Buying & Using Harry Potter Wands at Universal Studios – The Complete Guide
If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, a replica wand is one of the best souvenirs you can buy at Universal Studios.
There are three different types of Harry Potter wands sold at Universal Studios:
- Toy wands, which costs $30
- Interactive wands, which costs between $65 and $75
- Collectable wands, which cost between $120 and $295
I think the best type of wand to buy at Universal Studios is an interactive wand. These wands can cast spells at various points within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Plus, they look fantastic on a shelf once you’re back home.
The toy wands sold at Universal Studios have no interactive features. They come in one standard design and are sold in various stores.
Since there’s no more to say about the toy wands, I will only be focusing on the different interactive and collectable wands available in this article.
Where to Buy Replica Wands at Universal Studios
There are several places you can buy replica wands at Universal Studios. However, the best place to buy a Harry Potter wand at Universal Studios is at Ollivanders.
Ollivanders is the wand shop all wizards visit in the Harry Potter franchise. This store is in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area at Universal Hollywood and Universal Orlando.
- Universal Orlando Resort: Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure
- Universal Studios Hollywood: Wizarding World of Harry Potter
There are two components to Ollivanders:
- The Wand Choosing Ceremony
- The Ollivanders Store
You do not have to attend The Wand Choosing Ceremony to shop at Ollivanders. There are separate doors that go directly into the store.
Ollivanders Wand Choosing Ceremony
The Wand Choosing Ceremony is a five-minute performance that runs continuously throughout the day. The performance place inside a small room, standing only, and has a capacity of roughly 20 people.
The queue for this performance is located on the side of the Ollivanders store. The wait time for this experience is not displayed; however, I’ve never waited more than 20 minutes.
During the performance, the wandmaker selects a person from the crowd. This person experiences ‘the wand choosing the wizard’, as in the first instalment of the Harry Potter franchise.
You are welcome to attend this show regardless of whether or not you would like to buy a wand. There’s also no obligation to buy a wand even if you’re chosen for the ‘wand choosing’ experience.
Interactive Wands
Interactive wands are the most popular wands sold at Universal Studios. There are 28 different interactive wand designs available.
26 of the 28 designs mirrors that used by a character from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise, including:
- Harry Potter
- Hermione Granger
- Ron Weasley
- Ginny Weasley
- Albus Dumbledore
- Sirus Black
- Professor Snape
- Draco Malfoy
- Professor McGonagall
- Gregorovitch
- Narcissa Malfoy
- Fleur Delacour
- Death Eater (Swirl)
- Yusuf Kama
- Seraphina Picquery
- Grindelwald
- Leta Lestrange
- Newt Scamander
- Theseus Scamander
- Queenie Goldstein
- Nicolas Flamel
- Xeno Lovegood
- Voldemort
- Peter Pettigrew
- Death Eater (Traditional)
- Bellatrix Lestrange
All of the character-designed interactive wands cost $65 each. The additional 2 of the 28 designs are collector editions:
- Interactive 2023 Second Edition Collector Wand
- Interactive 2024 Collector Wand
These interactive collector wands are $75 each. Although previous interactive collector wands have been created, they are no longer sold.
Using Interactive Wands at Universal Studios
You can use an interactive wand to ‘cast spells’ at various points inside the Wizarding World. There are two ways to find spell locations:
- By Map
- By Brass Floor Marker
Inside the interactive wand box, you’ll find a map. This map can be used to find spell locations inside the theme park.
At Universal Orlando, this map is double-sided. One side shows the markers for Hogsmeade, and the other shows Diagon Alley.
At Universal Studios Hollywood, this map is one-sided as only one Wizarding World area exists.
There are also some secret spell locations which have markers but are not shown on the map.
Interactive wands bought at Universal Orlando work at Universal Studios Hollywood and vice-versa. I have personally tested this. As such, you do not need to buy a new wand based on the Universal theme park you visit.
When you find a brass marker on the floor, you can cast your spell.
To begin, stand on the brass marker facing the direction shown on the arrow. Then, wave your wand in the shape shown. The technology in the wand then interacts with a display to trigger a reaction.
Interactive Wand Repairs
No batteries are required given the IR technology used in an interactive wand. My interactive wand has worked without issues for over five years.
However, if your interactive wand stops working, you can get it repaired or replaced at Ollivanders. You do not need a receipt or proof of purchase; it doesn’t matter how long you’ve owned the wand.
Collectable Wands
There are currently three collectable wands designed for display:
- Weasley Wand Collection for $120
- Triwizard Champions Wand Collection for $195
- Dumbledore’s Army Wand Collection for $295
Given how specialist these wands are, they are only available to buy at select locations. The two stores best known to stock these wands are:
- Universal Store at CityWalk
- Ollivanders at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter