November 17, 2023 marks the start of the Holiday Season at Universal Orlando Resort. With HHN32 just ending a week ago there’s very little time between Halloween take-down and Holiday set-up.
Universal Orlando Passholders will get a chance to preview and shop the 2023 Holiday Tribute Store on Thursday, November 9th between 11am – 7pm. This year the Tribute Store is located on Hollywood Blvd, where the Summer Tribute Store for Jurassic Park’s 30th Anniversary Celebration was closed recently.
I think many Universal Orlando fans will agree that having the Holiday Tribute Store on Hollywood Blvd instead of in New York across from the Christmas Tree goes against Universal Studios tradition but I’m sure there’s a reason for the change. When I first heard rumors last Summer about it, I was not happy. We like keeping traditions over here.
I love the simplicity of the entry and the classic holiday color scheme is gorgeous. The theme is incorporated into the official name: Universal Holiday Tribute Store & Post. The first room is set in a busy mailroom with bins filled with parcels and plushies ready to be shipped to their holiday destinations.
The second room is my personal favorite, the Owl Post from Hogsmeade Village. The lighting is moody and the entire area is filled with amazing wizarding world decor and merch. There’s a beautifully lit Christmas tree with mounds of brown paper wrapped gifts under it near the center.
The next room takes you into the Whoville Post Office where you’ll find lots of mail, parcels, Grinch holiday merch as well as holiday themed sweet treats.
When a new Tribute Store opens I rarely if ever try any treats when I first visit. This time I was determined not to repeat my usual ways so I bought the macarons and wreath brookie. Want to know my thoughts on each one? Check out my latest YouTube video here. My brief review might help you decide whether you may want to try them yourself.
You can’t have a holiday Tribute Store without Earl the Squirrel so I was happy to see the next room was dedicated to Mistletoe Pines, home of Earl the Squirrel’s Tree Farm. This room was filled with Earl the Squirrel merch, classic Christmas decor and the most beautiful ornaments.
The last two rooms screamed classic Christmas, full of heart-warming nostalgia and drenched in red, green and white Christmas cheer. There was so much detail on every wall and in every corner that it was hard to focus on any one thing for too long.
No date has been announced for the official opening of the Universal Holiday Tribute Store & Post as of yet. If your Holiday plans include a visit to Universal Studios Florida, be sure to check out the Holiday Tribute Store while you’re there.
Despite the new location, I must admit the facade is festive and blends in nicely on the Blvd. Each room is full of great detail which shows the level of talent that went into the planning, designing and building of this awesome space.
It’s too early for me to say if I could get used to this new location. I’m just happy that I like how it turned out this year. Hats off to Universal for bringing us another beautiful Holiday Tribute Store to enjoy that’s full great merch, cheer and nostalgia this Holiday season.
Mo Goes | The Blog 