Are ya ready, shoppers? Aye aye, captain! I can’t hear you! AYE AYE, CAPTAIN!
Grab your swim trunks, snorkel and fins, because it’s time to dive down to Bikini Bottom for the scoop on SpongeBob StorePants. Located near DreamWorks Land in Universal Studios Florida, this shop boasts incredible theming, unique merchandise and the opportunity to meet the absorbent, porous and yellow guy himself. (Not to mention one of the most clever names in Universal Orlando Resort, in my humble opinion.)
I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready… are you? Then read on!
The Theming
Stepping into SpongeBob StorePants is about as close as you can get to snorkeling straight down to Bikini Bottom, the underwater city where the show takes place. But before you explore all the sights, sounds and Easter eggs for die-hard SpongeBob fans, take note of the legalese that Mr. Krabs posted by the door. As for Gary the Snail’s missing poster, don’t start singing “Gary’s Song” quite yet; keep your eyes peeled and you just might track him down.
Speaking of sounds, no, your ears aren’t deceiving you — that’s background music from “SpongeBob SquarePants” playing on a loop in this store! So if you’ve ever dreamed of shopping to the show’s tropical version of “Twelfth Street Rag,” dream no longer. That and more awaits you in SpongeBob StorePants.
In the center of the store, you’ll find SpongeBob’s iconic pineapple under the sea and Squidward’s Easter Island head home. Squidward, the reclusive artist that he is, keeps his place locked, but you can still snap some fun photos in front.
Head next door and step right into SpongeBob’s house, complete with a sandy floor and blue bamboo wallpaper. Remember that missing poster? Well, it turns out Gary the Snail was home all along! He was just busy rocking out to some jellyfish jams — but he’ll still happily pose for a photo.
After you snap your pics, look up to see a ceiling lined with crab trap netting. Keep looking up and you’ll spot some jellyfish floating along the top of the surf. And the nautical nonsense doesn’t stop there! Throughout the store, you’ll find digital posters advertising iconic show locations from Goo Lagoon to Jellyfish Fields all the way down to Rock pbbt 👅 Bottom pbbt 👅
SpongeBob’s and Squidward’s houses may offer some of the grooviest photo ops in SpongeBob StorePants, but don’t miss out on some of the smaller details. Customer service is out to lunch, so you’re free to kick back in SpongeBob’s iconic life preserver chair. And keep an eye out for other iconic props from the show, like “Alarmy,” the foghorn alarm clock that wakes SpongeBob up for his first-ever shift at the Krusty Krab!
PRO TIP: Wave your hand in front of Alarmy for a sonic surprise!
Speaking of the Krusty Krab, Mr. Krabs’ influence goes beyond the signage at the store’s entrance. Take a closer look at some of the props and decor and you’ll find decorative tags with extremely unreasonable (this author’s opinion) prices for everything from the floating jellyfish to the “exit” sign. Even bubbles are going to cost you a whopping 25 cents! To quote one of Mr. Krabs’ hand-painted signs — surely a form of subliminal messaging — that can be found throughout the store, “who says you can’t buy happiness?”
With that mercenary wisdom in note, let’s dive into…
The Merch
By this point, I’m sure Mr. Krabs is champing at the bit for you to actually buy something in SpongeBob StorePants. Luckily for you, there’s plenty of totally coral merch to choose from! Some of my personal favorites are the double-sided SpongeBob mugs and the Krusty Krab hats. But you absolutely can’t leave without grabbing a plush. From SpongeBob using the power of his imagination to adorable Plankton plushies to giant Patrick Stars just begging to be squeezed, the sky (sea?) is the limit.
Meet & Greets
Remember how I said SpongeBob StorePants sells plush Patrick Stars just begging to be squeezed? Well, you can squeeze one in real life, too — along with Squidward, and even SpongeBob himself! A dedicated meet and greet spot is located right near the front of the store with Bikini Bottom residents on rotation throughout the day. Is Mr. Krabs paying them for their time, you ask? Don’t ask questions you aren’t prepared to handle the answer to.
PRO TIP: Check the official Universal Orlando Resort app for meet and greet times at SpongeBob StorePants to better plan your day!
If you’d like to officially commemorate your time under the sea, you can purchase prints of your photos at the Bikini Bottom Photos desk. You can even choose a themed frame featuring other “SpongeBob SquarePants” characters!
Snacks & Treats
As if merch, theming and a meet and greet weren’t enough, you can also find themed snacks and treats in SpongeBob StorePants. In fact, there’s an entire section located right in front of the store’s check-out counter! I know what you’re wondering: do they have the gummy Krabby Patties? Yes, dear reader, they do. And yes, they taste just as good as you remember.
Remember the rainbow Pretty Patties that SpongeBob invented? You can find those in gummy form, too, along with a watermelon-flavored version of the snack. And if gummies aren’t your style, go for the white chocolate (read: CHHOOCCOOLAAAATEEE!!!) pineapple bar.
Glance to your left while you’re checking out to see SpongeBob’s employee of the month portrait! (Yes, he’s employee of the month every month. Yes, he deserves it.) And don’t forget to take note of the official Krabs Policy posted behind the counter. If you’ve got any complaints, you’ll only have a single minute in the middle of the night to lodge them. But let’s be real: this is SpongeBob StorePants. You’re not going to have any complaints.
What’s your favorite detail in SpongeBob StorePants? Let us know in the comments or on social media at @UniversalORL!
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