Are the New Interactive “Harry Potter” Wands Worth the Price?

A Close Look at Dumbledore’s Wand

Revised 4/2021

Dear Polite Traveler,

I admit it. I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. As such, I felt compelled to visit Diagon Alley and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida for my 60th birthday. During my visit, I also wanted to immerse myself in the wizarding world by using the new interactive wands. To do so, I needed to purchase the perfect wand. (Review of Gryffindor Sweatshirt)

Note: Follow CDC and park guidelines when visiting. Always wear your face mask when in public.

Rebecca performing spells in Universal Orlando

Rebecca performing spells in Hogsmeade Universal Orlando

(This is me performing spells in Diagon Alley & Hogsmeade. Look closely at the ground in the second photo. You'll notice two medallions indicating the type of spell to use.)

Becoming a Wizard

With these new interactive wands, anyone can feel like a real witch or wizard by performing spells in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Bronze medallions rooted in the sidewalk in front of shop windows indicates where the wand will work. The spell—the required movement of the wand—is engraved in the medallions making it easy to perform miracles, like repairing an old suit of armor in Diagon Alley. It’s all great fun and not to be missed if a serious Potter fan. (Video of using the wand.)

Map of all the wand use areas of Universal Orlando

(Beautifully illustrated two-sided map indicating what spells to use and where to use them.)

What’s so special about Dumbledore’s wand?

I found all the wands to be beautifully made, so choosing this wand is merely a personal choice. Most likely, any of the wands would have made me happy. Nonetheless, Dumbledore’s is special. It is 15 inches long, medium brown with decorative runes near where you would naturally hold it. It is made of resin but looks remarkably like real wood. The interactive wand is a bargain for Harry Potter fans at $55.

Video by Universal Orlando Resort

Recommendation

I recommend Dumbledore’s wand to any true Harry Potter fan. In fact, I just may purchase one for each of my granddaughters!

Please Read

Theme Park: Universal Orlando The Forbidden Journey

Favorites in Universal Studios Florida

Theme Parks: Disney's Passes

Comments

Look Closer at the Hilton Garden Inn, Waikiki

Why We Might Not Return: Hilton Garden Inn, Waikiki My dear polite travelers, Imagine waiting three years to revisit a pleasant memory. You’d probably be thrilled to be on that journey. Right? Well, I am, and ...well, I’m lukewarm to some aspects of it, especially our room: #1537. But the Ocean is Right There! In our room, #1537, we have the ocean view and the fresh breezes associated with it. Still, due to the central, otherwise excellent location, it’s noisy—very noisy. Thus, those breezes remain outside all night. Darn. The pleasant sweet-ocean-air-in-our-room-memory I dream of often eluded us on this trip. Now, it’s just sad. The Good & the Weird Beyond the noise, it is a comfortable room—especially the shower—but there’s not enough counter space. Instead of a long counter or desk, the hotel designer thought a long built-in seat would be a clever idea?? Hint. It’s not. We can only ...

Kauai Vacation: Room Review

The Room Over The Power Plant Revised 4/2021 The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas offers guests beautiful rooms, which include kitchens or kitchenettes, outdoor grills, and a number of pools. Most often, it includes an excellent restaurant, poolside bar, and small store. A large grocery store is within walking distance as well. Thus, the theory is that guests will not have to leave the property once they cross the big pond to reach it. Great theory, but that’s not necessarily true when the only on-site restaurant is closed. Add to that the incredibly loud room...well, let’s just say I needed a break from the property at times. Note : Follow Hawaii and CDC guidelines when visiting. Always wear your face mask when in public. May we just see the room we should have had? After an exceptionally long journey that included a broken plane and a rushed connection—not to mention airport security—we were surprised to find that our ...

Sonoma, California: DoubleTree Sonoma

Updated 4/2021 Our Stay in the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country in California As over-worked small business owners, we decided to play hooky traveling through Sonoma County for a couple of days. Since we recently experience excellent service on our last stay in a DoubleTree, we booked a room at their Sonoma Wine Country property in Rohnert Park. Our Journey Through Sonoma County Our drive from our home in Davis pleasant with light traffic. We chose a slightly longer route through Sonoma so we could take in the beauty of the Glen Ellen area vineyards. The vineyards here are quite beautiful with green rolling hills as a backdrop. Arriving at the DoubleTree As we arrived, I mentioned to my husband that since this trip would focus on cheese tasting, it would be perfect if we were given a free upgrade to a room with a refrigerator. The hotel appeared fully booked, so I assumed that was impossible. As...

The Polite Traveler

Search This Blog