A Complete Guide to Interactive Wands at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Have you always wanted to try using an interactive wand to cast spells at Hogwarts? Well then, you have definitely come to the right place!
I’m not going to lie – when we visit Universal Orlando, we RARELY leave the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! And it’s not just because of the kids, either!
Hubby and I are both huge Potterheads!
And one of the best and most memorable experiences we have had has been with casting spells with the interactive wands!
How can you watch the movies and not wish that you, too, could get your hands on a wand? Well, at Universal Orlando you most definitely can!
We have put together a guide that will teach you everything you ever wanted to know (and some things you didn’t know you wanted to know), about interactive wands!
Now that you have arrived in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it’s time to find a wand and practice your swish and flick!
What Types of Wands are Available in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
There are two different categories of wands available for purchase at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Interactive Wands and Non-Interactive Wands.
Interactive wands are the first type available for purchase. These wands can actually be used to ‘cast spells’ throughout both Wizarding World parks.
And the best part is, maps that guide you to spell-casting locations are provided! Interactive wands will cost you about $63.
If you do not want an interactive wand but have already settled on a style, each wand does come in a non-interactive version.
These wands come at a lower price point and can be purchased at the same places you can buy the interactive wands.
The non-interactive wands are the original wands that were available back in 2010 when the Wizarding World first opened its doors. They are lovely to look at but have no ‘magical’ abilities.
Non-interactive wands will cost you approximately $55.
Where Can I Buy An Interactive Wand at Universal?
There are several places throughout the Universal Orlando parks to purchase an interactive wand.
In Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure), you will find Ollivander’s, as well as a cart selling wands directly across from Hogwarts Castle.
In Diagon Alley (Universal Studios), you will also find Ollivander’s, as well as his competitor, Wands by Gregorovitch (located in the Carkitt Market area of Diagon Alley).
You can also purchase wands at the various souvenir shops near the front gates of the two theme parks, as well as at the huge gift shop in the CityWalk section.
And just a quick note; wands cost the same amount in every retail location at Universal (whether you purchase your wand at Ollivander’s or in a gift shop).
Of course, if you want to purchase your wand before even stepping foot in the parks, you can find them online at Universal’s official merchandise store.
The cost is the same as in the parks, though you will have to pay extra for shipping.
Ollivander’s
Although there are several locations to purchase a wand in the Wizarding World, we would definitely recommend doing it at Ollivander’s, makers of fine wands since 382 BC.
There truly is something magical about Ollivander’s!
Whether it is the row of wand boxes stacked up to the ceiling, or the fact that you can witness the magic of the wand choosing its wizard, there ain’t no place better!
Wand Choosing Ceremony
If you are really lucky, you too can take part in the Wand Choosing Ceremony. Just be aware, that this ceremony is almost as popular as some attractions, so it can get quite busy!
For the Wand Choosing Ceremony, a small group of witches and wizards will be led inside the shop.
There, a wand keeper will select someone to participate in the demonstration. The wand keeper will offer the witch or wizard several wands to try out.
When the participant gives the wand a wave, magic happens! Of course, it may take several tries before the correct wand and wizard magically find each other!
The result is a completely entertaining and interactive show!
Once the show has concluded, you then have the opportunity to look around the shop. If you were not selected for the show, you can then choose your own wand.
But if you were lucky enough to be chosen, there is no obligation to purchase the wand.
Although I’m sure any child who participated would find it hard to leave the store empty-handed.
Do You Need a Reservation for Ollivanders?
As of the date of publishing, reservations are required to be part of the Wand Choosing Ceremony.
And with wait times ranging up to three hours, it makes sense to plan ahead.
Beginning at 8 am, Team Members in front of Ollivander’s Wand Shop will begin taking names and assigning return times.
Guests will have a five-minute window to arrive once their time comes.
If you are staying at an on-site resort, your Early Park Admission will allow you to join the standby line until 8 am, when the reservation system begins.
You will then have first dibs on a reservation!
At 7 pm, the standby line opens up, so that guests may join the regular line without a reservation. Just be aware, this is subject to change.
Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.
It is not uncommon for all reservations to be taken by 9:15 am! You will definitely need to act quickly to reserve your spot!
Can You Get Custom Wands at Universal?
Not exactly. However, there are 13 types of wands you can purchase at the Universal Orlando theme parks.
These ‘Unclaimed’ wands (or Birthday Wands as they are sometimes referred to) are not associated with another witch or wizard and come in both interactive and non-interactive forms.
The Unclaimed Wands are loosely based on the Celtic tree calendar.
J.K Rowling used this calendar to determine which wood type would be used for each character’s wand, based on time periods and attributes.
You can then choose your wand based on your birthday or even a date that is meaningful to you.
Maybe, the attributes are what catches your eye! In any case, you definitely have a ton of choices when it comes to finding the perfect wand.
But of course, always keep in mind, that the wand chooses the wizard!
Types of Unclaimed Wands Available at Universal Orlando
| Wood | Dates | Attributes |
|---|---|---|
| Birch | Dec. 24 – Jan. 20 | Vivacious, Energetic, Perspicacious |
| Rowan | Jan. 21 – Feb. 17 | Imaginative, Resourceful, Therapeutic |
| Ash | Feb. 18 – March 17 | Kind, Generous, Romantic |
| Alder | March 18 – April 14 | Adventurous, Confident, Industrious |
| Willow | April 15 – May 12 | Resilient, Confident, Strong |
| Hawthorn | May 13 – June 9 | Flexible, Strong, Family-Oriented |
| Oak | June 10 – July 7 | Steadfast, Optimistic, Intuitive |
| Holly | July 8 – Aug. 4 | Influential, Unbiased, Wise |
| Hazel | Aug 5 – Sept. 1 | Precocious, Creative, Practical |
| Vine | Sept. 2 – Sept. 29 | Persistent, Restless, Energetic |
| Ivy | Sept 30 – Oct. 27 | Tenacious, Patient, Goal-Oriented |
| Reed | Oct. 28 – Nov. 24 | Articulate, Steadfast, Adaptable |
| Alder | Nov. 25 – Dec. 23 | Perceptive, Sensitive, Resilient |
Interactive Collector’s Edition Wand
Your next option for purchasing a wand is the Collector’s Edition wand. Every year, Universal Orlando releases a new and unique wand as part of a Harry Potter Celebration.
This celebration occurs at the end of July, to celebrate J.K. Rowling’s and Harry Potter’s birthdays.
The Collector’s Edition wands are not themed to any particular character from the Wizarding World, but the craftsmanship on the hilt is stunning.
These wands have extraordinary gold or silver embellishments, which will really make any witch or wizard stand out.
You can purchase a Collector’s Edition wand for $75. These wands are only available in an interactive version.
Can You Get a Wand Based on Famous Characters?
If you prefer to emulate your favourite witch or wizard, Universal Orlando also carries replica wands from some of your favourite characters from the Wizarding World.
Once again, these wands come in both interactive and non-interactive forms.
Below is the current list of Harry Potter characters that you can purchase a Universal wand for:
- Harry Potter
- Ron Weasley
- Hermione Granger
- Albus Dumbledore
- Bellatrix LeStrange
- Cedric Diggory
- Cho Chang
- Draco Malfoy
- Fleur Delacour
- Ginny Weasley
- Gregorovitch
- Lord Voldemort
- Luna Lovegood
- Mad-Eye Moody
- Minerva McGonagall
- Narcissa Malfoy
- Neville Longbottom
- Nymphadora Tonks
- Peter Pettigrew
- Minerva McGonagall
- Remus Lupin
- Severus Snape
- Sirius Black
- Yaxley
What Does the Interactive Wand Do at Universal?
Interactive wands can be used to cast spells throughout the Wizarding World.
With an easy swish and flick, the wands will cause unique and magical things to happen, like making it rain under an umbrella or causing a feather to float in the air.
All you need to do is be on the lookout for the brass medallions that are embedded in the ground throughout the Wizarding World.
These medallions not only indicate where you can use your interactive wands but also which spell you need to cast to make the magic happen!
The dual-sided map that comes with the interactive wand, will show you all the places to practice your charms in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and even in Knockturn Alley.
Where Can I Use The Interactive Wand?
You can find several places to use your interactive wands in both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
There are 11 magical locations in Diagon Alley, 5 in Knockturn Alley and 9 in Hogsmeade.
Each location is activated by a different wand movement, which is notated on the map and on the medallion.
✨ Pro Tip: Interactive wands purchased in Orlando, can also be used at other Wizarding World of Harry Potter parks, including Universal Hollywood and Universal Japan!
How Do Interactive Wands Work?
Ok, if you want to go on believing in the magic of Harry Potter, and the wands, you will need to skip over this section!
Really! We are totally about to burst your bubble! If you are sure, then…
There is no such thing as magic! Interactive wands are considered passive devices.
This means that there are no electronics inside. Instead, the wands are equipped with a rounded reflector tip that is used to interact with the sensors around the park.
In other words, the wand is able to reflect light back to a sensor that then tracks the movement of the wand.
When a correct spell movement is detected, the system activates the display, and you have made magic happen!
Whenever you are at a spell-casting location, look for the sensor. The sensors are carefully camouflaged throughout the displays. Just look for 4 red lights in a square.
If you aim your interactive wand at the sensor and keep your gestures small as the camera’s area of reception is limited, you will have much better success with your spell.
If you see the red lights on the sensor turn off, that indicates your spell worked!
The plus side of having a passive device is no need to worry about dead batteries or needing to charge your wands.
As long as you take care of them, the wands will last a long time
Tips For Using Your Interactive Wand to Cast Spells in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
1. Handle Your Wand Carefully
All wands sold in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter come with a warning. The wands are not meant to be toys!
Each wand is made from hand-painted resin, making them a little on the fragile side.
That, paired with the fact that the tip of the interactive wand, where the magic comes from, is also very delicate, tells you that the wands need to be handled with care.
A small scratch or bump can cause your wand to stop working. And not even Hermione’s awesome spell, Reparo, will be able to help you!
✨ Pro Tip: Did you know that there is a soft built-in wand pocket in the Hogwarts robes from Universal? This is a great way to keep your wand safe, but easily accessible. Another option, of course, is to keep the wand in the protective box when not in use.
2. Find The Right Spot To Cast Your Spell
Inside the case of each interactive wand, there is a double-sided map that shows the different locations where you can do magic.
Definitely use your map! Some spell locations are not as obvious as others, so you don’t want to miss any!
At each spell location, you will find a bronze-coloured medallion embedded in the floor.
The marker shows where to stand, which direction to face, as well as the correct wand movement to cast the spell.
3. Start with the Easier Spell Locations
In general, most people agree that the spells in Diagon Alley seem to be easier to cast than the ones in Hogsmeade.
So if you have the option of starting at one park over the other, it may be easier for your young witch or wizard to learn how to use their wands in Diagon Alley first.
Why the difference? Not only is Hogsmeade more crowded, so you have more people walking in front of the windows unaware, but many of the effects have been incorporated into existing shop window displays.
This makes the cameras harder to find, resulting in them being less effective at detecting wand movement.
Diagon Alley
Here is a breakdown of the spells and in front of which stores you are able to cast them. And since we don’t want to spoil the fun, we will let you figure out what mischief the spells cause!
- Tarantallegra – Pilliwinkles Playthings
- Incendio – Flimflams Lanterns
- Metelojinx – Umbrella Sign
- Silencio – Magical Menagerie
- Specialos Revelio – Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment
- Wingardium Leviosa – Scribbulus
- Reparo & Locomotor Bellows – Bowman E. Wright Blacksmith
- Aguamenti – Mermaid Fountain
- Descendo – Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes
Knockturn Alley
- Locomotor Chimney Sweep – Chimney Sweep Elf Sign
- Mimblewimble – Noggin and Bonce
- Incendio – Tallow and Hemp Toxic Tapers
- Alohomora – Trackleshanks Locksmith
✨ Pro Tip: When in Knockturn Alley, take a look at your spells map under the black lights. You will find some tips on the map that you can’t see in regular lighting!
Each Knockturn Alley spell is represented by a small image. The one marked with a spider, for example, features a window where spider shadows are triggered by movement.
Hogsmeade
- Incendio – Zonkos Joke Shop
- Arresto Momentum – McHavelocks
- Revelio – Honeydukes
- Herbivicus – Dogweed and Deathcap
- Ascendio & Descendo – Gladrags Wizardwear
- Locomotor Snowman – Mandam Puddifoots
- Locomotor & Arresto Momentum – Dervish and Banges
- Alohomora – Tomes and Scrolls
- Wingardium Leviosa – Spintwitches
Anti-Jinx Sign
If you arrive at a spell location and find an Anti-Jinx sign in the window, this tells you that the effect has been ‘jinxed.’
As a result, all spells have been rendered inactive in this location. In Muggle terms, the spell effect is not working, and you should move on.
4. Look for the Secret Interactive Wand Spell Locations
The secret spell locations are different from the regular spots, in that there is no medallion on the floor to show you where they are.
Although there is not a specific spell needed to make the magic happen, waving your wand in a triangle pattern usually does the trick!
We were able to locate all three of the secret spells, by asking some helpful witches and wizards we found at the regular spell-casting spots.
Of course, our kids were more than eager to share the information with other kids they met along the way!
SECRET SPELL #1 — Shop window of Slug and Jiggers Apothecary in Diagon Alley.
In the right-hand window, on the left side, there is what looks to be a birdbath containing small flowers. Wave your wand and a large flower will bloom in the center.
SECRET SPELL #2 — Shop window of Slug and Jiggers Apothecary in Diagon Alley.
In the right-hand window, on the right side, there’s a display of dragon dung. Wave your wand and the lid will levitate, and you’ll smell the not-so-sweet scent of this fertilizer used in Herbology class.
SECRET SPELL #3 — Shop window near Scribbulus Ink Shop.
There is a marked interactive spell in the window to the left of the shop entrance. In the window, on the right-hand side, is a sign for invisible ink.
If you wave your wand over the blank parchment, a secret message appears. If you wave your wand a subsequent time, a different message will appear.
5. Use Small Wrist Movements Instead of Waving Your Arms
In our experience, we have found that grandiose wand flourishing does not produce good results.
Instead, it’s all in the wrist! Use smaller wrist movements, rather than waving your arms.
Make sure to stand straight, and carefully position yourself on the embedded bronze medallion.
You need to be facing the spot the medallion is pointed at. Next, extend your arm, and make small deliberate movements with the wand.
Trust Professor Flitwick’s advice! Casting spells are more in the movement than in the words. Your swish and flick is more important than saying Wingardium Levi-OH-sa, not Levio-SAA.
6. Be Patient When Using Your Interactive Wand
Some spells are definitely easier to cast than others. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a few tries to get your wrist movements just right.
And you will know when you have gotten the spell correctly, because items in the window will move or appear, or something completely magical will happen.
If you are having trouble with any of the spells in the Wizarding World, there are usually some pretty helpful witches or wizards nearby to assist you.
Universal Team Members will gladly help you to perfect your swish and flick, or answer any questions you may have about your wand!
7. If Your Wand Stops Working Bring It Back To Ollivanders
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your wand may get damaged. If your wand stops casting spells at multiple locations, it may be in need of repair.
In this case, you just need to take it back to Ollivander’s.
There, a wand keeper can evaluate the integrity of your wand. If your wand is damaged, they will “repair” it for free. The process is relatively quick, and means more success with your future spell-casting!
Is the Interactive Wand at Universal Worth it?
Interactive wands are totally worth it! With 25 official spell locations (and 3 secret spell locations) between both parks, our 9 and 11-year-old kids were occupied for HOURS!
It’s definitely worth paying the extra $6 to get the interactive version of a wand.
And although the wands are a little pricey, they can be used during future visits as well. The wand magic actually lasts forever, as there are no batteries or need for recharging!
We would recommend against purchasing your interactive wands online. You may be disappointed with what you get. Instead, inspect and select your wand in person at the parks, and you won’t regret your purchase.
If you plan on returning to the Wizarding World, you can use your interactive wands again and again!
And trust me, the kids used the wands with the same interest and fervour on each subsequent visit!
Harry Potter World Interactive Wands – FAQs
Just a few more quick facts about interactive Harry Potter wands that we may not have covered in the above post.
The best way to tell if your Harry Potter wand is interactive is to take a look at the tip. Interactive wands have a small reflector which looks similar to a glass marble.
Non-interactive wands, on the other hand, will have a solid tip made from the same material as the rest of the wand.
Unfortunately, no. Interactive wands may cause certain displays or certain things to light up within Hogsmeade Village and Diagon Alley, but the wand itself cannot light up.
No. Interactive wands do not expire. They can be used for many years at any of the Universal theme parks. And if for any reason they stop working, the wands have a lifetime guarantee, so you can just take them to Ollivander’s to get repaired for free.
Yes! If you are a Harry Potter fan, you can rest easy knowing that your wand will be allowed on your flight.
Although nothing has been formally confirmed, it seems that Universal Orlando may be beginning to phase out its non-interactive wands. Not only have they stopped selling many of their non-interactive wands online, but many guests have also noticed that they are getting harder and harder to find in the parks as well.
👉 Want to purchase your wand before heading to Universal? Amazon has a great selection of interactive wands at similar prices.
Final Thoughts On Wizarding World of Harry Potter Interactive Wands
Visiting the Wizarding World at Universal Orlando was definitely a magical experience our kids will never forget!
And the fact that they were able to use their wands to cast spells, just like their favourite characters in the movies, made the experience so much more memorable.
We hope that our guide to interactive wands will help you make the most of your next visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
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