Get interactive wand first day or second day that's 11th birthday?

[meghead]

We will have 2 days to spend at US/IOA, Friday 10/6 and Saturday 10/7. We are visiting because we love Harry Potter! On the top of my girls' lists (DD 10 and DD 6) is getting the interactive wands. Should we do this on day 1, maximizing the time they get to use them, or wait until the second day, which is my DD's 11th birthday, with the hopes of her getting picked at the Olivander show?

Thanks! First time visit and super excited!

 

[bumbershoot]

There are wizard kids who turn 11 between their letter and going to hogwarts, so getting the wand before the birthday is fine.

Being picked for the show is separate. The wands they offer (for you to purchase) are not character wands but birth month based. So if your daughter wants a character wand the show won't make that easier. You don't use your own wand for it either, so having or not having a wand makes no difference.

Any of that make sense?

 

[meghead]

Thanks for your reply!

I had just read several posts here and trip reports that if you are wearing a Birthday button, you are likely to get chosen in the wand-choosing-the-wizard show, I thought that sounded cool and I know my daughter would love that! (We would purchase the wand that was chosen for her). So I was trying to decide if it worth waiting a day for that possibility/experience, or just go the first day we get there and have her pick out a wand that we can then use for 2 days instead of just 1.

 

[bchbetha]

I wouldn't bank on getting picked, pin or no pin. Buy it day one to maximize use.

 

[kylieelizabethhh]

Personally, I would get her a birthday button to wear for both days at the park. Consider it a "birth weekend." Go to Olivander's first thing in the morning when the crowds are less and she has a higher chance of being chosen. If she's chosen, great! She can purchase the wand. If she's not chosen, then she can still watch the show, then choose her own wand.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just like at Disney, if you're celebrating
something on the trip, wear the button.

Ds got the month wand when chosen for the ceremony* then immediately wanted the Harry wand. He now has about 5 wands. His father has 4.


*no clue why other than red hair. He was exhausted and not very animated, and the girl behind us wanted to be chosen way more but she insisted on him not giving his spot to her.

 

[snoopy5386]

Wear the button both days and get the wand the first day. We celebrated both my girls birthdays in Universal this spring, it was 2 weeks after my oldest turned 11, less than a week after my youngest turned 7, the trip was their present. They wore the buttons our whole trip. We did not get picked in Ollivanders, but as we were leaving Ollivander saw their buttons and pulled them aside for a special wand selection session without the special effects. They still chose different wands once we got into the store. We also had a CM let us skip the line in Hogwarts Castle. Birthday perks!

 

[Erintx7]

I would also suggest going to Ollivanders wand experience both days! Even if you get picked the first time it's cool to watch again and they can be a little different. The interactive wands were fun to use! And our wand boxes fit in the lockers, no problem.

 

[macraven]

The parks will be packed on those days you will be there.
Go early and hit Olivander show early in the morning.

Could be the shortest line of the day.

Are you staying onsite?


Take the HE around 4 to the other park.
(that is if you bought the p2p passes)
With the studios closing at 5, don't wait to the last minute for HE
IOA will be open later to probaly 8 those evenings you are there.


Sending you Mummy Dust that your daughter gets to be the chosen one in the show!