Epic Universe Super Nintendo World Reaction

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Universal just released some more details about Universal Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort, where I’m fully planning on moving next year (not really). Today it’s about Super Nintendo World – the Orlando version. 

I’ve been to the version in Universal Studios Hollywood and it’s jaw-dropping. The level of detail is unbelievable. Think of Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley – that level of detail. There’s so much to see there. 

At Hollywood they only have one ride, so since there’s going to be more room at the Orlando resort, I’m interested to see if they’re going to bring any more rides, any more places to eat or shop, and what the meat and greets are going to look like. Let’s take a look at what they’ve released and get into this Epic Universe Super Nintendo World reaction! 

Walking In and The Land Itself

I know that they’ve already talked about the How to Train Your Dragon World and Celestial Park, but what’s cool about this is they’re not just showing artist renderings – they’re also showing the actual Super Nintendo Worlds at the other parks. So you’re actually seeing what it looks like in real life, which is really cool.

Walking through that pipe portal in Hollywood is wild. You walk through the tube and they have the sounds of the video games playing and the lights going off. Then when you walk through and you see the land it’s really feels like you’re in a completely different world. 

This world is alive around you. There’s so much movement – it’s a very kinetic land. You can walk in there, not ride anything, and just spend the whole day being in awe of what you’re looking at one.

PowerUp Bands

One of the features at Super Nintendo World is a PowerUp Band. Universal has to make that money somehow. I didn’t get a PowerUp Band because I don’t go enough to the Hollywood version to really justify it. I don’t know if it’s necessarily for me, but it is an option.

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Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

The Mario Kart ride is amazing. If you’re a Mario fan, the amount of detail and Easter eggs in the queue is unbelievable. When you hear about the ride itself, it sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it’s so fun. 

This thing is going to get really long lines. I think we waited in Hollywood for about an hour and a half. But the good thing is that if the operations are going to be as good in Orlando as they were in Hollywood, it’s going to keep moving, and there’s so much to look at in the queue. Yeah, it’s a long queue, but you just have so much to look at unlike in some ride lines (*cough* Hagrid’s *cough*). 

There are live sets around you with things moving like the piranha plants, but then with the visor you get, there is a sort of screen. So you’re seeing a giant piranha plant and you’re steering around it with Peach and Mario in their carts. It’s just so weird. 

And I’ll be honest – when I first saw footage of it, I was like, “Why are the cars moving so slowly for a ride themed to Mario Kart?” But once you ride it, you don’t even notice how fast you’re moving because the augmented reality makes you feel like you’re moving so much faster. I honestly feel like if it moved faster, people would probably get sick. But if you’re someone who gets motion sick, it’s never a bad idea to take some non-drowsy Dramamine before heading to a theme park!

There’s so much to do. Of course everybody freaks out when Rainbow Road pops up on the screen.It’s just a really cool experience.

Toadstool Cafe and Mario’s True Villain

I will say this – Toadstool Cafe had some pretty good food, and it’s also really immersive and really cool. But if you’re looking for the true villain of the Mario series – it’s Toad. 

Yoshi’s Adventure

I’m so excited for this Yoshi ride because they didn’t have it in Hollywood. It looks super cute and I’m sure the interactive elements will keep everyone entertained while riding. Plus it gives you a great, relaxing way to look at the rest of Super Nintendo World around you. 

Donkey Kong Country and Mine Cart Madness

In the renderings that they’re showing, Donkey Kong Country looks really big. Is it bigger than the rest of Super Nintendo World? 

The fact that these mine carts for Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness are going to look like they’re jumping off the track FLOORS me. Who are these people coming up with this stuff at Universal? 

They’re placing it so you’re going walk up to this, see the temple, and you’re going to see the cart jumping the track right in front of you. These people are maniacs. 

There are patents, videos, and diagrams online if you want to see how they’re making it look like you’re jumping the track. But of course it’s totally safe you’re still secured to something, so you’re not really jumping the track. But it’s really going to look like you are. I’m curious to see what it’s going to look like on the ride itself. I’m so excited.

Overall Epic Universe Super Nintendo World Reaction

So for me, based on what I had seen before this, there weren’t too many surprises. I knew that the Donkey Kong ride was happening, and I knew they were going to put in Mario Kart and Yoshi. It looks like there is also going to be Toadstool Cafe. So it looks like they are taking things from the other parks, which is fine because honestly this land is so wild and great already. 

I think this is going to be the land that everybody goes to first at Universal Epic Universe, so be prepared for long lines, lots of kids, and lots of people the land. In Universal Hollywood, it was very crowded and we weren’t even there on a busy park day.

Honestly, my one critique of this land was the lack of shade. I don’t know if they’re going to change it because it’s in Florida, but there was very little shade in this land and that’s kind of just because of how the land is set up. Everything is sort of on the sides that you’re looking at and there’s not a lot in the middle, but it wouldn’t be hard to build some shade structures for the Universal Orlando version. Remember to pack your sunglasses and sunscreen!

I remember waiting in line for Toadstool Cafe and the sun was just beating down on us in California, and it’s not even that humid out in California. Be sure to wear sunscreen and sunglasses when you visit Epic Universe.

I cannot wait for Epic Universe to open. I am so excited and need them to announce an opening date soon. What are you all excited for at Super Nintendo World in Universal Epic Universe?