Halloween Horror Nights 32 is right around the corner and preparations are well underway at Universal Studios Florida. Scare zones have started to take shape all around the park, including the New York area. As we watch this scare zone construction happening in the streets, we can’t help but get an eerie feeling that something else may be happening nearby. Could the Tribute Store be moving back to New York for Halloween Horror Nights? All signs seem to point to yes.
The Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store has become a tradition over the years, combining a highly themed shopping environment for both new and diehard fans. The team behind these stores puts in so much effort and attention to detail, it’s hard for guests not to fall in love. From nods to previous years and even some inside jokes, the Tribute Store has become somewhat of an event icon itself. Last year, the theme of the Summer Tribute Store tied in with the Halloween theme, and newspaper clippings on the desk at the exit even helped to develop a backstory for the nearby Sweet Revenge scare zone. Take a look at last year’s façade below.
Here is a look at the Tribute Theater from 2022. You can take a full tour of last year’s “dark ride” themed Halloween Horror Nights 31 Tribute Store here. Last year’s Tribute Store façade also teased the Dead Coconut Club in CityWalk.
The Tribute Store has grown even bigger than just Halloween Horror Nights, changing themes and merchandise each season throughout the year. It continues to grow in popularity with visitors to the park, with many guests coming just to see the new theme each season. If you’re familiar with the Tribute Store, you are probably already aware of the big move from New York to Hollywood earlier this year for Mardi Gras. The Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary Summer Tribute Store is still open in the Hollywood section of the park and no closing date has been announced at this time. Even without a closing date for the summer Tribute Store, a preview date has already been announced for the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store.
The break down and set up between Tribute Store themes is an intense process. Moving to New York, even if just for the Halloween season, would allow construction to begin on the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store before the Jurassic Park store closes. This would also allow the Jurassic Park Tribute Store to remain open a little longer. Halloween Horror Nights was extended through November 4, which would leave very little time to change over from Halloween to the holidays, too. Based on that date, it sounds like the Tribute Store could go back to Hollywood for the holidays.
We also recently saw a lot of refurbishment in the area, including a small section of construction walls on the corner. Perhaps the maintenance in the area was to prepare for the entrance facade to be constructed.
At this time, these are just rumors, but we’ll be watching and waiting for any more signs pointing to the Tribute Store moving back to its old location. What do you think of the possibility of the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store returning to New York? Are you a fan of the original location or do you prefer the new spot in Hollywood? Let us know in the comments and be sure to stay tuned for more announcements for Halloween Horror Nights 32.
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