Shops at WWOHP??

[eeudj]

I know this sounds silly but just for clarification I am going to ask. From what I have read on these boards it seems as though the shops in WWOHP are attractions in themselves? I have been reading how very crowded they can get and at times one must wait to even enter. Is this correct or am I misunderstanding? If I am correct how does it work? is there an actuall line to enter?

 

[Bradsdadg]

From what we saw, Ollivander's had a line snaked outside of the door and around a bit. We didn't wait in the line as it was very hot, and we have seen all the wand shows on youtube already. The only store we went in on our trip was Honeydukes/Zonkos. There isn't anything to see inside of there really, except the merchandise you may want to buy.

(So yes there are lines that go outside sometimes, up to you if you want to wait in them or not. Honeydukes didn't have a line outside, but there were alot of people inside)

 

[damo]

During busy times there are indeed lines to get into the shops. The shops are kinda cool but if you are just wanting to buy stuff, go to the main giftshop as you exit the park instead---they carry a lot of HP merchandise.

 

[fairyprincess88]

As others have said there can be lines to get into the shops depending on how busy it is. I think whether or not you should wait in the lines depends on how big of a Potter fan you are.

For someone like me, a Potter nerd, the shops were an attraction themselves. Especially Ollivander's(which is actually a show) and Honeydukes/Zonko's. Walking into Honeydukes was really like stepping into the books/films, they did an amazing job recreating it. Plus, it carries pretty much every sweet featured in the books, down to rock cake, Clippy's Clips, Sugar Quills and Ice Mice. Zonko's has a few hidden treasures from the books as well. Dervish and Banges is the hardest store to get into(that place always had a line) and it doesn't feature much that can't be found in other places in the park. Unless you want to buy a racing broom and a Maurader's Map. However, D&B does have the Monster Book of Monsters in it and that was just cool.

If you just want to shop for a few standard Potter items, and are not really all that into it, then as Damo said, you can find the majority of products at the main giftshop in IOA with no lines. They also have carts set up in the WWoHP to buy wands/t-shirts/ect. Also the gift shop at the end of FJ(Filche's) is easiest to get into and carries a ton of the standard Potter garb, and a few not so standard goodies as well.

 

[nhrenee]

Some of our best trip photos were taken in Honeydukes/Zonkos's. It's so bright and colorful in there! We went in first thing in the am.

As fairyprincess mentioned, if you're very familiar with the Potter world, the shops are almost as interesting as the rides.

 

[DISdreamin']

However, D&B does have the Monster Book of Monsters in it and that was just cool.

I'd wait in line to get into D&B just to see the Monster Book of Monsters. It was hysterical to watch people as it started snarling and jumping toward the front of the cage! I took a snippet of video of it, but didn't get the whole act. It was just too funny, though, and well worth squishing into the store to see.

 

[eeudj]

looks like i will be standing in line

 

[braddillman]

I'd wait in line to get into D&B just to see the Monster Book of Monsters. It was hysterical to watch people as it started snarling and jumping toward the front of the cage! I took a snippet of video of it, but didn't get the whole act. It was just too funny, though, and well worth squishing into the store to see.

Yes, the MBoM was one of my favourites too. I think nearly every shop window has something animated, too. Also, I thought I saw battery powered MBoMs that muggles could buy.

 

[DISdreamin']

Yes, the MBoM was one of my favourites too. I think nearly every shop window has something animated, too. Also, I thought I saw battery powered MBoMs that muggles could buy.

True! But the ones you could take home were more snuggly looking than scary. The one in the store is sort of horrifying, but in a good way (is that even possible?!).

 

[braddillman]

True! But the ones you could take home were more snuggly looking than scary. The one in the store is sort of horrifying, but in a good way (is that even possible?!).

Just wait 'til they grow up. Remember, you have to stroke the spine.

 

[nhrenee]

I'd wait in line to get into D&B just to see the Monster Book of Monsters. It was hysterical to watch people as it started snarling and jumping toward the front of the cage! I took a snippet of video of it, but didn't get the whole act. It was just too funny, though, and well worth squishing into the store to see.

Agreed! When you're in there be sure to read the signs on the wall and labels on props.