Super Nintendo World construction update at Epic Universe theme park
There are a lot of rumors swirling around about Universal Orlando’s upcoming Epic Universe theme park, but one thing we know for sure is this third theme park at Universal Orlando Resort will be home to the third Super Nintendo World. Thanks to @biorecontruct on Twitter, we can see how the land is coming along in this Super Nintendo World construction update.
Despite being ultra-secretive about which IPs will be represented in the new park, Universal Destinations & Experiences Chairman & CEO Mark Woodbury announced (loud and proud, I might add) at the March 2023 grand opening of the land at Universal Studios Hollywood, “Soon, we’re going to add another Super Nintendo World to Universal Orlando – the worst-kept secret in history.”
Photo by Samantha Davis-Friedman
Super Nintendo World construction update
So, with all speculation aside, let’s take a look at how the Mushroom Kingdom at Universal Epic Universe is coming along.
We know Orlando’s version of the land will be the biggest yet, with three rides: Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge (a dark ride that uses AR headsets), Yoshi’s Adventure (a slow-paced train ride), and a Donkey Kong–themed roller coaster. In the photo below, we can see the position of Super Nintendo World within Epic Universe.
Mushroom Kingdom Landmarks
Another thing we know is (like in Hollywood) Orlando’s Super Nintendo World will feature Bowser’s Castle, Peach’s Castle, and Mount Beanpole. These aerial photos give us a good look at some of those landmarks as well as the land’s attractions.
In the photos below, we can see the multi-level Mushroom Kingdom with an arrow marking the entrance to the Mario Kart ride.
Another photo (below) shows Peach’s Castle at the stairs and the wide yellow tracks for Yoshi’s Adventure.
This next photo shows construction on Mount Beanpole, along with the yellow Yoshi’s Adventure track and the dark-colored Donkey Kong roller coaster track (at the top right).
A closer look at the Donkey Kong coaster shows us features labeled by bioreconstruct as follows. Keep in mind this roller coaster will have the real track below a fake track so guests riding will feel like they’re jumping the missing parts of the (fake) track. Also notice the fake track now has “wooden” railroad ties (boards) across them in a mismatched pattern.
- Water will flow in this area.
- Work on a water-based show scene (with a gap in the track). You can also see a ride envelope test vehicle here.
- The actual sideways track here is brown, which matches the misaligned railroad ties.
- Area awaiting upcoming concrete pour.
- Sideways track is the other side of this break.
In this overview photo of the Donkey Kong coaster, an arrow marks the location where ride vehicles for Yoshi’s Adventure will be loaded.
Structural Progress
Additional photos provide information about less flashy (but equally important) projects underway in Super Nintendo World.
In this image, an arrow points to where walkway surfaces were recently completed near Peach’s Castle (bioreconstruct expects the dark area below the arrow will be surfaced next).
The buildings in the foreground of the photo below are believed to be for (everyone’s favorites) a cafe and shopping, which are technically located outside the land and therefore could be available to park guests even when the land is at capacity or closed for a private event.
The photo above also shows the iconic warp pipe entrance into the land on the left.
Photo by Samantha Davis-Friedman
When the third Super Nintendo World opens in Epic Universe, we can expect meet and greets with favorite Nintendo characters, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad.
Stay tuned for more construction updates as we get closer to the park’s 2025 opening date, and click here for updates from Universal.
