Ollivanders Experience in Hogsmeade

Description And Comments

Next to the Owl Post is Ollivanders, a musty little shop stacked to the ceiling with boxes of magic wands. Inside you'll find the same intimate wand choosing ceremony found in the Diagon Alley attraction of the same name. It’s great fun, but the tiny shop can accommodate only about 24 guests at a time. After the show, the whole group is dispatched to the Owl Post and Dervish and Banges to make purchases. Wand prices range from $25 for a toy “learner wand” to $48 for an interactive model that triggers special effects hidden inside shop windows throughout Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

The wand experience is second in popularity only to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Lines build quickly after opening, and there’s little to no shade. If Ollivanders is a priority, and you can't visit the USF branch, go there first thing in the morning or after 7:30 p.m. The average wait time during summer and other busy periods is 45-85 minutes between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. If you’re just looking to buy a wand without the interactive features, a cart is usually set up between Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods and the Flight of the Hippogriff exit, with little to no wait.

The Diagon Alley version of Ollivanders has more available rooms and therefore regularly lower waits. In addition, if you're a big Potter nerd (like some of our staff) Ollivanders is canonically in Diagon Alley anyway.

Interactive Wands and Spell Casting Locations in Hogsmeade

Interactive wands sold in either park come with a map which shows Diagon Alley spell casting locations on one side, and Hogsmeade locations on the other. All of the spells in Hogsmeade are found in the central village, not near Hogwarts Castle or Hogsmeade Station. Effects aren't as numerous or elaborate in Hogsmeade as in Diagon Alley, and several are adaptations of older effects that formerly ran automatically. There are also no hidden effects in Hogsmeade (as far as we know). On the other hand, there usually aren't quite as many kids trying to trigger effects here. If you are only visiting IOA it probably isn't worthwhile buying an interactive wand, but if you are visiting both parks make sure to test out your purchase from USF's Ollivanders here.

Touring Tips

• Open for Early Park Admission.

Due to its extremely low capacity (about 150 guests per hour), long lines for the show at Ollivanders form quickly upon park opening and last until just before the park closes. If you need to see this show, go first thing in the morning.

If your young ’un is selected to test-drive a wand, be forewarned that you’ll have to buy it if you want to take it home. Note that the price of the interactive wands includes unlimited activations of the hidden effects; you don't have to pay to "recharge" your wand on subsequent visits, or even replace a battery.

You do not need to see the wand selection show in order to purchase a wand at Ollivanders--just enter the store directly rather than wait in the long outdoor queue. Also, interactive wands and other Harry Potter merchandise are available online and at other stores in the Wizarding World, as well as at Islands of Adventure Trading Company.

Special Comments

The Ollivanders in Diagon Alley has an identical show, but much better capacity and increased elbow room. See it in the other park if the outlet in IOA has more than 25 people in line ahead of you.

Other Attractions in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade

• Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Frog Choir
• Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• Hogwarts Express - Hogsmeade Station
• The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle
• Triwizard Spirit Rally

Touring Plans with Ollivanders Experience in Hogsmeade

• Islands of Adventure One-Day Plan for Parents with Small Children
• Islands of Adventure One-Day Plan for Seniors
• Islands of Adventure One-Day Plan (without Early Entry)
• Islands of Adventure One-Day Plan WITH Early Entry
• ALTERNATE Universal Orlando Highlights One Day/Two Park Plan WITH early entry PART 1 (IOA)
Universal Orlando Highlights One-Day/Two-Park Plan (Starting in IOA) WITH Early Entry PART 1
• See all Touring Plans...

What is a Touring Plan?