Universal Epic Universe, opening May 22, 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort, brings five expansive new lands to life and few are as instantly recognizable as Super Nintendo World. With iterations already open in Japan and Hollywood, this might be the
most familiar destination for some guests but that doesnt mean there arent surprises in store.
Level
1: Enter the Mushroom Kingdom
From the moment I stepped through the portal, this land set itself apart with what might be the most clever use of an entrance in the entire park. You dont emerge into a sweeping reveal you ride an escalator, surrounded by glowing green tunnel walls
and the unmistakable sound effects of a warp pipe.?
Its an entrance that doesnt just look like the game it moves like it too. And then you arrive: inside Princess Peachs Castle then and into the open, where Mount Beanpole towers in the distance and the whole Mushroom Kingdom pulses with motion.
No land is more kinetic than this one. Coins spin overhead, blocks flash and ding with sound, Piranha Plants chomp, and animatronic Yoshis march steadily in circles. With a Power-Up Band, you can join in activating coin sounds, triggering effects, and
collecting keys and digital points throughout the land. (And dont forget to snag the golden banana in Donkey Kong Countrys queue.)
The land is significantly larger than its Hollywood counterpart, with two added experiences: Yoshis Adventure, and the debut of Donkey Kong Country in the U.S.
Mario Motors at Super Nintendo World. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
Yoshis Adventure is a slow-moving indoor/outdoor ride with elevated views of the Mushroom Kingdom. Its charming, gentle, and punctuated with visual details. Someone called it the Nintendo PeopleMover, and now I cant unhear it.
As a first-timer on Mario Kart: Bowsers Challenge, I found theres definitely a learning curve from positioning the heavy Mario cap and attached AR visor (and assisting kiddos if they need help too) to the mental gymnastics of tracking shells, aiming,
and racking up points, all while trying to appreciate what could stand alone as a richly themed dark ride without the added gameplay element. Feeling shell-shocked, gamers in the know assured me this is the kind of ride you probably wont master or
fully appreciate on your first try. So if youre only going to do it once ?be sure to read up and know what youre doing.?
Bowser's Castle at Super Nintendo World. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
Banana-Powered
Adventure in Donkey Kong Country
Around the corner, its a party in Donkey Kong Country cascading waterfalls, overgrown greenery, and a full change in energy. It feels like a completely new biome colorful, tropical, and alive with motion. Bananas are everywhere: in the foliage, in
the queue, and, Im told, on the menu at The Bubbly Barrel. (I didnt get to try the banana treats this time, but I have a feeling theyll be worth the return.)
The marquee attraction here, Mine-Cart Madness, lives up to its name. The queue builds tension with clever theming, but the real thrill comes from the rides broken track effect. The coaster simulates sudden jumps over missing rails giving you the
illusion that your cart is leaping through the air. Its safe, of course, but that doesn't stop your brain from going straight to the panic of every time you almost lost a life in the game. Whether or not you remember Donkey Kong Country vividly,
the nostalgia hits hard.
Mt. Beanpole and Yoshi's Adventure at Super Nintendo World. (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
Game
Not Over Yet
I didnt make it to Toadstool Cafe on this visit, but knowing the response to its menu and atmosphere in Hollywood, I feel confident this one will deliver. I also missed the merch this time around, only getting a quick peek at the main shop, Mario Motors,
which just means this world demands a second round.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
