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Universal Studios has arrived at Orlando International Airport, and the MCO is understandably excited about the new addition, saying the airport staff is “nuts about this one.”
Credit: Orlando International Airport
In order to understand the excitement over the new holiday shop at Orlando International Airport, guests first have to understand the excitement about Earl the Squirrel at Universal Studios Orlando Resort.
Who the Heck is Earl the Squirrel?
So, who exactly is the character Earl the Squirrel? For fans wondering if there’s a backstory here, the answer is yes.
According to Orlando Park Stop, Earl is the holiday mascot at Universal Studios Orlando, and his backstory is as follows:
“The official story from Universal Orlando is that a mischievous squirrel was found nestled in the branches of the park’s main Christmas tree. According to the legend, this squirrel had an affinity for blue Christmas lights, often stealing strands and bringing them back to his nest.
Now, while that is where the official story ends, the lore goes even deeper. The tale is that the squirrel, nicknamed “Earl” by the company’s Entertainment team, actually bit through a strand of lights, causing them all to go out. And according to *some* accounts, when the team investigated, they found the squirrel lifeless by the severed light strand.
Credit: Universal Orlando Studios
Regardless of which version of the tall tale you believe, little nods to the electrical situation can still be found in signage at the parks and marketing that include Earl the Squirrel. Examples include a decorative “high-voltage” sign featuring a squirrel or this year’s holiday season kick-off video featuring Earl the Squirrel biting through an electrical cord at a haunted house, effectively ending Halloween Horror Nights.”
Earl Arrives at Orlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport recently announced the opening of Earl the Squirrel’s holiday shop inside the airport, welcoming visitors to sunny “Earl-lando.”
Welcome to sunny Earl-lando! 🎄 We're excited to announce the arrival of @UniversalORL's Holiday Shop! Stop by and pick up some merchandise to get in the holiday spirit – we're just nuts about this one! 🌰
📷 Level 3, Terminal B, Pre-Security (Gates 70-129)
⌚️ 7am-9pm pic.twitter.com/w4SijXQ3lM— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) November 11, 2023
“Welcome to sunny Earl-lando!” reads a post on MCO’s official account on X, formerly Twitter. “We’re excited to announce the arrival of @UniversalORL‘s Holiday Shop! Stop by and pick up some merchandise to get in the holiday spirit. We’re just nuts about this one!”
Credit: Orlando International Airport
Christmas lights are seen in photos of Earl’s new holiday shop at Orlando International Airport‘s Terminal B–especially blue Christmas lights–likely the ones for which Earl the Squirrel has an affinity and, therefore, stole from Universal Orlando Resort.
The new holiday shop at MCO offers various items for purchase–each one sure to put guests and visitors to the airport in a festive holiday mood.
Credit: Orlando International Airport
The holiday shop features fixtures and elements like a windsock, an old airplane wing, equipment, and other items that give the new location at MCO the welcoming appearance of the inside of an old airplane hangar, and there are, of course, acorns all around. Even Earl the Squirrel can be seen inside the new holiday shop at MCO.
Credit: Orlando International Airport
Earl the Squirrel’s new “Earl-Lando”-themed holiday shop from Universal Studios Resort can be found in Terminal B at Orlando International Airport on Level 3 in the pre-security area (Gates 70-129). The shop is currently open every day from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
