‘Sup! Tad here. One of my favorite parts of the entire “Harry Potter” series is when Harry Potter goes to Diagon Alley for the very first time on his 11th birthday. As a reader or movie-watcher, you’re discovering the magic of the Wizarding World alongside Harry. He gets his Hogwarts robes, school supplies and, of course, Hedwig! (Hmm, I might be turning a different shade of green.) Lastly, but most importantly, he stops by the wand shop, Ollivanders. I doubt I’m the only one who gets chills when the wand chooses Harry!

Luckily, you can experience the same scenario yourself at Universal Orlando Resort. Let the wand choose YOU at Ollivanders, which has two locations — one in Diagon Alley and the other in Hogsmeade. There are different types of Wizarding World of Harry Potter wands, which I’ll explain in more detail below! Psst, if you get an interactive wand, you’ll be able to cast spells along the cobblestone streets of Diagon Alley and snowy rooftops of Hogsmeade. Swish and flick!

Finding and Buying Wizarding Wands

If you want the full wand shopping experience, look no further than Ollivanders. This famous wandmaker and his descendants have been crafting wands since 382 B.C. In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you can find two Ollivanders stores, one in each park. Ollivanders carries 13 original wand designs as well as character wands. The original designs are made out of birch, rowan, ash, alder, willow, hawthorn, oak, holly, hazel, vine, ivy, reed or elder woods. The range of character wands is quite extensive. You can find the wands of major characters, such as Harry Potter, Professor Dumbledore and Voldemort, as well as many supporting characters, including Mad-Eye Moody and Nymphadora Tonks.

The character wands will be labeled by the character’s name, and the original Ollivanders designs have labels with an intricate "O." If you’re looking specifically for an interactive wand, look for the labels in gold. (A white label means it’s a non-interactive, decorative wand.) As far as pricing goes, make sure to set aside $59 for an interactive wand or $55 for a non-interactive wand.

You can also find The Wizarding World of Harry Potter wands at Wands by Gregorovitch in Diagon Alley (this outdoor stand only sells character wands and most of them are interactive models), as well as the main gift shops near each park’s entrance and the Universal Studios Store in Universal CityWalk.

Each wand comes with a double-sided map that shows the spell locations in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. If you hoppen to lose your map, you can ask for another one at Ollivanders for free. You can bring the same wand for future trips to any Universal theme park (yes, even at Universal Studios Hollywood) and it should still work! But if your wand is having any trouble with casting spells (likely that the tip of the wand is scratched), go to Ollivanders for a “wand repair” and they will gladly replace it for you.

Ollivanders Wand Show

At either Ollivanders location, be sure to check out the wand selection show! During the show, the wandkeeper randomly picks a witch or wizard from the group. There is no guaranteed way to be selected, but it may help if you stand near the front of the room so you can be easily seen. The wandkeeper will then give the participant a few different wands to test out with various spells before he finds the perfect match. If you’re the lucky witch or wizard, you have the option to purchase the wand that chose you. You can also peruse the other wands in the shop as you exit the wand pairing room.

We’d definitely recommend the show for huge “Harry Potter” fans. Since the show runs short (it’s about five minutes in length), we’d advise you to skip it if there’s a long line out the door and you’d have to wait more than 15 minutes. If it’s a top priority for you, head to Ollivanders first thing in the morning or later at night when the crowds are lower.

Finding the Interactive Spell Locations in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

As you walk around Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley, use your map to look for gold medallions on the ground. These markers indicate where you should stand, what spell to say and how to move your wand.

When you cast a spell, extend your arm and flick your wand, mainly using your wrist. You do not need to make full-arm movements. Some spells are harder than others. It may take a few tries before you’re able to cast a spell properly, so do not fret and automatically assume that you’re a muggle or squib (a person who's born into a wizarding family but does not possess any magical abilities). There are helpful wizards and witches who walk around to assist anyone having trouble. And if it seems that you’re really struggling, you can get your wand inspected and repaired at Ollivanders.

Interactive Spots in Hogsmeade

1. Zonko’s Joke Shop — Cast “Incendio” to make Dr. Filibuster’s fireworks burst into action.
2. McHavelocks — Use “Arresto Momentum” to stop water from pouring into a cauldron, which tips over to reveal a mischievous creature inside.
3. Honeydukes — I might be biased, but this is one of my favorites. Say “Revelio” and wave your wand to open a giant chocolate frog box for a ribbeting surprise.
4. Dogweed and Deathcap — A proper “Herbivicus” spell may cause some plants to flourish.
5. Gladrags Wizardwear — It’s double the fun! This spot requires two spells to raise an object (“Ascendio”) and lower it down (“Descendo”).
6. Madam Puddifoots — Aim your wand toward the teacups sitting on the cupboard in the back of the shop. “Locomotor Snowman” will make the snowman cake topper come to life.
7. Dervish and Banges — Start and stop the music box in the window with the spells “Locomotor” and “Arresto Momentum.” The music playing isn’t the only thing that happens!
8. Tomes and Scrolls — “Alohomora” unlocks a copy of Tales of Beedle the Bard.
9. Spintwitches — Say it with me now, “Wingardium LeviOsa” (not “levioSA”). If you pronounce it properly, pay attention to the Quidditch bludgers and quaffle.

Interactive Spots in Diagon Alley

1. Pilliwinkle’s Playthings — “Tarantallegra” is a fun spell that will reveal some rather unexpected dancers behind the curtain.
2. Flimflams Lanterns — Light up the second-floor lanterns with “Incendio,” the Fire-Making spell.
3. Umbrella Sign — Make it rain with the “Meteolojinx” spell.
4. Magical Menagerie — Point your wand to the left of the fwooper’s head and say “Silencio” to silence its squawking.
5. Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment — Find the “Dark Detectors” spell location in the window closest to the locker area for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. There isn’t a particular spell movement. Just direct your wand toward the bottom of the window, wave it around and you may feel some eyes watching your every move.
6. Wiseacres Wizarding Equipment — Use the “Specialis Revelio” spell, and keep an eye on the star map!
7. Scribbulus — Levitate a quill with “Wingardium Leviosa.”
8. Bowman E. Wright Blacksmith — Cast two spells that affect different objects at this location. The first spell, “Reparo,” repairs a suit of armor.
9. Bowman E. Wright Blacksmith —The second spell, “Locomotor Bellows,” moves the blacksmith’s bellows to start the fireplace.
10. Mermaid Fountain — When you cast “Aguamenti,” water from the small drinking fountain will spout out of the frog’s mouth. But then hop out of the way and watch out for water coming from other directions!
11. Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes — In true trickster fashion (expect nothing less from the Weasley twins), let’s just say that “Descendo” helps out with advertising for their product, U-No-Poo!

There are also some hidden spells that you can’t find on the map. They do not have the gold medallions to mark them:

1. Scribbulus — Wave your wand (a triangular motion worked best for me) in front of the blank parchment paper on display in the right window, and a message will appear. Cast this one multiple times for different messages.
2. Slug & Jiggers Apothecary — In the far-right window, a mysterious pile of brown stuff will bubble out of a crate if you move your wand in a circular motion.

Interactive Spots in Knockturn Alley

As you enter Knockturn Alley, look at your spells map under the blacklight and the spell locations will illuminate, as it’s quite dark in this dodgy area of the Wizarding World.

1. Chimney Sweep Elf Sign — This one is a bit difficult to locate, but look high up for a sign in the shape of a chimney to the right of Dystyl Phaelanges. Cast the “Locomotor Chimney Sweep” spell, and a house-elf will climb the chimney.
2. Dystyl Phaelanges — As the most popular interactive wand spot in Knockturn Alley, the “Moving Skeleton” spell causes the large skeleton to mirror your movements.
3. Noggin and Bonce — Those shrunken heads sure do like to talk and sing. The “Mimblewimble” spell, also known as the Tongue-Tying curse, will cause them to mumble and prevent them from talking.
4. Tallow and Hemp Toxic Tapers — Look for a bird in a cage in one of the windows around the corner from Borgin and Burkes. The “Incendio” spell causes various magical effects on the bird, such as pulsating boils. Perform this one multiple times to see the different effects.
5. Trackleshanks Locksmith — Attempt to unlock a door with the “Alohomora” spell, but the locksmith has something else in store for those who try to break in.

We could practically spend an entire day using our interactive Wizarding World of Harry Potter wands around Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. What's your favorite spell to cast? Share in the comments below!

Related: Guide to Dining in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort

Stay cool!