I still have major patronus envy, lol!

That's so cool! Thanks again for all of your insight. The boys and I are super excited about this trip. DH and DD are just along for the ride. LOL Can't wait to see what the boys get as their patroni(? is that the plural? haha)

 

[EmJ]

That's so cool! Thanks again for all of your insight. The boys and I are super excited about this trip. DH and DD are just along for the ride. LOL Can't wait to see what the boys get as their patroni(? is that the plural? haha)

I’m excited for you too, lol! Please report back how they (and you) like it. I have to say, I am happy to hear that Harry Potter still excites kids in the younger generations. I wasn’t much older than them when I first read Sorcerer’s Stone, and have been dreaming of going to Hogwarts basically ever since

 

[RachaelA]

We did Gringotts then olivanders last November our first day and it worked great.

 

[jbish]

I’m excited for you too, lol! Please report back how they (and you) like it. I have to say, I am happy to hear that Harry Potter still excites kids in the younger generations. I wasn’t much older than them when I first read Sorcerer’s Stone, and have been dreaming of going to Hogwarts basically ever since

Thanks again for all of your insight last week. Just got back last night and the boys just had an absolute blast. It was everything they had imagined it would be!! One of them got the house he thought he would get (Ravenclaw) but other surprised us all by getting Hufflepuff (thought for sure he would get Gryffindor or Ravenclaw). But he embraced his "real" house and got his gear. Overall, we had a great time. We were there for four days, including one day in the water park, which gave us plenty of time to really do as much as we wanted. Getting to US on the early opening day got us into Ollivanders with little wait. That was the only time I felt like we had to get there early. Otherwise, with the Express Pass that came with our resort reservation, we felt like we could do whatever rides we wanted. The boys did nearly every spell. Got to eat at both Three Broomsticks and Leaky Cauldron. Plenty of Butterbeer. We did it right. Now, to keep the magic alive, I'll make sure we get back on to Pottermore to get their patronus and their wands. So glad we brought them at this age - the magic is truly alive for them.

 

[EmJ]

Thanks again for all of your insight last week. Just got back last night and the boys just had an absolute blast. It was everything they had imagined it would be!! One of them got the house he thought he would get (Ravenclaw) but other surprised us all by getting Hufflepuff (thought for sure he would get Gryffindor or Ravenclaw). But he embraced his "real" house and got his gear. Overall, we had a great time. We were there for four days, including one day in the water park, which gave us plenty of time to really do as much as we wanted. Getting to US on the early opening day got us into Ollivanders with little wait. That was the only time I felt like we had to get there early. Otherwise, with the Express Pass that came with our resort reservation, we felt like we could do whatever rides we wanted. The boys did nearly every spell. Got to eat at both Three Broomsticks and Leaky Cauldron. Plenty of Butterbeer. We did it right. Now, to keep the magic alive, I'll make sure we get back on to Pottermore to get their patronus and their wands. So glad we brought them at this age - the magic is truly alive for them.

Awwwww, I’m so glad they had fun!! I’m a Ravenclaw myself and my husband, who thought he’d be a Gryffindor, is a Slytherin lol! He too has embraced his “true house” though. How did you like the trip?!

 

[jbish]

Awwwww, I’m so glad they had fun!! I’m a Ravenclaw myself and my husband, who thought he’d be a Gryffindor, is a Slytherin lol! He too has embraced his “true house” though. How did you like the trip?!

DH and I had fun. But I'm really a Disney fan at heart, so all weekend I just found myself comparing the two. And, in my mind, Universal doesn't compare to Disney, overall. However, I think WWHP is really well done - it is very "Disney-like" in the level of detail and immersion. I just really liked seeing things through the boys' eyes. Just like when I took my daughter for the first time to WDW as a four-year old who was ALL about the princesses. Just makes everything worth it. Oh, and DH really enjoyed the "Feast" at Three Broomsticks. So we all got something out of it!