July 3, 2021
By: Angela Loftin
A right of passage in the wizarding world is getting your first wand at Ollivander’s Wand Shop in Diagon Alley and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter offers a chance for the Harry Potter lover to truly feel like a wizard. There are two locations you can visit- one in Diagon Alley on the Universal Studios side and one in Hogsmeade on the Islands of Adventure side. The shop is open during park hours for shopping and choosing your own wand (or letting the wand choose you!) You can choose from Ollivander’s exclusive wands or wands belonging to characters. Even if you have no intention of purchasing a wand you should still visit the shop, it’s fun to see. You do not have to participate in the Wand Choosing Ceremony to purchase a wand, but it is an awesome experience!
Wand Ceremony
You can visit or participate in the show at no cost and with no obligation to purchase a wand. My husband purchased my wand prior to our trip and gifted it to surprise me with the trip (many years ago).
My young wizard was lucky to attend Ollivander’s to get his first wand during the COVID restrictions and got to participate in a private wand ceremony (video attached). It was awesome! For now, the ceremony has returned to the pre-COVID way where a group enters for the ceremony (approximately 25 people) and only one lucky wizard is selected and the rest of the group watches. If chosen, you will still need to purchase the wand that chose you if you would like to take it home :-)
Interactive wands are $59.00 plus tax and come with a map of both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade marked with all the spots to try spells. Take your time, walk around, and look for gold spots marked on the ground showing you where and how to try
your wand out.
What You Need to Know
No express passes are accepted for the experience, and it is extremely popular, so if it is a must head there EARLY! Wands have a special sensor on the top (that helps a little with the spells) If your sensor gets broken or does not seem to be working correctly you can take your wand back to Ollivander’s to be repaired.
I am a Universal Orlando annual passholder and visit often :-) I would love to answer any questions about Universal Orlando (or any other vacation) and help you plan your next perfect trip!
IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, WE CAN PLAN IT!!!
– Angela Loftin –
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