Universal Studios Orlando unveils details and a look at its Super Mario World theme park, which includes Donkey Kong Country, as part of its Epic Universe and also features The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Celestial Park, How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe.
Details include Super Mario World will open in 2025, joining the two other locations in California and Japan which are already open.
“These immersive experiences of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD take you into Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country and allow you to play alongside Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and many more iconic characters from beloved Nintendo video games,” states the announcement by Universal Studios.
Concept art images and an animated fly-through promo video have also been released; see below.
Everything feels alive
Super Nintendo World interactive experiences include Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure, Toadstool Cafe, Donkey Kong Country, Mine-Cart madness, key challenges, meet and greets, and more.
“You’ll first step into Super Mario Land and you’ll want to look at everything, in every direction, all at once. Everything in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD feels alive — because so much of it is constantly in motion,” states the info.
The announcement continues, “You’ll pop into the land outside of Peach’s Castle. Around you, Thwomps thud down, shells spin, Koopas pace back-and-forth. You’ll be eager to punch a ? Block and hear that delightful, endorphin-pushing, sound of earning a digital coin.”
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Wind your way through Bowser’s Castle and join Team Mario on the racetrack to defeat Team Bowser in this interactive ride. Just like in the Mario Kart games, you’ll collect coins and throw shells, all while driving through courses underwater and in the clouds. The attraction employs special goggles— just look at your target, press the button on the steering to toss a shell, and BAM!
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.
Key Challenges
At these interactive experiences throughout the land, you’ll test your quickness, skill, and timing in a variety of challenges. The challenges include: Thwomp Panel Panic, Goomba Crazy Crank, Piranha Plant Nap Mishap, Koopa Troopa POWer Punch, and the Bob-Omb Kaboom Room. (This’ll be the first Bob-Omb Kaboom Room in North America!) For each challenge you win, you receive a digital key. Collect three keys with a Power-Up Band and you can play Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown, where you’ll battle to win the Golden Mushroom back from Bowser Jr.
Toadstool Cafe
Chef Toad is bringing his delicious concoctions to Toadstool Cafe! Menu details are to come, but in the meantime check out our guide to the Hollywood cafe here to get a feel for the kind of food that may be available.
Meet & Greets
It wouldn’t be Super Mario Land if you couldn’t snag a selfie with your favorite Super Mario characters! Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad will all be available for character meet-and-greets throughout the day. Plus, if you have a Power-Up Band, meeting these characters offers an enhanced experience.
DONKEY KONG COUNTRY
Surrounding guests in Donkey Kong Country will be its flagship attraction, Mine-Cart Madness, a whirlwind roller coaster with cutting-edge technology.
MINE-CART MADNESS
Here’s the deal: 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.
But the cutting-edge technology is what will make Mine-Cart Madness a truly unique ride experience. The roller coaster uses a new ride system, developed in-house by Universal Creative, that recreates the thrilling maneuvers of the mine carts from the Donkey Kong Country video game series.
Mine-Cart Madness sits in a nice little space in-between a family coaster and a thrill coaster. Creative Director Dan Jenkins imagines kids excitedly reaching the right height for Mine-Cart Madness, getting hyped up in the queue and ultimately having a total blast.
Watch the video:
