Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands

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. 

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?
  • How Much Is a Wand at Universal Studios Hollywood?
  • Wand Discounts & Deals

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.

Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands

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. 

 

Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands

  • Character Wands (Harry Potter, Dumbledore, Voldemort, etc.)
    • Interactive: $63
    • Regular: $55
  • Collectors Edition Wands
    • Interactive: $75
    • Regular: Not available - only sold as interactive
  • Ollivander's Wands
    • Interactive: $63
    • Regular: $55
  • Wand Collections 
    • Triwizard Set: $195
    • Dumbledore's Army Set: $295
    • Weasley Set: $100 

Wand Discounts & Deals

Discounts 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! 

  • Free regular wand with purchase of $250 Universal gift card
  • 10% off for Universal Annual Passholders

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. 

Where 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.

Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands
Hogwarts Castle in all its grandeur. Credit: JiaYing Grygiel

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 early

The 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.)

Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands
Stop for sweets at Honeydukes at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Credit: JiaYing Grygiel​​

2. Get your bearings

This 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 galleons

No 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.

Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands
Enjoy your butterbeer. Credit: JiaYing Grygiel

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 hollywood harry potter world wands
Looking smart in Hogwarts robes at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Credit: JiaYing Grygiel

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.

Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands
Pose for a photo in front of the Hogwarts Express. Credit: JiaYing Grygiel

5. A good geographic game plan

The 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.

Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands
An exciting moment on the can’t-miss Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood. Credit: JiaYing Grygiel

6. Ride the two Harry Potter rides

Curious — 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.

Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands
Ollivanders wand shop. Credit: JiaYing Grygiel

7. Buy the wand

The 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.

Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands
Wands on display at Ollivanders. Credit: JiaYing Grygiel

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 stop

Don’t miss the restrooms in Hogsmeade featuring a certain gurgling ghost.

9. It’s all about attitude

Long lines? It’s hot? Don’t let the muggles get you down. Your visit is as magical as you make it.

Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands
Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students perform in the village of Hogsmeade. Credit: JiaYing Grygiel

10. For visitors with disabilities

Guests 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.
The guest services team members don’t ask for a diagnosis; they ask why queuing is difficult. You need to explain what could happen if you stand in line for long periods of time.

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 tip

Hollywood 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.

Universal studios hollywood harry potter world wands
Can’t make it to California? Spot this nifty dragon atop a building in Renton. Credit: JiaYing Grygiel

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™.