Ollivander’s Late August (next week)

[allaboutthemouse]

Hello

I have a potentially convoluted question for all you experts!
We will be checking in to Portofino next Monday, the 23rd,
probably arriving late afternoon, 4:00?, for two nights…..I see the hours are shorter starting that day, Studios closing at 7, I’m guessing lower crowds are expected? I hope

Ollivander's for the wand experience is top priority…Initially, I was planning on checking in and just going to the pool for the evening and then doing Ollivander’s next morning for Early Entry so maybe it will be less crowded for the show and for doing spells, but I do not see Ollivander’s listed as being open for EE @ Studios at that time…

I guess my question is…is it worth it to race over to Studios on evening we arrive, Monday, to do Ollivander’s before they close (do we have time and is it crowded then? 5:00? 6:00?), and then we will have the wands to use for EE the next morning? We have APs.

OR we won’t make it in time to accomplish that, don’t bother going into the park and just do Ollivander’s when they open @9 next morning (not listed as open during EE)?

I hope this makes sense …..thank you!

 

[allaboutthemouse]

Anyone?

 

[Robo56]

I would just take it easy. Don’t rush.

Do early entry the next day. Ride Gringotts. Enjoy doing the spells around Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley. Then do The Ollivander show. Ollivanders In Diagon Alley is better to me then the one in Hogsmeade.

Don’t forget to do the secret spell spots at Scribbulus Ink Shop and Slug and Jiggers Apothecary.

There are a few new tempting wands out now to purchase.

Have a great time

 

[wdwrule]

Last Wednesday on the 11th, we spontaneously went to the Ollivander’s show in Diagon Alley. We walked past and saw there were about 6 people in line. I asked the TM when the next show should be and he said about 7 minutes so we hopped in. I think it was late morning when that happened.

 

[allaboutthemouse]

Thanks!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I think if you can be to Diagon Alley by 5:30 or 6pm (for a 7pm close) then it would be worthwhile - crowds should be thinning by then and the lines for Ollivander's are shorter in the evenings. You can stay in the park after close and do a few spells then too, as crowds continue to dwindle. You could potentially do the show, get a wand, and then ride Gringotts before park close, then do spells & explore a bit. Or head into some of the stores in the evening before park close (fewer people in evenings).

Is this your very first time to Universal? If so, I would say to only head into the parks on arrival evening if you're feeling the urge but don't necessarily rush to Diagon Alley at the expense of experiencing the ambiance of the rest of the park on the way. You could do a few other things that first evening, and save the thrill of Diagon Alley to look forward to on your first full day.

 

[katmigordon]

Does this tech require new wands? Or can I use the one I bought 7 years ago? I ask because we already have the only two wands we wanted. (McG & Hermione).

 

[allaboutthemouse]

I think if you can be to Diagon Alley by 5:30 or 6pm (for a 7pm close) then it would be worthwhile - crowds should be thinning by then and the lines for Ollivander's are shorter in the evenings. You can stay in the park after close and do a few spells then too, as crowds continue to dwindle. You could potentially do the show, get a wand, and then ride Gringotts before park close, then do spells & explore a bit. Or head into some of the stores in the evening before park close (fewer people in evenings).

Is this your very first time to Universal? If so, I would say to only head into the parks on arrival evening if you're feeling the urge but don't necessarily rush to Diagon Alley at the expense of experiencing the ambiance of the rest of the park on the way. You could do a few other things that first evening, and save the thrill of Diagon Alley to look forward to on your first full day.

Thank you for this. My husband and I have been, but not our kids. I want them to be able to do as much of the wand spells without crowds as possible, doesn’t everyone?

I would love to go in arrival evening and do the wand show and get wands and do spells when not crowded in evening, Im just not sure we will have time…Am I correct that the HP shops, even Ollivander’s - just not the show, are open for EE? I am thinking maybe go the next morning at 8 for EE, shop first (less people?), let them pick out their wands and do some spells and THEN do the Ollivander’s show@9 when they open? If one is selected, I guess I’ll be buying another wand lol…

I just know the HP areas are usually always somewhat crowded all the time, so trying to avoid most of the crowding as possible…I even thought of buying their wands at the Portofino gift shop so we could go right to the wand spells for EE! But that seems so much less magical lol
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my ramblings!

 

[murmer]

The ollivanders wand show has not had a wait at all the 4 days we have been here. You will be able to experience it whenever you want with a very short wait all day long.

 

[AgentMama]

Thank you for this. My husband and I have been, but not our kids. I want them to be able to do as much of the wand spells without crowds as possible, doesn’t everyone?

I would love to go in arrival evening and do the wand show and get wands and do spells when not crowded in evening, Im just not sure we will have time…Am I correct that the HP shops, even Ollivander’s - just not the show, are open for EE? I am thinking maybe go the next morning at 8 for EE, shop first (less people?), let them pick out their wands and do some spells and THEN do the Ollivander’s show@9 when they open? If one is selected, I guess I’ll be buying another wand lol…

I just know the HP areas are usually always somewhat crowded all the time, so trying to avoid most of the crowding as possible…I even thought of buying their wands at the Portofino gift shop so we could go right to the wand spells for EE! But that seems so much less magical lol
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my ramblings!

We haven't seen much of a crowd at Ollivander’s the last time or two we were there. I agree its way more magical getting wands at the wand shop (even when not selected) and I would probably avoid buying at the hotel gift shop. The first time we went we had one kid selected and then bought our second a wand in the shop after. Our kids are such HP fanatics and it was extra special for them in the park. You could always buy one before the show (although I guess that might not be as fun for whoever doesn't have a wand) and if selected only have to buy that one and not an additional one you don't need.

If you don't have anything else planned arrival evening, for us it would be worth a shot if you don't have anything else planned to do.