Talk to me about what you thought about the games and the new wands.
In January, we are doing an Epic Epic two-week+ trip. Mom, Dad, DD15. So, we’ll have time to do these games.
When we’ve been before, DD had a wand and us parents (mainly me) waited patiently to borrow it when she was done. It looks like with the bands, we’ll each need our own. What about with the wands? I see that they tie to the app too. So, maybe? Will we be missing out on anything if just DD has a wand 2.0? Are the games worth getting the bands? They look fun on youtube. But, then with a few exceptions, they love everything.
Ha! I don’t have answers, but this is so true. I prefer to watch YouTube videos from those who are trying hard not to bite the hand that feeds them. I’ve all but abandoned watching most YouTubers that participate in media previews and such because, well, they really aren’t really “allowed” to provide negative feedback!
The 2.0 wands are a lot of fun. Not only do they tie-in with the app for mini games & such, but the light up and other effects.
I went to SNW in Hollywod in May. I found the games to be better than the rides! Like a wand you can share or each can have their own. However, both the 2.0 wands and Power Bands are linked to a unique user on the App. So, everyone has to be willing to share the score too!
I found the mini games at SNW more fun than wands. I adore my wand. However, it took practice and even still I can’t get every spell all the time. The Power Band games are intuitive and easy to play.
If I was going for two full weeks I would have at least one of each. Games and activities like these are what flush out a trip. When other people ask me, “How can you go over & over? Don’t you get tired of the rides??” They forget all the little activities these places offer for regular visitors!
I’m excited for your trip! I can tell you are too!!
While you can do spells at the windows with a 1.0 wand, the spells and challenges are much much better with a 2.0. I saw a couple of families (with older kids) sharing. They seemed to still be having fun. As @darkmite2 mentioned - then you’re sharing the score and the house points (so you better all be from the same house )
I don’t own a power band yet, but my friends were running around playing the games while I rode rides. I did get the chance to join in with them on some of the challenges, even though I did not have a band.
Daughter and I are solid Ravenclaws. DH didn’t even take the test, but we hadn’t really needed to know. When I offered to make him a robe, he wanted a Jedi one instead. In the HP areas, when CM’s made cracks about ‘his bathrobe’, he’d say he was a ‘homeschooled wizard.’
I’d guess Gryffindor for him. I see both Gryffindor and Hufflepuff as being brave houses. Gryffindor, being the type the doesn’t believe anything can hurt them - stupid brave. Hufflepuff, being the type of bravery that is pretty sure they’ll die, but it needs doing. DH is very much the stupid brave. He jokes about the multiple guardian angels he has probably driven to chain-smoking in his younger years.
I’ll talk to the family when we get closer. Maybe DH and I will share one. I looked on ebay and facebook marketplace hoping for a 2.0 wand on a big discount since us parents wouldn’t really care which one. But I didn’t see any. I’ll keep an eye out.
I know there’s a Goodwill / Salvation Army donation store in the area that Universal donates all the found wands. I haven’t been able to locate it, but have seen videos!
You can get a wand for only a couple dollars and so many varieties!
Another reason you are awesome, Darkmite2! I will try to figure out where that is. Also, we’ll have a car. I’ll ask the airBnB host first.
On a previous trip DD set down her wand and left it. We’d taken the train and ridden MIB and sat someplace while DH used the bathroom since the last time we remembered her having one. So, there were many possibilities. I was annoyed and sat in the shade (hot day) while they backtracked. Someone had turned it in, yeah! I guess that happens a lot, and sometimes people give up.
After that trip I sewed a wand pocket into her robe, and put an appropriately sized PVC pipe in there to for protection.
ETA: Of course, DD will have her wand pick her in the ceremony. She’s 15, but isn’t quite 5’, looks younger and she’s cute as a button, so I think she still has a good chance of being picked.
Clever! Plus, I bet people are impressed when she reveals her wand.
A friend (who knows the 2.0 wands very, very well) suggested that I buy a straw topper (like the kids are all getting for their Stanley cups these days) to protect the tip of my wand when I toss it in my bag or travel or whatnot. That’s the part most likely to break - and while you can visit wand repair, that takes time.
I didn’t have a straw topper last trip, so I just used a pen cap, worked great in a pinch. Straw toppers are cuter though.
The AirBnB host didn’t know which Goodwill/Salvation Army store had those. I guess if it was well known, everyone with a car would go there first, and they wouldn’t stay there long.
I can’t remember if it was from a Kevin Heimbach or VincentVision YT video. I’ve got some free time these days. I’ll see if can finally figure it out. I’m a VincentVision Pateron member. I’ll ask in that group!
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