One of the most popular areas of Universal Studios Hollywood is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and one of the most popular souvenirs are the magical wands you can purchase throughout Hogsmeade. Show
There are dozens of wands available to purchase including special interactive wands that allow you to cast spells throughout Hogsmeade to trigger fun surprises and special effects. Our guide will breakdown the prices of wands, the different types of wands and any special discounts or deals available to save money on your new wand!
What Are The Different Types Of Wands at Universal Studios Hollywood?There are three different types of wands available for purchase at Universal Studios Hollywood. There are also Wand Collections which is a set of wands that come with a decorative display stand. Character Wands: These wands are replicas of the wands used by the iconic characters from the Harry Potter films. There are dozens of character wands available and some of the most popular wands include: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort, Deatheaters, Bellatrix Lestrange and Sirius Black. Ollivander's Wands: Ollivander's Wands are less iconic wands which are designed to draw inspiration from the materials they are "built from". These include woods like oak, cedar and interior components like phoenix feathers and unicorn hairs. These wands will looks a bit less extravagant than the character wands, but these wands are slightly cheaper and still come in interactive forms. Collectors Edition Wands: Collectors Edition Wands are released each year which an exclusive design. Typically only one Collectors Edition wand is released a year and in very limited quantities. These wands are often highly sought after, come in very unique designs and are the most expensive of any individual wands. Wand Collections: Wand Collections are a set of wands (2 or more) that come with a decorative stand or display piece. These collections typically have a theme (e.g. Weasley family wands) that explain why the wands have been grouped together. The collection of wands typically aren't sold at much of a discount as opposed to buying them individually because of the display piece which adds value to the package.
Wand Discounts & DealsDiscounts on wands vary greatly throughout the year and sometimes change on a weekly basis. You can also save $10+ per person by purchasing your Universal Studios Hollywood tickets in advance online.These savings on your tickets could alone be enough to buy a wand during your trip!
There are also a variety of wands available on Amazon that are authentic to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. These wands are typically cheaper, but not available with interactive features. RELATED ARTICLESWhere To Buy A Wand At Universal Studios | Tips & Deals Universal Studios Hollywood Wait Times By Month What Characters Are At Universal Studios Hollywood? Of the four Wizarding World of Harry Potter locations around the globe, the one at Universal Studios Hollywood is the closest to Seattle. Lucky for us, sunny SoCal is just a 2.5-hour direct flight away — a short hop to the land of butterbeer and chocolate frogs. Universal Studios in California is sometimes maligned when compared to that neighboring iconic theme park in Anaheim (cough cough). But we think a visit to Universal Studios is 100-percent worth the money if your kids are Potterheads. It’s the ultimate experience for people who love all things Harry Potter. On our recent visit, Hogwarts Castle and the village of Hogsmeade were dressed up for winter, complete with a dusting of snow on the peaked roofs. Just like third-year Hogwarts students who have their permission slips signed, you can visit Honeydukes Sweet Shop, Zonko’s Joke Shop, the Owl Post and more. Make the most of your visit with our top tips:1. Get there earlyThe general parking garage ($30) is a-hike-through-a-shopping-mall away from the theme park entrance. Preferred parking is $45. Plan on extra time to get through security. (Another arrival option: Some area hotels offer a free shuttle.) 2. Get your bearingsThis is important: Download the Universal Studios Hollywood app before you arrive. The park is no longer handing out paper maps. Also, the app lists wait times so it’s easy to figure out your ride strategy. 3. Go in expecting to bleed galleonsNo big surprise here, everything is expensive. Set a budget, then double it. There’s a reason J.K. Rowling is a bazillionaire. Universal Studios admission starts at a non-negotiable $109 per person, and once you enter it’ll take all your willpower to not buy everything in sight. The cute little shops of Hogsmeade are filled with souvenirs for purchase, sweatshirts, stuffies, marauder maps, you name it. That mug of butterbeer will set you back a ridiculous $15.33 — it’s basically super-sweet soda in a plastic cup. But when in Hogsmeade… If you want to dress up, you’ll be in good company. You’ll see lots of wizards and witches walking around in school robes. Robes at Universal run $140 apiece; we pre-bought a knockoff on Amazon for a fraction of that price. Universal Studios allows you to bring in your own snacks, just not a full-on four-course meal. Not as fun as ordering English pub food at the Three Broomsticks, but probably healthier and definitely more budget-friendly. 5. A good geographic game planThe Wizarding World isn’t the only thing in Universal Studios! Hit the two Harry Potter rides first (see below), then take the escalators down to the lower lot. Save exploring Hogsmeade for the afternoon when wait times for rides will be much longer. Do the three rides on the lower lot together (the Mummy, Transformers and Jurassic World), so you don’t waste time making multiple trips up and down the long flights of escalators. There’s also a cute dinosaur-themed playground for younger kids who may not be up for the rides. The studio tour is a must; it’s a 60-minute tram ride through the buildings and sets where the movie-making happens. There are a few motion simulator stops and close encounters with dinosaurs and sharks. 6. Ride the two Harry Potter ridesCurious — or worried — about the rides? Look up point-of-view videos on YouTube for spoilers. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a 4-D motion simulator, meaning you sit in a chair that tips you on your back and twists around while you watch a big screen and get sprayed a bit. You’re not physically careening through space, but it is dizzying. Flying on a broom looks so much easier when Harry does it. There are also dementors to watch out for, giant spiders, a dragon and the Whomping Willow. Flight of the Hippogriff is a family-friendly roller coaster with no inversions. It’s a tame and short ride as far as roller coasters go. When you pass by Hagrid’s hut, you’ll hear Fang barking inside. Team members are serious about height requirements (minimum 48 inches for the Forbidden Journey). There’s a chair outside the ride that you can try out to check if you’ll fit with the safety harness on. 7. Buy the wandThe interactive wands are a must. Go to Ollivanders Wand Shop for the wand ceremony. Afterward you can browse the shop and let the wand choose the wizard. Interactive wands cost $60 apiece. To save money, you could buy an interactive wand second-hand off eBay. But you’ll miss the experience of picking out your wand at Ollivanders. Use your wand to cast spells at 13 spots around Hogsmeade. You will have to practice your wand work to get the spell just right. This was easily our family’s favorite part of our whole Wizarding World experience. Note: If your wand gets broken, you can take it back to Ollivanders and they’ll “fix” it for free (a.k.a. replace it with a new wand). 8. Make a pit stopDon’t miss the restrooms in Hogsmeade featuring a certain gurgling ghost. 9. It’s all about attitudeLong lines? It’s hot? Don’t let the muggles get you down. Your visit is as magical as you make it. 10. For visitors with disabilitiesGuests with special needs can go to guest services and ask for an Attraction Assistance Pass. It’s a paper pass that lets you go through the express lane, or get a return time if the current wait is more than 45 minutes. You can call ahead to request an AAP or just get it at the park when you arrive. The pass allows six people on the pass, so your whole family can ride together. 11. Travel tipHollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is the closest in the area to Universal Studios, but you’ll find more flights and more rental car options at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), roughly 45 minutes away from the park. Bonus: Did you know there is a dragon in Renton?Unlike Orlando, the Wizarding World at Universal Hollywood does not have Diagon Alley with a fire-breathing dragon. But we do have a local dragon curled up atop a business building in downtown Renton (826 South 3rd Street). This dragon, named Erasmus, lights up at night and can even change colors. The art installation is a nod to Dungeons & Dragons, a game created in Renton. How much are Harry Potter wands at Universal Studios Hollywood?Buy the wand
Interactive wands cost $60 apiece. To save money, you could buy an interactive wand second-hand off eBay. But you'll miss the experience of picking out your wand at Ollivanders. Use your wand to cast spells at 13 spots around Hogsmeade.
What wands are available at Harry Potter World Hollywood?You have the option of purchasing a wand made of different materials — holly, reed, birch, willow, ash, vine, hazel, ivy, rowan, hawthorne and alder, each with a different core. These wands are only interactive.
Are the Harry Potter wands at Universal worth it?So even if you only did a few spells, it's definitely worth it for the fun! However, if you are only visiting Harry Potter lands to ride the attractions then move on to other Universal rides, and you are not a big fan of Harry Potter, then an interactive wand is not worth it for you.
Can you buy a wand at Harry Potter Universal Hollywood?You can purchase your own Ollivanders wand, or choose from a selection including Harry Potter™ film character wand replicas, collectible wand sets and even Interactive Wands which allow you to cast spells to create amazing magical experiences throughout Hogsmeade™.
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