Ollivander Wands

[DYOBL0305]

My oldest is a huge HP fan and we are planning on surprising her next summer (2 weeks before her bday) with a trip to US/IoA. I've been looking online at the wands they sell at Olivanders, are the interactive ones worth buying? By that I mean, are they only interactive at the shop or do they work around the parks as well? Also I read that the wait times to enter the shop can be very long, is it better to purchase the wand online through their site beforehand or wait to buy it at the shop for the experience? I want to make the trip as special for her as possible, but we also have three other littles traveling with us (youngest will be 3.5) so I'm trying to find a way to keep long wait times to a minimum (or as minimum as you can at a place like US/IoA! LOL).

TIA!

 

[bumbershoot]

They work inside the Wizarding World sections of the parks.

The long wait is for the show where one person is picked to be a part of things. Otherwise it’s just a shop.

I wouldn’t buy it ahead of time.

Most people enjoy the interactive stuff. I don’t. I watch a line of people at each interactive spot, each doing or struggling to do a spell, then the same thing happens time after time, and I don’t see the point. Son and now-ex disagreed. Which is why I got to spend so long leaning against a wall watching everyone in line for the interactive spots.

 

[bchbetha]

We **loved** our wands, as have all the family and friends we've loaned the wands too. Just go in the AM at opening (if you have early entry, even better). Diagon Alley has more show rooms than Hogsmeade- reports of long lines are probably old (when only Hogsmeade existed) or from folks who didn't know to go to Diagon Alley instead. The show experience is a must do. She could get chosen (odds are low so don't get your hopes up!) and the wand will choose her- all the more reason not to just buy one online ahead of time.

 

[mjhtvchick]

I would definitely look for an interactive wand but absolutely wait until you go for the experience. As PP said, you don't have to go through the show if you don't want to. You can also purchase wands at the larger Universal stores at Citywalk and near the front of each park and at the gift shops in the resorts but the selection is more limited.

 

[mikeyg1479]

Take the plunge and get the interactive wand. Either way, the wand prices are obscene (about $45 for non-interactive and $55 for interactive if memory serves), so its not really going to be that vast of a difference if you are definitely purchasing a wand.

And any Potter fan (especially children) will be disappointed when they are stuck watching all the other kids doing "magic" with their wands throughout the Wizarding World.

 

[DYOBL0305]

Thank you all for your feedback!

Take the plunge and get the interactive wand. Either way, the wand prices are obscene (about $45 for non-interactive and $55 for interactive if memory serves), so its not really going to be that vast of a difference if you are definitely purchasing getting a wand.

And any Potter fan (especially children) will be disappointed when they are stuck watching all the other kids doing "magic" with their wands throughout the Wizarding World.

I didn't realize it was only a $10 difference! Online they had the "learners wands" for $25 and the interactive for $48 so I thought it was the same on site.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

She will definitely want to pick her own wand! The lines to purchase aren't usually long - it is the line for the Olivander experience, but she'll want to see that, too!

 

[DYOBL0305]

She will definitely want to pick her own wand! The lines to purchase aren't usually long - it is the line for the Olivander experience, but she'll want to see that, too!

I think so too, thank you! We'll have to play the line for the experience by ear but hopefully it won't be too long and my littles will cooperate.There's attractions or areas nearby for them to explore while we wait, correct? That may have to be our plan B in case they start to get antsy.

 

[bchbetha]

Seriously, the line will be like 5 minutes if you go in the AM. It isn't anything you need to make back up plans for. Go on YouTube and do a walk through of Diagon Alley. There are stores and stuff but no play areas around.

 

[maverik85]

YEa at least in park the price difference is minimal. If they are big fans they will probably really enjoy the interactive wands. Would say go ahead and spend the few extra dollars for it. The show is fun but not really worth a super long wait though to me.