10 Magical Secrets Hidden in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The magic is in the details at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. These lands are so immersive that visitors could spend hours exploring and taking in all of the different elements of the world around them.

While there are many things that can be easily seen and recognized from the books and movies, there are quite a few that may go unnoticed by the average park goer. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of these lesser known details and facts. The next time you visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, keep an eye out for these magical secrets.

READ MORE- Hidden Details on Disneyland Rides That You Will Completely Miss if You Dont Know Where to Look

1. Bite Into These Jaws References

We’re going to need a bigger boat for all of the Jaws references that can be found in Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando. From 1990 through 2012, Universal Studios Florida had a Jaws ride that was located where Diagon Alley is today. While the Jaws ride is missed by many, myself included, nods to the attraction and movie can be found throughout its replacement.

The first reference can be found before you even enter Diagon Alley. In the London section of Universal Studios Florida, on Charing Cross Road, there’s a record shop. In this window, you’ll see a record on display titled “Here’s to Swimmin with Bow Legged Women” by The Quint Trio. This record is a direct reference to Quint, the rugged fisherman and shark hunter from Jaws, who says the statement in a movie while giving a toast.

Even though you only see the front of the record jacket at the record store, you can actually hear a tune from Jaws being sung in Knockturn Alley. Outside of Noggin and Bonce, you’ll see a display of shrunken heads in the window. If you take a moment to listen to these particular heads, you can hear that they’re singing “Show Me the Way to Go Home”. This is the same song that Hooper, Brody, and Quint drunkenly sing on the Orca during their shark hunting mission. Unfortunately, their singing is cut short when the giant great white swims up to the boat, unbeknownst to them, and starts pounding into it.

Dun-Dun, Dun-Dun.. More Jaws Details are Coming

Another Jaws reference can be found in Knockturn Alley at Borgin and Burkes. Here, you can spot a couple sets of shark teeth in a glass display case. In the past, these teeth were displayed in the queue of the Jaws ride. More of these recycled shark teeth props can be found in Diagon Alley, in the window of Mr. Mullpepper’s Apothecary.

More items from the Jaws ride can be found inside Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. At the beginning of this attraction, you’ll enter Bill Weasley’s office where a pre-show takes place. In his office, you can see some crates, which were once used in the Jaws attraction.

Speaking of Gringotts, it’s said that the fire-breathing dragon, that’s sitting on top of the bank, is in the same location as the gas dock explosion that took place during the Jaws ride. While it’s difficult to find evidence to prove this, some have said that they’ve seen blueprints which have placed both of these pyro effects in the same spot.

There’s one final shop in Diagon Alley that holds homage to the Jaws attraction, and that’s Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment. This shop has a very celestial feel, with a variety of telescopes and brass apparatuses on display. Many of these items either came directly from the Jaws attraction and queue or were constructed from pieces of other items that did.

2. Make a Magical Phone Call

In the London area outside of Diagon Alley, there’s a red telephone booth. Not only is this a great place to snap a fun photo, you can also use the phone! While you can’t successfully dial just any number, you can make one very important phone call.

When you dial 62442, or M-A-G-I-C, you’ll call the Ministry of Magic. The call will actually go through, allowing you to hear a recorded message directly from the Ministry of Magic.

This is the same way that the visitor’s entrance to the Ministry of Magic is accessed in Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix!

3. The Knight Bus is Not Just a Thing of Dreams

While in the London area, you’ll also see the Knight Bus. The triple-decker purple bus is by no means a secret, especially with the crowds that form to speak with the driver and shrunken head. However, many visitors aren’t aware of a fun fact about this bus.

The Knight Bus that sits in Universal Studios Florida is one of the two real on-screen prop buses that were used in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The other Knight Bus was recently on display in London, England at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour as part of their Return to Azkaban exhibit, which ran from May 1st to September 24th, 2024.

4. Shop Like a Wizard

At Gringotts Money Exchange, muggles can trade in their U.S. currency for Gringotts bank notes, which is the money that wizards and witches use in the Wizarding World. This is a dollar for dollar exchange, with $10 and $20 options available. You can opt to take your bank notes home as a fun keepsake, or you can use them!

Immerse yourself in the Wizarding World and shop like a wizard or witch throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Gringotts bank notes can be used to purchase merchandise, food, and drinks. They can also be used at other select locations throughout Universal Orlando.

If you do not use all of your bank notes, and you don’t wish to keep them, you can stop by Guest Services, where they will exchange them back for your muggle currency.

5. The Leaky Cauldron Actually Leaks

Whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat or simply passing by, make sure that you take a look at the sign that’s outside of The Leaky Cauldron. This is a hanging cast iron sign that features an image of a witch stirring something up in a cauldron that's cracked.

Keep a close eye on this sign! You’ll specifically want to look at the crack on the side of the cauldron. If you’re looking carefully, you’ll be able to see that this cauldron actually leaks! If you aren’t able to see the actual leak, take a look at the ground right below the sign. You’ll be able to see a small puddle from the witch’s leaky cauldron.

6. Accurate Information Displays

The most immersive way to travel between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade is to take a ride on the Hogwarts Express. To access the train from Diagon Alley, you’ll need to head to the King’s Cross station and find Platform 9 ¾.

In the train station, you’ll see two blue signs, one for Departures and one for Arrivals. These signs show information for the different trains, such as time, origin, platform number, comments on if they’re on time or delayed, and operator information. It may be assumed that this information is fake and random, but it’s actually not! These signs are synced to the real King’s Cross station in London and the Departure and Arrival signs reflect the train schedules that are actually running.

Of course, on these signs, you won’t see Platform 9 ¾. For some extra fun, go ahead and ask one of the King’s Cross porters how to get to it. Since they’re muggles, their response is sure to be entertaining!

7. Appreciating Stuart Craig

During your ride on the Hogwarts Express, there’s going to be so much for you to see and hear. We actually recommend that you ride the train in both directions, since each direction provides a different experience.

Even though you’re being fully immersed in the moment, try to take a moment to look around the train car. Located throughout the train cars are small metal plaques with the name “CRAIG” on them. These are a nod to Stuart Craig. Stuart was the production designer for all of the Harry Potter films as well as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal.

8. House-Elf Accessible

The Three Broomsticks is a popular tavern that’s located in Hogsmeade. Here you’ll find British dishes such as Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Turkey Legs, and Beef Pasties. You can also grab a delicious Butterbeer here!

In the past, you could see shadows of house-elves, hard at work, projected onto the walls. While this detail hasn’t been around for quite some time, there is still a sign that the house elves are occupying the workspace at The Three Broomsticks.

If you look at the trash cans at The Three Broomsticks, you’ll see a small door at the bottom. These doors are for the house-elves! Of course, they’re much shorter than witches, wizards, and muggles, so these doors give them easier access to get to the trash and empty it out of the cans.

9. A Surprise Visitor in the Public Conveniences

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is filled with hidden details and secrets. You can even find some in the restrooms. If you go inside the restrooms in Hogsmeade, which are known as Public Conveniences, keep your ears open. You may just hear a familiar voice from a sad, cheeky ghost – Moaning Myrtle!

10. Remembering Dueling Dragons

The queue for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure takes visitors through abandoned ruins. Inside, you’ll see many different graffiti-esque images on the walls that students put there while they were secretly visiting the ruins. There’s a heart with student’s initials, images of magical creatures, and more.

One of the first of these images that you’ll see includes a blue dragon, a red dragon, and the words “Dueling Club”. This is a reference to Dueling Dragons, the challenge coaster that used to sit where Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure sits today.

Dueling Dragons included two separate tracks, one red and one blue. On the attraction, riders would experience multiple inversions and a number of moments where the tracks felt like they were going to collide. It was a thrilling experience that many still miss to this day.

READ MORE – Are You a Disney Snob? 9 Red Flags to Spot

There are several little luxuries and conveniences you can opt to spend money on that can elevate your Disney vacation, but if you find that you'll settle for nothing less than these things, you may be a “Disney snob.” See the 9 red flags to spot that may indicate you're a Disney snob! 

READ MORE – Leave The Magic Kingdom to Eat at These Quick Service Restaurants at Nearby Resorts

There are many different restaurant options near the Magic Kingdom that are FAR BETTER than anything that you can get inside the theme park. That park has the worst dining of pretty much any Disney theme park around the world and the restaurants nearby are much better. See Leave The Magic Kingdom to Eat at These Quick Service Restaurants at Nearby Resorts.