Super Nintendo World Orlando: Everything You Need to Know
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.
Super Nintendo World in Orlando is located inside the new Epic Universe theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort. This land opened with the theme park on the 22nd May 2025 and is one of the most detailed and immersive lands Universal has ever built.
The land itself is split into two areas:
- Super Mario Land
- Donkey Kong Country
Across the two areas you’ll find three rides and one sit-down restaurant. There’s also a store, several snack carts and multiple mini game locations which can be played using a Power-Up Band.
Super Nintendo World Rides
There are three rides inside Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe:
| Ride | Area | What It Is | Min Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge | Super Mario Land | Augmented-reality dark ride where you steer and throw shells | 40″ (102 cm) |
| Yoshi’s Adventure | Super Mario Land | Slow, gentle ride over the land, fine for toddlers | 34″ (86 cm) |
| Mine-Cart Madness | Donkey Kong Country | Family coaster that looks like it jumps the gaps in a broken track | 40″ (102 cm) |
All three rides accept Universal Express. Paying for it lets you skip the standby queue, which in my experience saves around 80% of the wait.
Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge
This is the headline ride at Super Nintendo World and is the same format as at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan.
During this ride you’ll wear an AR headset which is clipped onto a Mario cap. You’ll then sit in a Mario Kart and use your head to throw shells at Team Bowser as you go. It’s more of an experience than it is a thrill ride.
The first time I went on this ride was at the Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I’d never been on a ride anything like this before so it took a bit of getting used to.
By the time Mario Kart opened at Epic Universe I’d been on the ride five or so times and was experienced enough to both enjoy the experience and get a high score.
Yoshi’s Adventure
This ride is designed for the younger children visiting Super Nintendo World with a minimum height of 34 inches (around 86 cm). However, I’m lost as to why it has a height requirement at all since it’s such a slow moving ride.
The ride itself is similar to the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride over at Islands of Adventure, which also has a height requirement that’s lost on me, in the sense that you slowly drive around a raised track with wide views over Super Nintendo World. Except in this case you’re riding in Yoshi’s eggs.
Mine-Cart Madness
This was the ride I was most excited for inside not just Super Nintendo World but Epic Universe as a whole. This is the only ride located inside the Donkey Kong Country area of the park and certainly lived up to my expectations.
For this ride you’ll board what looks like a runaway mine cart in a group of four. The carts run on a track, but during some sections the track is hidden, so it looks like the cart jumps across and you’ve no idea where you’ll go.
It’s the most intense ride inside Super Nintendo World, but relative to many of the other rides at Epic Universe it’s still pretty tame.
Power-Up Bands and Mini Games
Power-Up Bands are wristbands that can be used to interact with different elements inside Super Nintendo World including:
- Key Challenges
- Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown
- Collecting Coins
- Collecting Stamps
The Power-Up Bands cost $45 plus tax (around £35) in 2026. Unlike the interactive Harry Potter wands, which a family can share, the way the Power-Up Band works means everyone realistically needs their own.
You can set-up your Power-Up Band and track your scores via the Universal Orlando mobile app. The band works without the app, using the screens dotted around the land but it isn’t as convenient.
The main draw of the Power-Up Bands is the Key Challenges. There are five of these hidden around Super Mario Land, each a small puzzle, like turning a crank or timing a punch (suitable for young kids).
When you finish the puzzle you’ll earn a key. Collect three keys and you unlock the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown, the boss battle that finishes the story.
You can enjoy Super Mario Land without a Power-Up Band. However, even though I’m not the biggest Super Mario or Nintendo fan, I had a lot of fun with it. So I do think it’s a worthwhile investment if your budget allows.
Food and Dining
Toadstool Cafe is the only sit-down restaurant inside Super Nintendo World. The themed dishes are beautifully designed, and having eaten almost everything off the menu at this point, I can confirm it all tastes as good as it looks.
My personal favourites are:
- Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots
- Super Tomato Soup (includes a souvenir bowl)
- Super Star Lemon Squash with Boba
For something quicker there are several snack carts. My favourite is The Bubbly Barrel in Donkey Kong Country, which serves a float drink that comes with a souvenir cup.
Shopping in Super Nintendo World
The main store inside Super Nintendo World is the 1-UP Factory, which is also the exit to the Mario Kart ride. Inside this store you’ll find a big range of Super Nintendo World merchandise including Power-Up Bands, t-shirts, hats, soft toys, play sets and more.
Donkey Kong Country has its own store, Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy, which carries the Donkey Kong range you will not find over in the Mario shops.
Characters You Can Meet
There are several meet-and-greet opportunities inside Super Nintendo World including:
- Mario
- Luigi
- Princess Peach
- Toad
- Donkey Kong
Meet times are listed in the Universal Orlando app. Every meet-and-greet is incredibly popular with wait times often over 30 minutes.
Tickets & Best Time to Visit
Super Nintendo World is located inside Epic Universe. This is the new theme park at Universal Orlando, separate from Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
To visit Super Nintendo World you will need a Universal Orlando ticket that includes entry into the Epic Universe theme park. This could either be a single-park Epic Universe ticket or a multi-park ticket including Epic Universe. A standard two-park ticket will not get you in, so double-check yours covers the right park before you book.
Since Epic Universe is a new theme park it is very popular. As such if Super Nintendo World is important to you make sure you plan your visit accordingly. I’d suggest either investing in an Express Pass to ensure you get on all three rides here quickly or arriving when the park opens and heading straight for the two most popular rides here Mario Kart and Mine-Cart Madness.
During peak-times the portal entry into Super Nintendo World may run on a timed entry or virtual queue system. It’s worth researching in advance as to how busy the park is likely to be when you’re due to visit to know if this is something that might happen during your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few common questions about visiting Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe.
Where is Super Nintendo World at Universal Orlando?
Inside Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s third theme park, which opened on 22 May 2025. It is not at Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, so you need a ticket that includes Epic Universe.
How many rides are in Super Nintendo World?
Three. Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure are in Super Mario Land, and Mine-Cart Madness is in Donkey Kong Country. Yoshi’s needs 34 inches, the other two need 40 inches.
Do you need a Power-Up Band at Super Nintendo World?
No, it is optional. A band costs $45 plus tax, around £35, in 2026 and unlocks the Key Challenges, mini games and the Bowser Jr. boss battle. It is worth it if you want the full interactive game.
Is Mine-Cart Madness on the Express Pass?
Yes. All three Super Nintendo World rides accept Universal Express at Epic Universe in 2026. Whether Express is worth buying depends on the day, since the land only has three rides to skip the queue for.
Is Super Nintendo World good for toddlers?
Partly. Yoshi’s Adventure suits little ones at 34 inches, and the Power-Up Band play works at any age. Mario Kart and Mine-Cart Madness both need 40 inches, so under-40s miss the two best rides.
Are Mario and Luigi at Super Nintendo World?
Yes. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad meet in Super Mario Land, and Donkey Kong appears in Donkey Kong Country. Meet times are listed in the Universal Orlando app on the day of your visit.
