Super Nintendo World

Your Keys to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood

The long awaited Super Nintendo World is finally open at Universal Studios Hollywood. This exciting new land brings the world of the Mario Brothers to life with interactive elements, thrilling attractions, and beloved characters from some of your favorite games. Here’s an overview of our favorite features of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood, along with some tips to make the most of your visit.

Things To Know Before You Go

Super Nintendo World is located within Universal Studios Hollywood and requires a valid park admission ticket. The land is located in the lower studio lot, between Jurassic World and Transformers:The Ride-3D. On especially busy days, guests may need to enter a virtual queue for entry into the land. When required, this option can be found in the “Virtual Line” section of the Universal Studios app. Guests who have purchased Universal Express tickets get a guaranteed virtual line reservation for the land. Express Pass does not currently work for the Mario Kart:Bowser’s Challenge attraction, although guests who purchase a VIP Experience package do get priority Express access to the attraction.

To experience the interactive elements of the land, you’ll need to purchase a Power Up Band. The bands available in designs inspired by your favorite Mario characters. They can be purchased from Universal Studios stores and Super Nintendo World gift shops around the theme park and City Walk, and cost $40. The Power Up Band allows guests to play games around the land, interact with special elements like ? blocks, and even unlock easter eggs hidden throughout the world.

Early Access Passes are available to purchase to let you get into the land before the park opens to the general public. Available for $20-$25 per person, this pass lets you into the land one hour before park opening. The number of passes sold is strictly limited, so you have plenty of time to ride, play, and snack before the land fills up and lines get long. This is an add on to your theme park ticket. Regular theme park admission is required to purchase the Early Access Pass.

Attractions in Super Nintendo World

There’s only one ride attraction within the land- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. This state of the art dark ride lets guests take the wheel and navigate more than 10 of their favorite tracks from the Mario Kart series of games. Along the way, augmented reality Mario Hats allow you to grab coins and toss weapons at enemy drivers, just like in the game. Make sure to tap your Power Band on the steering wheel before the ride starts for bonus coins!

Although there’s only one ride, the whole land is an attraction! Your power bands allow you to collect coins at ? blocks, which contribute to your personal score, and the score of your team (determined by which power band you select). They also help unlock achievements. Your score and achievements can be check on a scoreboard inside the land, or in the Super Nintendo World area of your Universal Studios app.

Located around the land are a series of 4 games that require a power band to participate. Some of these games are solo experiences, and others require team work. When you beat the games, you are awarded keys. Collect 3 keys to unlock the chance to take on Bowser Junior in a special immersive game to rescue the Golden Mushroom! These games are all replayable. The first time through will be on “easy” difficulty mode, but each time you beat them, you level up to harder modes.

Characters Meet and Greets

You can meet and have photos taken with Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach in spots around the Mushroom Kingdom. Make sure you tap your Power Band when you find them to unlock stamps for your album. The characters  talk to guests, and might comment on your activities around the land, or even wish you a happy birthday!

Food In The Mushroom Kingdom

Inside the Mushroom Kingdom you’ll find Toadstool Cafe, a fun and immersive quick service restaurant. The cafe is open during park hours, but is incredibly popular. To avoid waiting an hour or more in line to get a seat, it’s important to join the virtual walk-up reservation line. To do this, look for the QR code on the menu board outside the restaurant. Be aware-as we said the cafe is incredibly popular, and seating is limited. Make sure you scan in early for the virtual reservation line, it fills up early in the day.

The food at Toadstool Cafe is delicious, fun, and totally Instagram ready. All the dishes look like they came straight from the Mushroom Kingdom, and are heavily inspired by the Mario Bros Italian heritage. The Fire Flower Spaghetti & Meatballs, ? Block Tiramisu, and Super Star Lemon Squash were big hits when we visited. Check out the Universal CA app for the complete menu.

Outside the land, next to Isla Nu Bar, is the Super Nintendo World Snack Stand, which features popcorn (and those Mario Kart and Super Star popcorn buckets the internet is crazy for), fountain drinks (available in regular cups or Super Mushroom and 1-Up Mushroom sippers), and fun Fruity Cream Sodas inspired by Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach.

Ready to visit Super Nintendo World?

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