Looking to buy a Harry Potter wand on your next Universal Studios Hollywood vacation? You'll want to visit Ollivanders in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, filled with wands and secrets from the films. Wands purchased individually start at about $60 at Universal Studios Hollywood but be sure to keep reading for all of the insider tips, tricks and secrets for your Harry Potter vacation.
Many families will be drawn to Hogwarts to experience Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and to the Butterbeer cart for a taste of quite possibly the most magical beverage ever created.
But, the true Harry Potter fan will make sure to pop into Ollivanders to see an actual wand ceremony. Although similar to the Ollivanders in Florida, there are some distinct differences between the two.
Here are 7 secrets every true Harry Potter fan needs to know about Ollivanders at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Behind the scenes of the Ollivanders at Universal Studios Hollywood
1. The Ollivanders at Universal Studios Hollywood has two show rooms, but you will probably only see one. Everyone will enter into one main chamber stacked with wands.
When your wand keeper is ready, a panel will move allowing your group to be escorted into your ceremony room. The wall will then close allowing the next group to come through before being escorted into the other room next door.
2. The entire wand ceremony lasts about five minutes, and the attraction only can allow about 20% of the park capacity on any given day. It has to be that way to keep it the intimate experience it is intended to be.
3. There are approximately 40 wand keepers, each with a different style and flare. The wand keepers rotate through 45 minute sets, so you could go through the ceremony multiple times even on the same day and have a unique experience each time.
Exploring the Different Types of Wands at Ollivanders
4. The wands from the Ollivanders ceremony contain magic that is only accessible inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. These interactive wands work magic on 11 different windows found in the land. Look for the mark indicating that you've found a magic window, point your wand, and watch the magic happen. Find them all for an adventure.
5. Ollivanders moved to Hogsmeade just for Universal Studios. If you've read the books or seen the movies, you know that Ollivanders is technically located in Diagon Alley where most of the back-to-Hogwarts shopping occurs.
However, Ollivanders is such an immersive and incredible opportunity, that it couldn't be left out of the west coast's version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so it moved to Hogsmeade.
Visitors to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida know that there are actually two Ollivanders on the east coast. The original opened inside Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure. Then, a second location opened in its proper home, the heart of Diagon Alley, after Diagon Alley opened in Universal Studios Florida.
Visitors to Florida can visit both Ollivanders locations with a Park Hopper ticket and a ride aboard the Hogwarts Express. Read more about Universal Orlando tickets here.
Secrets of How Wands are Chosen for Guests
6. You can better your odds of being chosen by a wand by wearing wizarding gear. Many wand keepers seem to be especially partial to Griffyndor. You can also increase your chances by staying near the front, and well, being a kid, or at least young at heart.
7. The wand may choose you, but if you choose to keep it, you'll have to pay for it. Harry had to pay for his wand too, right? All of the wands are priced at about $60 and if you are chosen, you are sure to remember it forever.
Explore More Harry Potter Secrets at Universal Studios Hollywood
When you're ready to enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we're here to help! You can make Anaheim your home base, explore Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood all on one trip. Or, stay at the nearby Sheraton Universal or The Garland. Either way, you're sure to make memories that you'll treasure forever. Book online or call our agents at 855-GET-AWAY.
Join the Conversation!
Leave A CommentNancy RowsellJuly 10 2023
We first visited Ollivanders for our youngest sons 8th birthday back in 2015, both he & our son 11 at the time were chosen! Truly magical experience for them. We still have their original wands! We're now back with them as young adults & can't wait to go back. Nicest thing happened last time as we're from UK where Harry Potter was filmed (Northumberland) and were treated like royalty by all the staff once they realised & really made us & the boys feel special.
??March 30 2022
IM SO HAPPY I WAS CHOSEN OMG I CAN NEVER FORGET THE EXPERIENCE!!!
Get Away TodayJanuary 08 2020
Abnormal Anj - We're glad to hear it all worked out in the end! It's definitely fun no matter what.
abnormal anjJanuary 03 2020
Thank you for the insight! My 40+ year old self was desperate to be chosen. However, my 9 year old niece was the lucky one. Couldn’t have worked out better, because I was able to get a personal “reading” from the Wizard! It was an awesome experience! ??
Get Away TodayJuly 10 2019
jAVABEAN- Thanks so much for sharing your excitement! Have you been to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter too?
jAVABEANJuly 10 2019
my friend is also addicted to this, she will actually be going there very soon and is really excited!! she is packing as much harry potter stuff as she can pack!
jAVABEANJuly 10 2019
MY COUSIN WENT THERE BEFORE AND HAD THE BEST EXPERIENCE, SHE CAME BACK WITH A WAND AND A MOUTH THAT NEVER STOPPED TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!
Get Away TodayMay 28 2019
Potterhead- Wouldn't that be such a fun experience?!
potterheadMay 28 2019
OMG I really really really want to get chosen!! I know I'd get super excited if I did! Either way, I hope to get a wand there!
AnonymousFebruary 27 2019
Dont expect an amazing experience. The showroom itself is massively overcrowded with people and trying to find s particular wand is exhausting.
Get Away TodayFebruary 26 2019
Pat- Oh no! Good catch. Thanks for letting us know we have a typo in the pinnable image! Thankfully we got it right in the text of this article ;)
Pat RossiFebruary 26 2019
In this advertisement you have Ollivanders spelt with only one L. Is that a typo?
Harry Potter February 16 2019
I went there before
Luna LovegoodAugust 12 2018
WOW!
JaneJuly 21 2018
I was chosen, it was amazing! I didn't see the wand keeper at first because I was so enthralled by the shop. It looked exactly how I had imagined from when I was little and my father read me the stories before bed. The woman wandered about for a bit, and then said that she sensed powerful magic, before walking right up to me. It was truly amazing and I had a difficult time walking in a straight line afterwards. In all my fourteen years of life that was probably the best day of it all.
graceMarch 30 2018
I went and I got chosen for the Wand Ceremony! They were surprised when I knew all the spells I was asked to do with the different wands
Justine Sander L. PlatilMay 05 2017
since I was two I start reading the wizarding world of harry potter but there is a problem I am very far at the wizarding world cause lived at the philippines
Hermionie granger December 31 2016
OMG
AnonymousNovember 14 2016
awesome definetly want to go. :):)