What Universal Orlando secrets are there?! Well, the short answer is plenty! For example, there is technically a right way to experience the Wizarding World. There’s also hidden Easter eggs everywhere! And, best yet, there is a tribute to history behind the Hard Rock Cafe.
That’s right. There are tons of Universal Orlando hidden secrets. And you don’t have to be an insider to know them! We’re giving you 12 of these top secrets and sharing them so you can experience the parks in the most authentic way. You can always enjoy Orlando, but now you’ll get to experience Universal Orlando in a new light.
12 Hidden Universal Orlando Secrets You Aren’t Supposed to Know About
1. Artists being in Super Hero Island is one of Many Universal Orlando Secrets
We all know the Marvel Super Hero Island is visually stunning. It takes after iconic comics, after all. So while you’re riding the Incredible Hulk Coaster, or while you walk off Doctor Doom’s Free Fall, make sure to really look around at the art.
Adam Kubert– a long-time artist for DC and Marvel– had a hand in creating the art around Superhero Island. And if you look close enough, you can find his name in certain masterpieces. Universal Orlando hidden secrets are actually hidden in plain sight!! Adam’s signature is everywhere if you just look.
2. There’s a Piece of History Behind the Hard Rock Cafe
With all the secrets of Universal Studios Orlando, many don’t think of City Walk having its own set of Easter eggs. And yet, there’s a huge piece of history behind the Hard Rock Cafe! And all history buffs will love it.
If you walk along the path that is on the right side of the Hard Rock, you’ll stumble upon an authentic piece of the Berlin Wall. Originally built to keep East Germans from going West, this wall stood for 28 years. And now you can see it! With it’s original graffiti and a plaque explaining some historical context, this is something you don’t want to miss.
3. Gringotts Money is Real
We all know Gringotts is the safest place… but did you know it offers real money? Of all Diagon Alley Universal Secrets, this is the most fun because it is interactive! Ask the goblins for a trade in: put in your U.S. currency for special Gringotts bank notes.
These bank notes can then be used within Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. There are also a few locations throughout the parks and resorts that you can spend it on! I, personally, kept the wizarding currency as a souvenir. But it is important to note that the money can be transferred back to U.S. currency at Guest Services. Don’t bother the Goblins for too long. They’re busy.
4. Hidden Tracks on Rip Ride Rockit
Universal Orlando hidden secretes don’t have to be limited to the park and design. Rides have secrets too! Rip Ride Rockit specifically has a hidden songs list. This allows you to deviate from the preset set list of songs. And variety is good!
To access this list: hold down the logo for ten seconds. A key pad will appear. Enter the hidden song’s three-digit code. Press enter. The trick is: you must know the hidden song code to activate the song. And you need to know it before riding! I’m personally a fan of 306- Lose Yourself by Eminem, or 782- Monster by Skillet.
5. The Mummy Pays Tribute to Kong
Fun fact: the Mummy was built in the same building that the original King Kong ride was built in. Not Skull Island: Reign of Kong, but the King Kong classic. There are still parts of this classic ride in the track and building of the Mummy. It is embedded in the ride!
As a nod to this, there is a golden Kong statue on the treasure room. And there’s a scarab design seen in a few locations that features a hidden Kong face. It’s like hidden Mickeys, but hidden monkeys! Keep an eye out for them and other Easter eggs similar to this that are scattered around the park.
6. Max Out Your Score on MIB Alien Attack
Men in Black is obviously a family-friendly-popular attraction. The shooter-style ride is challenging and entertaining! But you can max out your points at 999,999. Or you can at least try to! First: never let go of the trigger. Every 10 shots earns you 1,00 points. Second, focus on the smaller alines for more points. And aim for their eyes!
If you can, try to load on the green track (the right side). The red track (the left side) is more difficult! Third, don’t be afraid to zap the same target multiple times. Oh… and push the red button when they tell you to.
7. Universal Orlando Secrets Include Classic Movie References in Diagon Alley
Whether you turn down Knockturn Alley or visit a record shop in Diagon Alley, you’ll see tributes to other films, such as Jaws. Since Diagon directly replaced the classic Jaws ride, you can see references to the film everywhere!
In the record shop of London, check the windows. You’ll see things like “Here’s to Swimming with Bowlegged Women” by Quint Trio– yes, the Quint in the film. And in Knockturn Alleythe shrunken heads in front of Borgin and Burkes sing “Show Me the Way to Go Home” which was featured in Jaws! What fun Harry Potter World Secrets!
8. Suess Landing Pays Tribute to it’s Artist with Whimsy Lines
Dr. Suess was famous for all of his creations. Most notably, his drawings and rhymes have stuck with kids and parents for generations. One of his biggest trademarks was a lack of straight lines his drawings.
His world follows suit! Suess Landing has no straight lines. From the buildings, to the queues for the rides, everything is swirly and fun and bright. Even the trees and decorations pay tribute and incorporate this author’s playful style into reality. In fact, many of the quickly palm trees were damaged stock from hurricanes that were replanted here! This is just one of those hidden gems at Universal Orlando to look for– it can be hard to miss if you don’t know about it!
9. There are Secret Locations to Cast Spells At
We all know once you purchase an interactive wand from Ollivanders that you’ll be running around Diagon Alley and Hogsmead. Your swish and flick comes in great handy. And so does the map that is included in your wand box! The map marks al spell-casting areas.
There are 25 spell-casting areas. They are noted by the bronze medallions on the ground. But there are secret ones you cannot find on any map! Take a look outside the Scribbulus shop in Diagon Alley and near the shrunken heads in Knockturn Alley. This is one of the Diagon Alley Universal Secrets great to know for visitors.
10. You Can Hear Moaning Myrtle in the Restrooms
Of all Universal Studios Orlando insider secrets, you have to know that they make Harry Potter and Wizarding World as authentic as possible. And as a true HP fan, you know Moaning Myrtle. In the movies, she haunts the school’s bathrooms. Turns out she does at Hogsmead as well!
In Universal Islands of Adventure, you can hear her moaning in the men’s and women’s restrooms. Just keep an eye out for the “Public Conveniences” sign to find the right bathrooms. It’s close to Hog’s Head. And it turns out this is one of Myrtle’s favorite locations. Just listen closely– it’s all about those Universal Orlando tips and secrets!
11. Phone Booths Make Actual Calls
There are two predominant phone booths in the park: the one outside of Diagon Alley, and the one outside the Kwik-E-Mart in Springfield. Both are interactive and fun! I personally use this as one of my Universal Orlando Birthday secrets and make phone calls when visiting on a special day.
When calling from the red, London phone booth, you can dial 62442 (MAGIC) to speak with the Ministry. The witch who issues passes and descends the phone booth underground to the ministry will talk to you. And when you pick up the phone in Springfield, you get to hear the Simpsons characters on the other line. They switch voices!
12. Even the Manholes are Themed
Many of the areas of Universal are set up as backlots from production. This means that when you look down, you can see small theming! The manholes allude to the city they’re supposed to be in!
The same applies to the lands: any manholes in the park are correlated with whichever land you are in. This means that it if you are in Superhero Island, the covers are Superhero themed. Same goes for Suesslanding, and anything with the Wizarding World.
And there you have it, folks! 12 hidden Universal Orlando Secrets you aren’t supposed to know about. But now you know! Keep any eye out for cute design elements, secret entryways, cool theming on rides and queues (or even restaurants), and more. These Easter eggs make your visit all the more fun. But shhhh– don’t tell them I told you.
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