Universal Orlando this morning revealed details about the third land at its upcoming Epic Universe theme park - Super Nintendo World.
Patterned after the original Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, Epic Universe's land will feature Peach's Castle as its entry point from the park's central Celestial Park area. From there, fans will be able to take on the land's Key Challenges, which bring Nintendo-style video game challenges to life in practical form.
Of course, the highlight of Super Nintendo World is its real-life Mario Kart game - Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. The third installation of this augmented reality dark ride (following the original in Japan and the first U.S. installation at Universal Studios Hollywood) will put visitors on Team Mario to take on Team Bowser for the Golden Cup. You will get to steer your Mario Kart, throw shells and enjoy all the fun of a Mario Kart competition in a practical space.
Visitors to Epic Universe also will get to experience the U.S. debut of Yoshi's Adventure, the family-friendly track ride from Universal Studios Japan. This adventure offers elevated views of the Mushroom Kingdom during a search for glowing eggs.
When you're hungry, fuel up at Toadstool Cafe, Super Nintendo World's main restaurant, where Chef Toad is preparing Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs, and more dishes.
Other food services locations in the land will include Yoshi's Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats.
Finally, Universal Orlando's Super Nintendo World will include the U.S. debut of Donkey Kong Country, the land expansion opening later this year in Japan. Anchoring that is Mine-Cart Madness, the Universal boom coaster that simulates a "missing track" jump.
Here is Universal Creative's introduction video for the Orlando installation of Super Nintendo World.
Universal Epic Universe opens next year on Universal Orlando's new south campus, near the Orange County Convention Center. For our coverage of the Hollywood opening of Super Nintendo World, please see Fans Pack Super Nintendo World for Official Opening.
And here is more on the previously-revealed lands at Universal Epic Universe:
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"There are zero screens"
Lol so somebody gets it.
Mine-Cart Madness looks like a lot of fun.
Mine-Cart Madness looks like a lot of fun.
Mine-Cart Madness looks like a lot of fun.
Mine-Cart Madness looks like a lot of fun.
Mine-Cart Madness looks like a lot of fun.
Having visited the land in both Hollywood and Japan, I can say that what Epic Universe is getting is going to be far better than the version that debuted in California last year. While Yoshi's Adventure doesn't add much, the multi-level layout is far superior to the singular flat space found in Hollywood, and with a larger footprint to disperse guests it doesn't have the same level of crowding issues.
That said, I worry this land may be the worst of the four in Epic Universe for lines. Mario Kart is consistently the longest line at USH and second longest at USJ (after Space Fantasy, which is insanely popular due to seasonal overlays), Yoshi's Adventure also gets pretty obscene lines in Japan, and word on the street is Mine-Cart Madness has a capacity under 1,000 riders per hour. With that combined with the interactive game element of the land, I feel guests will either need to be prepared to devote at least half their day to this one area or may be better off forgoing it entirely. It's a fantastic land, but it almost seems better suited for a stand-alone attraction than an anchor of a premier theme park.
I hear people are saying that "Mine-Cart Madness looks like a lot of fun".
I agree with AJ's assessment here that sees this as a distinct improvement over USH's Super Nintendo World installation. I do think with the additional space and blank canvas offered by Epic Universe, UC has corrected some of the biggest issues with the land in California, but I still think crowds will be annoying. I also think this portal is seriously short on attractions compared to the others, and it seems like Universal is hoping the Power Up bands provide enough appeal to fill the massive voids in this land. I think that probably works for some, but many guests will claim it's just another tactic to extract additional money out of guests as in Epic Universe, you will need to buy not only a Power Up band, but also a wand (reportedly a next-gen wand will be used in Epic, though older wands will still work). For as much as guests complain about Disney incessant upcharging with Genie+ and ILL, guests will need to fork over $$$ just to experience a major portion of this land.
It also seems that Donkey Kong Country is pretty sparse with a low-capacity novel coaster and not much else - no dining, no flat rides, no nothing. I think in a few years when crowds die down, this land will be pretty fun to explore, but when it's packed full of people and you are forced to stand in 15-20 minute lines just to do a Power-up band interaction, and another 90+ minutes to ride Mario Cart or Mine Cart Madness, it's going to be a nightmare.
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Hey gang I started another installment in the legendarily popular and humongously stimulating “What Excites You Most?” Epic Universe series (winner of several esteemed eye-rolls and not much else) on the Discussion Forum. Hop in and discuss!