Just about every Harry Potter™ fan has imagined what it would be like to be able to cast some of the spells that are taught at Hogwarts. If only you’d received that acceptance letter! Well, now you can learn spell casting when you visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ –no letter necessary!
| WHERE CAN I |
| PURCHASE A WAND? |
Like all first years on their way to Hogwarts™, you’re going to need a wand!
There are several locations in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™ and Hogsmeade™ where visitors can purchase these special interactive wands. Interactive wands can be purchased at Olivanders in both the Hogsmeade™ and Diagon Alley™ locations, or at Wands by Gregorovitch™ at its singular location in Diagon Alley™.
Wands are also available for purchase at the Universal Stores at the entrance to each park and CityWalk.
Olivanders sells an extensive selection of wands. Some of them are collectible and do not interact with the Wizarding World environment. But many wands are interactive and can be used to cast spells throughout Hogsmeade™. Some of the interactive wands are replicas of the wands used by witches and wizards from the Harry Potter™ books and film. There are also interactive “unclaimed” wands. The designs of these wands are based on the Celtic tree calendar, and visitors can choose one based on their date of birth, if they wish. Other wands may be limited edition character wands. Finally, there is one special edition collector’s wand that is exclusive to the wand shops at the Universal Orlando Resort.
| HOW DO I |
| CAST SPELLS? |
Be sure you purchase an interactive wand. Collectible, non-interactive wands have a white label. Interactive wands will have a gold label on the box with either a character name or an intricate “O” on the box of an unclaimed wand. All interactive wands purchased at Olivanders or Wands by Gregorovitch will include a two-sided map of spell locations. Diagon Alley™ and its various corners is found on one side, and Hogsmeade™ is on the other side. In addition, wands can be engraved with up to 11 characters (engraving is only available for wands purchased on the same day of your visit.) The interactive wands are passive devices, meaning they do not contain any electronics. If your wand starts to glitch, return to any of the wand shops and they will “repair” if for you if they are able.
Each spell location on the map has a corresponding brass marker on the ground near where the spell is to be cast. Both the map and the marker will have the name of the spell on it and the movements for casting the spell. Position yourself behind the marker with the arrow pointing away from you. Make sure your wand is facing your target and give it a wave using the directed movements.
Of course, the wizards of old aren’t going to make this quest easy for you. There are a few spell-casting spots that aren’t on the map! There are three, to be exact. These three locations can be found in the same part of Diagon Alley™. Two of these secret spell casting locations are in the windows of Slug and Jiggers Apothecary, which is actually on Diagon Alley™. The other is the farthest right window of Scribbulus Writing Implements which can be found on Horizont Alley. Keep your eyes open for the four red dots in the windows of those stores to cast those secret spells. They usually work if you move your wand in a triangle fashion.
And, because wizards can be very secretive, some of the spells are written in invisible ink! Those markings on the map can only be seen in Knockturn Alley. If you must ask one of the wizards or witches on Diagon Alley for help with these hidden markings, be prepared for a lesson on dark wizards and magical history!
While you are on Knockturn Alley stop into Borgin and Burkes. Put your ear against the Vanishing Cabinet and see if you can tell what Draco Malfoy is trying to send from Hogwarts!
If you need any assistance, there are plenty of witches and wizards close by. All you have to do is ask. But, if you see a sign that says there is currently an “anti-jinx in place,” you’ll need to check back to see when the Ministry of Magic has removed it before you can try again.
HAVE FUN!
