SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ is officially open, so GAME ON! This is an all-new, visually spectacular land, located within an expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood bringing to life a new genre of highly immersive, next level interactive theme park entertainment. Within the vibrancy of colors and architectural ingenuity, the land features the groundbreaking “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, as well as many interactive activities to engage the entire family with. Sounds amazing right? We agree!
From the moment you pass through the iconic green pipe, an adventure awaits that is unlike anything one has ever experienced.
So what can you expect? Here is SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ at a glance:
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge”: This all-new, technologically advanced ride, inspired by the popular Mario Kart™ video game series, seamlessly fuses cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) with projection mapping technology and actual set pieces along a moving ride track. Set against a multi-sensory backdrop of color, sound and movement, guests are seated in stadium-style, four-seat vehicles as they navigate familiar courses through the creative use and integration of head mounted AR goggles. As part of Team Mario, you steer through underwater courses and courses in the clouds to compete for the Golden Cup while collecting digital coins to defeat Team Bowser and win. “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” raises the stakes as an intriguing and repeatable ride with a variety of outcomes.
Toadstool Cafe™: The land’s signature restaurant, which serves a delicious menu perfected by Chef Toad where he greets you upon entry. Indulge in tasty dishes prepared fresh daily while watching playful scenery of the Mushroom Kingdom through the windows. Menu items include Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Mario Bacon Cheeseburger, Luigi Pesto Chicken Burger, ? Block Tiramisu and Princess Peach Cupcake. Chef Toad’s menu even offers gluten-free and vegetarian options. You can explore the menu more here.
Bowser’s Castle: This structure serves as a key centerpiece of the land and home to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD’s signature ride, “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.” As you navigate the corridors and pass through the hall of medallions and trophies of the ominous castle towards the ride, you will learn more about Bowser’s calculated plans to defeat Team Mario for the coveted Golden Cup.
Power-Up Band™: These wearable, state-of-the-art wristbands sync with the official Universal Studios Hollywood’s free downloadable app to level-up the guest experience within the land and enhance its many interactive elements. These include, but are not limited to, keeping individual and team scores, collecting digital coins and obtaining keys after winning Key Challenges throughout the land. The bands are not required, but we recommended as they deepen you to the game experience and connect you to everything all the time. It enables you to fully connect with everything to the point where when you speak with the meet-and-greet characters like Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach, they will know what your score is. Everything is interconnected, pretty amazing right? When riding “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge,” you are encouraged to tap your Power-Up Band on the ride vehicle’s steering wheel. By doing so, you can track digital coins collected as well as gauge your ranking against friends and family, when synced to the app. The Power-Up Band will enable you to enjoy “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” over and over again in an attempt to beat your best scores. Power-Up Bands are available in six design options with character themes including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Daisy and Toad. Regardless of the character design, Power-Up Bands cost $40 each plus tax and can be purchased both within the land and at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD retail shops located within the theme park and on Universal CityWalk Hollywood. To activate your band, you use the Universal Studios Hollywood app to scan the QR code on the backside of your slap band. Just click the Super Nintendo World link on the app's home page to start, then follow the instructions.
Interactive Gameplay: Within the land, you can enjoy many interactive areas, including punching ? Blocks to collect digital coins. You will be taken to a while new level of immersion with mixed-reality Binoculars, which will let you see additional characters around the land and even interact with the video game world. In addition, you can collect keys after winning the Key Challenges from Goomba Crazy Crank, Koopa Troopa POWer Punch, Piranha Plant Nap Mishap and Thwomp Panel Panic. Collecting at least three keys will provide the chance to confront Bowser Jr. to recover the stolen Golden Mushroom in a final Shadow Showdown. A Power-Up Band is required to participate in Power-Up Band™ Key Challenges.
Mount Beanpole: This towering landmark sits at the heart of the land and also serves as the entry queue for “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.”
1-UP Factory: There is no better way to commemorate your visit than with a stop to the 1-UP Factory retail shop to purchase collectable memorabilia. The 1-UP Factory offers an extensive selection of merchandise from Mario and Luigi themed apparel to iconic character hats and an array of plush characters, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi and Bowser.
With guests enthusiastically waiting for opening day to arrive, don't plan on just walking up to this new theme park land - you'll NEED to do some advanced planning before riding Mario Kart, meeting Princess Peach and eating everything at Toadstool Cafe. This is where Castle Coaches Travel comes in.
Things to keep in mind: When the land hits capacity (which it can and absolutely will at times) you will need to join a Virtual Line to return later that day. Currently you can also purchase an Early Access Ticket in addition to your theme park admission, which gives you a head start on your day one hour before the theme park opens.
Now for the real important stuff, how to actually get INSIDE the land. Below are the options, all which your Castle Coaches Travel agent can assist with.
1. With Regular Theme Park Admission
You can enter SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ at any time, unless it's at capacity. When it is, you'll need a Virtual Line Reservation to return at a later time. Don't worry, this comes at no additional cost to you. Join the Virtual Line once you enter the park in the Universal Studios Hollywood app or at kiosks near the land entrance. This can only be done same day of park admission, once you have entered the park. The app is the easier option and our recommendation.
You are able to check if a Virtual Line is required in the app at any time.
2. With The Early Access Ticket Add-On Universal currently sells a ticket add-on that grants entry into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ one hour before park opening. Price is date based and starts at $20. This add-on is bought in advance online and has limited availability. It also comes with one-time express access to the famous Studio Tour before 11am. Unfortunately, early entry does not allow for re-entry, so experiencing the studio Tour before 11am would mess with any lunch plans in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™.
3. With Universal Express Pass
Let's first start off explaining what Universal Express Pass is. The Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass allows you to bypass the regular lines one time per participating rides, attractions and shows. It also gets you priority seating at shows. We still recommend arriving early to access this seating before other guests enter the stadium. Wait times for rides can quickly go up to an hour+ during weekends, public holidays, and school breaks. The Universal Express Pass is one of two ways to avoid these lines. Universal Express also grants one-time, reservation-free entry to Super Nintendo World when a Virtual Line is required, one-time express access is NOT offered for Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge however. If you're trying to do all of Universal Studios Hollywood in one day, plus spend a good amount of time exploring and playing in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™, this is worth the small upgrade price and a must have in our book. Even on a slower day, we would still never enjoy the park without Universal Express Pass. Less time in lines, means more time for fun. PLUS Universal Express Pass includes your park admission, which makes this option a no brainer.
4. With a VIP Experience Tour
The VIP Experience is the most exclusive way to go behind the scenes at the world’s largest movie studio and Theme ParkUniversal. VIP Experiences are well worth the price and are one of the best ways to spend a stress-free day while visiting a theme park. Many perks are included with the per person cost including starting the day in the exclusive VIP lounge with light snacks and refreshments, a gourmet meal in their private VIP dining room, unlimited Universal Express access to all participating rides and priority seating for select shows, complimentary valet parking and VIP entry to the Park and backstage access to the famous Studio Tour. This all sounds amazing on it's own, but key point....currently it is the ONLY way way to experience SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ without a reservation (when required) and waiting standby for Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge. Yes, you heard that right! The VIP Experience is a per person cost and while pricing is date based, it is often not too much more than Universal Express.
All this is a lot right?!? Together, with your Castle Coaches Travel agent, you can decide which is the best fit for your family and needs. Prior to your trip, your Castle Coach will provide a recommended itinerary, go over the app, give tips & tricks and so much more. He or she will also be available during your trip for any assistance or to answer questions. If you are ready to begin planning your Universal Hollywood vacation, reach out to a Castle Coach today!
