Universal Studios’ new Tribute Store: A walk in the Jurassic Park

Universal Studios theme park has reopened its Tribute Store, this time with a “Jurassic Park” theme tied to the 30th anniversary of the film’s release.

Amid a wide range of merchandise, there are displays and drawings that provide a “making of” vibe, multiple dinosaur-driven photo ops and several uses of the character of Ian Malcolm, the “life … uh … finds a way” guy played by Jeff Goldblum in the film and three sequels.

Remember, the Tribute Store has relocated to the Hollywood section of the park. Visitors enter through the old annual passholder lounge. (UOAP Lounge is now in Toon Lagoon at neighboring Islands of Adventure.)

There’s a lot to absorb in the store, including some “Jurassic” Easter eggs. Here are some notes from two passes through the place.

Getting started

The first room, set in 1991, covers the pre-production of the film. In the center is a gray dino head and above is a large nose-to-tail model. In the corners and along the sides are displays of workspaces and technology used (or almost used) for the film. Some of the explainers have a museum quality to them, such as the director Steven Spielberg’s decision to use CGI instead of stop-motion animation.

Among the artwork are ideas for the film’s vehicles and visitor center plus storyboards.

Dino overload

Naturally, the store is loaded with dinosaurs, large and small. It starts outside where a triceratops is in recline. (I’m telling my inner 5-year-old that it’s napping). In the first room, there are numerous sketches and tiny dino figures.

Later, there are larger, more dramatic figures that are instant Instagram moments, including one that resembles the film’s famed toilet scene. It’s both funny and sorta icky. People are taking a seat. Another nearby scene involves a water feature. They are dark and realistic and folks queue up for their shots, making a tight space tighter.

Ian, Ian, everywhere

Goldblum gets more face time in the store than other actors such as Sam Neill and Laura Dern. He gets more chest time, too, since the classic shirt-unbuttoned pose of Malcolm is seen in several formats.

Behind glass in the first room, it’s a framed autographed photo of this pose, and it sells for $1,225. There’s a more buttoned-up, upright figure of Malcolm in the same case.

The pose, which has entered meme fame, is also on T-shirts with the film quote “I’m always on the lookout for a future ex-Mrs. Malcolm.” (If memory and the internet serve, the bare-chest scene is when Malcolm is getting medical attention, not during sexy time at Isla Nublar.)

A stylized version of the character — with a rearview mirror reference — appears on several products including sweatshirts and keychains. Plus, there’s a plush version of shirtless Ian Malcolm and a Funko Vinyl Soda option.

But wait, it gets more weird. There’s a brownie with the unbuttoned shirt image on top for sale in the dessert case. Chew on that for a second.

Sweet success

Other munchies in the store include Mr. DNA cookies, 30th-anniversary cupcakes, 30th-anniversary s’mores, Jurassic Park trifle cakes, a variety of cookie-dough balls and a green and brown treat listed as “camouflage fudge.”

Much merch

An inventory of the store would be all you’d expect and more. Look for T-shirts, jerseys (both spirit and non-spirited), shirts and shorts, tumblers, action figures, keychains, license plates, pins, magnets, raincoats, rubber ducks (one as reclining Malcolm again), socks, phone cases, backpacks, place mats, ponchos and pillows (“Stay fierce!” one suggests). There are items with Chinese or Japanese writing on them.

We smiled at the pixelated video game T-shirt with dinosaurs, Jurassic Park scenes and the phrase “send more tourists.”

Near the exit are items from back in the day that you can’t buy in the store, including comics, board games and a “spitter watch.”

We have no end date for this version of Tribute Store, but we do know that Halloween Horror Nights, a regular in the store rotation, begins Sept. 1.

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.