How much souvenir money?

[snoopy5386]

We're surprising our kids with a trip to Universal for their birthdays. While we will still give them some birthday gifts, the majority of their gifts will be souvenir money for the parks. How much should we plan to set aside for two Harry Potter obsessed kids? They both already have robes, but I'm thinking interactive wands will be a must though my oldest has "plain" wand from our trip 4 years ago so maybe just one interactive wand. Will $100 each be enough? $150? More?

 

[macraven]

Wand prices can run $100 for some of them
There are cheaper wands for half that price

Look at the merch site for potter items sold at UO

It might help you come up with a figure based on the potter items your children would want

Probably consider that $150 each would be sufficient for their potter shopping

 

[macraven]

Came back to add that I bought potter items for my dil

I bought one of the more expensive wand, potter pins which included all the houses, candy frog in the box, and candy
Also tees and stuffed owls

Set me back for over $200

 

[bchbetha]

Kids each got interactive wands at $50/ each and winter hats at $20 each. Ds1 got a Gryffindor hoodie too. I'm thinking they must have had $125 in gift cards from their grandparents (Christmas gifts!).

 

[bumbershoot]

Wand prices can run $100 for some of them

That's only Lucius's wand, right? And it's a full length cane, with a wand in the handle, just like in the movies. So it's definitely more than just a wand.

And there are issues like "how will I get that home?" eith it, that go beyond the price.

 

[Sugart]

If they're Potter fans, quite a bit. Robes are 110, cheapest wand I think is 30. Heck a simple chocolate frog is 10.95. I'm not complaining about the prices, because obviously universal is charging what people will pay, but you have to know going in if you or your children want that experience, it won't be cheap.

 

[Blackadder337]

We were there in Mid October 2016 and the non interactive wants were $39, the interactive wands were $49 and as others have said there are some really fancy wands that are up to and over $100.

Most of the Harry Potter / Hogwarts tshirts range from $25 - $40. Sweatshirts are mostly around $60

Looks like everyone covered the rest of the essentials

 

[snoopy5386]

Thanks! My kids are not into t-shirts/sweatshirts/hats for the most part, but there will be some stuffed animals, toys and candy coming home with us for sure. Now to figure out how much souvenir money I need for me!!

 

[luvsJack]

The sweatshirt dd bought (Slytherin) was about $60. She got just a regular wand and it was $40. T-shirt was $25, I think. The only stuffed animal she bought was Buckbeak and he was about $25.

Did want to say that I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the sweatshirt and t-shirt. Both have held up to a lot of wearing and washing. Have not faded or stretched out of shape and still look brand new.