The Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida opened for Team Member and Annual Passholder previews on Thursday and will open to all guests on Friday. We visited during previews and can take you on a full tour of the themed shop.
Jurassic Park Tribute Store Façade
The entrance is at Studio Styles, in the Hollywood section of the park. The store uses the Studio Styles space, as well as the Darkroom and Williams of Hollywood spaces.
The Tribute Store is a look at “The Making of Jurassic Park,” so it has a behind-the-scenes theme instead of taking guests directly into the film. The façade reflects this, with scaffolding, lighting equipment, and crates.
Banners above the scaffolding read, “A behind-the-scenes look at one of the most amazing motion pictures of all time.”
The film’s logo, a 30th anniversary banner resembling the one knocked down by the T. rex in “Jurassic Park,” and a “Tribute Store” banner are above the doors.
The store’s theme was first teased with a metal ladle in a window, referencing the iconic kitchen scene from the first “Jurassic Park” film.
On the sidewalk between the entrance and exit of the Tribute Store is a giant Triceratops figure, resembling the sick dinosaur from “Jurassic Park.”
She’s lying in a bed of foliage and is roped off.
There are signs on the Williams of Hollywood façade pointing guests to the Tribute Store entrance.
Pre-Production Offices
The first room of the store is themed to the “Jurassic Park” pre-production offices in Los Angeles circa August 1991.
Universal worked with Stan Winston Studios, founded by the man behind many “Jurassic Park” special effects, to create the Tribute Store.
Immediately upon walking in, guests are greeted by a gray model of a T. rex head.
Hanging from the ceiling is the wooden shape of a T. rex body sans arms and legs.
We will have a separate post all about the exclusive new “Jurassic Park” merchandise available in the Tribute Store.
On the table next to the T. rex head are paint supplies.
Next to the Mold-A-Rama machine is a case full of concept art of different characters and props.
This concept art shows an original design for Tim and Lex more closely inspired by the “Jurassic Park” novel, in which Tim is the older sibling.
One corner is dedicated to the stop motion animation department, featuring several small models of different dinos.
A clipboard talks about the process of sculpting dinosaurs out of blocks of clay before creating the animatronic dinosaurs used in filming.
This area is inspired by stop-motion effects artist Phil Tippett’s workshop.
A TV behind the desks is playing a video about the pre-production process of creating the giant animatronic T. rex.
A small set shows a model T. rex attacking the Jurassic Park jeeps while a Dr. Alan Grant doll holds a flare.
A sticker on the side of a file cabinet references Earl the Squirrel, Universal’s holiday icon.
The sticker is an advertisement for “Earl’s Acorn Soda.”
Next to this scale model of a T. rex is a tiny model of E.T., another famous Steven Spielberg creature.
This corner is dedicated to the post-production CGI department. Two retro desktop computers sit on file cabinet desks, with bulletin boards on the walls behind them.
The bulletin board above this desk is covered in sketches and images of the T. rex and Velociraptors.
There are also script pages, behind-the-scenes photos, and post-it notes.
As is standard for Tribute Stores, there is a peacock represented in the form of a small statue.
More photos litter the desk.
A poster for “Psycho II” is on the wall next to this desk.
A mug features a llama and the note under it reads, “Don’t touch Gerg’s mug.” Gerg the Llama has become a recurring character in Universal Studios Florida Tribute Stores.
This year’s Mardi Gras Tribute Store featured a poster for Gerg “The Llama” McWilliams. In the 2022 Holiday Tribute Store, a poster advertised meeting Gerg the Llama. The llama was previously referenced as Greg in the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store: a ride operator had a post-it note reminding them to buy a gift for Greg. He is also the same as “Gregory,” who celebrated a birthday at the summer tribute theater. (We wouldn’t overthink it too much).
A sign for the T. rex fabrication department is above another TV playing footage of creating the T. rex.
The second floor of the room — which is not accessible to guests — has signs for other departments and more bulletin boards.
Right above the doors is a rack of recognizable costume pieces for various characters from the film.
Behind the rack is a costuming department bulletin board, displaying some of the same character concept art we saw earlier.
There’s a door for the casting department, and a flat wooden T. rex head on a stick leaning against a wall.
Another door leads to the location department.
A nearby bulletin board showcases concept art of different locations and sets.
Two clay dinosaur models face each other, with a corkboard of dinosaur sketches between them.
Another door leads to the art department and is framed by two windows covered in notes.
Next is the camera and lighting department.
Sound Stage 28: Kitchen Set
The second and third rooms feature recreations of iconic “Jurassic Park” sets, including the kitchen scene.
Between merch displays is a shelf unit covered in helmets with headlamps.
Rain can be heard, and foliage is visible through the fake windows of the kitchen set.
The dinosaur figures in this room make for great photo ops. Guests can hide next to the hanging ladles, just like Tim and Lex.
A wall separates the two sets in this room and features another bulletin board of concept sketches and photos.
The other side of the room is lit with darker, bluer light.
A display case features re-creations of props from the film, like the Barbasol can and Dr. Alan Grant’s book.
There’s a row of walkie-talkies at the top.
The yellow “Jurassic Park” raincoat hanging next to the display case is just like the one worn by Dennis Nedry.
A giant T. rex head pokes through a fence, looming over the broken walls of a bathroom stall and a toilet, referencing the famous scene when attorney Donald Gennaro is plucked from his hiding spot in the bathroom and eaten by the dinosaur.
A Dilophosaurus is peering out of the foliage next to a fake cave and a sign pointing to the east dock.
Sound Stage 28: Maintenance Shed
Another Mold-A-Rama machine is in the third room.
The first is for a model of the Jurassic Park gates, while this machine creates a black raptor claw.
In this room is the spooky maintenance shed where Ray Arnold meets his end. There are light-up buttons on a control panel warning of high voltage.
A Velociraptor head and claws loom out of the darkness.
Arnold’s severed arm can even be seen on the ground behind some crates.
Some of the merchandise displays are covered in foliage, and this one is topped with the “Jurassic Park” T. rex logo.
The iconic Jurassic Park archway leads guests into the final room.
Retro Merch & Snacks Room
The final room has displays of vintage merchandise from the 1993 release of “Jurassic Park.” Unfortunately, these retro items are not for sale.
In a center display case is a toy set including character figures, a T. rex, a Jurassic Park vehicle, a tower, gates, and fencing.
The cases lining the walls feature posters, backpacks, toys, books, and more.
There are even old video games and cartridges.
Some of the items on display are even retro packaging, like this McDonald’s box resembling a dinosaur.
A sign in this case lists “Jurassic Park”‘s box office totals and accolades. In 1993, it was the highest-grossing film of all time, making over $900 million worldwide.
The confection’s case includes several themed “Jurassic Park” snacks.
There are Mr. DNA cookies.
“Jurassic Park” s’mores are $5.
The whoopie pies feature the “Jurassic Park” 30th anniversary logo and bone sprinkles.
Camouflage fudge is $5.
Lava fudge is also $5.
There are simple sugar cookies shaped like the “Jurassic Park” logo for $6.
The 30th anniversary chocolate cupcake, topped with green frosting and a white chocolate piece, is $6.
A trifle cake has layers of chocolate and gummy dinosaurs.
This treat is $12.
Cookie dough balls, meant to resemble dinosaur eggs, are $5.
They come in assorted colors and flavors.
At the end of the Tribute Store is a collectible medallion machine featuring four “Jurassic Park” designs.
Universal Orlando Resort is also celebrating 30 years of “Jurassic Park” with special food and beverage items.
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