Universal Studios “The Tale of Earl the Squirrel” at Holiday Tribute Store 2024. The story you are about to read can be purchased at the 2024 Universal Holiday Tribute Store in Universal Studios, Florida. The story itself may be about a simple squirrel named Earl, from a place called Mistletoe Pines Village, who happens to love large pine trees. But, the story is actually about the power of the Theme Park community and shows how a small act can turn into a phenomenon amongst fans.
Earl the Squirrel became famous from a silly story relating to the Christmas Tree that is erected every year in the New York section of Universal Studios. The story has become legendary among Team Members who worked behind the scenes and made their way to the guests visiting the Parks. Back in 2015, a little squirrel made its home inside the giant Christmas Tree and bit through a blue strand of lights. The Team Members started adding a tribute to this squirrel, now named Earl, in the large tree every subsequent year. This hidden tribute, or easter egg, became a park goers “thing to do”, to see if they could spot the hidden Earl the Squirrel.
Finding Earl has become a huge deal on Instagram and various social media platforms, with many people trying to be in the park first to try and spot him as quickly as they can. Always in a new spot, this makes Earl a small hunt, almost like trying to find “Li’l Boo” the Pumpkin during the opening of Halloween Horror Nights, which is held at Universal Studios.
Since gaining fame among guests visiting the parks, and fans asking for more Earl the Squirrel in their Holidays at Universal did just that. Universal started adding Earl into the Holiday Tribute Store every year in 2020, then there was the merchandise, then came an annual Holiday meet and greet with Earl, and now a children’s book. Furthermore, you can go on a seek-and-find puzzle hunt called “Earl’z March of the Nutcracker”
Now, this year, the 2024 Universal Tribute Store features a special telling of the story which you can read below:
Once upon a time, in the charming village of Mistletoe Pines, nestled among the rolling hills of the northwestern mountains, life moved at its own gentle pace. Mistletoe Pines thrived in its tranquil anonymity for years until a peculiar event unfolded, sparked by the curiosity of a very special squirrel.
Earl the Squirrel was no ordinary woodland creature. Unlike his tree-dwelling counterparts, Earl found solace amidst the low-lying branches of the local tree farm.
His fascination with Christmas trees was a deep-rooted passion. Among the many trees, one stood out. Earl’s curiosity was piqued, but the tree’s towering height was daunting.
One fateful day, as the village buzzed with activity during the annual tree harvest, Earl awoke to the clamor of heavy machinery.
Venturing outside his makeshift abode beneath a pickup truck, he discovered an extraordinary sight: his favorite tree, now marked for harvest, surrounded by unfamiliar contraptions.
Earl buried the fear he’d always had about venturing too far from home and seized his chance as the workers prepared to transport the magnificent tree.
Scaling the truck with newfound albeit constrained courage…
He ventured into the heart of the towering evergreen. Hours passed in blissful exploration until exhaustion overcame him, so Earl nestled into a cozy nook for a deep slumber.
When he awoke, Earl found himself in a completely different world. The tree was now upright and adorned with festive trimmings. Earl was transported to a wondrous new world-Universal Orlando Resort, where the holiday spirit was in full swing!
The surrounding crowd was in awe. Earl was so entranced by the display that he completely ignored the fact that the crowd was staring right at him. The moment he bit down, something incredible occurred, causing the tree to twinkle in patterns and colors that had never been seen before!
Only to have the crowd burst into cheers Earl felt a joy he’d never experienced.
Within his moment of bliss, he discovered the most beautiful strand of blue holiday lights he had ever seen.
If the winter season could change him in such a fantastic way, what could the other seasons and holidays provide?
Universal Studios “The Tale of Earl the Squirrel” at Holiday Tribute Store 2024
