The Front Lot may be a prelude to the park proper, but Universal has shrewdly located a number of shops here that cater to the needs of both the arriving and departing guest.

If you left the camera at the hotel or find yourself short of film, your first stop should be On Location. They can also help with sunscreen, sunglasses, and tote bags. In addition you will find a constantly rotating inventory of t-shirts, baseball caps, and the like.

If you have your photo taken by a roving photographer in the park, there’s no obligation to buy a print, but if you just can’t resist, this is where you view and claim your pictures. All pictures are digital and are held for three days. They only print them out if you order. Prices range from $20 for a single 8 x 10 to $30 for more elaborate packages.

Studio Sweets, a small shop on your left as you enter the park, sells scoop-your-own bulk candy at caviar prices. There is also a wide assortment of tinned cookies, chocolate- and caramel-dipped apples, and fudge.

By far the largest store in the park, the Universal Studios Store is located just next to (in fact, it surrounds) Studio Sweets. Here you will find a representative sampling of the wares to be found in the various smaller shops scattered about the park. If you want to save all your souvenir shopping until the end of your visit, you should be able to get something appropriate here. Just be aware that the selection is not exhaustive and that the special item you admired elsewhere might not be for sale here.

There are plenty of t-shirts for men, women, and children. Even with the inevitable Universal Studios logos, much of the clothing displayed here is very stylish and in impeccable taste. Prices are moderate, with the occasional pricey item on offer. They haven’t forgotten toys for the kids and, of course, the Universal Studios Store has a generous selection of other souvenir merchandise, everything from refrigerator magnets to mugs, emblazoned with various film and TV series names, faces, and logos.

It’s A Wrap (studio lingo for “we’ve finished shooting the movie”) is a nifty name for this vest-pocket souvenir stand that thoughtfully straddles the exit to the park. That means, if you’re on your way to the car and suddenly remember that you forgot a present for Auntie Em, you can run back and get something without reentering the park. The selection is limited, running heavily to t-shirts and gewgaws like key chains and the like, although there is a small selection of sale items offering some nice bargains.

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