You need some Harry Potter Souvenirs! Have you ever bought your souvenirs ahead of time, like before you even went on your trip?  I have!  When I go to theme parks like Harry Potter World or Disney, I make sure to “look the part” before I show up. 

Planning ahead can not only help you save a ton of money, but it can give you an advantage because you will know what products are available outside of the amusement park and know where to spend your money when you get there.  

Are you planning a trip to Universal's Harry Potter World or Warner Brothers Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter in London?    Awesome. Let's explore everything you need to buy ahead of time and what you will want to get on site.  

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When planning a Harry Potter trip, the anticipation is almost as great as your actual trip.  Buying some Harry Potter souvenirs ahead of time can build and create excitement for your entire trip.

Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt

I could write a whole post about how to surprise someone with a trip!  Surprises are my favorite! For kids, I suggest a scavenger hunt.  Just to give you a few ideas, you could include a marauders map, keys (like in Harry Potter Book 1), or treasure chest... you get my idea, right!?

Hogwarts Acceptance Letter

Creating or buy an acceptance to Hogwarts Letter   is an extra magical touch. (Maybe end the scavenger hunt with it.) I know a lot of people that do this to build the anticipation and excitement for their Harry Potter vacation.

Read and Watch

There are two things that I like to do before my trip one: is to re-read at least one of the Harry Potter books.  I also like to watch the Harry Potter movies.  The reason I like to do this is because the attention to detail at the Park is incredible.  If you have just read or watched Harry Potter, you can easily see some magic that you might have missed otherwise.

There are a few Harry Potter souvenirs you will want to get ahead of time.  

Shirts

I am one of those crazy people who love to wear Harry Potter attire when I go on a Harry Potter vacation!  One of the things I love the most is shirts.  There are so many great choices!  I like to buy these Harry Potter souvenirs ahead of time because it saves me so much money.  Shirts at the amusement park are easily over $30.  

If you plan ahead, you can order them on Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target, or Kohl's.  I have saved so much by planning ahead! 

Hot Tip

Just FYI, although you can usually get better deals ahead of time there may be something special that you can find nowhere else besides on your Harry Potter vacation. We experienced this at the Kings Cross Station gift shop.

“Looking the part” is important to me.  If you want to go all out, grab your robe, tie, and scarf!  Cute socks are always a must as well.  These items can easily be purchased before you Harry Potter vacation. 

Here are a few more Harry Potter souvenirs that will be helpful as you plan your Harry Potter vacation.

Weather

One thing that I think is a must, whether you are going to Universal's Harry Potter World (for which there are locations all over the world) or specifically to London, is a poncho or umbrella.  I know that sounds weird but you will thank me later.  

In London it rains all the time, so if you were going to go on a Muggle walking tour this would be perfect.  If you were at an amusement park it would be a life saver.  

Lanyard 

Another nice item to have is a lanyard.  I always like to have something to hold my ticket or keys.  Also, you can buy Harry Potter pins at the park and collect them on your lanyard.  Getting it ahead of time will save you a lot of money. 

Harry Potter Pins

There are some fun Harry Potter Pins that make the perfect souvenirs.  Grab your lanyard and find the perfect pin. This is a similar concept to what is done at the Disney Parks.  You can buy expensive pins at the park, but I always buy some inexpensive pins to trade.  

Pin trading isn't as big of a deal at Universal compared to Disney, but I think you can still trade with workers. (I haven't had a chance to test this out)  

Let's explore some of the specific Harry Potter souvenirs that are only available at Universal Studios Orlando.  As well as London specific merchandise.

Let's start with Harry Potter souvenirs at Universal Studios.   There are a few things that are worth waiting and buying at the park.   Usually, these are the items that are one of a kind and can only be found at this location. 

One thing I would not buy beforehand is a wand.  The wand at Universal is part of the Harry Potter experience.  There are a few options to consider when purchasing your wand.

Option 1

Hope and pray that you are picked during the Ollivander Wand Shop presentation.  The wand chooses the wizard.  My daughter was chosen to have this experience.

Here are some tips that will help you have this experience if you desire it.  If you stay at the resort you are allowed into the park an hour early. Go straight to Ollivanders.  Once inside step to the front of the group.  It seems that they usually will pick someone that is near the age of 11.  If there is anyone in your group that age they have the advantage.  If no kids are present an adult may be chosen.  

If you’d like to purchase a wand, you can purchase the wand that chose the wizard, or you can pick out a different one.

Option 2

Claimed wands are wands that belong to characters in the movies and books. If you want a replica of Harry's, Ron's, Hermione's, Dumbledore's, or any character's really, they are available to purchase.  

Option 3

Choosing a unique wand is an option.  As you approach the counter the clerk will ask you many questions that will help determine which wand is right for you.  It is a fun experience that will lead  to the perfect wand for you.

Interactive Wand vs. Non-Interactive

Alright, maybe you are thinking, “okay, I can get a wand but why wouldn't I just get one before I get to Universal?” There is a big difference in the wands at Universal compared to everywhere else.

You can purchase wands at Universal that are interactive.  That means that they actually do magic!  Yes! You read that right! There are many places located throughout Harry Potter World that allow you to do magic.  This might be one of the best experiences at Harry Potter World.  

My recommendation is to get an interactive wand.  How you go about choosing the specific wand is up to you.  Not only is the wand probably the best Harry Potter Souvenir you can get at Universal Studios but it allows you to have even more fun during your time at the park. 

Honey Dukes in Hogsmeade is a must.  There are so many Harry Potter souvenirs to buy.   One thing I love is that it is so bright and colorful inside. There are candies and special Harry Potter specific things that will leave your mouth watering! No worries; everything is edible.

This was my favorite place to buy souvenirs!  Some of the things we liked were:

Cauldron Cake

The cauldron cake was beautiful! It is like looking at art in a case of amazing goodies.  There is also fudge. We tried it and it was delicious!  Cupcakes and homemade goods were on the top of our list at Honey Dukes.

Love Potion

Do You remember in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince when love potions were a thing?

Amortentia is a love potion that does not create actual love, but gives the drinker a powerful obsession and infatuation with the giver of the potion.

You might need to pick up this Harry Potter souvenir if you know someone who could use it!  

Need a little luck?  Felix Felicis is the exact Harry Potter souvenir you need! 

Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans

Bertie Botts every flavored beans can be found everywhere.  That is why I do not recommend buying it at Universal. If you have never tried earwax, dirt, or vomit you may consider grabbing a few just for the experience.

Chocolate Frogs

Butter beer is probably on your list as you visit Universal.  You can purchase a butter beer tankard.  This Harry Potter souvenir will get you refills on coke products for around 1.99. Unfortunately, butter beer is the same price with or without the tankard. 

Where to Get Butter Bear and Other Butter Beer Treats

The Leaky Cauldron (in Diagon Alley) and The Three Broomsticks (in Hogsmeade) 

These restaurants have a few options for butter beer treats:

• Cold Butter beer
• Frozen Butter beer
• Hot Butter beer (seasonally)
• Butter beer ice cream
• Potted cream Butter beer

Street carts – Drinks only (Hogsmeade):

• Cold Butter beer
• Frozen Butter beer
• Hot Butter beer (Seasonally)
• Pumpkin Juice was available as well

The Hog’s Head Pub – Drinks only (Hogsmeade):

• Cold Butter beer
• Frozen Butter beer
• Hot Butter beer (Seasonally)

The Fountain of Fair Fortune (Diagon Alley):

• Cold Butter beer
• Frozen Butter beer
• Butter beer ice cream

Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlor – Ice cream only (Diagon Alley):

• Butter beer ice cream

The Hopping Pot (Diagon Alley):

• Cold Butter beer
• Frozen Butter beer
• Hot Butter beer (Seasonally)
• Butter beer ice cream

Honey Dukes (Hogsmeade) and Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop (Diagon Alley):

• Butter beer fudge

We tried the butter beer fudge and it was delicious!  I highly recommend getting it.  Although, if you eat while you are there it isn't a souvenir anymore! 

As you plan your Harry Potter London trip ,there are a few places I recommend for the best Harry Potter Souvenirs.  Warner Brothers Studios – The Making of Harry Potter is probably the number one spot in London for Harry Potter fans.  You will find some great Harry Potter souvenirs there.

Warner Brother's Studios – the Making of Harry Potter

There are few stops during the tour where you can get some great Harry Potter souvenirs.  There are photo ops everywhere so if you wanted a souvenir photo you can plan to get that while on site.

Another thing we loved was the butter beer and butter beer ice cream cups.  You can purchase souvenir cups, this is awesome because you were already going to buy the butter beer anyway and for a few more pounds you can add a souvenir!

Gift Shop at Harry Potter Studios

The gift shop has some great Harry Potter souvenirs.  There is a section that looks like Honey Dukes with lots of candy.  There are also beautiful costumes.  It was really large so we spent a long time looking at everything, but I don't think we actually bought anything!

Kings Cross is the ultimate stop on a Harry Potter London vacation.  This is where platform 9 3/4 is located!  We thought the gift shop at King Cross was the best we had seen!  There were so many unique and fun items located there.  

Skip the Line

The workers fly golden snitches around and that atmosphere is great.  This is a very popular attraction so there could be a line.  If you really plan ahead you can get a special pass  for 15 pounds, that will allow you to enter the store as well as have your photo taken without standing in line.  

Hopefully, this post helps you know which Harry Potter souvenirs you want to get ahead of time and which ones you want to get when you are actually on vacation.  

We love Harry Potter and have loved traveling and seeing all the different Harry Potter movie sites and amusement parks.  We still need to go to the one in Asia, but we have loved what we have seen so far!