VIDEO: Go Behind the Scenes and See How the Jurassic Park Tribute Store Was Created
We’ve got some behind-the-scenes awesomeness to share with you this Monday morning! If you’ve been following along with us here at Universal Parks Blog, you may have seen our coverage of the new Jurassic Park Tribute Store that just opened at Universal Studios Orlando. The shop was created to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Jurassic Park franchise and is home to some pretty ROARsome commemorative merch. But there’s more to the store than t-shirts and toys! The shop also has a wonderful bit of theming that is definitely worthy of exploration.
Philip Daley is a project supervisor in the visual merchandise department at Universal Orlando Resort. He recently took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes look at everything that went into the immersive shopping experience that is the Jurassic Park Tribute Store!
You can check out the video below:
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“I was really excited to be able to head a project like this,” Phil says. “Excited, but also a little stressed as well because it’s easy to do a store where there’s no backstory behind it — if the color on the wall is purple, it’s not a big deal. But in ‘Jurassic Park,’ if we paint the kitchen wall purple, people are going to know.”
The work that Phil and his team put into the Tribute Store is absolutely extraordinary. As you walk through the doors, you’ll find it hard to believe that earlier this year the shop was the Mardi Gras Tribute Store. As a matter of fact, construction on the Jurassic Park Tribute Store actually started in Mid-April, the day after the Mardi Gras store closed.
The Tribute Store celebrates the moviemaking process behind the films and there are three rooms each representing the creative process from pre-production to storyboards and soundstages!
The Jurassic Park experience starts the moment you walk up to the store and see a huge Triceratops by the entrance. This snoozy-looking fella was originally owned by Universal before being donated to Give Kids the World twenty years ago. “I had heard about that story, so when we decided to dedicate this Tribute Store to the 30th anniversary of ‘Jurassic Park,’ I reached out and asked if we could borrow her back for the summer,” Phil says.
Guests visiting the pre-production room of the Jurassic Park Tribute Store will notice a giant dinosaur skeleton in the room. Visitors are encouraged to walk around and check out all of the details woven into the store. We’re told there are lots of fun Easter Eggs scattered about the premises that fans of the franchise will enjoy!
The second room in the Tribute Store is devoted to Universal Studios Hollywood Soundstage 28 where designers worked on the set pieces for the film. Meticulous detailing went into creating the store, and photos taken of the movie sets were used so that the Universal team could create believable replicas of all of the elements on display!
There’s also some pretty intricate lighting design and special effects that went into bringing the Jurassic Park Tribute Store to life! This includes a rain display that actually makes you feel as if you’re in a rainy environment and could be attacked by dinosaurs at any moment!
You’ll also want to have your cameras ready. Throughout the shop, you’ll find several photo opportunities. You can sit on the toilet while being attacked by T. Rex, explore the kitchen set from the movie, explore the maintenance shed of the raptors, and more!
And let’s not forget that on top of all of this, the Jurassic Park Tribute Store is an absolute treasure trove of 30th Anniversary merchandise. You’ll find everything from dinosaur plushes to movie-quote t-shirts!
You’ll definitely want to give the shop a visit during your Universal Orlando getaway!
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