The 2024 Summer Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida held its UOAP previews ahead of its opening this Friday, May 24, and we were there to check it out.
2024 Summer Tribute Store
Tribute Store Plaza
The 2024 Summer Tribute Store is themed to Tribute Store Plaza, a fictional 1980s shopping mall with three stores that make up the areas guests can explore: Mega Video Rental, Mega Castle Arcade, and Tribute Theater. Inside, guests can find easter eggs and new merchandise collections themed to “Shrek,” “E.T.,” “Ghostbusters,” “Back to the Future,” and “Jaws.” It officially opens on May 24, 2024 in the Hollywood area of Universal Studios Florida.
Before entering the Summer Tribute Store, there is a corkboard with postings and other ephemera that feature quite a few easter eggs.
Ray from “Ghostbusters” has left a business card for his bookstore, Ray’s Occult Books. There’s also a coaster from Laguna Lounge.
Films found in the Summer Tribute Store are referenced throughout the corkboard, with an ad for the films playing at Tribute Theater — “Jaws,” “Ghostbusters,” “E.T.,” and “Back to the Future.” There’s also a posting for events happening at The Amity Library, as a nod to “Jaws.”
Mega Castle Arcade, one of the stores inside the mall, has its own flyer. Inside, the Lazer Dungeon has references to Dueling Dragons, the former Universal Islands of Adventure attraction.
A Post-it from Gregory’s mom, asking people to attend his party at Lazer Dungeon can be spotted. Greg is an often-referenced character in Tribute Store lore. He is also sometimes called Gerg “The Llama” McWilliams, which comes into play later on in the Tribute Store.
A small baseball game posting references Twin Pines Stadium, which is a nod to “Back to the Future.” There’s also a want ad for Global Discovery Group, the archeological group from the now-defunct, Poseidon’s Fury. A flyer for Llama Lounge (another nod to Gerg) presents the opening act, Earl & The Acorns, as a call-out to Earl the Squirrel.
An ad for the Tribute Store’s Haunted Estate can be seen, with opening dates from August 30 through November 3, the same dates Halloween Horror Nights will run this year. This is likely a hint for this year’s tribute store theme and operating dates.
The facade shown in this graphic is the same facade as that of the Halloween Horror Nights 30 Tribute Store from 2021.
Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” gets a call-out with this warning sign from the Bodega Bay Wildlife Foundation. A newspaper clipping about the creation of Universal Studios Florida is posted behind it. From 1990 -2003, guests could enjoy the attraction Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies in the location now occupied by Villain-Con Minion Blast.
Posted atop an ad for the Ghostbusters is a menu for Duloc’s Favorite Breakfast, Chef Donkey’s Waffles, as a reference to “Shrek.”
Mega Video Rental
Guests enter the Summer Tribute Store through Mega Video Rental, a retro video rental store. Offerings here include “Ghostbusters” merchandise.
Mr. Tape, the mascot for Mega Video Rental, has a bit of an ominous energy.
In addition to being a video rental store, the room is also themed to be a tech repair shop.
Postings for the work done at the shop can be found on the walls.
An “employee” was sat behind the register during our visit.
The walls are covered in retro cutouts and posters from beloved ’80s films, including “Ghostbusters” and “Jaws.”
A posting teasing the Mega Movie Parade with a QR code can be found on the wall. The parade and Summer Tribue Store are complimentary experiences that reference the same films. Guests can become a part of Mega Video Rental by having their images put on VHS tapes displayed in the store.
The New Release section is where the VHS tapes featuring guests will be displayed.
The Staff Picks are the films highlighted in the Summer Tribute Store. Mr. Tape’s word bubble reads. “If it’s not rewound, you won’t be found.”
Walking toward the second area in the same room, you can see more posters lining the walls.
This second section houses horror movies. The titles include a mix of real horror films, and fictional films from the fan-favorite Halloween Horror Nights house, Slaughter Sinema.
On this section sign, Mr. Tape is themed for a horror film.
You can find “Back to the Future” merchandise here.
There’s also a retro cutout of E.T.
Despite not being released until 2001, a poster advertising “Shrek” as coming soon and a Donkey cutout are placed in this area.
Red glowing lights can be seen behind a beaded curtain.
Guests can walk inside and spot Mr. Tape outfitted to do some maintenance.
The small space is the store’s supply closet.
Mega Castle Arcade
The neon ’80s aesthetic is on full display at Mega Castle Arcade, the next section guests will walk through in the Summer Tribute Store.
The room is designed to look like an ’80s castle-themed arcade, complete with a mystical wizard.
Merchandise, including a retro Universal Studios Florida line, can be found displayed within the arcade games.
The games have Universal spins, including Gerg’s Alien Adventure, which features Gerg and Earl the Squirrel. “Jaws” merchandise can be found in this section of the Summer Tribute Store.
Another arcade game features Halloween Horror Nights.
There’s also “Shrek,” and more “Jaws” merchandise in here.
The carpeting in the room has a nostalgic neon print of birthday parties past.
The Lazer Dungeon (which is closed for Gregory’s birthday party) is themed to Dueling Dragons.
There’s a large banner with the Ice and Fire dragons.
The food and merchandise area is set up to look like the counter where gamers would trade in their tickets for a prize.
This is where you’ll find the themed snack offerings.
There’s a Pinocchio Cookie Dough Cone.
A “Back to the Future” HoverBoard Funfetti Cupcake is on offer.
Guests can also pick up a Jaws Cake Roll or an Onion Cheesecake (but flavored like Key lime).
There’s also an Amity Island Trifle Cake.
“Shrek” fans can grab a Fiona Swamp Cake Pop.
They can also get a Donkey Waffle S’more.
The “E.T.” offerings include an E.T. In Basket Trifle Cake and an E.T. Caramel Apple.
“Jaws,” “E.T.” and “Shrek” each have their own cake pop.
Finally, all four of the Tribute Store films have a macaron flavor.
Tribute Theater
The last room in the Summer Tribute Store is the Tribute Theater, designed to replicate a 1980s movie theater.
Each wall is themed to a different 80s film: “Back to the Future,” “Jaws,” “Ghostbusters,” and “E.T.”
Elliott rides his bike past the moon, with E.T. in his basket.
There’s a poster of E.T. beneath the display, with more E.T. merchandise on the wall.
The Ghostbusters open the gate between dimensions in their display.
A poster of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is beneath them.
The Orca from “Jaws” sinks, with a poster of Bruce lurking under it.
Finally, the top of The Hill Valley Courthouse and its clock tower from “Back to the Future” make up the last wall display. Movie posters for each of the films can be seen under it, displayed as they would be at an actual movie theater.
Exit
As you exit, there are posters for movies coming soon.
This includes a poster for “Halloween II.”
A star, like on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is propped up at the exit. It is signed by Earl the Squirrel.
Earl’s paw prints are stamped on the star in ink.
Check out our full video tour of the 2024 Summer Tribute Store:
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