The Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida is now open after a one-day delay.
For the first time, the store takes over Sahara Traders and the connected Palace Theater, which was an arcade until it closed in July. The story of the store is based around the fictional Museum of Antiquities, the setting of the Revenge of the Mummy attraction.
The Tribute Store is a seasonal, highly themed shop in Universal Studios Florida with its own lore. It’s where guests can find the most Halloween Horror Nights 2025 merchandise. This year celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Tribute Store.
Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Tribute Store Tour
Tribute Store Backstory
The backstory expands on the pre-existing theming of Sahara Traders, the Revenge of the Mummy gift shop. As previously established in the store, King Kong protagonist Carl Denham is the curator of The Museum of Antiquities. This is an homage to Kongfrontation, the opening-day attraction that Revenge of the Mummy replaced. Denham moved on from King Kong to focus on Imhotep the Living Mummy, on display in the store as part of the Wonders of Egypt exhibit.
The Tribute Store’s backstory focuses on the museum acquiring new exhibits and artifacts, including those of the Stein Collection. This collection was previously displayed in the I. Stein Building — the previous Tribute Store home on the other side of Revenge of the Mummy. According to signage, the Stein estate was evicted from the building after “nearly a decade” to revert the space back to its “former use as a pedestrian pathway.” The building houses the extended queue of Revenge of the Mummy.
The Museum of Antiquities has acquired the Stein Collection and is displaying it, along with items from the Occult Artifacts of the World exhibit and other potentially cursed artifacts. The Palace Theater is the museum’s Fine Art Building, now open to house some of the overflow items.
Though the museum insists none of their items are cursed, Boris Shuster and others are not so sure. Shuster is a recurring HHN character first introduced in 2008. He was later a major character in the HHN 30 house Case Files Unearthed: Legendary Truth and the HHN 32 Tribute Store, which featured the story False Idols: Part 1 — A Boris Shuster Mystery.
Boris is a private detective and the founder of the investigative organization Legendary Truth: The Collective. His office, in the New York section of Universal Studios Florida near the Tribute Store, features references and lore for this year’s Tribute Store. Boris is evidently concerned about the new exhibits and “cursed” artifacts — although he apparently donated the idol from False Idols: Part 1 to the museum.
Professor Elias Baxter of the Global Discovery Group helped curate the museum’s new collection. Baxter was a major character of Universal’s now-closed Poseidon’s Fury attraction. Baxter has seemingly left the Global Discovery Group for the International Institute of Antiquities & Exploration (IIAE). The collection includes items related to Poseidon’s Fury.
The Museum of Antiquities has also recently suffered a break-in for the second time in history, according to Boris’ documents. The only missing object was one of their new acquisitions, “a stone idol with a very unique bird-like figure adorning the top portion.” This is one of six idols, “each with a distinct adornment yet strikingly similar vases with an unknown language inscribed below.” Boris thinks this theft may have been an inside job.
The museum was involved in last year’s HHN Tribute Store. Though the store was in the Stein building, props and teasers were inside Sahara Traders. That would have been the museum’s first break-in, when an idol went missing and was used to summon a bat creature that ravaged the city.
Some of the Tribute Store’s propping — vines, stained glass windows, gargoyles, etc. — connect back to HHN 34’s event-wide theme. Although the houses and scare zones have different themes, the entire event is set inside The Conservatory, which guests enter through the first scare zone: The Origins of Horror. Sergio Navarro, the main character of haunted house El Artista: A Spanish Haunting, warns guests during the event’s Opening Scaremonies that once they enter The Conservatory, they will have no choice but to let the monsters in.
Universal provided a handy map of the open sections of the Museum of Antiquities, all in the ground floor north wing.
Palace Theater
Fine Art
The main entrance through the “Fine Art Building” leads guests directly to a statue of Poseidon surrounded by shelves. A flickering chandelier is caught in vines growing down around the statue.
This is, of course, a direct reference to Poseidon’s Fury. The statue was donated by the Global Discovery Group.
Statue of Poseidon
Exhibit: Occult Artifacts of the WorldWhile digging in a secluded mine within a once Lost Continent in search of the Abysmal Deep or Underworld, the Global Discovery Group stumbled upon something even they were not prepared for.
A multi chambered series of tunnels seemingly defying logic as to how they were laid out and constructed met these explorers.After a fiasco of which no real reports were gathered, they emerged with many artifacts including this illustrious statue of Poseidon. The Trident attached to his hand is made of a metal we know little about but is assumed to hold great power as well.
The finding of this piece has stirred great controversy and has been marred with, for lack of a better term, “bad luck” and many refuse to get near it; even to read this description for fear of the rubbing off of the ethereal “bad luck”. Little is known if these accounts hold any water.
Donated by: Global Discovery Group
A series of vases are in a nearby cabinet. There are signs on many displays and cabinets reminding guests not to touch the artifacts.
The walls have white marble columns and archways — although some are breaking under the weight of vines. A portrait of the Caretaker is one of many hanging in the gallery.
The figure of a monster illuminated in red leans over an archway, looming over guests.
Atop a merchandise display in the center of this area is a T. rex skull. Though most of the Easter eggs in this store reference past HHN events, this skull is a reference to the 2023 Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary summer store.
The skull is in a broken glass case. It sits on a broken white marble statue depicting a winged figure.
These signs help guests identify the portraits on the walls. However, some pictures on the signs appear to be missing.
The portraits depict old HHN icons, haunted buildings, and other spooky imagery. A Lil’ Boo portrait is crooked on one column. There’s a portrait of Poseidon’s enemy, Lord Darkenon.
Art the Clown from Terrifier and Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th are both included. They are featured in their own houses at this year’s HHN.
A life-size figure inside a display case is wrapped in a sheet and vines. A sign reads, “Pardon our dust and appearance while we add a new exhibit for you to enjoy.”
These busts of former HHN icons, The Storyteller and The Director, are “On loan from the Stein Family Historic Preservation Society.”
Dirty, tattered curtains hang from some of the walls.
The merchandise is roughly split into sections. These shelves hold Five Nights at Freddy’s merchandise.
A small stage has a banner advertising guest speaker Professor Elias Baxter appearing during the opening night gala event.
A schedule of events for the gala includes the Professor’s speech and the reveal of the Pithos of Epimetheus.
Grand Atrium
This long hall of the arcade is the Grand Atrium, with archways across the ceiling and stained glass windows along one side.
There are merch display shelves along the walls. Some have items wrapped in sheets atop them.
A gargoyle sits on the overhang in front of a purple stained glass window.
The red-eyed tentacled figure depicted on the window is the Cthulhu-like monster from Boris Shuster’s story in the HHN 32 Tribute Store. The tentacled figure is also in Sahara Traders.
Green stained glass windows have crescent moons.
Another gargoyle is across from the first, near alcoves covered by torn-up curtains.
Tattered Museum banners hang from the rafters. This one advertises antique furniture: can a chair be possessed?
Near the center of the atrium is a trio of display cases.
This one holds the upper half of a skeleton wrapped like a mummy.
Another skeleton is in the center case. It has glowing eyes and arrows sticking through it. A shield is behind it, and a woman’s bust is in front of it.
Three skulls covered in brambles are in the third case.
More portraits hang in the corner next to the far door. The piece on an easel is the El Artista: A Spanish Haunting concept art. The family portrait is straight out of the house. The other paintings are also likely related to El Artista.
A more intricate stained glass window near the door features the Curator and the Cthulhu creature. The black cat is the 2019 Tribute Store facade. The 10 years of HHN Tribute Stores are listed around the window. An overgrowing pot is to one side of the window, and a skeleton soldier is to the other side.
There are two more display cases of vases, Egyptian figures, and ancient weaponry. One of the helmets in the Weapons of Ancient Greece case is from HHN 29’s Nightingales: Blood Pit.
Sahara Traders
Marquee Exhibit (Occult Artifacts of the World)
Over in Sahara Traders is more of the Occult Artifacts of the World exhibit. This display case includes a wide variety of ancient items.
This large urn is the Pithos of Epimetheus, a.k.a. Pandora’s Box. In some versions of the stories, Epimetheus opens the “box,” not Pandora.
Pithos of Epimetheus
Exhibit: Occult Artifacts of the WorldDiscovered in the mountainous regions of Sparta, Greece, this artifact predates nearly everything housed in our museum at this time. Believed to be the mythical Pandora’s Box, of which contains the unlimited horrors of the universe (theoretically).
The story of the Pithos of Epimetheus begins with the brother titan of the named Pithos, Prometheus. After the theft of fire from Zeus and the subsequent eternal torture of Prometheus, Zeus then gifted this vessel to Pandora and Epimetheus with direct instructions not to open it. Knowing full well, however, that Pandora’s curiosity would get the better of her and the ultimate evils held within would inevitably be released.
The piece ultimately contains “Hope” as it has, in old mythology, already been opened. Some scholars believe however that it may have been lidded too quickly and still some evil remains. We here at the Museum of Antiquities do not subscribe to that form of rumor and plan to open it and research the remaining contents, if any.
Donated by: International Institute of Antiquities & Exploration
In Association With The: Global Discovery Group
The urn has intricate swirl carvings and a face near the open lid.
There are banners advertising the museum’s various artifacts and exhibits hanging over the Revenge of the Mummy exit ramp. The center, largest banner for the Pithos of Epimetheus features a projected video about the expedition that uncovered the urn.
Placards in this case indicate that most of these artifacts were donated by IIAE or Global Discovery Group.
The other major display is the Triptych of Tributes and carved stone idols.
Triptych of Tributes
Exhibit: The Stein CollectionLittle is known of this triptych other than a rumored dark past. It was recently found deep in the basement walls of the I. Stein and Co. building. Buried in the walls for over 50 years and possibly even beyond the construction of the original building. It’s location seems purposefully hidden and sinister. Documents found amongst the hidden stash also show inconsistent descriptions of the contents of the piece such as monsters, structures, and iconography that are either missing, or possibly replaced with other designs over time.
Within our collection, the Carved Stone Idols also seem to be represented in some form within the triptych. We believe perhaps they were used in conjunction with the triptych in some form of cult like seasonal ceremonial worship or celebration.
There is an almost Nostradamus-like predictive style to the different items within the triptych that, if it were to be believed, could be telling us of some impending doom by the hands of otherworldly beings, or, an over the top shopping experience.
On Loan From: The Stein Family Historic Preservation Society
The triptych is a series of three connected images. They depict familiar scenes from former HHN Tribute Stores. The Cthulhu figure is looming over the center.
There are various familiar monsters, fiery buildings, and Boris emerging from his office. We even see a cryptid from this year’s Mardi Gras Tribute Store.
The stone idols include the cthulhu idol from Boris and other familiar creatures.
Carved Stone Idols
Exhibit: Occult Artifacts of the WorldThese unique stone idols predate many of the Egyptian artifacts within our vast collection. Each one with a near identical base but a vastly different carving on the top half. As more kept being added to the collection, a somewhat ominous glowing began to occur as well as an uncontrolled feeling of dread.
In our collection we have 6 statues. The total amount of these made is unclear but one can assume they were totems or “deities” for different purposes. A bat like creature, a multi-eyed tentacled monster, an amphibious gilled-being, a vine draped figure of unknown final form, an enraged eye figure, and a bird like creature. These all seem to be also connected to the Pithos in some way as their energy being given off amplifies as they get closer to it.
The hunt continues as the I.I.A.E. gathers more information to track down the possible other figures. Currently, a codex of sorts of being researched and teams are out searching for it. When the collection is complete, will we know?
Donated by: International Institute of Antiquities & Exploration
In Association With The: Stein Collection
The bag idol is from last year’s Tribute Store story. One resembles the Creature from the Black Lagoon. One appears to be broken.
Probably unrelated is a decal on the floor featuring broken, bloody shards.
Amid the shards is Boris Shuster’s business card.
Stein Collection
The Stein Collection takes up one wall and is packed full of old HHN references, including the Cthulhu tentacles holding Boris’ hat, various depictions of the Curator, and the “Spooky Spells” sign is from the HHN 31 tribute store. The Wonders of the Ancient Garden crate is from last year’s museum story.
Stein Collection
Exhibit: The Stein CollectionPreviously housed in the landmark I. Stein building for nearly a decade, the immense Stein Collection is an array of articles gathered and created over the years. The estate was recently evicted from the namesake building to revert the space back to its former use as a pedestrian pathway.
The Museum of Antiquities offered to house the collection during this transitionary period, ensuring that it could continue to educate the public. It is both a testament and a Tribute to the perseverance of the Museum of Antiquities, the Stein Estate, and the individuals who curate these collections.
Held within this collection are a growing number of items that border on the “cursed” relic category. Things with a history of causing great strife and chaos. After years of a somewhat cult following some of these items even disappeared or were stolen or sent to other antiquities dealers to be sold to the highest bidder. Re-gathering these items for the collection has been an undertaking but a well worth Tribute to the past.
On Loan From: The Stein Family Historic Preservation Society
A stained glass Tribute Store sign is atop the shelf. The small gray statues are former Mold-A-Matic figures.
Other references include a red Room 237 tag (a nod to Overlook Hotel from The Shining house), a skull candle is from The Amulet of Fear at HHN 28, plus a board game and Frankenstein’s Monster figure from the 2023 HHN Tribute Store.
Wonders of Egypt (The Living Mummy)
The Living Mummy
Exhibit: Wonders of EgyptAt the beginning, Carl Denham’s focus was the beast “Kong”, but as he found that endeavor to be fruitless (and costly) he reached out across the globe for other wonders of the world. Enter the O’Connell Expedition.
This mummy is a preserved “living” specimen of Imhotep from their encounters within the lost city of Hamunaptra. Held at bay by the strange Book of Dead which seems to hold a power undetermined by our finest minds and even the Bembridge Scholars. The book, however in our collection, is safe as long as it is not read aloud. We here at the Museum of Antiquities are not in the least bit worried that anyone or anything knowing even how to read it from it’s safe display.
With this mummy, and its illustrious sarcophagus, many smaller items were brought along and can be viewed in this surrounding exhibit. Please be careful as the mummy is brittle and could break apart as well as cause a rash when touched (allegedly).
Donated by: Carl Denham
In Association With: The O’Connell Expedition
Other artifacts in the Wonders of Egypt exhibit include the Scroll of Thoth and a sacrificial dagger.
Near the main entrance of Sahara Traders is a circular display including merchandise and artifacts. There’s Egyptian jewelry and broken blue scarabs. Mysteriously, a funerary mask and the Book of the Dead are missing.
Tribute Store Tour Video
Watch our full tour video of the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store below.
When is Halloween Horror Nights 2025?
Halloween Horror Nights officially begins on August 29 and runs through November 2. The sold-out Premium Scream Night is on August 28.
Where Can I Buy Halloween Horror Nights Tickets?
Halloween Horror Nights tickets are available online. A standard, single-night ticket starts at $85.99 but varies based on date. All Rush of Fear, Frequent Fear, and Express Pass add-ons are sold out.
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