PHOTOS, VIDEO: Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary, Retro Attraction Ride Vehicles, and More Themed Trees on the Holiday Tree Hunt 2023 at Universal Orlando Resort

Annie Wilson

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary, Retro Attraction Ride Vehicles, and More Themed Trees on the Holiday Tree Hunt 2023 at Universal Orlando Resort

The Holiday Tree Hunt is back for the 2023 season at Universal Orlando Resort! Earl the Squirrel has sponsored this year’s tree hunt and all of the trees are magnificent. We would highly encourage you to participate in the scavenger hunt to get an ornament and see all the trees for yourself, but in case you can’t make it to the parks to see them in person, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at all the trees in our video tour or right here in this post.

Holiday Tree Hunt 2023 at Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Store

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A nutcracker tree is the centerpiece of the Universal Studios Store at the front of Universal Studios Florida.

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The tree is covered in bold red, blue, and gold ornaments and ribbons. The top of the tree has a nutcracker head and arms and there are a pair of boots visible at the base.

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Not only is the tree a giant nutcracker, but there is a variety of different nutcrackers covering the tree.

Brown Derby Hat Shop

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This beautiful tree looks to be covered in your typical holiday décor, but make sure you look closely.

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When you can’t decide between a star and an angel, you go with both. There’s no better way to top a tree at Universal Orlando than with Earl. Angel Earl is the star of this tree.

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Several toys nestled in the branches pay tribute to peacocks, llamas, and more of our favorites.

Holiday Tribute Store

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Earl the Squirrel is one of the most festive squirrels we know. Stepping into the Universal Tribute Store and Post, you’ll end up in Earl the Squirrel’s living room.

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Next to the fireplace, his tree glows brightly, creating a warm and cozy feeling. The colorful bulbs and soft white lights are really inviting.

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Among the little red trucks hauling Christmas trees and lawn flamingos in antlers, you’ll spot letters to Santa from some of the merchandise Team Members in the area.

E.T.’s Toy Closet

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This tree features a cooler color palette with ornaments in shades of blue, silver, and purple.

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E.T.’s Toy Closet has a tree covered in planets, but you’ll notice the Green Planet is suspended just above the tree.

MIB Gear

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Inside MIB Gear, the tree is inspired by the Men in Black Alien Attack attraction.

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Tentacles twist and wrap around the branches, holding blasters like the ones on the attraction.

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Several alien targets are set up, with glowing green eyes. Occasionally, you’ll hear the sound effects from the ride go off.

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The black suit and tie ornaments are a nice touch for this tree.

San Francisco Candy Factory

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This year’s tree is way more steampunk and much less whimsical than last year’s.

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The store has gotten a bit of an updated look inside, so this tree really matches the theme here this year.

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The metallic tree, gauges, and gears are great decorations for a candy factory tree.

Universal CityWalk

Universal Studios Store

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Elegant and classy, this golden tree pays tribute to Universal Pictures.

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The decorations are blue and gold, with large flowers and baubles. The current logo for Universal Pictures is at the top of the tree.

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The studios’ different logos throughout the years can be found nestled in the tree as different ornaments.

Universal Legacy Store

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If you want to “See the Stars” and “Ride the Movies”, the Universal Legacy Store has a retro tree perfect for you.

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This retro themed tree is always a favorite, but this year it has gotten an upgrade.

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Among the 90’s-isnpired baubles, you’ll find models of attraction ride vehicles for JAWS, Kongfrontation, Back to the Future: The Ride, and Earthquake.

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Each ride vehicle is labeled with a sign for the attraction.

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If you were lucky enough to experience JAWS, this boat may make you nostalgic.

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Fans of Kongfrontation will recognize this vehicle.

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You’ll find other models for Kongfrontation displayed inside the Universal Legacy Store, too.

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Finally, there’s a beautiful model of the DeLorean ride vehicle from Back to the Future: The Ride.

Universal Islands of Adventure

Trading Company

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Inside the Trading Company, the tree pays tribute to Universal Islands of Adventure.

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The old theme park logo is the centerpiece at the top, with the different areas of the park featured on medallions in the branches.

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These look like the medallions found on the gate at the entrance to the park.

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Even the mannequin in the background looks festive and fitting for the tree.

Island Market and Export

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The Island Market and Export location is a candy shop, so their tree is appropriately sweet.

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This colorful tree looks good enough to eat. Cookies, gumdrops, candy canes, and more can be found all over the tree.

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Several of the treats appear to be spilling out of their baskets, drawing you in and pulling your eyes to them. This creates a fun scene that we appreciate.

Cats, Hats, and Things

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Even though the Grinch and the Whos take over Seuss Landing during the Who-lidays, you can find this fun Cat in the Hat-themed tree inside Cats, Hats, and Things.

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The silver tree is decorating itself, as you will see 2 arms poking out from the sides of the tree. The ornaments are red and blue, appropriately “Thing”-colored.

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At the top of the tree, you’ll find Fish in a teapot, balanced on a beach ball. The tree, of course, is tipping, since there are no straight lines in Seuss Landing.

All Hallows Eve Holiday Boutique

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You might see the Invisible Man decorating a spooky tree inside the All Hallows Eve Holiday Boutique in the Lost Continent. Take a full tour of this year’s overlay in our post here.

Jurassic Park Discovery Center

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This summer was full of Jurassic Park offerings for the 30th anniversary of the film, so it seems only fair that we get a tree celebrating the anniversary, too.

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The Jurassic Park 30th anniversary tree is located downstairs in the Discovery Center and makes a great photo op.

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Keep an eye out for Mr. DNA at the top, along with a compy popping up over the anniversary logo.

Toon Extra

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This year’s tree in Toon Extra pays tribute to the cartoon characters and attractions you’ll find around Toon Lagoon.

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From Betty Boop to Boris and Natasha, you’ll find several iconic figures displayed on this bright orange tree.

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Among the characters, you’ll also notice paintbrushes, paint cans, and pencils sticking out here and there.

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The Heathcliff ornaments are really cute.

Comic Book Shop

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The tree in the Comic Book Shop in Marvel Super Hero Islands is decorated with comic covers and different Marvel characters.

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Be sure to look around all of the branches to see how many Marvel characters you can find. And of course, Spider-Man is at the very top of this tree.

Which tree on the Holiday Tree Hunt was your favorite? Did any of these inspire your own holiday decorating? Let us know in the comments!

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