Interactive wand worth it in July?

[SPAM]

I am fully prepared for the masses that will be at Universal during my trip July10-14. I am a Harry Potter fan and would consider shelling out the money for an interactive wand but not if the spell stations are so crowded that its not worth it. Anyone have experience during heavy crowd times?

 

[bchbetha]

Do you have early entry? Even if not, you'll be able to do it at the beginning of the day and end pretty easily.

 

[SPAM]

Do you have early entry? Even if not, you'll be able to do it at the beginning of the day and end pretty easily.

I wish! Had to do a budget trip so offsite this trip staying at the Clarion Inn and Suites near Universal. Bummer to not get early entry but I'm going solo so I can plan my days however I want. If it means standing in line to cast a spell so be it.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Yes. Lines are shorter there than rides so it's a good in between thing. I really wish I'd gotten a wand! Had to live vicariously through kids.

Think of it as, I don't know, window shopping or pressed penny machines or interactive exhibits at museums. There may be a line, but it's not long or constant and you don't need to do them in order

(If you wait in any line, actually, it'll be the wand shop. That place is crazy.)

 

[bchbetha]

Is Cabana Bay $$? I know it can be super cheap sometimes.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Is Cabana Bay $$? I know it can be super cheap sometimes.

At no point is it the price of the Clarion though, and during the summer it's like 4 times the price at least. I know because I'm a choice hotel member and I experienced severe sticker shock when I took a look at cb prices. Hard to believe that's the "budget" resort!

 

[SPAM]

Is Cabana Bay $$? I know it can be super cheap sometimes.

I wish I could have done Cabana Bay I think it was like $150 a night, I got a deal on Clarion through Priceline express deals and it ended up being $65 a night which is hard to beat.

 

[SPAM]

Yes. Lines are shorter there than rides so it's a good in between thing. I really wish I'd gotten a wand! Had to live vicariously through kids.

Think of it as, I don't know, window shopping or pressed penny machines or interactive exhibits at museums. There may be a line, but it's not long or constant and you don't need to do them in order

(If you wait in any line, actually, it'll be the wand shop. That place is crazy.)

Sounds good, I'm excited to try it!

 

[biochemgirl]

I shelled out the cash for my own wand during our Spring Break trip this year. While I was disappointed not to use it more during the day, I had a chance to try as much as I wanted in the hour before closing for each park.

The end of the day was amazing for each HP section! The shoulder to shoulder crowd dissipated and I finally got to just enjoy the immersive experience.

We go back at the end of summer and I hope to find a similar lull in crowds at night not only for a chance to cast some spells but to visit after the sun has gone down. I'm a bit terrified of the August heat!!

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Yes, definitely get a wand and hit the HP areas when it starts to get dark, Diagon Alley is amazing! You will have lots of chances to perfect your spell technique and it's so much more pleasant when the sun isn't beating down on you.

 

[SPAM]

Yes, definitely get a wand and hit the HP areas when it starts to get dark, Diagon Alley is amazing! You will have lots of chances to perfect your spell technique and it's so much more pleasant when the sun isn't beating down on you.

Sounds like a plan!

 

[cschaaf]

I think the wand interactive stations are kind of like a microcosm of the HP areas. Early in the morning or later at night, there might be 1 or 2 people in front of you. Mid day, you'll have longer waits.

We got the wand on our October trip and tried to do as many of the stations during EE. Even after park open, you'll have some time to do them with lower crowds, but you'll have to decide if you want to do the wand things or the rides.

Sometimes, 3 people in front of you can go very quickly. Other times, only one person in front of you might struggle for a few minutes trying to get it to work.

We, as two adults, had just as much fun trying to help other people as we did doing the wand our selves.

 

[kbelle8995]

I plan on bringing my wand in July. Luckily I plan to be there early and late. I am so packing it. My experience was usually around the more difficult stops is that they have a TM there to assist you.