Donkey Kong Country has officially opened as an expansion of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. A small opening ceremony was held at the new land’s entrance to welcome guests into the world.
Donkey Kong Country Grand Opening Ceremony
J.L. Bonnier, President and CEO of Universal Studios Japan, and Mario opened the ceremony. Bonnier welcomed Shigeru Miyamoto, representative director of Nintendo Co. Ltd, and Donkey Kong, who emerged from the Donkey Kong Country entrance tunnel. Miyamoto and Bonnier both gave speeches, thanking fans and expressing their excitement about the new land.
Watch our video of the opening ceremony below.
We were also at the Donkey Kong Country Eve Ceremony.
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country is an expansion to Super Nintendo World, which first opened at Universal Studios Japan in early 2021. The initial Mushroom Kingdom-inspired section of Super Nintendo World is dubbed Super Mario Land.
The expansion’s main attraction is the roller coaster Mine-Cart Madness. Guests can meet Donkey Kong outside his treehouse and purchase a souvenir photo frame. A counter-service restaurant with a tiki-style design is called Jungle Beat Shakes. It will serve a specialty hot dog and a DK Crush Sundae, with which guests can purchase a souvenir barrel mug. The area’s gift shop is Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy, based on an in-game location. Donkey Kong Country merchandise includes a Donkey Kong and Dixie Kong headband with both characters in barrels, a Nintendo World tin featuring Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, and a souvenir DK barrel filled with assorted snacks.
The second Super Nintendo World opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023 but will not include Donkey Kong Country due to space constraints. When Epic Universe opens at Universal Orlando Resort next May, it will include Super Nintendo World with both Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country.
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