Harry Potter Shop New York — Attraction in New York

I have been waiting to experience this store since opening. And I finally had my turn. Not a single disappointment. This, is a HYPE THAT TEAM UP POST! First, let me thank the people working in the art gallery area downstairs on April 4th, 2024 & the cashiers. The conversation about important characters just omitted from any merch because they exist solely in the books & overall enthusiasm and joy they have for the Potterverse and is a gift. Their energy is PHENOMENAL & was very similar to the team members of Universal Orlando WW of HP. To have that level of caring and Fandom knowledge, expertise & understanding & customer care offered while enjoying the details of each room and all the available merchandise and unique items was BEYOND. *The pink merchandise is not to be missed. The spirit jersey in upper sizes is always sold out apparently and so I didn't get one. It was my ONE disappointing moment. Because honestly I really want that pink to purple spirit jersey. However I also ended up allowing my 55 year old self celebrating my 55th birthday to get my house cloak robe instead so.... I believe I'll live. And, I got the pink AF mug. But I'm obsessively checking the website! The wands. Sigh. It was so difficult in choosing one because they ALL chose me. 🤣 I'll need a super wealthy person to gift me one of each or a lottery win to build a Wand Room. Ehem. Sorry. Back to the experience. Each room has items carefully arranged and displayed to be enjoyed with or without purchase. Bucketlist to token momentos. All around photoworthy book and movie art and decor. The wands displayed and laid out so you can truly appreciate the consideration and artistry that went into creating each one. It was hard to not get more than one but alas, ONE or no robe. (2 and a spirit jersey but alas we discussed that) & so I went with Narcissa Malfoy's wand. Also of note is that the elegance and ornate features of some of the Fantastic Beasts wands are simply spectacular. I had hoped there would be an Andromeda Black Tonks Wand. I understand she's not at all in the books. Which , is such a betrayal of the 3 Black Sisters. Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa are a fascinating creation all their own. And the level of importance of Andromeda to the success of the Order of the Phoenix as well as the protection of all the double agents cannot be over-exaggerated. Not to mention her key role in post 2nd Wizarding War Battle at Hogwarts life. And yet she and baby Teddy are omitted from Cursed Child as well. So maybe I need to write fan fiction! Ehem. Delulu of Grandeur and such! Anyway what was SUCH A GIFT was chatting with the people in the art room. Because I had hoped SOMETHING pertaining to Nymphadora's mama would be there. And, she's on the Black fam tapestry burned out. And you can purchase the tapestry artwork!!! Among other really gorgeous pieces and cards that are frame worthy. Discussing Andromeda with the team-members there was spellbinding. Speaking to other genuine enthusiasts is a fabulously spellbinding encounter on its own!!! . Not a single flaw of the team there from entrance to exit. You're fabulous at creating magic for the visitors HP NYC STAFF !! (. And I will create a petition for love for Andromeda or at least a Wand if she isn't in the HBO rework.) There is a lot to see, purchase, take photos of and just enjoy. Nagini in giant Deathly Hallows size greeting you at the bottom of the stairs is a masterful artpiece that will warm the heart of the coldest or least people liking Slytherin. But those team members understand their assignment & that make the visit MAGICAL. I really don't know how anyone leaves without at least a Wand and an owl! I wish I had a budget to purchase every single thing. But seeing the items in the carefully curated rooms and nooks certainly is a gift of its own. Don't treat this as a store. It's an experience. NOT SKIP BUTTERBEER! I wish I brought home more. Let yourself be in the moment but reserve money and time. And again thank you to everyone we...

(Go Early or Less Busy Days) Detailed review with Pros and Cons: The QR queuing system is the biggest complaint, but also understandable from management perspective. 100% this place will be packed beyond imagination and will become a tourist trap. This place will never be a local favorite, becuase we never like crowds, e.g. all locals never go to Times Squares... So imagine no QR queuing equals extreme long lines for blocks . But of course it is inconvenient for tourists becuase you have to be there for the QR or no go, missing an opportunity. I can imagine the sadness of a fan will have in a last minute vacation stop and can't get it.

We scanned at 10:30pm and was 561 (So imagine an actual line instead of the QR system.) in line. Luckily, we had a real plan to hang out in the city, went to eat, see a musuem, go shopping, and luckily the queue was ready at 3:30pm at 160 people left, then suddenly it was our turn, it will throw you off, becuase 160 to 0 in an instant was not expected, luckily we happen to be in the area. Overall, I wouldn't wait for this, make a plan and come back later. Now for the review~

Pros: Price-wise, I am surprised everything was fairly priced for its location and its brand, I mean its more than no brand items, but its obvious why. Wands are $38 and a hair scrunchy was $5, which is exactly what Universal Studios range is for their Harry Potter items. The decoration is beautiful and nice, many photo spots and things to look at. Staff are fine with no issues, judging by what they have to go through with this many tourists, I hope their incentives and pay is good. All the items plus a few extra from Universal Studios. Mostly clothing for cosplay.

Cons: The limited amount of items, I wasn't expecting it to have exactly the same items from Universal Studios in a compressed manner, I had an image there would be much more exclusive NYC items. A bit disappointed. The wand section is way more it needs to be, obviously a space filler becuase there isnt enough products to buy. If you take out all the decorations and wands and toys, you'll can actually fill up a 750 sq ft space with everything they sell with creative placement. The tourism aspect is bad, becuase everything is a photo spot, meaning people block spaces, walk slow, stop in the middle of open areas, its very hard to move around. I wanted the wooden luggage, but those were nailed down... The baby and toy spot is extremely small and the people queuing up for the cash register will literary block out that area, go to Legoland next door for Harry Potter toys... The bottom floor seems like it could be better, becuase it feels like leftover areas they couldn't fill with more designs and merchandise. The candy and snack area lacks a lot, there is little options, few! Butter Beer, Jelly Bellies, and Chocolate Frogs, thats pretty much it! The food area is no sitting, I understand why, too crowded, but still, its sucks~ More… but mostly shopper experiences and item related...

Huge missed chance with visual attractions. In Universal Studios Harry Potter areas, everything is visually moving and pleasing, I thought they would have got some engineers to build that in NYC. e.g. news papers with moving pictures or small little creatures flying around the shop on lines, etc. They could rent some more space and do an visual amusement side, lol, I wish, but would end up more stressful for management and staff, as well as inventors with no returns~

Wand Users: Make sure to bring your wands to Universal Studio for their interactive wand area!

VR experiences are interesting but a bit expensive for $36 an adult.

Overall, go here once and never come here again kind of place... The limited items is a downer. The crowded aspect isn't good for those who hate it it us Coron is still here and around!

But if its a completely optional thing, don't do it. If you'll hit Orlando for Universal someday, just wait for that becuase its much more worth it! Sorry for the typos, but my...

After wanting to visit the store for months but putting it off due to the crowds and potentially long entry times, we finally bit the bullet and visited a few days ago. It was a nice Friday (70 degree-day during Easter break) so we expected some crowds.

We drove into the city from the Bronx, and were luckily able to get a spot in the middle of the afternoon on 19th street between 9th - 10th avenues...there are a few residential alternate side-parking streets in that immediate area. Parking closer to the store is very difficult on also all days, except on Sunday. Parking is allowed in most of Manhattan on Sundays...just be careful and read the signs!

We walked to the store located at 22nd and Broadway and scanned the QR code in front of the building as instructed. At that time the queue showed 274 people ahead of us. The employee told that the wait would be between 60-90 minutes. We left and walked around the area for a bit (Madison Square Park with lots of eating options are right around the corner on 23rd street, the Flatiron building is also there...and if you want to walk a bit further, the Empire State Building is 12 blocks away on 34th street). At about 55 minutes after scanning the QR code, we received a text message saying it was our turn. (A few minutes before, at about the 45 minute mark, we received a text message saying "you are almost ready." After received the "you are ready text" you have an hour to make it to the store. Once you arrive, you pull up the text link you recently received on your phone and the workers scan it. No bag checks or anything upon entry, so you can seemingly bring in food, bottled water, etc...

Although NYC no longer requires masks in most indoor spaces, the HP store stilll requires masks to be worn at all times while there. Though they do allow the casual removal of masks for photo ops.

The store itself is great...definitely lived up to the hype. The store has any and every thing HP-themed you can think of. Books, clothes, jewelry, wands, butterbeer, and tons of collectibles. The rices seem to be on par with theme park (Universal Studios) prices. Examples: $100 house robes, $40-50 wands, $6 butterbeer bottles, $20 winter hat, $60 quiddich sweater... There are tons of exclusive items you wouldn't be able to get anywhere else. (I looked some up)

The store is divided into two floors (via spiral staircase or elevator) and multiple rooms/areas. Lots of photo op areas such as the red telephone booth and life-sized Hagrid. There are other activities such as the VR eperience, which has to be booked in advanced and cost extra.

The butterbeer bar is your last stop on the way out and was pretty cool. $10 cups of butterbeer and $7 butterscotch ice cream. Ice cream was great, but the butterbeer was NOT. The bottled butterbeer were also pretty bad, some strange aftertaste. They also have some cupcakes and other cakes that we did not try.

Despite the timed admissions, the entire store was pretty crowded. It was challenging to navigate the space with out stroller. Also the bathroom line (near the books section) was fairly long.

All staff there were nice, patient and accommodating.

Overall, this place is a must for any HP fan...Decor and references throughout the entire space is simply amazing.jI observed lots of workers walking around just dusting and keeping things neat, which was very much appreciated. I would recommend to factor in 1-2 hours for a visit, if you plan on taking everything in. Just remember to bring...