Wait time at Ollivanders Wand Shop (IOA)

[foxxxy83]

Hey guys! Anyone know what average wait time for Ollivander's Wand Shop at Islands Of Adventure is at the min?? I know it can be 70 mins+ at busiest periods but just wondered what it was like at the min?? My son is a die hard HP fan and would LOVE a wand. With his Autism, I am concerned but only alternative is to get him one for Xmas which is hardly the same as getting it from WWOHP is it?? Just don't want to cause any unnecessary heartbreak.

 

[Elise79]

Would it cause stress if he is not the "chosen" child though? Only one child per group is chosen to take part in the show.

If he gets upset by things like that you might be better getting a wand by just going in the shop and skipping the show and queue!

 

[wilma-bride]

You can buy the wands in the shop without having to do the show. My DS has Harry Potter's wand. We have still not seen the show since the line has always been huge when we have been there - even at 8am when onsite guests have early entry.

 

[foxxxy83]

That wouldn't bother him at all. We were in the changing room at swimming lesson once and it was someone's birthday. Their mum gave sweets to just the friends of the child and the friends' parents and didn't offer a sweet to my son or another child from the swim class. When we went outside, my son said "Mummy I'm sad. The other boy didn't get a sweet and I think he might have liked one". He just doesn't have any sense of personal space, doesn't outwardly show any understanding of emotion unless he tells you about it etc so queues can be HORRENDOUS. Some things he understands a LOT more than others. He also has his own routines etc. As long as he has a wand to bring home, he'll be over the moon!

 

[foxxxy83]

Just thought Oct might be quieter. Otherwise will just take him and not watch the show. Will just have to see what queues are like. Hoping for lunch at 3 Broomsticks too

 

[LumosQ102]

October will be quieter. Not sure when in October you are going, but I just flicked through the Touring Plans crowd calendar for the month and the expected crowd level is about 3 out of 10 for the majority, higher on the weekends but the biggest rating was for Columbus Day weekend at 6 out of 10. We always end up at Universal on Tuesdays as they seem to be the quietest days which has worked out well for us in the past.

I have only done the Olivander's show once, and it was very sweet but quick. You get let out into the wand shop so maybe you could pick up his wand in there after the show? When we did do it we went straight after opening on a Tuesday morning this February which showed similar crowd levels to this October. We waited maybe 10 minutes (maximum) but queues build very quickly so I would highly suggest you go here first. If you end up in a longer queue for Forbidden Journey (if going on that ride) the queue is almost worth progressing through slowly as its just gorgeous and jam packed with details from the books and flims. I adore it.

I'd suggest Olivanders, then Flight of the Hippogriff then Forbidden Journey. The queues that build for Hippogriff are crazy, but its worth doing for the lovely views you get of Hogsmeade.

I hope you and your son have a wonderful time. We will be back there the last Tuesday of October and can't wait - its really is the best themed area of any theme park, barr none.

 

[foxxxy83]

Awww, thanks! We're going Oct 12th as I thought it may be a bit too much for my son to handle on a weekend. I had planned for Olivanders Wand Shop first then Forbidden Journey, wasn't sure about the Hippogriff ride. Was planning on having a browse of the shops and then maybe try and get a table at 3 Broomsticks for early lunch and to figure out what else we want to do in the park. I've booked a table at Bob Marley's - A Taste Of Freedom (Universal Citywalk) for 7pm figuring there'll be plenty of rest stops and it may be nice to explore Citywalk while we are down that way before grabbing a cab back to hotel

 

[wilma-bride]

maybe try and get a table at 3 Broomsticks for early lunch and to figure out what else we want to do in the park.

You do know that 3 Broomsticks is counter service, right? You shouldn't have any problems getting lunch there, although it can get busy so going early is probably wise.

 

[Shazzie B]

That wouldn't bother him at all. We were in the changing room at swimming lesson once and it was someone's birthday. Their mum gave sweets to just the friends of the child and the friends' parents and didn't offer a sweet to my son or another child from the swim class. When we went outside, my son said "Mummy I'm sad. The other boy didn't get a sweet and I think he might have liked one". He just doesn't have any sense of personal space, doesn't outwardly show any understanding of emotion unless he tells you about it etc so queues can be HORRENDOUS. Some things he understands a LOT more than others. He also has his own routines etc. As long as he has a wand to bring home, he'll be over the moon!

He'll love HP area, the wand shop is fantastic even if you don't see the 'show'