From the Universal Orlando Blog
It’s finally shopping season, which truly gives meaning to the phrase, “the most wonderful time of the year!” Some (me) consider shopping the most thrilling part of the holidays — spending quality time with family coming in at a close second, of course. What better way to prepare for the holidays at Universal Orlando Resort than with the Holiday Tribute Store in Universal Studios Florida?
Amplify your holidays at the theme parks and add excitement to finding gifts for your loved ones by opting for a one-of-a-kind interactive shopping experience at the Universal Tribute Store, which dons a new theme as the seasons change. But now, it’s not only time to deck the halls with boughs of holly, but it’s also time to relish the Holiday Tribute Store’s transformation into a winter wonderland of themed decor and merchandise.
This year’s Holiday Tribute Store is popping off with a pop-up book themed interactive shopping experience, allowing you to really step into the stories and watch them come to life before your eyes. Plus, what’s more exciting than taking home a piece of what makes the holidays so memorable? Get ready for a holiday shopping experience that’s nothing short of a true page turner.
The Entrance
Venture between the spines of timeless tales into a vibrant space that welcomes you and your family with a cozy corner table filled with all your favorite fables — including a new, Universal-exclusive tale about our beloved honorary mascot, Earl the Squirrel!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Room
This timeless Christmas tale is more alive than ever at the Holiday Tribute Store in the How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Room. You literally get to walk through the story’s telling while getting your hands on some exclusive Grinch-themed goodies. Every wall stands as a page from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!,” each affixed with ornaments that read lines from the book itself.
As you wander about the store, you can’t miss the cozy fireplace where you’ll see the Grinch himself reaching his arms down the chimney and stealing a log for fire — one of his many Christmas-stealing methods. Pull the pink ornament to aid in his heist and become a proper accomplice in this Christmas crime!
Assistant brand manager for merchandise products, Courtney Lattz, says this room is heavily detailed on the sleigh scene from the book, hence all the Grinch Santa merchandise you’ll find throughout. There’s even a projection on the wall of the Grinch riding his sleigh from the animated film. Watch it play while you shop for themed T-shirts with Grinch wordplay, Grinch backpacks, Grinch Santa sipping cups and even cute Grinch plushes. Personally, I’ll be rocking the Grinch onesie this Christmas!
Earl the Squirrel Room
Head down the hallway lined with giant pages from Universal Orlando’s all-new storybook, “The Tale of Earl the Squirrel,” written by our very own senior director of visual merchandising, Rob Cametti. Earl the Squirrel is a Universal legend who has become a hot commodity over the years, and fans have been clamoring to know his origin story. The squirrel’s out of the bag now (and even on it!), and his tale is lining the shelves of the Earl the Squirrel Room in the Holiday Tribute Store.
Follow Earl on his thrilling journey to Universal Orlando Resort where the spirit of Christmas has taken over and brought a slew of gifts for you and your family with it. You can get a variety of exclusive Earl the Squirrel merch, including holiday mugs, backpacks, a cute stuffed Earl plush and of course, Earl the Squirrel’s origin story in print.
Coca-Cola Café Room
Here is where all of our holiday favorites converge: the Coca-Cola Café Room. It’s not only your one-stop-shop for assorted themed merchandise, but it’s also where you can pick up signature holiday themed treats. Yummy chocolate Christmas tree cupcakes adorning string light shaped sprinkles are calling your name, and the Grinch’s dog Max fits nicely on a cookie.
Once you’ve filled up on festive fares, peruse this section of the Holiday Tribute Store to find merchandise themed to Hello Kitty & Friends, the Nutcracker and more of your favorites.
Hello Kitty and all her friends have gathered by the fireplace with all their gifts in tow and are ready to celebrate the holiday season with you. You can rock the cutest Hello Kitty beanies or tote the ever-so stylish My Melody backpack. My personal favorite is the festive red sweatshirt with a stocking stuffed with Hello Kitty herself; so fitting for the Christmas season yet fashionable enough to sport year-round. There are also T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags and more themed to Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.
The Checkout
Universal Orlando Resort strives to represent all of our guests from across a variety of cultures and backgrounds and their holiday celebrations. You’ll not only find nods to holidays like Hanukkah and Christmas in our merchandise, but spanning the wall of the Holiday Tribute Store checkout counter is a banner celebrating the holidays in 10 different languages. Cultures from all around the world can read “Happy Holidays” in Arabic, Chinese (simplified), English, French (France), German, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish. This is just one of many ways we hope to celebrate the holiday season with all the people who help make it special!
BONUS: Earl the Squirrel’s Celebrity Book Signing
The squirrel. The myth. The legend. On your way out of the Holiday Tribute Store, you can’t miss Earl the Squirrel’s exclusive celebrity book signing. You’ll find copies of his riveting origin story alongside his other holiday adventures — plus, there are signed headshots of the icon himself to enjoy!
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