Universal has revealed even more details for their upcoming park, Universal Epic Universe. Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario Land will both be a part of Super Nintendo World when this park opens in 2025. This new area will have large-scale rides, dining options, merchandise and interactivity.
With aerial photos by Bioreconstruct on X and media images released by the Universal Orlando Resort, we can get a great idea of what we can expect when the park opens in 2025. Super Nintendo World will be one of five lands opening with the park. Guests can also expect to enjoy Dark Universe, Celestial Park, Harry Potter Ministry of Magic and How To Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk.
Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country
This new land will be split into two areas, all under the Nintendo brand. Super Mario Land will feature Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Bowser and Bowser Jr. Donkey Kong Country will focus on Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. There is currently a Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood.
While Universal Studios Japan is actively working on their own Donkey Kong area, this land for the Orlando Universal Epic Universe park will be one-of-a-kind on the western hemisphere.
Construction progress on Super Nintendo World
As always, Bioreconstruct has offered incredible views into the theme park construction in Central Florida. This photo above, posted April 27, 2024 gives a great idea of what we can expect. This land will be vibrant, energetic, interactive and immersive. Take a look at the Super Nintendo World in Osaka, Japan. With two separate areas, Nintendo fans can literally choose their adventure.
With the Power-Up Bands, that adventure can become digitized and make the land even more interactive. Power-Up Bands are wearable tech that turns the games and rides around the land into a real world video game. The scores of these games can be seen by real park guests. And you can become the best player of the day.
Power-Up Bands bring family game nights to Orlando
Power-Up Band are not included and must be purchased to use. This is a wearable for guests’ wrists that allows them to enhance their play throughout Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. With the Power-Up Band, guests can collect digital coins by punching “?” Blocks and playing interactive activities. This includes collecting digital stamps on attractions, earning digital keys to unlock an exclusive showdown against Bowser Jr. and discover other hidden surprises. Guests can also access Leaderboard screens to see where they rank amongst fellow guests.
Donkey Kong Country
A land, a temple, a world-class roller coaster and, of course, Donkey Kong. This secondary space for Super Nintendo World is going to bring experiences that simply don’t exist currently in the United States. And, in a surprise move, Universal Creative has confirmed that the main attraction, Mine-Cart Madness, will have ZERO screens. A land dedicated to the real, with massive practical sets and effects.
While not yet confirmed, we believe that means that we could see an animatronic Donkey Kong in the land. Universal did state that guests will be able to meet Toad, Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. Perhaps Donkey Kong or Diddy Kong will appear as well for guests to meet?
Now to be very real with you for a paragraph. There are certain ways to type and talk for news style articles. But for this paragraph, I am dropping all that. I always want to present fact first, but for this, it is truly me, Tharin, and my emotions talking to you: This land looks simply stunning and I cannot believe we are getting this in Orlando. As a local, a Nintendo fan and a coaster nut, this is incredible! Universal has been doing an insanely good job in recent years, going above and beyond expectations. All of Universal Epic Universe is looking to be fantastic, but to build a roller coaster that “jumps off the track,” is a statement to Universal’s true ambition.
Ok, back to the article.
Jumping “off” the track on Mine-Cart Madness
The highlight of Donkey Kong Country is Mine-Cart Madness. And while thrilling, this coaster won’t take away from the family aspect. In a surprising move, this ride only requires a 36 inch height requirement. That is two inches shorter than Disney’s Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and one inch more than Goofy’s Barnstormer.
It was originally thought that this ride would require a higher height requirement due to its “track jumping” aspect. Instead, it seems Universal Creative has found just the right ride system to keep this coaster family friendly. According to U.S. statistics, that means that the average four year old can get on this attraction (with an accompanying adult).
But, how does the coaster jump? And is it safe?
Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness roller coaster
This attraction is implementing a ride system focused on optical illusion. Seen above is a broken themed track. But right under is the magic trick. A sideways support track, painted to match the area it is in. This support track changes color depending on which building or area it is in. The main mission in mind – hide from plain sight.
Instead, our eyes will be drawn to the mine carts and themed track that riders “appear” to be riding on. With this simple yet expensive trick, Universal is doubling up their track placements to sell us on immersion. For fans of the racing games and the classic, Roller Coaster Tycoon, the idea of jumping a ramp seemed like a dream. In a way, Universal Creative is allowing this dream to become reality.
Donkey Kong food and merchandise
Universal states that a selection of tropical menu and merchandise offerings will be available. Each are inspired by the Donkey Kong Country video game franchise and its characters. While we don’t have exact details, the Universal Orlando Resort states we will get more info in the coming months. We do know that the Power-Up Bands will work in both Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country.
Super Mario Land in Super Nintendo World
The first place that guests will enter in Super Nintendo World is Super Mario Land. This space will feature two main attractions, an eatery, tons of mini-games and a Power-Up Band game attraction. This area will be full of life, color, moving creatures and the iconic Super Mario Bros. music.
Universal states that, “It all begins the moment guests enter the portal to Super Nintendo World, which will transport them through the iconic green pipe into the immersive land. As guests emerge from the pipe, vibrant scenery and exciting kinetic energy surround them as they are greeted by the familiar sights and sounds that they’ve experienced on their Nintendo game consoles – from the towering Mt. Beanpole and majestic Peach’s Castle to swaying Piranha Plants, pacing Goombas, spinning coins, “?” Blocks and more.”
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge – an Augmented Reality Ride
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is a major attraction for Universal Epic Universe. Using huge practical sets and AR technology, guests will be fully immersed in a Mario Kart race. If you want spoilers, you can checkout the Attractions 360º video of the ride at Universal Studios Hollywood.
This ride will have a height requirement of 42 inches. Guests will join alongside Team Mario in a battle against Team Bowser for the Universal Golden Cup. Augmented reality, projection mapping technology and elaborate environments all work together to bring this game to life.
Universal states, “Guests up for the challenge will enter through Bowser’s Castle – where they’ll wind its corridors and get a glimpse of Bowser’s deceptive plans to stack the odds in his favor – before boarding their kart and heading to the starting line. Then, guests steer through a variety of Mario Kart courses – collecting coins, tossing shells at Team Bowser, dodging obstacles, and more.”
Bowser’s Castle and interactive game elements
One of the key elements that has set the Super Nintendo World lands apart is their work on gamification. The Power-Up Bands and mini-games in the lands in Hollywood and Osaka make for their own attraction. These mini-games will be built in and around the entire land.
Seen above, Bowser’s Castle is being built at the land. One of numerous icons from the Super Mario Bros. series, this castle will be the entrance to the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge attraction. In this land, guests will also see Peach’s Castle and Toad’s Toadstool Cafe, as well as tons of animatronic figures. Near the castle, you can see a Piranha Plant figure under a protective covering. Guests will interact with Goombas, “?” blocks and more to gain points and keys to fight Bowser Jr.
Yoshi’s Adventure Ride
Yoshi’s Adventures will be a family friendly ride, taking guests above and around Super Nintendo World. According to Universal, “Yoshi’s Adventure attraction will make its U.S. debut when Super Nintendo World opens at Universal Epic Universe. On this family-friendly ride, guests of all ages will enjoy breathtaking views of Super Mario Land as they join Yoshis and travel through Mushroom Kingdom landscapes in search of glowing eggs – encountering many familiar characters along the way.”
It is important to note that while Universal does state, “guests of all ages,” there is a 36 inch height requirement posted on their website. This slow moving adventure ride will add plenty of kinetic energy to this land. Yoshis will be seen from numerous vantage points in this multi-level land.
Toadstool Cafe
After a day of adventure and gaming, you gotta eat. Carly Caramanna offers a great overview of the eats you can enjoy at Universal Studios Hollywood. While we cannot yet confirm, we can safely assume similar items will be making their way to Florida for the 2025 opening.
At Toadstool Cafe, guests can enjoy a variety of dishes inspired by the world of Super Mario and its characters. This includes Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs and more. Guests will also get glimpses of several Toads cooking up culinary creations through various virtual windows as they dine inside the restaurant.
Toad won’t be the only one offering up some food. Guests can also visit Yoshi’s Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats. Here, guests can also pick up treats, snacks and beverages at these walk-up dining locations.
Mario and Luigi merchandise and meet and greets
After the food, the games and the rides, you cannot forget about the merchandise and the entertainment. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad will all be greeting guests in Super Mario Land. These already famous characters have become instant park icons, trending online and gathering crowds in the park.
And for merchandise, you know there will be spots to spend extra money. As previously mentioned, guests can purchase Power-Up Bands to enhance their gamification experience. At 1-UP Factory, Mario Motors and a to-be-announced Donkey Kong shop, guests will be able to buy game inspired merchandise.
Opening 2025, Super Nintendo World will be one of many reasons this new park will truly be EPIC.
Universal Epic Universe fan group
If you are looking to join fans, Passholders and future park visitors of Universal Epic Universe, join our Facebook Group for up to date info, videos and more.
The last Universal Creative reveal was for How To Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, where we got a look at a fully theme land, filled with rides, dining spaces and, of course, dragons.
