ORLANDO, Fla. – The new Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida is all about a loving throwback to summer blockbusters.
what you need to know
- Universal Studios Florida’s newest tribute store made its debut on Thursday
- The films ET, Jaws and Back to the Future are getting star treatment
- The Tribute Store also has a fourth theater celebrating other summer films
- The store has a retro feel with a theater marquee, movie posters and merchandise
The store, which officially opened Thursday, has four themed rooms with merchandise and props celebrating retro movies like ET, Jaws and Back to the Future.
The exterior of the Tribute store teases what you’ll find inside. In addition to a retro-style cinema tent, the facade also has movie posters and the titles of the films shown inside.
When you first enter the Tribute Store, the front looks like a cash register in a movie theater. pic.twitter.com/DtiDEAa42G
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) May 26, 2022
When you first enter the store, you are greeted by a lobby area that looks like a movie theater box office, complete with tickets on the counter.
From there you enter the first room, Theater 1, dedicated to the 1982 film ET, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
The Universal team used various vintage looking items to recreate Elliott’s bedroom in this room. For those who have seen the film, there are plenty of Easter eggs to discover.
Inside there is also a variety of merchandise, from t-shirts and posters to ET plushies and scented candles.
In Theater 1 there are also lots of ET goods such as T-shirts, bags, posters and scented candles. pic.twitter.com/WDrsEXaMSD
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) May 26, 2022
Theater 2 is themed “Jaws” and has lots of props throughout. In addition to the reference to the film, the room contains references to the former Jaws attraction.
The hallway after exiting Theater 2 is full of movie posters. pic.twitter.com/EOhUBfqYma
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) May 26, 2022
Theater 3 is where you can find Back to the Future themed merchandise and props. There is a nice photo opportunity with a replica of the giant speaker that Marty plays in front of during a scene in the film.
In the center of the room is a model of the town of Hill Valley, and music from the film plays above it.
A quick peek into the Back to the Future room in the Tribute Store. pic.twitter.com/jDrfAqtGBY
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) May 26, 2022
The final themed room features a collection of merchandise celebrating other films, including Jurassic Park. You can also get themed treats at the retro-themed concession stand in this space.
Universal swapped out its Tribute Store, which was a staple of Halloween Horror Nights, for more events throughout the year, including the Christmas party and Mardi Gras.