Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World will house two firsts for the United States when the theme park opens next year at Universal Orlando: Donkey Kong Country and the Yoshi’s Adventure attraction.
Super Nintendo World will be one of five worlds at Epic Universe, which is expected to open next summer. Universal Orlando Resort released details about the themed world on Thursday.
Guests will enter Super Nintendo World via a portal themed to the Super Mario Brothers’ iconic green pipe. Super Nintendo World will be divided into two distinct lands: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country.
Fittingly, the world will have a gaming aspect. By purchasing wearable Power-Up Bands, guests can interact with the environment around them via interactive activities like punching Question Blocks. They can earn digital coins, stamps and keys. Leaderboard screens will show how guests stack up to one another.
Super Mario Land
Super Nintendo World’s portal leads directly into Super Mario Land. There, guests will find two attractions: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure.
The Mario Kart video game series will come to life in Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, thanks to augmented reality, projection mapping and real set pieces. On the attraction, riders join Team Mario and battle Team Bowser for the Golden Cup. The ride’s queue is in Bowser’s Castle.
Yoshi’s Adventure will be an attraction for guests of all ages. Guests join the dinosaur-like creature to travel around Mushroom Kingdom looking for glowing eggs. The attraction will offer clear views of Super Mario Land.
There is already a Yoshi’s Adventure attraction at Universal Studios Japan.
Hungry guests won’t have to look far for Nintendo-themed food and beverages at Toadstool Café and Yoshi’s Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats.
The 1-UP Factory and Mario Motors will sell souvenirs, toys and apparel.
Various meet-and-greets will be held throughout Super Mario Land with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad.
Donkey Kong Country
Guests can enter Donkey Kong Country through an entrance located in Super Mario Land. Its tropical landscape includes trees, waterfalls and landmarks like the Golden Temple.
The land’s centerpiece is the Mine-Cart Madness family coaster. Guests will travel through the jungle via mine cart, assisting Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong in protecting the golden banana.
“Utilizing an unprecedented ride system, innovative technology and a unique coaster design, Mine-Cart Madness will send riders on a thrilling adventure where they will experience the jaw-dropping maneuvers that they’ve seen Donkey Kong and the mine carts perform in the video games — including getting blasted out of a barrel, seemingly jumping over gaps as they speed along a rickety track, and so much more,” Universal said.
Donkey Kong Country will feature tropical food and beverages and merchandise. More details are forthcoming.
A Donkey Kong Country is expected to open this year in Universal Studios Japan’s Super Nintendo World.
Epic Universe will have five worlds. The backbone will be Celestial Park. Branching off that world will be Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk and Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic.