Wands - 1.0 or 2.0 and lockers

[train456]

We are planning a trip to UOR. It will be the first time to WWoHP for everyone in our party. We would like to buy one wand for our group to share.

I initially thought we would get a 2.0, but I am beginning to hesitate because it seems like you have to be on your phone all the time to use it. I was hoping to spend less time on my phone at UOR than at WDW.

What are your thoughts about 1.0 v. 2.0? Is the 1.0 a phone-less wand experience? In your opinion, is the 2.0 experience good enough to justify having to pull out your phone repeatedly?

Additionally, do the wands fit in the free lockers?

Thanks for your help!

[darkmite2]

Hello!

I’m so excited for your group! The WWOHP is a delight! I’m going to give you the “basics” between 1.0 & 2.0 wands.

First, 1.0 wands works at almost every wand spot in the WWOHP. There are about 30 wand locations across the parks. Only two require the 2.0 wands. So, no worries about missing out on much of anything if you decide to go with 1.0!

The wands are basically reflectors that bounce an infrared light back to a sensor to start an animatronic / window scene.

This is all that 1.0 wands can do.

2.0 wands have Bluetooth and are supposed to be used to play a game in the Universal App. You are sent on quests to do the spells in a particular order. Doing so gives you points. Those points will lock fun things in the App. Plus, all the players that were in the parks will have their scores tallied at the end of the day. The Hogwarts House, Griffindor/Slytherin/Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff, that has had players achieve the highest score that day will be featured in the nighttime show. So, if Slytherin players get the most points that day then they win the “house cup” at the show.

2.0 Wands also light up and make sounds.

However, there are only 4 styles of these 2.0 wands versus the countless styles of wands for 1.0

If you MUST to have a specific character’s wand then 1.0 is your only option.

@train456

is the 2.0 experience good enough to justify having to pull out your phone repeatedly?

IMHO - Since this is your first visit and you really don’t care about “keeping score” then a 1.0 wand will be a better option. 2.0 wands are for Annual Passholders / locals that go often and want to enhance their experience. As much as I go and love doing the spells I haven’t bought a 2.0 wand yet. I love my wand design and like that it’s from a specific character / not generic. When there are more styles, I’ll upgrade.

@train456

Additionally, do the wands fit in the free lockers?

Yes! The lockers while not able to hold a large backpack can hold a purse / sling bag along with a few other things stuffed in there light, like hats & etc…

Here’s a link to an old post I did about the lockers with a picture to help!

Lockers Question

You may already know, but just in case you don’t… At each of these attractions there are larger lockers that cost $2 - $3 per use or there are free lockers. The free lockers are very small / thin… (14 in. x 5.5 in. x 16.9 in.) [image] Most standard backpacks don’t fit. I see people trying to squeeze in a bag all the time. Here’s a link to the bag I use. It fit’s perfectly into the free lockers. Amazon.com : WATERFLY Crossbody Sling Backpack Sling Bag Travel Hiking Chest Bag Daypack : Sport…

Finally, do a little homework before you go about the locations and how to make the work. It is better these days as they refurbished all the old worn out sensors with the 2.0 update. However, it’s still takes a good flick of the wrist and a little practice to get them to consistently work.

If interested I can dig up an old post with advice and links to YT videos about it.

[gingerSnaps543222]

One advantage of the 2 is sometimes it lets you know you got the trick right because it lights up and vibrates but it doesn’t always so it’s not consistent. There are more than four. There a few characters and a special one you can only get in Paris store which is the one I got it. But I agree that unless you want to spend hours upon hours doing the missions (and I’m a little upset they made it you couldn’t do the missions in Paris first without casting the spells ten times each including the secret locations or without visiting the old parks first) that it’s not really necessary to do the missions (which you do have to use your phone for similar to playing duck tales in Epcot which I love) for a newbie. And you’re probably not gonna have a lot of time to do them versus doing each spell once you can probably fit in. So if money is a thing or you want one of the many better options and you’re not coming back over and over, I agree with @darkmite2

Also play when it’s dark. The stupid sun blocks the sensors and makes it so you can’t cast spells where it is beaming.

[darkmite2]

@gingerSnaps543222

There are more than four. There a few characters and a special one you can only get in Paris store which is the one I got it.

Thanks for the catch! Since I’m still “boycotting” Universal Orlando until Epic has an AP I’m a bit behind on things.

[gingerSnaps543222]

I don’t know if you can get them anywhere or only in Paris. I think the special one for sure is only there. But it’s also possible the few main characters too. I saw a dumbledore for example but they don’t have nearly the variety of characters or non characters in 2 for sure!

[train456]

@darkmite2 and @gingerSnaps543222, thank you so much for your replies. I really appreciate the @darkmite2 ‘s overview of the wand situation, and @gingerSnaps543222 ‘s perspective based on your recent experience. Given that we are complete newbies and I don’t know when we will be back, I expect that we will go for a 1.0 wand. Sounds like there is plenty for us to do with 1.0.

@darkmite2 I also appreciate the locker info. The lockers have been kind of stressing me out. Having a recommendation for a bag that is known to work in them is a big help.

[motherofdaughtersthree]

@darkmite2

If interested I can dig up an old post with advice and links to YT videos about it.

Preliminary Questions as I Plan our First UOR Trip

Biggest wand tips… Point the wand more at a downward/straight angle. So many ppl point the tip straight up. Every spot has a round sensor with a ring of red lights. This is emitting a signal that bounces off the wand. That’s what you aim for. Do fluid and big movements. Not over-the-top exaggerated “big”, but larger than a quick flourish. The sun is your enemy. There are a few spots that get direct sunlight at times. The light reflects off the windows making it hard for the IR magic to fi…

There’s one of your old ones that I thought was helpful!

[darkmite2]

Thanks! I did a quick search and couldn’t find it. I’ll bookmark it this time!

[train456]

Thanks for sharing this! I didn’t want to put @darkmite to any extra trouble to dig up an old post, but I am glad to have this.

[StinsyLinson]

@train456

Sounds like there is plenty for us to do with 1.0.

There is plenty to do with a 1.0 - plenty of windows to visit, plenty to see. But, the windows do more when they’re cast with a 2.0. The responses will be customized to your house/patronus/etc and there may be more action happening on the screens then the basic responses.

I had so much fun playing with the new 2.0 - but I actually devoted some time to it. It was not an activity to do while you’re bouncing from ride to ride, because if it is busy, you will need to line up at the windows.

@gingerSnaps543222

There are more than four.

There are the 4 originals - plus Harry, Hermione, Dumbledore which can all be bought anywhere. The one Ministry wand can only be purchased in Epic.

I 100% agree with playing when it is dark…it is sooo hard to see the spells during the day, there is so much glare on the windows.

[OrlandoGirl357]

One thing to note, if you get the Dumbledore wand (at least version 1.0), the box for it would only fit in the free lockers on the diagonal. We had to put it in first, and then put things around it.

[train456]

Good to know!

[StinsyLinson]

Pro tip I got from a professional 2.0 wand user - if you are carrying your wand around the parks not in the box (and after purchase day, no need to lug the box to the parks), just loose in your bag - get a silicone Straw Topper (like they sell for those massive water cups) to keep on it. If you don’t have a Straw Topper lying around, a pen cap will do too.
Keeps the tip from getting damaged when you’re grabbing your bag in and out of the lockers or when storing it between spell castings. The tip is where all the magic is.
ETA: This only applies to 2.0 wands!

[train456]

I appreciate all of this wand knowledge!

[darkmite2]

@StinsyLinson

The tip is where all the magic is.

Well said!!