How does Ollivanders work these days?

[torchlight]

Hello! Have been focusing more on planning the Disney portion of our upcoming vacation, and I appreciate that I don’t think we need to do quite as much planning for the Universal portion, but I still want to make sure we have a good idea of what to expect.

We are staying onsite in early May and so should have early entry and express pass. At the top of our priority list is all the Harry Potter stuff. We will not be trying to do Velicocoaster or Hagrids during early entry. Our first day there (a Sunday), we’d like to go for early entry and just enjoy the immersion in the Harry Potter area.

One thing we really want to do is get wands at Ollivanders and it would be great to get those early so we can do the fun interactive stuff with them throughout the day. I have been having trouble finding up to date information on exactly how Ollivanders is “working” these days (one family at a time? something else?) or confirming it is open during early entry.

Any helpful advice if this experience is high on our priority list? Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

Definitely get your wand first then try to do some spells before the streets fill up even more. It's really the only time to enjoy the atmosphere and spells while having a little space to breathe (since so many others are in line for VC and Hagrids). Also get your photos on the bridge with the castle in the background. That gets much harder as the crowds build.

 

[jormom1030]

We were just there on Wednesday. You are in the room with up to 30 people.

 

[torchlight]

Thanks! That’s good info. How does entrance work? Is there just a physical line to get in, or do you make a reservation in advance, or maybe a virtual queue or “return time” system of some kind?

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Thanks! That’s good info. How does entrance work? Is there just a physical line to get in, or do you make a reservation in advance, or maybe a virtual queue or “return time” system of some kind?

You wait in line and they let a certain number in for each show.

 

[jormom1030]

And when you tell your 14 year old that you aren’t buying a wand, they get picked at the ceremony and after seeing the huge smile on her face you shell out the $60.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

And when you tell your 14 year old that you aren’t buying a wand, they get picked at the ceremony and after seeing the huge smile on her face you shell out the $60.

After taking your 10 year old for the second year and you’re thrilled because the wand that picked her after she was picked was the exact wand she has. Only to be told through tears that hers is not THE wand that picked her. $50 for the exact same wand. They really should give you a small discount.

 

[kbelle8995]

When I went at Early entry I discovered that the biggest line was for Ollivanders wand pick show, Not Gringotts. I walked in the store itself and treated to some assistance from the TMs who are wonderful by the way. So if someone doesn't get picked they still get some great assistance by in character team members. I can't tell you how much this made me happy. You won't get the HP music or spell effects but it is very nice

I knew which one I wanted. Yes I am a woman of a certain age who owns a wand, don't at me. And the AP discount does save some on these which is great

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

There will only be early entry at IoA and not at US the first two days of our trip. I really want to do Ollivanders in Diagon Alley in keeping with the books, and I'm wondering if it would be a good strategy to go to IoA for Early Entry, ride Hagrids, then take the train over to DA when it normally opens. Will most of the folks who wanted to do the wands just do so in Hogsmeade, or will there still be big rope drop crowds at Ollivanders in DA?

 

[kbelle8995]

There will only be early entry at IoA and not at US the first two days of our trip. I really want to do Ollivanders in Diagon Alley in keeping with the books, and I'm wondering if it would be a good strategy to go to IoA for Early Entry, ride Hagrids, then take the train over to DA when it normally opens. Will most of the folks who wanted to do the wands just do so in Hogsmeade, or will there still be big rope drop crowds at Ollivanders in DA?

Both Ollivanders have the show. They will head to the one they have. Ollivanders at Hogsmeade is smaller than the Diagon Alley one. Yes, they will head there no matter which Ollivanders it is. There are wands available at other areas in the land itself. But if you want Ollivanders itself than you should just head there because the line is long no matter what park it's in.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

I really want to do Ollivanders in Diagon Alley in keeping with the books,

Lots of people want to do it that way, plus the Ollivanders in DA is a bigger store than the one in Hogsmeade. Honestly, I would get the wands out of the way first thing, then you're all set for spells. If you wait for the train, there will definitely be a line otherwise.

 

[Revan46]

Anyone know if having the birthday badge can tend to give a better chance of being "chosen" as some other articles, blogs have said? I recognize there are others celebrating events too on a daily basis that could have badges but still just curious if those badges may sort of circumvent just the random choice lol.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

I don't think a badge would necessarily get you picked. I've worn one and never been chosen, haha! My adult daughter and I have done the show probably between 5-10 times and never been chosen, even though we have on HP tees, lanyards, hats and jewelry.

From what I recall, it's often school age kids picked, in the age range of say, 7-12 or so, especially if they're decked out in full HP robes/gear. Obviously adults do get picked sometimes if there are no kids in the group, so it's not a hard rule. I read somewhere a while back (maybe here?) that if you stand in the front, especially over by the stairs and act enthused/excited, you have a better chance of being chosen. I'm not sure if that's still a "thing" and it's been a few years since we did Ollivanders, so maybe others who have gone more recently or who got picked can comment.

 

[Revan46]

I don't think a badge would necessarily get you picked. I've worn one and never been chosen, haha! My adult daughter and I have done the show probably between 5-10 times and never been chosen, even though we have on HP tees, lanyards, hats and jewelry.

From what I recall, it's often school age kids picked, in the age range of say, 7-12 or so, especially if they're decked out in full HP robes/gear. Obviously adults do get picked sometimes if there are no kids in the group, so it's not a hard rule. I read somewhere a while back (maybe here?) that if you stand in the front, especially over by the stairs and act enthused/excited, you have a better chance of being chosen. I'm not sure if that's still a "thing" and it's been a few years since we did Ollivanders, so maybe others who have gone more recently or who got picked can comment.

Hmm good to know. Yeah like most blogs have said it's not a guarantee, just that the badge does sometimes get you a chance (Though yeah if a kid is in the audience good luck lol)

 

[kmedina]

I don't think a badge would necessarily get you picked. I've worn one and never been chosen, haha! My adult daughter and I have done the show probably between 5-10 times and never been chosen, even though we have on HP tees, lanyards, hats and jewelry.

From what I recall, it's often school age kids picked, in the age range of say, 7-12 or so, especially if they're decked out in full HP robes/gear. Obviously adults do get picked sometimes if there are no kids in the group, so it's not a hard rule. I read somewhere a while back (maybe here?) that if you stand in the front, especially over by the stairs and act enthused/excited, you have a better chance of being chosen. I'm not sure if that's still a "thing" and it's been a few years since we did Ollivanders, so maybe others who have gone more recently or who got picked can comment.

I've only been to the show once. I was there with my young kids. I was not wearing a birthday button or Harry Potter gear nor was I acting excited. If anything, I was indifferent when I was chosen, because I was not planning on purchasing a wand for myself and now I had to. The only reason I decided to do it instead of declining is I was there with my two kids and would not want to suggest one over the other as my replacement. I never would have heard the end of that. We're doing it again next trip. If I am picked again, I will ask that they pick one of my kids instead, but let them choose which one.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I was picked (adult) for the last show of the night - we were the first ones in line, small group overall at that show. The other time I went, it was also an adult who was picked.

I really want to do Ollivanders in Diagon Alley in keeping with the books, and I'm wondering if it would be a good strategy to go to IoA for Early Entry, ride Hagrids, then take the train over to DA when it normally opens. Will most of the folks who wanted to do the wands just do so in Hogsmeade, or will there still be big rope drop crowds at Ollivanders in DA?

If you're there for several days, you may do better to wait for the late afternoon - lines drop significantly for Ollivanders. Both times I did it, it was late afternoon/early evening & there was no line, we entered for the next show. Unless you really want to do spells that first day, in which case the Diagon Alley shop is probably the better plan as there are multiple rooms for the show there.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

The time my middle daughter was picked, she was still wearing a splint from having a broken arm. I don’t recommend that approach though.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I was picked (adult) for the last show of the night - we were the first ones in line, small group overall at that show. The other time I went, it was also an adult who was picked.


If you're there for several days, you may do better to wait for the late afternoon - lines drop significantly for Ollivanders. Both times I did it, it was late afternoon/early evening & there was no line, we entered for the next show. Unless you really want to do spells that first day, in which case the Diagon Alley shop is probably the better plan as there are multiple rooms for the show there.

I think we'll try for Diagon Alley the first day after riding Hagrid's and the train. Our friends will only be there two days so I want to make sure they are able to ride Hagrid's twice if they love it. If the line at Diagon Alley Ollivanders is long at 9:10 AM or whenever we get there, then we'll just ride Gringotts and come back later. Do they still let you sign up for a later entry time at the shop if the line is long?

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Unless you have a backpack etc. I would not spend the extra $$ on the bag. By the end of the day both DD's bags were ripped from use and lockers etc. I did talk to a nice TM who exchanged them at the end of the day for us, which was great. If getting wands, then I would suggest having a backpack to store them or their boxes in throughout the day.

 

[mamamelody2]

We went to Ollivanders mid-afternoon on Saturday, March 5. I expected it to be very busy, but there was no one in line. They let us in, and there was already one other family waiting. So there were just 2 families of 4 in the room. They picked the 4 year old of the other family. When it was over, the other family left first, and the wizard asked my kids who was there to get their wand and they said they both were. He asked if we had a couple minutes, which we did. He did another smaller show where 2 wands that shared the same core picked my kids and gave a little spiel about their sibling bond and such. It was very cool!