Most Universal Orlando Annual Passholders are familiar with the park’s annual garage sale. In 2024, it took place in early December, allowing guests to arrive to one of the on-site parking garages at the crack of dawn for some truly spectacular deals, with theme park apparel, toys, and collectibles up to 70 percent off. T-shirts, plush toys, and popcorn buckets as far as the eye could see were up for grabs – but that’s just a few days out of the year, and Universal has a LOT of merchandise.
Universal has been selling off its excess merchandise this year by extending these sales into January; inside the Brown Derby shop on Hollywood, Universal Orlando Annual Passholders and Universal Orlando Team Members can access some of the park’s coolest merch for a fraction of the price, including thermal mugs, apparel, select LoungeFly bags and backpacks, trinkets, and so much more.
The store is open from 7 AM to 4 PM and features a rotating stock; while repeat trips may find many familiar items, you’re sure to find new items as well. Keep an eye out for select merchandise that really stands out; with 80-100 dollar items discounted at 70 percent off, it’s a no-brainer, and you might even find that bag or hoodie you’ve really wanted (but just couldn’t bring yourself to buy full price!).
While Universal has not offered an official timeline for how long this location will be offering markdowns on Universal Orlando merchandise, the Brown Derby Hat shop has remained opened longer than many guests expected, with sales continuing into January. Be warned, though! Anything you purchase at the Brown Derby Hat Shop during this discount event is final sale, and will not be eligible for returns or exchanges as per Universal’s policy!
Space inside the Brown Derby Hat Shop is limited, so capacity is strictly controlled; if you’re a UOAP looking to score some discounted merch, you might need to wait in a short queue to enter the shop. Wait times for this queue varies depending on the crowds, but now that Universal has this location down to a science, crowd control has become much easier. Do be aware, though, that it’s tight quarters inside the Brown Derby Hat Shop! Guests with strollers or mobility aids might have a harder time navigating the tight corners and the crowds, as the checkout queue for this new shop tends to extend all the way from the back of the store to the entrance. However, with a little bit of patience, navigating the interior is not an impossible task.
Guests looking to enter the Brown Derby Hat Shop for these sales will, of course, be required to show their annual passes or Team Member IDs at the door, so keep those passes out when you enter the park! The Brown Derby Hat Shop is right near the entrance on Hollywood Boulevard. You can’t miss it – it’s the only building in the park shaped like a bowler hat! And if you do, in fact, happen to miss it, I promise you can’t miss Wicked: The Experience. The Brown Derby Hat Shop is right next door!
