Every Harry Potter fanatic dreams of stepping into the world of Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and all surrounding areas. Thanks to Universal Orlando, they now can. Located in Universal Studios is Diagon Alley, and a short ride away on the Hogwarts Express, is Hogsmeade in the neighboring Island of Adventures. With so much to do, there are many things that one can miss within these two worlds. Here is a master list of all the secret must-sees of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
1. Dial "magic" in the authentic red telephone booth, located outside of King's Cross.
You'll feel like a real wizard when a Ministry of Magic employee answers the call, just like Harry and Mr. Weasley.
2. Walk around to the back of the Knight Bus.
Skip the line to get a picture with Stan the bus driver and walk around to the back end of the bus. You will be able to look inside the bus as well as get a personal picture of yourself inside the Knight Bus.
3. Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
This can be very hard to miss if you don't look for it, but right between Numbers 11 and 13 is Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Wait long enough and you'll see Creature creeping through the curtains.
4. Walking through to enter Platform 9 3/4.
While waiting in line for the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross, you will be able to "walk through" the brick wall to Platform 9 3/4. Have someone stay back so that you can get a picture of yourself entering the world of Harry Potter.
5. Go to Olivander's Wand Shop in Diagon Alley.
Olivander's is located in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Each store has a group experience where the wand maker chooses one person to have their wand personally choose them. The line for this is much shorter at the Diagon Alley shop and will seem more authentic, as this is the location of Olivander's in the books.
6. Buy an interactive wand.
Olivander's has character wands as well as each type of wand (made from ash, unicorn hair, etc). On the boxes are silver and gold labels. The gold labels indicate that the wand is interactive and can be used in various spots in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade to create magic. From making things move in windows and turning on lights, the map that comes with the wand will tell you how to move your wand and what spell to say. Don't miss out on this chance to be a wizard for a day!
7. Don't miss Knockturn Alley.
Located off of Diagon Alley, this can be easy to miss. Look for the entrance to an alleyway just past Leaky Cauldron entrance. Inside you can see Dervish and Banges as well as experience the world of dark magic with your interactive wand.
8. See the dragon on top of Gringott's Bank breathe fire.
About every 10-15 minutes, you will here the dragon the escaped from Gringott's roar before it breathes a ball of fire that heats up all of Diagon Alley.
9.Take your camera with you while waiting in line for rides.
Although the lines for the rides within Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade can be long, the time along the way goes by quick thanks to all that there is to see. From Dumbledore's office to the goblins in the lobby of Gringott's Bank, there are so many things to see that take you further into the world of Harry Potter. Although they tell you not to, bring your camera with you so that you can get pictures of these things that you wouldn't have a chance to see otherwise.
10. Use a debit/credit card at least once to pay for something.
Everyone who works within Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade had to stay in character when talking to "muggles". One of the coolest things is when you go to pay for something and the cashier says "So that will be on your muggle plastic". The park does a great job of making you feel like you are fully immersed in the world of Harry Potter at all times.
11. Bring stamps with you to send a postcard from Hogwarts.
The park allows you to send a postcard anywhere you want from Hogwarts, but if you don;t have a stamp you have to buy a pack for $15. It is totally cool to send a postcard, but not necessarily worth the 15 bucks.
12. Just because you aren't going to buy a Hogwarts robe, doesn't mean you can't still try it on.
In Madam Malkin's Robes are the famous Hogwarts house robes. With a hefty $108 price tag, you most likely are not going to buy one. But the store has no problem with you trying them on and taking pictures.