Check out a newer (2020) updated version of this post on my new blog: Nerdy Guides: The Ultimate Guide To Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Did you know that Wizarding World of Harry Potter holds many secrets that make it even more magical?
These secrets can and will make your trip to Wizarding World of Harry Potter even more magical. These secrets are great for adults as well as kids and honestly the amount of detail put into Wizarding World is incredibly impressive.
- At Universal Studios you will find 12 Grimmauld Place, where you can catch a glimpse of surly
house elf , Kreacher, in the window. Make sure you are looking at 12 Grimmauld Place. We saw some silly muggles taking pics in front of 11 Grimmauld Place. - The phone booth outside Kings Cross Station will connect you to the Ministry of Magic. You just have to dial 62442 (MAGIC).
- If you stop by the Knight Bus in front of Kings Cross Station you can snap a picture with both the bus conductor and the talking shrunken head. The shrunken head is also interactive.
- If you ask any employee at Kings Cross Station how to find Platform 9 ¾ they will respond accordingly. Most likely with a sarcastic remark about how you are crazy.
- If you decide to visit Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes pay attention to the music that is playing. It’s the exact music that plays in the movie during the Wizarding Wheezes scene. Don’t forget to look up! Also, the giant Weasley twin on the exterior isn’t just tipping his hat. Sometimes a rabbit pops out and disappears back into his hat.
- The Leaky Cauldron has an impressive 80 pieces of art on the walls and they are exact replicas from the movies.
- If you dare to venture into Knockturn Alley, make sure that you go into Borgin and Burkes. The store itself is incredibly cool but you will also find that the vanishing cabinet had a special surprise. Just listen closely. Also, while you are in Knockturn Alley don’t miss the dancing skeleton or the singing shrunken heads!
- The Gringotts dragon breathes real fire every 15 minutes. Don’t worry you can hear a roar/rumble when it’s warming up!
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts has some subtle differences depending on when you ride it. (We rode once in the morning and once in the evening).
- Speaking of Gringotts, you can get actual money from the Gringotts Money Exchange. You can exchange smaller bills for Wizarding Bank Notes that can be used around the parks. Also, the Goblins at the money exchange will reply to your questions.
- At the Magical Menagerie Animal Shop, the snake in the window will speak to you in parseltongue (of course) if you listen closely.
- The Hogwarts Express does different things depending on which direction you take it. Make sure to go both ways!
- Moaning Myrtle haunts the bathrooms in Hogsmeade.
- If you head to the Owl Post in Hogsmeade you can actually send a letter to someone complete with the Hogsmeade postmark.
- If you pay close attention while eating at the Three Broomsticks you will notice the shadows of owls swooping in and out of the windows.
- Pay attention to all the details when in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. If you find yourself in front of the Potions Classroom door you can hear lecturing going on.
- In the Hogs Head Pub, you will see the talking shrunken heads from the Prisoner of Azkaban.
- If you find yourself hanging out on the streets in Hogsmeade pay attention to the Owlery. An owl pops out occasionally, kinda like a cuckoo clock.
I don’t want to tell you all of the secrets but I think this is a pretty decent little list to start! Pay attention all of the small details and you will get to see/hear all of Wizaring Worlds secrets.
