Which side to get wand on?

[kohlby]

US will have early entry the entire time we're there - so I expect we'll be starting our trip on that side. We've only ever been to Ollivander's on the IOA side. Is the wand experience pretty much the same on both sides? After the show, will they give wand recommendations in the shops on both sides too? We've never actually bought a wand but will have someone with us who is VERY into Harry Potter who wants to get a wand so we want to do whichever side will be best for him.

 

[johde]

Both sides have basically the same wand experience. There are more rooms over at USF so the line moves faster. I'd probably get a wand after riding Gringotts in Diagon Alley.

 

[samheatherwhite]

I agree with the poster above. The line is always shorter in DA and the experience is about the same.

 

[soniam]

Plus, depending upon the time of day, the Diagon Alley line for Ollivander's seems to be out of the sun. We baked in the line at Hogsmeade. You can also go into the shops whenever you want, without a line and without seeing the show. There are some smaller shops/booths that sell them too, but I don't know if they have all of the different types.

 

[Disxuni]

Diagon Alley. Hands down.

More rooms for the "show" part and you'll more likely to have shade at Diagon Alley than at Hogsmeade. Both things, which of course has been previously stated.

Also, while it's typically crowded, the shop for Ollivander's in Diagon Alley is much larger in comparison to Hogsmeade, since the one at Hogsmeade is smaller and sort of blends with the Owlery, as well as Dervish and Banges. And yes, they do give out recommendations on both sides. Also, at Diagon Alley there is Wands by Gregorovitch however, I'm not sure how wide their selection is and there is definitely no show.

As for a general tip for anyone wanting just character wands, you can simply go to the Universal store at the front, which has just about any character wand you could desire.