Super Nintendo World Orlando – Everything You Need To Know
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super nintendo world universal orlandoDistinguishing move: Cora tours Super Nintendo World during the May press trip, plays through every Key Challenge with a Power-Up Band, photographs Donkey Kong Country and quotes the Epic Universe spokesperson on year-two land updates.
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- Quick Answer on Super Nintendo World at Universal Orlando
- Where Super Nintendo World Sits Inside Epic Universe
- The Three Rides at Super Nintendo World Ranked
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge Explained
- Mine-Cart Madness in Donkey Kong Country
- Yoshi’s Adventure for Younger Kids
- Why Orlando’s Donkey Kong Country Is Bigger Than Japan’s
- How the Power-Up Band Works and Whether to Buy It
- Toadstool Cafe and Pit Stop Pop Dining
- Best Time of Day to Visit Super Nintendo World
- Super Nintendo World With Kids and Toddlers
- FAQs About Super Nintendo World at Universal Orlando
Super Nintendo World is coming to Universal Orlando as part of the new theme park Epic Universe, which will open in May 2025.
In this article, I’ll share everything we know about this new land. Plus, what you can expect based on the Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan.
This article is being updated regularly. Bookmark it to check the latest Super Nintendo World news for Universal Orlando.
Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe will feature two lands:
- Super Mario Land
- Donkey Kong Country
Across these two lands, there’ll be rides, attractions, food options and interactive elements.
Rides & Attractions
Super Nintendo World at Universal Orlando Resort will have three rides:
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
📍 Location: Super Mario Land
This is a real-life, immersive version of the iconic Mario Kart races. It’s also the same ride in the Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan.
Yoshi’s Adventure
📍 Location: Super Mario Land
This family-friendly ride takes you on a journey with Yoshi. It features gentle motion and interactive elements. Again, this ride is already at Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, so we have a good idea of the ride format and style.
Donkey Kong Mine Cart Coaster
📍 Location: Donkey Kong Country
This is the most highly anticipated ride at Super Nintendo World, Epic Universe. The ride features new “boom coaster” technology, which allows the mine cart vehicles to jump tracks, just like in the original video games.
This ride opened recently as part of the Donkey Kong Country expansion at Universal Studios Japan to mixed reviews.
Dining
There will be one restaurant and three snack carts inside Super Nintendo World at Universal Orlando:
Toadstool Cafe
📍 Location: Super Mario Land
Toadstool Cafe will be the only restaurant in Super Nintendo World and will be modelled after the Toadstool Cafe in Hollywood and Japan.
The menu is American-Italian, and the interior is immersive and offers incredible attention to detail.
Yoshi’s Snack Island
📍 Location: Super Mario Land
Here, you can buy drinks and snacks inspired by Super Nintendo World. It’s currently unknown if the drinks and snacks sold here will also be available at the other snack cart in Super Mario Land.
Turbo Boost Treats
📍 Location: Super Mario Land
Again, this is where you’ll be able to buy drinks and snacks inspired by Super Nintendo World. It’s currently unknown if the drinks and snacks sold here will also be available at the other snack cart in Super Mario Land.
Bubbly Barrel
📍 Location: Donkey Kong Country
Since this snack cart is in Donkey Kong Country, the snacks and drinks sold here will differ from those in Super Mario World.
Interactive Elements & Mini Games
With the purchase of a Power-Up Band, you’ll also be able to:
- Collect Coins
- Collect Stamps
- Play Mini Games
Coins and stamps can be collected inside Super Nintendo World by interacting with selected elements inside the park. However, I find the Power-Up Band’s real value is being able to play the mini-games.
The number of mini-games inside Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe is currently unknown. However, you’ll still need to collect three keys from these mini-games to go on to the final game: Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown.
Stores
There will be two stores inside Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe.
- Mario Motors
- 1-Up Factory
Both stores are expected to offer a wide variety of Nintendo-themed merchandise.
However, you don’t have to buy Nintendo merchandise inside Super Nintendo World. Many of the ‘general’ stores at Universal Orlando are expected to offer a wide range of Nintendo merchandise, too.
Character Meet & Greets
You’ll be able to meet a wide selection of Nintendo characters inside Super Nintendo World. This includes:
- Mario
- Luigi
- Princess Peach
- Toad
- Donkey Kong
Each of the Nintendo characters will have their own meet-and-greet location. All of which will be inside Super Mario Land except for Donkey Kong who will be at Donkey Kong’s Treehouse in Donkey Kong Country.
This will be Donkey Kong’s first meet-and-greet experience in the United States, so he’s expected to be the most popular character. Currently he’s only available for meet-and-greets outside the USA at Universal Studios Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions I get most often about visiting Super Nintendo World inside Epic Universe at Universal Orlando.
Where is Super Nintendo World at Universal Orlando?
Super Nintendo World is located 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. You need either a single-park Epic Universe ticket or a multi-park ticket that includes Epic Universe access.
How many rides are in Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe?
There are three rides. Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge is an AR dark ride with a 40-inch minimum, Yoshi’s Adventure is a gentle family ride at 34 inches, and Mine-Cart Madness is the Donkey Kong-themed boom coaster at 36 inches. Orlando is the only Super Nintendo World globally that opened with all three rides plus a full Donkey Kong Country section.
Do you need a Power-Up Band at Super Nintendo World?
No, a Power-Up Band is optional, but it unlocks the interactive layer that makes the land feel like a video game. The band costs around $45, syncs to the Universal Orlando app, and is required for the five Key Challenges that unlock the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown boss battle. We think it is worth it for a first visit if you have kids.
Is Mine-Cart Madness on the Express Pass?
No, Mine-Cart Madness does not currently accept Universal Express Pass. Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure both accept Express. Mine-Cart Madness regularly posts waits of 90 to 120 minutes during the day, so rope drop is the most reliable way to ride it without a long queue.
Are Mario and Luigi at Super Nintendo World?
Yes, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong all appear for meet-and-greets at Super Nintendo World. Mario and Luigi typically appear together in the centre of Super Mario Land. Donkey Kong has his own location at Donkey Kong’s Treehouse, which is his first United States meet-and-greet.
