Being a huge Harry Potter fan, I decided to venture into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter while in Florida for winter break. I knew going into the realm of Orlando amusement parks at this time of year would be crazy. It was. The park was ridiculously crowded; in fact, the local news reported that the park had to turn away people because they were over capacity.
The Wizarding World itself closed its gates to newcomers only a few hours after first opening them. I made it inside just to be faced with three hour lines and every inch crowded with patrons.
The crowd is not, however, what I was most outraged by. I had expected the crowd and resigned myself to the fact that I would have to stand in long lines to do anything. Yet, I did not predict the atrocious prices for a little piece of Harry Potter magic.
Unfortunately, I did not get to voyage into Ollivander’s Wand Shop. IHowever, I did hear the scoop from other tourists. After waiting two hours to get into the shop, Ollivander gives a speech about wands. Then you go into a back room to choose your magic stick. The advertisers do not, however, broadcast their exorbitant wand prices: the cheapest ones are a hefty $29.95.
If I was a few years younger, I would definitely be vying for one of those wands and the park knows it. When kids travel to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, they want a wand; it’s their chance to own a part of the story. The park uses that innocent, childhood desire to jack up their prices because they know that parents will buy all sorts of goodies for their children regardless.
The steep prices do not stop at wands either. Small glass of butter beer: $10.50. A Gryffindor scarf: $35.
Now, I understand all amusement park souvenirs are expensive, but Harry Potter items are particularly steep. Walking through the Wizarding World, I continuously heard complaints about the prices and lines, but the park was still bursting at the seams with people.
I believe it is all unfair. I love Harry Potter. Millions of people around the world love Harry Potter. The Wizarding World itself is an amazing place, but when you try to take a little part of wonder home with you, you are faced with ridiculous prices that stifle the enchantment.
Anne Cushman is a staff writer for The Mycenaean and resides in North Carolina. Her hobbies include petting horses, hang-gliding, and soccer. Some of her numerous aspirations are to climb Mount Everest, kayak the Colorado River, and write well. Also, she loves One Direction.
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