Starting November 10, 2023, all guests visiting Universal Studios Florida theme park can enter the Holiday Tribute Store. This year’s Holiday Tribute Store at Universal Orlando Resort invites guests to a unique postal service.
On the day before this year’s Holiday Tribute Store opened for everyone, Universal Orlando team members and annual passholders entered for a preview. This year’s theme is the Universal Tribute Store and Post.
This year’s Holiday Tribute Store can be found in the Hollywood section of Universal Studios Florida. This contrasts with the area in New York where the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store was located last month.
Holiday Tribute Store Entrance Area
As guests enter the Holiday Tribute Store, they will see a logo for this “fictional” store of mailing operation. Some Christmas trees with red and gold ornaments frame the “Studio Shipping and Post” logo. The logo serves as a nod to Universal’s movie history. It also clues us into the fact that each room will function like a post office.
In this area of the Holiday Tribute Store, guests will see a cart full of Marvel plushes. Yes, we noticed that Black Panther was hard to find amid the Captain America and Spider-main plushes.
As guests explore this area, they will see merchandise for purchase. Also, plenty of props and decorations have been set up to fulfill the theme of postal operation. In addition, guests should always look for nods and “easter eggs” from previous Tribute Stores.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter Owl Post Area
The next section guests will enter will be the Wizarding World-inspired area. The background of the “Harry Potter” franchise always works well with the holiday season. Guests will see many items for sale. A clever special effect seen in this area resembles a snowstorm outdoors. Also, if you pay close attention, you might see owls flying by in this “window.”
Whoville Post Office Section of the Holiday Tribute Store
I got distracted at this point in my journey through the Tribute Store. As you might expect, it involved food. Another variable may have distracted me more. However, food often distracts me in the Tribute Store.
This well-themed Whoville Post Office area prepares guests for the next area of the Holiday Tribute Store. Though we did not try any treats on this trip to the Tribute Store, we most enjoyed the Who Hash Trifle Cake’s appearance.
Also, in this area, a section of mailboxes can be seen. Presents and letters are found in mailboxes for the residents of Who-ville. It appears that one mailbox has nothing in it. That resident might hate Christmas.
Ironically, The Grinch Mold-A-Rama sits nearby. This looks like the same mold design as in last year’s store.
Back to the mail, we suspect The Grinch involved himself with the mail service based on some of the mail. If guests look carefully, they may spot some mail that nobody wants to deal with.
Earl the Squirrel’s Post Office
We love Earl the Squirrel. We wonder how we went from Who-ville to the land of Earl. Still, we do not mind that.
This mailing service, run by the great entrepreneur Earl, looks to be functioning below optimal levels. Guests will find a messy postal delivery service operation in this area. However, guests will also find many nods to our friends Earl the Squirrel and Gerg.
The boxes and other items appear to be stacking up. Despite that, we love the décor and the squirrels on the wallpaper. Also, it appears Earl the Squirrel has been on many adventures, including a laundromat.
Holiday Tribute Store Exit
The final area serves as a place to pay for your treats and merchandise. In addition, in this area, guests encounter some old-school props.
Overall, this year’s store shows off the skills of the Visual Merchandising team at Universal Orlando. Though the theming may look simple, the intricate detail of the 2023 Holiday Tribute Store deserves praise.
Will you get a chance to visit the Holiday Tribute Store this year? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below.
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