Universal Studios Hollywood: Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World is the latest immersive land at Universal Studios Hollywood. Opening in 2023, this life-sized video game world has a nostalgic appeal for adults and offers fun interactive games that can keep our kids entertained all day. If Super Nintendo World is a priority for your family, this blog will help you plan your perfect day!
Is Early Entry Worth it at Universal Studios?
Like planning any vacation, we decided our priority was Super Nintendo World. Knowing that we would likely spend the most time there, we wanted to make sure we could do everything we wanted, which is why we got the Early Entry Pass.
Early Access Ticket
Each person in your family will have a QR code to scan into the gate.
As a Walt Disney World family, we got the power-up bands, and since we were told that they are universal and will work at any Super Nintendo World and store all our points. We can use them again once the largest Super Nintendo World opens in Orlando.
As I stated before, we did not get the express pass because it is so expensive, and we did not think we would need it for the rides. We also were with three families and knew we could divide and conquer any rides people wanted. We all paid for early entry, but the other two families ran late, so we went ahead. We wanted to take advantage of the chance to get on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge early in the day.
We didn't encounter any crowds since we arrived early. We took a 15-minute walk to Universal through CityWalk and even got a cute photo op. Our early entry allowed us to do most of our waiting at the beginning of the day before the park was open to the public. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge consistently had a wait time of 75-90 minutes all day. When factoring in the time of getting there early, waiting before the park opened, and the time spent in line, we probably waited for that long. The advantage was that the kids were fresh and not tired or anxious, and we didn't waste precious park time in the middle of the day.
I should also warn you that there are 4 giant escalators that you will take down to Super Nintendo World. It is hard to comprehend how giant these escalators are until you see them.
Should You Get a Power Up Band at Universal Studios?
The Power-Up Band is more than just a souvenir, honestly, it's an essential part of the Super Nintendo World experience. I am so happy that I got a power up band for everyone in my family.
Here's why you should consider getting one:
Interactive Gameplay: The Power-Up Band allows you to participate in interactive challenges throughout the land. From hitting Question Blocks to playing mini-games, the band brings the world of Mario to life by making you an active participant in the adventure. Hitting the Question Blocks all over Super Nintendo Land was literally my kids' favorite thing.
Collect Digital Coins: As you explore Super Nintendo World, your Power-Up Band lets you collect digital coins, just like in the Mario games. These coins are tracked in the Universal Studios app, adding a fun and competitive element to your visit. These coins are yours for the band's life and can be used in ANY Super Nintendo World.
Unlock Key Challenges: The band is your key to accessing special challenges and games scattered around the land. Completing these challenges and collecting keys can lead to an epic final battle with Bowser Jr., offering a unique and rewarding experience. Once you have these keys, you will have them for the life of the band. Therefore, if you come back to visit the same part, you can already enter Bowser Jr's Challenge.
Sync with the Universal Studios App: By syncing your Power-Up Band with the app, you can track your progress, see how many coins you've collected, and monitor your performance in various challenges. It also keeps you connected to the land, even after you leave.
Character Interactions: Each Power-Up Band represents a different character, such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toadstool, Daisy or Yoshi. While we were there, there was a golden Mario bracelet that my husband could not resist getting for himself, and I've already seen that the new Super Nintendo World in Orlando will be adding two additional Donkey Kong Kingdom Bands.
Collectible Souvenir: The Power-Up Band serves as a wearable keepsake, commemorating your adventure in Super Nintendo World even after your visit, with its durable design and iconic character branding, making it a fantastic memento.
Where do you buy the Power-Up Bands?
You can purchase Power-Up Bands at several locations within Universal Studios Hollywood, particularly within Super Nintendo World. Here are the main spots where you can find them:
1-Up Factory:
This is the primary gift shop inside Super Nintendo World, located near the entrance of the land. Here, you’ll find a wide selection of Power-Up Bands, along with other themed merchandise.Super Nintendo World Kiosks:
There are small kiosks scattered throughout Super Nintendo World that sell Power-Up Bands. These are convenient if you want to grab a band quickly before diving into the attractions.Universal Studios Super Nintendo Store:
You might also find Power-Up Bands in the general Universal Studios stores located in other parts of the park, including near the entrance.
I highly recommend purchasing your Power-Up Bands before going to Super Nintendo World so you can set them up. It's not hard to set up, but it does take time if you have six people like I do. You can always get them in the morning because Super Nintendo World, the store located in CityWalk, was open during early entry when we went to the park in June of 2024. But if you are worried that may not be the case for you, I would go the night before. That's what we did, and it was nice to be fully prepared. Buying a Power-Up Band early in your visit ensures you can fully enjoy all the interactive elements of Super Nintendo World from the moment you step inside. The Power-Up Band is a gateway to deeper engagement with Super Nintendo World, making your day at Universal Studios Hollywood even more magical.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Once we got into the park, there was a rope right where the shops started. We were next to Hollywood & Dine. Then, they slowly started walking us to the escalators. I was not prepared for the amount of walking we would have to do in the morning. To get down to Super Nintendo World, you will take four giant escalators or the stairs. My family and I took the stairs. Did it save us time? Probably only 5 minutes. Was that 5 minutes worth it? No, I should have just taken the escalator. Haha! It was so much walking, and then we finally got to the entrance of Super Nintendo World, and it was on. We all Olympic race - walked right into the queue!
And then…the ride broke down. For the love, of course, it would go down. But then this ended up working in our favor. As the park's opening time approached, they started announcing that they were unsure when the ride would come back up. They suggested that if we wanted to enjoy the park, we could get out of line. There were numerous games around the park with wait times, so we could have spent our time there. We decided to wait it out. Just as we were about to hit the one-hour mark in line, they came through and handed us ALL express pass tickets. Incidentally, about 15 minutes before this, my husband had to leave the line to take our youngest to the bathroom. I didn't know they gave him two express pass tickets at the ride's entrance, so we ended up with eight express pass tickets. We decided to wait in line until my husband and youngest returned, and then we would determine if we still wanted to stay. As soon as they returned, the ride started working again. We got to keep the express passes and got on the ride that morning.
On the left you can see that way the track looks without the glasses, on the right side is underneath the 3D glasses.
What you need to know about Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge
Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge is a family-friendly ride with a minimum height requirement of 40 inches (102 cm). Children measuring between 40-48 inches (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion aged 14 or older. There's also a test seat near the Single Riders entrance, so you can check if the safety belt fits properly by pulling the lap band down until it turns green.
It's good to know that the back seat of the ride has more legroom and is better suited for larger individuals compared to the front seat. If the test seat feels snug, consider trying the back seat when boarding the ride.
There is Rider Swap available for this ride, and I love that universal allows families to wait in line together.
The ride itself is a 3D simulator. You will be given a Mario Visor Hat to wear, which has glasses with small screens that add 3D elements while playing the game. Make sure to fasten your visor using the knob on the back securely. This is especially important after adding the shield onto the visor, which adds weight to the front. It is interactive, so be sure to tap your Power-Up Band on the "M" on the steering wheel in front of you before the ride begins, so that it can keep track of all your points.
If you want to maximize your points or if you come from a super-competitive family like mine, here are some tips on what to do. When on the ride, turn or move your head to look at your targets. No matter which way the vehicle faces, you will shoot in the same direction you look towards. Steer towards the arrows to collect more coins. You will only get points for shooting Team Bowser, so do not shoot Team Mario.
The ride last about 5 minutes.
How does Child Swap for Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge?
Most Universal rides have a designated waiting area for child swap, but Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge does not. After going through the entire queue, they take us through an exit door and give us express passes. I received two extra express passes so that someone could ride with me. This is different from other Universal rides, where you can ride with all your kids who have gotten off the ride while you were waiting in the child swap room. I'm unsure if this is a change throughout the park or just for Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge due to its popularity.
I exited the park, and at that time, my sister's family and the other family had arrived, so I met up with them, and we got pictures with Mario and Luigi while the rest of my family was on the ride. Fortunately, because of the number of express passes we received, they could still go on Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge without waiting because we allowed them to use our passes. As a result, my kids got to ride twice on this super popular ride, and two of then rode 3 times!
Is there single rider for Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge?
Yes, there is a single rider line, but if you are with a group, expect to be split up. A father and son duo tried to go through the single rider line together and caused a commotion when they were told they couldn't ride together. This caused a disruption, and part of the line had to be shut down. It was frustrating for the rest of us, who were ready to board but couldn't move forward. The single-rider line is meant to fill empty seats, and while it's usually a shorter line, it's important to remember that you won't be able to ride with your party.
Toadstool Cafe
Toadstool Cafe is the perfect way to continue your immersive experience in Super Nintendo World. Locted in teh heart of Super Nintendo World, this adorable mushroom themed cafe is filled with colorful décor, featuring elements from the Super Mario games, including a kitchen run by Chef Toad. We decided that we were going to eat and try as much as possible. I even opted to get the cute little souvenir cups because I told my kids we are all in on this experience. Just like any other popular dining reservation in the theme park, it can be difficult to get, but let me give you some tips!
There are two opportunities each day to book a seat at Toadstool Cafe. You can only make a reservation on the same day you visit; there is no way to have an advance reservation. There are QR codes for joining the waitlist in the park, and those QR codes lead to a link. I saved the link, and I will share it with you. We were told the link goes live at the beginning of early entry and ride when the park officially opens. For whatever reason, we could not get the link at the first opening, but we did it at park opening, which happened to be at 9 am that day, and we could snag enough reservations for our party of 13. Since we did Early Access and ate breakfast before we left the hotel to get to the park, which was about a 35-minute drive, we decided that 11:30 was a good time for lunch because we would all be hungry by then.
Here is the link we used to book our reservation: Toadstool Cafe Reservation Link
If you do not get into the virtual queue, do not worry. Sometimes, reservations open up during the day. On our second visit to Toadstool Cafe, they had a sign outside saying that reservations were open and you could scan the QR code to get a reservation. My son had lost his Mario hat from his sandwich, but they were so strict that I could not return and ask for another. I made another reservation and was able to go in and ask, and they were kind enough to give me more than just the Mario cap.
Menu Highlights:
Mario Burger: A juicy burger topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a special mushroom sauce, served with fries.
Luigi Pesto Chicken Burger: Grilled chicken breast with pesto sauce, mozzarella, and arugula on a green bun, served with fries.
Super Mushroom Soup: A hearty mushroom soup served in a Super Mushroom-shaped bowl, perfect for a cozy meal.
Piranha Plant Caprese: A refreshing salad featuring mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, arranged to look like a Piranha Plant.
Block Tiramisu: A delightful tiramisu dessert shaped like a Question Block, with layers of coffee-soaked sponge and mascarpone.
Princess Peach Cupcake: A sweet cupcake adorned with pink frosting and a crown, inspired by Princess Peach.
1-Up Mushroom Soda: A fun and fizzy green apple soda served in a collectible mushroom-shaped cup.
At Toadstool Cafe, you can enjoy a unique blend of themed dishes that not only satisfy your taste buds but also immerse you in the enchanting world of Mario and friends. We had a blast and we cannot wait to go back!
What are the Key Challenges?
The key challenges involve Mario-themed games throughout Super Nintendo World. To unlock access to the final challenge, which is entering Bowser Jr.'s castle, you need to beat three levels just like in a video game. You must have a power-up band for this activity. If you're a parent with small children and don't want to participate, you don't need to have a band to enter the castle with them, but it's a lot of fun to do it with the kids so I encourage it. There are four main key challenges in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. But you only need three keys necessary for unlocking the final challenge against Bowser Jr. in his castle and retrieving the Golden Mushroom. In lay terms - the only way to enter the castle is to get 3 of the 4 keys available in the games. And the castle is worth it.
Piranha Plant Nap Mishap
The most fun key challenge and the longest line out of all the challenges was Piranaha Plant Nap Mishap. The kids waited about 30 minutes in line to do it. Several alarm clocks start ringing as soon as you start, and you wake up the giant Piranha Plant. The goal is for the players to turn off all the alarm clocks so the Piranha Plant goes back to sleep. It's much easier to play as a team. We had five kids playing the game together, and they did awesome. But you can play this solo, and I have seen a person dominate it solo so that it can be done. Just have your running shoes on!
Koopa Troopa POWer Punch
This level is all about timing. You have to punch the red POW Block at just the right moment so a spinning green shell bursts through the upper pipe exit, hitting the POW Block. The team members does assist kids by telling them when to hit it. However, if you're playing solo as an adult, you won't receive any help. You may find it challenging without assistance, but I'm sure that if you asked after multiple attempts, they would help you out.
Goomba Crazy Crank
You're up against a Goomba! This challenge is pretty straightforward, but it takes arm power. You have to do it yourself, so if the kids can't get it, put their bracelet on and do it for them. My youngest, barely four then, had to do it herself. My husband had to do it for her to ensure she got her final key, and my older three could do it.
Thwomp Panel Panic
In this challenge, coordination and teamwork are essential. Players must tap the blocks on the screen to change them from blue to all yellow or from yellow to all blue before the Thwomp strikes down and mixes everything up again. Deciding on the color you want to make the board BEFORE starting the challenge is important.
Pro tip: When you flip a panel with a red arrow, the adjacent panel will also flip. Therefore, the order of flipping is critical!
Bowser Jr.'s Castle: Everything You Need to Know
Bowser Jr.'s Castle is one of the most exciting and interactive experiences at Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Hollywood. This attraction is the culmination of your journey through the land, where you get to engage in a final showdown with Bowser Jr.
What is Bowser Jr.’s Castle?
After completing various key challenges throughout the land, guests are invited to the castle to face Bowser Jr. in a thrilling boss battle. This experience combines physical activity, augmented reality, and immersive storytelling, making it a highlight for many visitors.
The Bowser Jr.'s Castle Experience
Entering the Castle:
The castle itself is an impressive structure, designed with dark, foreboding architecture that perfectly matches Bowser Jr.'s mischievous nature. Inside, you'll find a mix of physical sets and digital elements that set the stage for the final battle.
The Final Showdown:
Once inside, you and the other guests will face Bowser Jr. in an epic boss battle. This part of the experience is interactive, requiring you to move, jump, and use your Power-Up Band to defeat Bowser Jr. It's a dynamic and physically engaging experience that immerses you in the Mario universe.
"he battle requires teamwork, as you'll need to collaborate with other guests to outsmart Bowser Jr. and his challenges. It was so much fun working with all family members to complete this challenge. My toddler was scared and started holding my leg. You are assigned to specific spots on the ground that are assigned to you.
Victory Celebration:
After defeating Bowser Jr., a victory celebration awaits you, complete with cheers and a digital reward reflecting your in-game achievements, offering a fun and satisfying conclusion to your adventure in Super Nintendo World.
Character Meet and Greets in Super Nintendo World
Mario and Luigi: These iconic brothers always greet guests with their signature enthusiasm. Dressed in their classic overalls, Mario in red and Luigi in green, we met them by getting in line right when the park opened. They often appear together, providing an excellent opportunity for a group photo. Usually found in the center of the Mushroom Kingdom, these iconic plumbers also have pre-recorded conversations.
Princess Peach: The ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach, is a popular character for meet-and-greets. She is perfect for a royal photo with her pink gown and kind demeanor. She often interacts with guests, asking about their adventures in her kingdom. Her line was very long, so as soon as you see her walking out, hop in line and talk to a team member about when her character rotation will begin. One of the most common spots to find her is in the gazebo near Peach's Castle.
Toad: While not always available for meet-and-greets, when Toad does make an appearance, it's a special treat. This lovable character, known for his loyalty to Princess Peach, adds an extra dose of charm to your Super Nintendo World experience.
Roaming the Land: Occasionally, you might spot characters wandering around Super Nintendo World, interacting with guests in a more spontaneous setting. This is a great chance for candid photos and surprise encounters.
Tips for Meeting the Characters:
Check the Universal Studios App: The Universal Studios app often lists the times and locations for character meet-and-greets. This is the best way to plan your day and ensure you don't miss out on seeing your favorite characters. However, from our experience, it was never really accurate. Asking a Team Member gave us a better idea of the time.
Arrive Early: Character meet and greets can be popular, so arriving early in the day or at the start of a scheduled session can help you avoid long lines.
Have Your Camera Ready: Whether you're using a phone or a professional camera, ensure it's ready to go when approaching the characters.
Wear Themed Apparel: Wearing Mario-themed clothing or accessories can make your photos even more special and might get a fun reaction from the characters!
If you want more tips on how to help your child interact with characters, read my blog on preparing toddlers for character meet and greets.
What to do with Littles!
Before you enter Super Nintendo World you will have to park your stroller. There are no strollers inside of the space. Stroller Parking: Super Nintendo World has designated stroller parking areas where you can safely leave your stroller while exploring the attractions with your toddler.They may not be able to ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, but you can still keep them entertained in Super Nintendo World. Meeting characters was the highlight of their day. They also played in all the interactive games, and there were plenty of seating areas. They were jumping off the mushrooms, which I'm pretty sure is not allowed, but they loved dancing on them anyway. I wish we had the Yoshi ride like they do in Japan, which is a toddler-friendly ride, but Super Nintendo World in Orlando has confirmed they will have that ride. The little ones had a blast going through the land but were a little scared in Bowser's castle, so don't be surprised if they want to be held or carried the whole time. If you need a companion restrooms they have one there, making it easy to take littles.
How we planned our day and Tips for a great day!
1. If you're not using the Express Pass, invest in early entry at $30 per person.
2. Prioritize riding Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge first thing in the morning to avoid long wait times or just trying to get it done why you still feel up to waiting. It was 75 minutes all day long.
3. Secure a reservation for Toadstool Cafe by joining the virtual queue.
4. Allow your kids plenty of time to enjoy the games in the area.
5. When playing the power-up games, make sure to tap your bands to collect the keys.
6. Complete the final battle at Bowser Jr. Castle together. It's so much fun!
I hope this helped you get a solid overview of our time at Universal Studios Super Nintendo World. Make sure to ask any questions you have in the comments below!
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