Universal Studios puts you in the center of your favorite movies and tv shows. There are so many things to see and do in this park! One of the most underrated, fun things to do is to look for all the hidden secrets and details in the park! There are so many in this park, but here are some of our favorites.
1. Hidden Songs
On Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, there is a way to unlock secret songs! Once you are seated on the ride, hold down the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit logo on the screen for 5-10 seconds. A secret playlist will pop up and it will ask you for a three-digit code. You can unlock more than 60 extra songs! Some of the songs (with codes) that you can unlock are:
- 103- Break on Through- The Doors
- 104- Crocodile Rock- Elton John
- 113- Immigrant Song- Led Zeppelin
- 121- Runnin’ Down a Dream- Tom Petty
- 130- Won’t Get Fooled Again- The Who
- 304- Still Rock and Roll to Me- Billy Joel
- 902- The Rainbow Connection- The Muppets
2. Contribution to Universal Orlando
There is a hidden nod to the people who have contributed to the development of Universal Studios. Much like how Disney honors the Imagineers on Main Street USA with their names on the windows above the shops, Universal does the same for the people that have helped contribute creatively to their park. In the New York section of Universal Studios, look up at the windows outside of Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon. On these windows, you will see Universal’s tribute to those who have helped contribute to Universal Studios Florida throughout the years.
3. Kwik-E-Mart
There is a fun, hidden secret in Springfield USA aka Simpson’s Land. There is a phone outside of the Kwik-E-Mart in Springfield. Occasionally, the phone will ring. If you happen to catch it ringing, pick up the phone and you’ll hear Simpsons characters on the other line! They change each time so be sure to pick up the phone each time you come back to visit. This is really fun for any Simpsons fan!
4. Steven Spielberg
Did you know that famous director Steven Spielberg makes a surprise cameo on the Men in Black: Alien Attack ride? When you are on the ride, you will see an “alien” that is wearing a baseball cap and reading a newspaper. If you zap him, the “alien” will lower his newspaper to reveal his face…and it is Steven Spielberg! He will appear right after the training session, so you must be quick! Mr. Spielberg also makes a cameo as a Simpson’s character on the Simpson Ride. He appears in the very beginning of the show where he is waiting in line for a restaurant.
5. Phonebooth Magic
If you go to the London section of Universal Studios, you will see a bright red phone booth right near Kings Cross Station. That isn’t just any phone booth…it’s a magic phone booth. From this payphone, you can speak to the Ministry of Magic! Step inside the booth, pick up the phone and dial 62442 (MAGIC). Make sure to listen on the other end for a fun experience.
6. Jaws Easter Eggs
If you visited Universal Orlando a lot in the 1990’s, you may know that the Jaws attraction was a big hit. When the attraction closed in June 2012 to make room for the Diagon Alley section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, they made sure to appease the old attraction’s fans by leaving some easter eggs. First, there are shrunken heads in Knockturn Alley that are singing “Show Me the Way to Go Home”, which was a song from the movie Jaws.
There is also a window display for Mr. Mulpepper’s Apothecary that has a large shark bone in the window. There’s a telescope in Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment that is made from parts of the Jaws queue. Finally, there is a record store in London (in front of the entrance to Diagon Alley) that had an album cover in its window that says “Here’s to Swimming with Bow Legged Women” by the Quint Trio. This references a line in the Jaws movie said by Quint.
7. Disney References?
Speaking of references, did you know that Universal Studios has references to Disney World attractions? The bookstore at the London Waterfront features nods to two popular (and extinct) Walt Disney World attractions. There is a book entitled 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which is an obvious nod to the attraction 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. There is also a book entitled The Wind in the Willows, which is a nod to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
8. Platform 9 ¾
If you are a Harry Potter fan, you know that to get to the Hogwarts Express, you must find Platform 9 ¾. In the eyes of a “muggle” (non-magical person), that platform does not exist, and they cannot see it. While at King’s Cross Station, Platform 9 ¾ will be hidden and you will only see Platform 9 and Platform 10. If you want to have some fun, ask a Team Member where Platform 9 ¾ is. Since they are muggles, they’ll have no idea what you’re talking about, but they will playfully banter with you. Once you are done doing that, there is a photo op in the queue for the train ride where you can “run through the wall” to Platform 9 ¾ like Harry and his friends.
9. Knockturn Alley
In Diagon Alley, you can find Knockturn Alley, which is where the bad wizards go to hang out. There is a store called Borgin and Burkes there, which you may remember if you read the books or have seen the movies. Underneath Borgin and Burkes, you can see green flashes of light. This is in reference to the only spell that casts green light. This is one of the three Unforgivable Curses and is Voldemort’s signature spell.
Overall
These are some of the coolest hidden secrets at Universal Studios in Orlando. Whenever you are visiting the parks, it is so easy to rush from one ride to the next and miss a lot of things. If you have the time, I highly recommend taking in the sights and sounds of the park and looking for these ten fun and hidden secrets. Which one of these secrets will you look for on your next visit?
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