Universal Orlando Resort has announced official details for Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe.
Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World was the first land confirmed for Epic Universe. This will be the third version of Super Nintendo World, following Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood. The Florida version will include the original attractions from Universal Studios Japan, as well as the Donkey Kong Country expansion.
Guests will enter it through a portal from Celestial Park. This is a decked-out version of the green warp pipe entrance at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan, in keeping with the Epic Universe theming. Also unique to this entrance is that guests will take an escalator up into the land.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
The main attraction of Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe will be Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (named Koopa’s Challenge in Universal Studios Japan). It will be located in the section of the land entitled “Super Mario Land.”
Guests will wind their way through Bowser’s Castle and join Team Mario on the racetrack to defeat Team Bowser in this interactive ride inspired by the beloved game series. Just like the game, riders will collect coins, throw shells, and “drive” through courses underwater and in the clouds. This attraction utilizes special AR goggles to bring the world and their fellow racers to life — guests simply need to look at their target and press the button on the steering to toss a shell.
Watch our full ride POV of the Universal Studios Hollywood version of Bowser’s Challenge below.
Yoshi’s Adventure
Orlando will host the first Yoshi’s Adventure attraction in North America! On this family-focused ride, you’ll hop onto a Yoshi and embark on a search for glowing eggs.
Universal Studios Hollywood does not have Yoshi’s Adventure due to space constraints. Watch our ride POV video below.
Mine-Cart Madness
Mine-Cart Madness is part of the Donkey Kong Country expansion opening later this year at Universal Studios Japan.
On the attraction, the Tiki Tak Tribe has come to steal the Golden Banana. To protect it, guests will join Donkey Kong and his friends on a high-energy mine-cart ride.Â
This roller coaster uses an all-new ride system, developed in-house by Universal Creative, that recreates the maneuvers of the mine carts from the Donkey Kong Country video game series.
In addition to the area’s main attraction, a “selection of tropical menu and merchandise offerings” will also be available in Donkey Kong Country. More details on these will be shared in the coming months.
Power-Up Bands & Key Challenges
The Key Challenges of Super Nintendo World, completed using Power-Up Bands, are essentially a self-guided attraction.
At these interactive experiences throughout the land, guests will test their quickness, skills, and timing in various challenges, which include:
- Thwomp Panel Panic
- Goomba Crazy Crank
- Piranha Plant Nap Mishap
- Koopa Troopa POWer Punch
- Bob-Omb Kaboom Room (The first in North America)
For each challenge guests win, they will receive a digital key. After collecting three keys with a Power-Up Band, guests can take on the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown, where they’ll face off with Bowser Jr. to win back the Golden Mushroom.
Read our spoiler-free guide to Power-Up Bands and our guide to Key Challenges at Universal Studios Hollywood for more information, or watch our video about the challenges at Universal Studios Japan below.
Characters
In the Super Mario Land section, guests will be able to meet Super Mario characters, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad. Guests who have a Power-Up band will get an “enhanced experience” when meeting these characters.
Toadstool Cafe
At Toadstool Cafe, guests can enjoy dishes inspired by the world of Super Mario and its characters. Dishes will include Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs, and more.
Guests will also get to see several Toads (and Chef Toad himself) cooking up their meals in the kitchen through virtual windows throughout the restaurant.
Menu details are to come at a later date, but you can check out our review of every item on the Toadstool Cafe menu at Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as our full restaurant tour.
Yoshi’s Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats
At these walk-up dining locations, guests can grab treats, snacks, and beverages to fuel up as they play.
1-UP Factory and Mario Motors
At these merchandise locations, guests can shop for Super Nintendo World souvenirs, apparel, toys, and more inspired by their favorite Super Mario characters.
Epic Universe will open in 2025. Another version of Super Nintendo World is also under construction at Universal Studios Singapore. Read our full guide to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan and our guide to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.
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