Ollivander's, morning or night? (plus bonus transport question)

[staceychev]

Hi All -

We're getting super excited for our first family trip to USF/IoA. We are all big HP fans, so that's the primary focus of our visit. I've got two questions relating to wand purchase:

1. What is the better (ie, easier, less crowded) time to go to Ollivander's - morning (early park entry) or end of day? I'm talking Friday Dec 7, so I don't think the crowds will be unbearable.

2. There's a possible chance that we could get to the park not too long before closing - if our plane lands on time (4:40 pm) and rush hour traffic cooperates. We will have "buy 2 get 2" tickets for our trip, so I could totally throw away a day on a trip to Ollivander's. If we can get to the park entrance of USF by 6:30, and the park closes at 7, is there any chance we could get the interactive wands purchased by the time the store closes?

Thanks!

 

[bchbetha]

1. The crowds really won't be so bad that you have to go out of your way to plan around them! Diagon Alley will have shorter lines as they have more show rooms though.
2. Yes. It'll be a little tight though. My kids weren't picked in the show so they had to pick their own. They didn't want character wands so had to read all the signs to find the one that fit the best.

 

[staceychev]

Good point about taking time to read the signs. I don't want them to feel rushed. I think we want to go to Diagon Alley anyway - my older daughter will think it's more proper. After all, a real wizard wouldn't buy her first want in Hogsmeade!

 

[bumbershoot]

After all, a real wizard wouldn't buy her first want in Hogsmeade!

Tough for those wizards who needed a wand before Universal put in Diagon, isn't it?

 

[staceychev]

Tough for those wizards who needed a wand before Universal put in Diagon, isn't it?

EXACTLY! lol

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I would suggest morning or night but not afternoon. Either will probably be fine.

 

[Pumbaa_]

We bought my moms wand at the little stand across from Weasleys. They had I think all the interactive wands without having to battle the store. Mom uses an ecv and it was near impossible to get through there.

The little stand was nice, could see all the different ones in one spot.

 

[bchbetha]

We bought my moms wand at the little stand across from Weasleys. They had I think all the interactive wands without having to battle the store. Mom uses an ecv and it was near impossible to get through there.

The little stand was nice, could see all the different ones in one spot.

Some wizards wouldn’t want to buy from Gregorovich (name of that shop). But, yes, Ollivanders is a tight squeeze!

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

They sell the wands at Orlando airport

 

[staceychev]

They sell the wands at Orlando airport

Thanks, but that's definitely not an option. Buying from the wand store is definitely part of the experience we want. (This from the mom who had to explain to her DD8 just a couple of months ago that she wasn't getting a wand from Barnes and Noble because we were waiting for our visit to Ollivanders!)

 

[skylock]

For a child, I think it is way more important to have the wand than where it was bought at.

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

What about robes

 

[bchbetha]

What about robes

Depends on the kid.

But, yeah, I think most kids (and many adults) want to buy their wand at Universal- the purchasing is part of the experience/

 

[staceychev]

What about robes

I'm really torn about robes. We're doing HP t-shirts, but I don't know that my DD13 will want to wear a robe (teenagers!), and where she goes, little sister follows.

I need to figure out a way to ask the girls what they would want to do without showing my hand, because the trip is a 100% surprise - ie, pick them up from school and give them 15 minutes to pack before leaving for the airport. Unfortunately, DD13 is really inquisitive and analytical and can suss out my motives pretty easily!

 

[staceychev]

For a child, I think it is way more important to have the wand than where it was bought at.

For many kids, sure. But I know my kids and how into the HP universe they are, and I know they will want to get their wands in the park at the wand store.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I'm really torn about robes. We're doing HP t-shirts, but I don't know that my DD13 will want to wear a robe (teenagers!), and where she goes, little sister follows.

I need to figure out a way to ask the girls what they would want to do without showing my hand, because the trip is a 100% surprise - ie, pick them up from school and give them 15 minutes to pack before leaving for the airport. Unfortunately, DD13 is really inquisitive and analytical and can suss out my motives pretty easily!

The robes are pretty expensive in the park - $100 range. DD got one as her main souvenir one trip, and they are really well-made. However, she outgrew it after a couple of years. For an older Potter fan, I think it is worth it, especially if they will keep it and wear it for other occasions, but you might want to think about getting little sister's ahead of time. You could pull it out at the same time!

 

[staceychev]

The robes are pretty expensive in the park - $100 range. DD got one as her main souvenir one trip, and they are really well-made. However, she outgrew it after a couple of years. For an older Potter fan, I think it is worth it, especially if they will keep it and wear it for other occasions, but you might want to think about getting little sister's ahead of time. You could pull it out at the same time!

Yeah, the price of the robes is what makes me pause! I was looking on them on Amazon, and I imagine that the cheap ones aren't very well-made - more junky Halloween costume than anything.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I’m getting robes next trip. For me and mom

 

[denecarter]

My daughter just turned 31... and where she gets her wand is super important!

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

Are you giving them hogwarts acceptance letters