Olivanders Different??

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Based on info I've seen I assumed that USF was going to be the early entry park for our Nov trip. But not so, says Universal, it's IOA. I had been planning on going straight to Gringotts and Ollivanders in Diagon Alley our first day. But with it being EE at IOA I'm not sure how to proceed. My DS4 is not tall enough for FJ and none of the kids are big enough for Dragon Challenge so going to Ollivanders seems to be our best bet. Is it different than the Diagon Alley version? I do want to get the kids interactive wands right away to maximize their use. Should we just have DS8 and DS6 ride FJ and get on the Hogwarts express to USF and go to Ollies there instead?

 

[macraven]

You will find the same wands in both parks

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Wands yes, but are both places equivalent? I thought I remember reading that the one in Diagon Alley was better somehow (bigger maybe?) but I don't remember where I saw that. Diagon Alley also sort of seems like the place it should be (being more in line with the HP universe).

 

[Pesky]

I think you are right -- what I've read is that the one in Diagon Alley is bigger with, what, three rooms? Something like that. The one in Hogsmeade is a bit smaller. Other than size, everything else is the same -- wand choosing ceremony, selection of wands, etc.

 

[slford00]

The show and available wand selection is the same. The difference is the Hogsmeade location has fewer rooms (only one I think), whereas the Diagon Alley one has a few identical rooms so that they can do more shows at once and move people through faster.

This past June, we were in a similar scenario (wanted to get wands first thing for the kids)and EE was at IoA. We went straight to Ollivanders and were in the 1st or 2nd show of the day, then rode Flight of the Hippogriff as a family, and then all but the 3 and 5 year olds rode FJ (using child swap so both parents got to go and the older kid went twice). We were able to do all that before official park opening at 9.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

This past June, we were in a similar scenario (wanted to get wands first thing for the kids)and EE was at IoA. We went straight to Ollivanders and were in the 1st or 2nd show of the day, then rode Flight of the Hippogriff as a family, and then all but the 3 and 5 year olds rode FJ (using child swap so both parents got to go and the older kid went twice). We were able to do all that before official park opening at 9.

Thank you! That's very good to know.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

I am *gobsmacked*. I had no idea this was a possibility for our Dec trip. I thought USF and IOA switched off early openings, so with us being there for two mornings, we'd get a chance at each park. Nope. All IOA.
How early does the Hogwarts Express start? Can we use it to get to Diagon Alley ahead of the RD crowd coming in around 9AM? (Should I assume they'll be let into USF at 8:45?) I have a strong preference to do the bigger Ollivander's because a shorter wait means a lot with four kids. Thee types of hows are more important than ride to us, as half of us won't consider any real coaster.
I'm still reeling, thinking of touring plans knowing we only get to do DA with the whole world there. This was not my expectation when I made onsite reservations. Add in the Potterphile recommendation to do DA before Hogsmeade to follow Harry's experience, and I am a bit bummed.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I'm still reeling, thinking of touring plans knowing we only get to do DA with the whole world there. This was not my expectation when I made onsite reservations. Add in the Potterphile recommendation to do DA before Hogsmeade to follow Harry's experience, and I am a bit bummed.

I'm a little bummed too. I was definitely looking forward to doing DA first. Wikipedia (yes, I know, not the best source) said that last year it was typically USF that was early open during slow periods and both during busy ones so I expected to only get one park, it just wasn't the park I was expecting. I also just saw that closing is at 6 pm one of the nights we're there. Youch. I hope that changes.

 

[sandam1]

Add in the Potterphile recommendation to do DA before Hogsmeade to follow Harry's experience, and I am a bit bummed.

I know that most people recommend Diagon Alley first so you are following in Harry's footsteps. HOWEVER, from a practical standpoint, Hogsmeade is better for EE as it is super small and can get very, very, VERY crowded during regular hours. DA has significantly more space and is better equipped to deal with larger crowds IMHO. Also, IOA puts you close to Kong (new ride) and/or Hulk (re-vamped ride) once the rest of the park opens.

 

[damo]

The early admission calendar has been on their website for many months now, so you can get a good idea of how early admission works. You can go backwards in the calendar to see what they have done in the past. They are tending to alternate months.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Early-Park-Admission.aspx

 

[bchbetha]

Fwiw, Diagon Alley in the evening is great! Crowds are smaller and it's beautifully magical as the sun goes down. So, while I'd enthusiastically see it as soon as I could as a HP fan, just know that you can come back later in the day to explore when it'll be prettier and more peaceful.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Fwiw, Diagon Alley in the evening is great! Crowds are smaller and it's beautifully magical as the sun goes down. So, while I'd enthusiastically see it as soon as I could as a HP fan, just know that you can come back later in the day to explore when it'll be prettier and more peaceful.

Thanks for that! I have been considering (even before the EE issue) to pop into DA on our arrival day, after checking in. Now maybe we will.

 

[ZellyB]

The early admission calendar has been on their website for many months now, so you can get a good idea of how early admission works. You can go backwards in the calendar to see what they have done in the past. They are tending to alternate months.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Early-Park-Admission.aspx

Thanks for the link. I'm seeing that they don't appear to be doing any early park admission in January (when we will be there). When we were there back in January of 2015, I know they had early park opening. Is this a recent change that they have some months without any early park admission? Or is there a chance they just haven't scheduled it yet for January? (she said hopefully)...

 

[sandam1]

Or is there a chance they just haven't scheduled it yet for January?

This! They don't post them super far in advance - maybe 6-8 weeks?

 

[damo]

Thanks for the link. I'm seeing that they don't appear to be doing any early park admission in January (when we will be there). When we were there back in January of 2015, I know they had early park opening. Is this a recent change that they have some months without any early park admission? Or is there a chance they just haven't scheduled it yet for January? (she said hopefully)...

It just isn't posted yet for January.

 

[ZellyB]

This! They don't post them super far in advance - maybe 6-8 weeks?

It just isn't posted yet for January.

Phew! Thanks to both of you.

 

[wookiebeck]

There is also a large outdoor cart near the Flight of the Hippogriff that sells wands and there is a smaller shop, Gregorovich's, in Diagon Alley. Buying a wand will not be an issue for you.

 

[lomillerin]

How long is a wait for Ollivanders show in the afternoon?

 

[Gillbob316]

I've admittedly never seen the Ollivander's show in Hogsmeade, and I've visited several times going all the way back to the grand opening. Very important reason being: The line has always been terrible. They didn't design the Hogsmeade location to handle a crowd. They corrected that issue in Diagon Alley.

On my most recent trip in February, the line for the Hogsmeade Ollivanders wrapped around the building, wheras Diagon Alley was an immediate walk-in. The ENTIRE trip.

All that said, for the same show, I don't see why the Hogsmeade location would ever be worth waiting for, and I've always assumed people in line for it are just ill-informed, or don't have park to park tickets. If it's not walk-in, I'd skip Ollivanders in Hogsmeade and just shop/ride Forbidden Journey for an hour. As was pointed out, it's more "authentic" buying your wands in Diagon Alley anyway.

As for the early entry location... I think you're sweating it too much. You can kill an hour in either HP location without ever setting foot on a ride, and before you know it you'll be able to hop the Hogwarts Express to the other park. There's more than enough to see even if you don't ride Forbidden Journey.

 

[Robo56]

Based on info I've seen I assumed that USF was going to be the early entry park for our Nov trip. But not so, says Universal, it's IOA. I had been planning on going straight to Gringotts and Ollivanders in Diagon Alley our first day. But with it being EE at IOA I'm not sure how to proceed. My DS4 is not tall enough for FJ and none of the kids are big enough for Dragon Challenge so going to Ollivanders seems to be our best bet. Is it different than the Diagon Alley version? I do want to get the kids interactive wands right away to maximize their use. Should we just have DS8 and DS6 ride FJ and get on the Hogwarts express to USF and go to Ollies there instead?

You can purchase the interactive wands at the big Universal store at Citywalk. They also sell them at the large stores on entry to both parks. This would help if you want them to have the wands right away before the show at Ollivanders. Maps included with the wands. Also medal medallions on the ground in front of magic sites marking them.

I have been to both Ollivanders shows the one in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. I agree with Gilbob316. The line at Hogmeade is always long. I was fortunate enough to preview Hogsmeade before the grand opening and I told the suits that were walking around at the time asking everyone how they liked Hogsmeade that it was to small and the shops were to small. That being said it is still magical.

Part of the fun of Ollivanders is the possibility of being picked for the show. Ollivanders in DA is less congested and your chance of being picked in a smaller crowed is better. I much prefer the show at DA.

It would be nice for the littles to get picked and then buy them the wand.

A lot of people buy the wands of their fav characters from the movies. That might help you with the little ones decision on what wands to purchase.

You will love your time at Universal