Harry Potter Wands at Universal

Sharing is caring!

Ultimate Guide To the Interactive Wands from Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts.

This ultimate guide to the the wands at Universal covers all the wand types, with complete details of the interactive wands, all the spells at the parks, including secret spells, birthday wands and the wood type meanings, wand choosing, wand prices, photos of each wand and more!

We’ve spent hours in the parks exploring the Wizarding World sections to help you make the most of your visit! Spoiler alert: There are full details and photos of the spells included too!

From deciding which wand to buy, to learning all about the interactive wand casting spots including the secret spots, with lots of tips along the way, this ultimate guide to Harry Potter wands at Universal has you covered!

All that’s left is for you to read on and enjoy! We have no doubt you will love the interactive wizarding experiences in both Harry Potter lands, as much as us!

Eleven years old or forty, being a Potterhead is forever. It’s just like Snape says: “Always!”, and it’s even more so when you have kids. You can simply never get enough of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

From purchasing your own wand and sipping on butterbeer while strolling through Diagon Alley to buying your very own snowy owl, the Wizarding World at Universal Studios is the place to go to immerse yourself in all things magical.

Choosing your wand, or rather, getting chosen by a wand, is a turning point in any wizard’s life. After all, you can’t “Accio” your wand without a wand! From a simple swish and flick and opening doors with Alohomaro to fighting trolls with Wingardium Leviosa, wands are the gateway to magic.

That’s why it makes absolute sense to start your own wizarding journey with Harry Potter Wands at Universal Studios! Keep reading to figure out which wands are the best fit for you and your little wizards.

Where Can You Buy Wands at Universal?

There are several places to buy wands at Universal Studios Resort in Orlando. Universal has the largest collection of wands from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is one of the reasons that make it the most perfect vacation spot for Harry Potter fans.

You can buy wands from Universal Studios Stores at CityWalk, Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, or at any of the on-site resorts.  The 3 main places to buy a wand in the Wizarding World are Gregorovitch, Ollivanders (there is one in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade) and the Wand Cart in Hogsmeade.

The most enhanced wand-buying experience is still definitely at Ollivanders Wand Shop, which is located in Hogsmeade (in Islands of Adventure), as well as Diagon Alley (in Universal Studios Florida). We prefer buying at Ollivanders at Diagon Alley for that authentic feeling, but the full list of where to buy a wand at Universal is as follows:

• Ollivanders – Diagon Alley (Universal Studios)
• Ollivanders- Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure)
• Wands by Gregorovitch- Diagon Alley (Universal Studios)
• Wand Cart- Hogsmeade on the way to the castle (Islands of Adventure)
• Owl Post- Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure)
• Trading Company Store (entry/exit of Islands of Adventure)
• Universal Studios Store – (entrance/exit of Universal Studios Florida)
• Universal Studios Store – Any on-site resort hotel
• Universal Studios Store – CityWalk

What Does the Harry Potter Interactive Wand Do?

The interactive wands will perform magic at spell spots around Universal in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure (as well as other Universal Parks).

Just follow the simple instructions on your wand map which comes in the wand box or look at the golden medallion spell markers on the ground to help you. If in difficulty, a helpful witch or wizard is usually close by to offer some tips!

How Much are Wands at Ollivanders in Universal?

Currently, non interactive replica wands cost $55 and interactive replica wands with a spell map cost $63. Collectible interactive wands with a spell map cost $75.

The non interactive Hagrid’s umbrella wand is $120. Prices of wands remain the same all throughout Universal including the online shop, so just pick one up wherever it’s most convenient, if not at Ollivanders. Toy wands are cheaper.

Are the Wands at Universal Studios worth it?

To enjoy all that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal has to offer then yes! We have visited numerous times and always bring our interactive wands, but even if visiting the one time, you can cast spells, join in the fun and have a great souvenir to bring home.

Whilst it isn’t hard to find toy wands and collectibles online, Universal’s interactive wands are in a league of their own. 

Interactive Harry Potter Wands at Universal Studios use animatronics and special effects to help you cast real spells throughout The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Use them to make “magic” happen at more than two dozen locations at the Universal Florida parks!

The interactive wands bought at Ollivanders are also worth every penny due to their durability. The interactive wands don’t need batteries and if the reflective tip stops working, Ollivanders offer a free wand repair which takes less than a minute, so you can be back casting spells in no time!

What Harry Potter Wands Are in Universal?

Wondering what Harry Potter Wands you can get at Universal? You can purchase any from the full range and best of all, pick them up and see which is the best for you, or let the wand choose the wizard!

There are three main types of Harry Potter Wands at Universal Studios: the Standard collectible wand or Replicas (non interactive), the magical Interactive Wands with over 50 to choose from, and the exquisite interactive Collectible Edition. A further type are the cheaper Toy Wands ($30) which are not interactive but some have battery operated illuminated tips. Learn more about the different types, including the interactive wands from the Ollivanders Wand Choosing Experience.

Replica Wands (Non interactive)

The standard replica Harry Potter Wands at Universal Studios look just like the ones used in the Harry Potter movies but have no magical powers in them. These wands are quite thin, relatively fragile, and range from 14 to 16 inches in length. They’re best used for displaying at home or cosplaying your favorite characters. Look close enough and you might even find the non interactive Rubeus Hagrid’s umbrella wand if you are lucky!

Interactive ‘Magic’ Wands

Interactive wands are the best kind of magic wand you can buy in the muggle world. Visitors have over 50 different interactive Harry Potter Wands at Universal Studios to choose from, each of which has the power to cast real spells at spell-casting places around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.

Interactive wands have thicker bodies and rounded reflector tips that activate sensors on the surface while casting spells. All interactive wands come with a double-sided map of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley that shows all the spell-casting locations at the park.

Interactive Limited Collectible Wands

Collector’s Edition Wands

There are also the limited Collector Edition Wands for the ultimate Potterheads, which are slightly more pricey ($75) but definitely worth adding to your collection. There is usually a new one released every year, although 2021 had two!

All wands, whether standard, interactive, or collectible, are made of resin and not wood. All wands in Universal Studios also come with deluxe souvenir boxes to store them in.

Are the Collectible Wands Interactive?

Collector’s Edition Wands are a must-have for Potterheads as they are made of higher-grade materials, which are more resistant than toy replica wands and yes they are interactive too!

They do make great souvenirs or photo props and definitely belong in your Harry Potter collection for that purpose. You’ll find every character wand you can imagine, from Dumbledore’s Elder Wand to the twin phoenix core wands of Harry and Voldemort.

Toy Wands at Universal

More about Interactive Wands

Interactive wands are the best kind of magic wand you can buy in the wizarding and muggle world. Visitors have over 50 different interactive Harry Potter Wands at Universal Studios to choose from, each of which has the power to cast real spells at spell-casting places around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. There are currently 53 different interactive wands available, including the collectors limited edition.

Interactive wands have thicker bodies and rounded reflector tips that activate sensors on the surface while casting spells. All interactive wands come with a double-sided map that shows all the spell-casting locations at the park.

There are over two dozen spell-casting locations in Universal at the moment including two ‘secret’ spells not listed on the map or a spell marker in Diagon Alley.

For instance, there’s a spell that makes a suspicious-looking pot of brown stuff aka Dragon poo move and emit a sulfuric scent at the far-right window of Slug and Jiggers Apothecary and at Scibbulus the far right window you can magic ink appear on the scroll with numerous words.

Full List of Spell Locations in Diagon Alley

Pilliwinkles Playthings – Tarantallegra Spell

See the dancing trolls dancing when the curtain lifts.

Flimflams Lanterns – Incendio

Watch the lanterns light all glow brightly above you!

Umbrella Sign – Meteolojinx

Make the umbrella pour with water, hear the thunder and the lights flicker in the mini storm you create.

Magical Mengarie – Silcencio

Stop the bird from singing and chirping with this spell.

Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment – Dark Detectors

Dark Detectors: Raise your wand and watch the eyes open and follow your wand direction.

Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment – Specialis Revelio

Watch the lights form an archer who shoots arrows for his dog to fetch. This one is best seen when it’s cloudy or dark.

Scribbulus – Wingardium Leviosa

Watch the feather float up into the air

Secret Spell 1: Scribbulous – Invisible Ink

Wave your wand in the far right window at Scribbulous and watch words magically appear on the scroll.

Secret Spell 2: Slug & Jiggers Apothecary – Dragon Poo

Wave your wand and watch the dragon poo overflow, move, belch and SMELL!

Bowman E Wright Blacksmith – Reparo

See the suit of armour repair itself

Bowman E Wright Blacksmith – Locomotor Bellows

Watch the bellows operate magically by themselves.

Mermaid Fountain – Aguamenti

A favourite! Cast the spell to make the golden frog spurt water, but be prepared for a little surprise! Your spell will also cause an arch of water to zoom over and splat someone if they are standing in its way. ( Hint: look for the wet floor to see exactly where.)

Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes – Descendo

Watch the ‘U no Poo’ plunger go down the toilet!

Knockturn Alley

Chimney Sweep Elf Sign – Locomotor Chimney Sweep

Dystyl Phaelanges – Moving Skeleton

Watch as the skeleton copies your every move!

Noggin and Bonce – Mimblewimble

Enjoy the pun of the names of the Shrunken Heads and silence their chitter chatter with the Mimblewimble spell.

Tallow The Hemp Toxic Tapers

Watch as your spell causes the bird to suffer from various ailments!

Trackleshanks Locksmith – Alohomora

Unlock the door, but try and peer inside and a gust of air will surprise you!

Full List of Spell Locations in Hogsmeade

Zonko’s Joke Shop – Incendio

Cast your spell and watch spinning wheels and rockets zoom.

McHavelock’s – Arresto Momento

Watch the cheeky pixie play.

Honeydukes – Revelio

Cast the spell and watch the large chocolate frog box open with a frog croaking.

Dogweed and Deathcap – Herbivicus

Watch the reddish lily like flower bloom!

Gladrags Wizardwear – Ascendio

Watch the measuring tape roll up the mannequin.

Gladrags Wizardwear – Descendio

Watch the tape measure roll down the mannequin.

Madam Puddifoot’s – Locomotor Snowman

See the snowman dance around the cake with this spell.

Dervish and Banges – Locomotor

Watch the Hungarian Horntail Dragon and Harry Potter zoom around Hogwarts.

Dervish and Banges – Arresto Momentum

Stop the Hungarian Horntail Dragon and Harry Potter from zooming around Hogwarts.

Tomes and Scrolls – Alohomora

Look at the famous wizarding book Tales of Beedle The Bard as it opens up…

Spintwitches – Wingardium Leviosa

Watch the quidditch balls levitate with Wingardium Leviosa!

If you decide to buy an Interactive Wand you can choose either a character wand or a non-character wand, aka the “unclaimed’ ones. The character wands include wands of all the main characters from Harry Potter and also the Fantastic Beast series too, like Harry Potter, Hermione, Ron, Sirius, Dumbledore, Voldemort, Fleur, Cho Chang, Yaxley, Seraphina, Newt, Queenie’s and more. Here is a full list of the character wands:

How many interactive wands are there? There are currently 39 different character interactive wands available from both Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts characters and 13 interactive based on ‘wood’ type, and 1 collectors edition.

Interactive Character Wand Options

• Harry Potter –  Gryffindor
• James Potter
• Hermione Granger – Gryiffindor
• Neville Longbottom – Gryffindor
• Ron Weasley – Gryffindor
• Fred Weasley – Gryffindor
• George Weasley – Gryffindor
• Ginny Weasley – Gryffindor
• Molly Weasley
• Arthur Weasley
• Cho Chang – Ravenclaw
• Luna Lovegood – Ravenclaw
• Nymphadora Tonks –  Hufflepuff
• Cedric Diggory – Hufflepuff
• Draco Malfoy – Slytherin
• Narcissa Malfoy
• Bellatrix Lestrange
• Corban Yaxley – Dark Wizard and a Death Eater
• Peter Pettigrew
• Lord Voldemort
• Xenophilius Lovegood
• Sirius Black
• Professor Dumbledore
• Professor Lupin
• Mad-Eye Moody
• Professor Snape
• Professor McGonagall
• Fleur Delacour – Beauxbatons 
• Viktor Krum – Durmstrang Institute
• Rufus Scrimgeour – head of the Auror Office of the Ministry of Magic then Minister of Magic.
• Gregorovitch Wand
• Death Eater Swirl Wand
• Death Eater Snake Wand
• Death Eater Skull Wand

Fantastic Beasts Interactive Wands

• Gellert Grindelwald
• Albus Dumbledore (different to his later wand in Harry Potter era)
• Seraphina Picquery
• Queenie Goldstein
• Newt Scamander

Birthday Wands AKA Wands From the Wand Choosing Ceremony at Ollivanders

The 13 types of “unclaimed” wands are based on the Celtic tree calendar that Rowling used when deciding on wood types for each character. You can purchase them alongside the other character wands and of course, one may choose you at the Wand Choosing Ceremony at Ollivanders. (More about the whole experience and how to increase your chances of being chosen below.)

The various wood types represent different attributes like birth date. For instance, if you were born between Jan 21 and Feb 17, you might be an imaginative type, making the Rowan wood wand the best match. If you share Harry’s birthday of Jul 31, then you are steadfast, and the Oak wand is said to suit you best. The vine wand is yours if you are persistent like our favorite heroine Hermione. 

Here are the 13 wood types that wands are ‘made’ of based on your birthdays or attributes from the Celtic tree calendar.   (Note: these interactive wands are really made of resin.)

Ollivanders Wand Choosing Experience

A wand is one of the most important things in a wizard’s life. Even broken, Hagrid cannot do without his umbrella wand!

Getting picked by a wand at Ollivanders is one of the most exciting and ecstatic feelings a young witch or wizard can have. You can’t miss out on this magical experience where your kids will get to experience exactly what eleven-year-old Harry felt when his wand chose him at Universal Studios. The interactive experience at the Ollivander store gives Potterheads the opportunity to try multiple wands before being picked by one of them. Just like in the books and movies, there will be a burst of light to indicate that they have been chosen!

How do you get chosen at Ollivanders wand shop?

It should be known that not everyone who visits Ollivanders store gets the opportunity to be chosen by a wand. There is no exact foolproof way to get chosen for this, but you can do some things to help, such as heading to Ollivanders as early as possible. This tip is especially useful if you have early passes. Your early pass will allow you one-hour early entry into the parks, so head straight to Ollivanders as soon as you arrive to increase your chances of getting picked. Standing right at the front of the crowd in your favorite wizarding outfit, especially that of Harry’s own Gryffindor house might help get you some brownie points too! 

Kids, especially those who look of age (eleven-year-olds) for the first year at Hogwarts, have a higher chance of getting picked over adults.

Does it cost more for the interactive Harry Potter wand buying experience? The wand-choosing experience itself does not cost you a penny, but if you do get chosen by a wand, you will have to pay if you wish to keep it.

Which Ollivanders wand shop is better?

Both are good, but our winner is always the one in Diagon Alley.

Can You Take Wands on Rides at Universal?

While Harry Potter wands can be carried onto Universal rides, it’s best to use the ride locker facility for safe-keeping if the ride is an intense one: when ALL belongings must go in a locker, eg Hargrids, Gringotts, Velocicoaster etc. However, carrying the wand on lower-intensity rides like Spider-Man, shouldn’t be an issue. Lockers can be rented in different sizes but the smaller free version will fit your wand in or out of its box. The wand, even in its box fits inside the small lockers.

Wearing a wizarding robe or cloak not only increases your chances of getting selected at Ollivanders but also gives you a built-in place to tuck away your wand: a wand pocket! Another way to carry your wand is to fashion or buy a wand holder. Much like a holster, this contraption can be clipped to your belt or strap. 

Can You Use Harry Potter Wands at all Universal Parks?

Yes! The interactive wands will work at all Universal Wizarding World locations, including Universal Studios Orlando, Islands of Adventure, California and at overseas Universal Parks too!

Where Can Interactive Wands Be Used?

Universal’s interactive wands work in all Universal Parks, including Universal Studios Hollywood in California, Universal Studios in Florida, Universal’s Island of Adventure in Florida, Universal Japan.

In Florida, they can be used at eighteen different locations in Diagon Alley: 13 spells (including 2 secret ones) in the main area, at five locations in Knockturn Alley, and 9 in Hogsmeade.

To cast a spell, first, arrive at a spot where they can be cast by locating the marker on the ground. Then, just direct your wand toward this marker and cast the magical spell that corresponds to the symbol on your map.

Note that these interactive wands do not work at Warner Bros Studios, as they are particularly designed to be used at the Universal parks only.

How Long do Interactive Wands Last?

If taken care of, the interactive wands from Ollivanders can last you over five years. If it isn’t working, you can always bring it to Ollivanders for Wand Repair, and they replace the tip for free or potentially even replace it, even after many years of buying it.

The coolest part about these wands is that they do not use any electronics. They just have a small reflector on the tip that cameras us to pick up motion. Because of this IR technology, there are no batteries in the wands! It’s pure magic if you ask me. 

There are 3 main types of wands at Universal Studios. While the standard and collectible wands are just for display purposes, the interactive ones are more engaging. Whether you choose a character interactive wand or an interactive one that matches your own birthday and attributes, all interactive wands work the same.

How Do I Know if My Wand Is Interactive?

All interactive wands are passive devices without any electronics inside. However, they are thicker than standard wands and have a reflective surface on the tip that bounces light back to a sensor, thereby tracking its movement. The display turns on when the system detects a correct spell movement. You can easily tell if your wand is interactive or not by checking its tip inside the box. The box will also contain a map of spell locations; with Hogsmeade on one side and Diagon Alley on the other.

Do Wands at Universal Need Batteries?

The interactive wands don’t have batteries. They have a reflective tip that works with an infrared beam from the spell locations. (If you look for the red dot in the spell locations you can usually find it). Cheaper wands such as the luminating tip wands do require batteries for the light to work but they are not interactive and can’t be used to cast spells.