A Final Walk-through of the Jurassic World Tribute Store
The Jurassic World Tribute Store opened in Universal Studios Orlando at the beginning of the summer… and I just walked through it a few weeks ago.
I’m late to the party, I know. But to be fair, I’ve only recently become an Orlando local, and now that I’m here in The City Beautiful I’m catching up on all that this place has to offer (like a shop honoring the man-eating monsters I adore).
But it seems I visited the store just in time; it will close next week, presumably so the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store can open. While I can’t wait for that store and all of the HHN 2021 merchandise (especially the Bride of Frankenstein merch), I’m sad that the dinosaurs are, once again, not long for this world.
Enjoy the Jurassic World Tribute Store in Universal Studios Orlando one last time.
Jurassic Park was my comfort movie growing up, and walking through the tribute store took me back years. I don’t want to forget the awe and wonder I felt while visiting each room of the store, so of course I need to immortalize the experience.
And if you haven’t had the chance to make it to Universal Studios this summer to shop at the Jurassic World Tribute Store, don’t worry—after reading this, you’ll feel as if you were there all along.
Control Room
The first display you’ll notice after you step into the store is a large inGen sign, and with that sight it’s obvious something techy lurks around the corner. The first room is dedicated to the VelociCoaster, a new roller coaster that opened in Islands of Adventure over the summer.
inGen display in the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
VelociCoaster Control Room in the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
A few control panels sit along the walls, with video screens showing different “live” feeds from inside the ride. Sit at the desk of Raptor Trackers and monitor the velociraptor enclosure: the energy levels of the fences, the number of people in line, the status of each coaster car.
Basically, make sure no one gets eaten on your watch.
Control panels for the VelociCoaster ride in Islands of Adventure.
Merchandise in the Control Room of the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
I liked this room (and I LOVE the VelociCoaster), but I didn’t connect emotionally with it. It was too high tech, too modern. What I wanted out of the tribute store was Jurassic Park nostalgia, memories of a time when I was just a kid, heart racing as animatronic dinosaurs ran loose.
To get that feeling, I only needed to enter the next room…
Raptor Paddock
Immediately, the velociraptor paddock took me back decades. The raptor statues were nothing short of life-like (and how did I not realize they were so LARGE) and the fencing around the enclosure reminded me of the scene in Jurassic Park when Muldoon remarked on the intelligence of the raptors. “They remember,” he once ominously said of them.
Velociraptor statues in the Raptor Paddock of the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
Velociraptor statues in the Raptor Paddock of the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
Enclosure fencing in the Raptor Paddock of the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
I can say for certain that I’d never want to meet a raptor face-to-face. Coming face-to-face with the merchandise in the room, though, was a pleasant experience. I’m especially partial to the T-Rex hoodie; the illustration is detailed, and the material is soft and cozy. I also love that it looks like it comes from a real attraction (I’ll tell my kids one day that I actually saw the dinosaur it depicts—they won’t know until later that I mean the T-Rex in the River Adventure ride 😉).
T-Rex Encounter sweatshirt at the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
Laboratory
The next room was the laboratory, and boy has it seen better days. The sleek tech from the first movie has decayed with time and abandonment; the embryo cold storage room (the setting of one of the most auditorily pleasing scenes in Jurassic Park) is a shadow of its former self.
The laboratory in the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
The laboratory in the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
The mural along the wall calls back memories as well, and I love how the screen is distressed and translucent. In fact, if you watch the screen closely as lightning flashes and thunder rumbles (from a mock storm, of course) you’ll witness a familiar giant make an appearance…
Mural in the laboratory of the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
T-Rex silhouette in laboratory of the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
The merchandise in this room is definitely of the “rugged” variety. I actually bought the Jurassic Park spirit jersey a while back, and it is one of the comfiest things I own. I love the camouflage print (it reminds me of the Battle Dress Uniform my dad wore as a U.S. Airman when I was younger), and I highly recommend it.
Jurassic Park Spirit Jersey in the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
Treats
The final room introduces visitors to a friendly face—a Triceratops. Now, of course it isn’t real, but the sound effects and detailed design might lead to some questions from children. Creatures like the Triceratops make me wish dinosaurs could come back—but there’s no way mad scientists would resist the urge to recreate carnivorous beasts alongside the gentle giants.
Triceratops in the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
This room also features a smorgasbord of dino-themed treats. Cupcakes, s’mores, whoopie pies—you name it, they’ve got it. My eye immediately caught on the assortment of fudge, and I tried the Blue Camo flavor. It tasted like blue raspberry and vanilla, and I really enjoyed the fruity twist.
Sweets and treats in the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
Blue Camo fudge from the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
Zach got the Amber Gummy, and he was less impressed. I told him I thought it was probably meant to be bought as a keepsake, not a snack; just because you can eat it… doesn’t mean you should!
Amber Gummies in the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
Hall of memorabilia
Last but not least is a hall of posters leading to the exit of the store. The posters depict both fictional rides in the movie Jurassic World and actual Islands of Adventure rides. Which begs the question: is the Indominus Rex poster just an Easter egg from the movie? Or will we see a new attraction after the Velocicoaster hype dies down?
Time will tell.
Indominus Rex poster in the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
And, of course, I must mention the man, the myth, the legend. The statue at the exit (screen used) depicts John Hammond, the fictional character responsible for Jurassic Park. His dream may have been flawed, but hey, who could blame the guy for wanting a world with dinosaurs? They are pretty darn cool.
John Hammond statue in the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
John Hammond statue in the Jurassic World Tribute Store.
So that’s the Jurassic World Tribute Store in a nutshell. I’m so glad I got to experience it, and though I’m sad to see it go, I’m excited to see what fills this space next. If you didn’t get a chance to walk through the store, I hope this post satisfied your curiosity. And next time you’re in Orlando, make sure to head to Islands of Adventure to get your fill of Jurassic Park!
And head on over to my Instagram if you’d like to a video tour of the tribute store!
Until next time, dreamers!
