Skip to content

MuggleNet

  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • News / Theme Park

What’s Up with the Wands? Rumors About Several Changes to Universal Orlando Resort Are Flying

by Aly Kirk · March 7, 2022

Changes and new experiences are coming to Universal Orlando Resort. There’s so much to unpack with all the rumors going around, and we’re not the only ones trying to make sense of things. Here’s everything you need to know about changes to your favorite magical theme park.

Getting your first wand is easily one of the best experiences you can get from a visit to Universal Orlando Resort. If your journey to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is still on your to-do list, let us explain. Interactive wands are those that let park visitors cast spells as they walk around Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Noninteractive character wands do not function to perform spells but resemble wands as seen throughout the Harry Potter movies. Both have their pros and cons, of course. To magic or not to magic, that is indeed the question these days.

 

Wands are disappearing around Universal Orlando Resort and the rumors are flying.

 

A new rumor is circulating, however, that noninteractive character wands are beginning to be phased out. Guests have reported increased difficulty in finding the standard wands when walking around the park shops. It’s also been confirmed that all but four noninteractive wands that were for sale on the Universal Orlando Resort website have been removed. Through platforms like Reddit, theme park goers shared that one of the ways to find a standard wand around the park is to sign up for a Universal Merchandise Shopping Card. A noninteractive wand comes free with signing up. In the same thread, one user claims it’s a way for Universal to clear out any remaining wand inventory.

This plan hasn’t been officially confirmed by Universal Orlando Resort. It may prove to be an interesting choice by park management seeing as standard wands seem like a more valuable choice for collectors, cosplayers, or fans of particular characters. While the decision on this development has yet to be announced, other sources note that wands are not the only aspect of the park undergoing changes.

There are several rumors currently flying around about a new expansion for Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando. Fear Factor Live has been closed since October last year, and given the proximity of this former attraction to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it’s not a giant leap to think there may be a build-out in the future. There are no officially released plans about what may replace the live show, and changes are likely still in the planning phase. After closing Fear Factor Live last year, permits were filed to begin demolition of the theater. It was later revealed that said permits were denied by the city of Orlando, effectively putting a pause on any new construction. It does also make us curious to know if this is at all related to the construction walls that were spotted around the Hogwarts Express display in February. At this point, we’re all playing the waiting game.

 

There are no confirmed plans for the remains of the Fear Factor Live theater.

 

Hold on to your Sorting Hats – we have yet another bit of piece of intel to unpack. New construction photos of Universal’s Epic Universe have surfaced. Deemed the new crown jewel in Universal Orlando Resort’s tiara, Epic Universe will be the largest theme park from Universal in the United States at 750 acres. Compared to the current 735-acre park, Epic Universe will house attractions themed around DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, and Nintendo. Originally, the opening was scheduled to be in 2023, but construction halted in the midst of COVID surges. NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell recently confirmed that the new park will open by summer 2025 and that construction is now “full steam ahead.”

 

Construction images show layouts for a new theme park from Universal Resort Orlando.

 

The coming months and years will shed more light on all these developments. As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait, and boy, are we waiting.

What do you think about only using only interactive wands throughout Wizarding World of Harry Potter? What are your thoughts on the emptiness of the Fear Factor Live theater? Are you excited about another theme park? There’s so much to consider! Let us know what you think.

 

Want more posts like this one? MuggleNet is 99% volunteer-run, and we need your help. With your monthly pledge of $1, you can interact with creators, suggest ideas for future posts, and enter exclusive swag giveaways!

Support us on Patreon

Social:

  • Next story New Paperback Cover with Altered Title for “Cursed Child” Playscript
  • Previous story Japanese “Secrets of Dumbledore” Poster Revealed, Features New Artwork

MuggleNet Archive

Important Dates

May 2025

Thu, May 15

Pomona Sprout's birthday
Recurs yearly

Fri, May 16

Stanislav Yanevski's birthday
Recurs yearly

Viktor Krum

Sun, May 18

Miriam Margolyes's birthday
Recurs yearly

Pomona Sprout

Mon, May 19

Geraldine Somerville's birthday
Recurs yearly

Lily Potter

MuggleNet podcasts are sponsored in part by Secretlab.

Thanks to its research-backed ergonomic design, including a proprietary 4-way adaptive lumbar support system, the Secretlab TITAN Evo Harry Potter Edition will comfortably support you even when you’re up to no good.

Did You Know

“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” was once called “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”.

Potter History

June 3, 2005 – Two copies of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince are stolen but quickly recovered.

Potter Quote

“Do you know why I admire you, Newt? More, perhaps, than any man I know? You don’t seek power or popularity. You simply ask, is the thing right in itself? If it is, then I must do it, no matter the cost.”

MuggleNet is an unofficial Harry Potter fansite.
Please email us if you have any questions or concerns.
© 1999–2025 MuggleNet.com. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | COPPA Policy | Terms of Use | Feedback


MuggleNet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Bookshop.org's affiliate program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and bookshop.org.