UNIVERSAL ORLANDO REVEALS DETAILS OF SUPER NINTENDO WORLD COMING TO EPIC UNIVERSE
It's been almost five years since the world learned that a fourth theme park called Universal Epic Universe would be coming to Universal Orlando Resort.
Aside from a March 2021 update that construction on Epic Universe would resume after it was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Universal has been tight-lipped about what many believe will be one of the most immersive and exciting theme parks ever built ... until now.
On Jan. 30, Universal finally gave fans a peek inside the gates of Epic Universe, revealing the park's five lands and the magic they will hold; it included the announcement of a land called Celestial Park. Opening in 2025, Epic Universe will also feature three hotels and an entertainment center with restaurants and shops.
On March 28, Universal gave us another glimpse of what's to come and shared details of the highly anticipated "How to Train Your Dragon"-themed land, and now we have details on the third world inside Epic Universe: Super Nintendo World.
Here's everything we know so far about this epic new theme park.
Epic Universe lands and rides
Epic Universe will be home to five worlds "filled with extraordinary ... adventures that go beyond [guests'] wildest imaginations," according to a press release. Inside those lands, Epic Universe will feature more than 50 attractions, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences that come together to create an "epic" theme park experience.
Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World will take guests inside the adventures of favorite characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong, as well as not-so-favorite characters like Bowser and his minions.
Related: Complete guide to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood
Guests will enter the land through the iconic green warp pipe. Inside Super Nintendo World, guests will encounter two separate lands: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. Both lands immerse visitors into the vibrant, animated worlds of these beloved video games with interactive elements, character meet-and-greet attractions and more.
Super Mario Land will house two attractions called Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge and Yoshi's Adventure. Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge is an interactive, multisensory ride that utilizes physical set pieces and projection mapping technology to put you behind the wheel in a high-stakes Mario Kart race.
Like in the Mario Kart games you played at home, you can race through familiar courses, collect coins, throw turtle shells and fight to beat Team Bowser. Located inside Bowser's Castle, the queue is almost as exciting as the ride itself.
You must be 42 inches tall to ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge and 48 inches tall to ride without a supervising adult.
Yoshi's Adventure is a slow-moving, family-friendly ride where guests ride with Yoshis, searching for colorful, glowing eggs hidden through the Mushroom Kingdom. Along the way, you'll get breathtaking views of the land, and you may even spot a few familiar characters. Yoshi's Adventure has a minimum height requirement of 36 inches; you can ride without a supervising companion if you're at least 48 inches tall.
During your time in Super Mario Land, you can also dine on Nintendo-themed dishes at Toadstool Cafe, get an energy boost with snacks and treats from Yoshi's Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats, or shop for souvenirs at the 1-UP Factory or Mario Motors. You can also meet Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad in various spots throughout the land.
As you travel farther into the land, you'll encounter the entrance to Donkey Kong Country. This area is designed to resemble the tropical jungle landscape familiar to anyone who has played Donkey Kong video games. Donkey Kong Country will also have its own dining and merchandise inspired by the video game franchise.
There is one attraction in Donkey Kong Country called Mine-Cart Madness. This family-friendly coaster will send guests careening through the jungle on a mission to help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the prized golden banana. Mine-Cart Madness will utilize innovative technology and a one-of-a-kind ride system to mimic the maneuvers in the video game — including getting blasted out of a barrel, jumping over gaps in the track and more.
You must be 36 inches tall to ride Mine-Cart Madness or 48 inches tall to ride without a supervising companion.
Super Nintendo World is more than a place to see characters and ride attractions based on your favorite games. It is actually a real-life video game, and you are the main character.
In Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country, guests can collect digital coins, stamps and keys by riding the attractions, punching question blocks and playing interactive games called key challenges. Earn enough keys, and you can face off against Bowser Jr. in the ultimate boss battle.
To earn coins and stamps, compete in key challenges and keep score within the land, you'll need to purchase a Power-Up Band. You don't need a Power-Up Band to enjoy the land, but it is well worth the money to fully experience it. It's also fun to compete with your friends and family to see who can get the highest score.
How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk
Like the "How to Train Your Dragon" films, this land will allow you to fly with, befriend and live among dragons. The land itself will be an authentic recreation of Berk, from the lush landscaping to the towering architecture with hand-carved details and maybe even a bit of fire.
There are four attractions in How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk.
Hiccup's Wing Gliders is a family-friendly roller coaster where you can fly on the back of Hiccup's latest invention, a winged flying machine that looks like a friendly dragon. The coaster will take you soaring through and around the land, reaching speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
This attraction will have a minimum height requirement of 40 inches.
On Fyre Drill, Vikings of all ages must compete to out-soak each other during a fun-filled boat battle.
Guests will shoot water cannons at flamelike targets to master the skill of putting out the fires that tend to pop up when you cohabitate with dragons. A word of warning: Be prepared to get wet on this one.
The plan is to make this attraction appropriate for guests of all ages, and it won't have a minimum height requirement.
Think of Dragon Racer's Rally as a training ground for your next dragon race. On this high-flying attraction, you will swoop and soar up to 67 feet in the air. The ride can be as gentle or intense as you prefer; each rider will have the ability to control how often you spin upside down as you fly. This attraction will have a minimum height requirement of 48 inches.
Viking Training Camp is a training ground for even the youngest Vikings, with opportunities to climb, slide and explore as they hone their skills. A Viking agility course and a Toothless-themed teeter-totter are just a couple of the things kids will find inside.
Guests will also have plenty of opportunities to interact with dragons.
There will be meet-and-greets with Hiccup and Toothless, though Universal has also teased you may see other dragons and Vikings roaming the land, too. You can also see Toothless and his dragon friends at "The Untrainable Dragon" stage show.
The show will feature music, storytelling and life-size dragons soaring through the sky.
Dragon training can be hungry work, so the land will also feature Berk's finest dining establishments. Mead Hall is set to be the primary restaurant, themed to Berk's main gathering hall. Dishes will feature a variety of meats, fish, sandwiches and more, and the beverages offerings will feature Vikinig-favorite meads and ciders.
Guests can also pick up quick bites and drinks at Spit Fyre Grill and Hooligan's Grog & Gruel.
For a sneak peek at the Viking adventures that await you inside this land, Universal shared an animated fly-through of How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk on YouTube.
Celestial Park
Celestial Park will be the first world guests encounter as they enter Universal Epic Universe. This astronomy-themed area will have ample green spaces and fountains for guests who want to relax as well as day-to-night entertainment. Such entertainment includes mystical fountain shows and three attractions ranging from family-friendly to faster-than-fast.
Starfall Racers is being touted as Epic Universe's most thrilling coaster. This dual-launch coaster can reach speeds of up to 62 mph and heights of up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track.
Guests who prefer to go at a slower pace can hop aboard the Constellation Carousel, a constellation-themed ride with vehicles that gently glide back and forth and make 360-degree rotations.
Celestial Park will also have an interactive water play area called Astronomica and multiple dining outlets.
Options include Atlantic, a full-service "surf and turf" restaurant set inside a large Victorian-style aquarium and The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant serving Chinese, Japanese and Thai fare.
At the Oak & Star Tavern, guests can find barbecue; meanwhile, Pizza Moon serves, as you may have guessed, pizza.
You'll also be able to shop for snacks and desserts at Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets, and for merchandise — including items themed to the park's other lands — at shops like the Nintendo Super Star Store.
Celestial Park will also serve as a gateway to the park's other four worlds, which guests will enter through majestic themed portals.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic
When Universal set out to build a fourth park, it searched for ways to bring more "Harry Potter" stories to life. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic will highlight the wizarding era of the 1920s featured in the "Fantastic Beasts" films.
You can expect to see iconic destinations from the films, including Paris and the British Ministry of Magic. Universal hasn't revealed any details other than that the land will feature one ride.
Dark Universe
Universal's annual Halloween Horror Nights gets more popular every year, and ran last year for a record-breaking 48 nights.
Now, guests won't have to wait for fall to get their fill of all things spooky. Dark Universe will be a land where Universal's classic monsters are reimagined with the mysterious Dr. Victoria Frankenstein at the helm.
Epic Universe hotels
Late last year, we got a look at two of the three hotels coming to Universal Epic Universe.
Adjacent to the new park, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will each have 750 guest rooms, outdoor pools and quick-service dining options similar to Universal's other Prime Value category hotels like Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
Universal has also released information and artwork for a third hotel called Universal Helios Grand Hotel. This hotel will be inside Epic Universe at the end of Celestial Park and will have its own dedicated entrance.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel will have 500 guest rooms and "one-of-a-kind" views "designed to transport guests to a world where the heavens and earth unite," according to a Universal press release.
Epic Universe map
If you want to get an idea of the park's layout, Universal also released a map of Epic Universe with each land labeled accordingly.
As you can see, Celestial Park is at the main entrance to the park, with Universal Helios Grand Hotel at the back of the land. From Celestial Park, you can enter portals to the other four lands.
When does Epic Universe open?
Epic Universe is scheduled to open in 2025.
Where is Epic Universe?
Epic Universe will be on a 750-acre tract of land near Universal's current parks.
Epic Universe will be about 3 miles down the road from the rest of Universal Orlando. The resort will provide complimentary shuttle service between Epic Universe (and its hotels) and the rest of Universal Orlando Resort.
Bottom line
It's hard to describe Universal Epic Universe without saying it will be ... epic. While many theme parks have immersive lands and attractions, we have yet to see a theme park of this scale with this groundbreaking level of detail and immersion.
Related: How Universal is stepping out of the mouse's shadow to become the hottest theme park
Universal Epic Universe will cement Universal Orlando as a weeklong theme park vacation destination. From the resort's recent additions like Minion Land and the upcoming Dreamworks-themed land to the new experiences coming to Epic Universe, Universal Orlando will truly have something for everyone.
If next year feels like a lifetime to wait, Universal plans to open an interactive Epic Universe preview center later this year at the CityWalk area just outside the parks.
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.