My Visits to Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe

As a longtime gamer, I was incredibly excited to finally step into Super Nintendo World at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe. My love for gaming began with Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt, so this land had a nostalgic pull. That said, I’ll be honest—it wasn’t my favorite world in Epic Universe. While stunning and immersive, I personally found it to be a bit overstimulating after multiple visits.

First Impressions & Layout

I visited Super Nintendo World several times over the course of my trip, especially when weather temporarily closed some of the rides. One of the first things I noticed was the grand entrance: a pair of escalators that take you up through Princess Peach’s Castle and onto the upper platform of Super Mario Land. From here, you’ll get a fantastic view of the entire land—including ride entrances, shops, and dining spots.

To reach Donkey Kong Country, the second area within Super Nintendo World, you’ll need to head down the stairs to the ground level and make your way to the back right corner. If you have mobility concerns, don’t worry—there’s a pathway around the right side of the escalators that brings you to the same area, and it’s wheelchair/stroller accessible. This is also where you’ll find a character meet and greet area for Mario, Luigi, and Toad.

Sensory Note

As I mentioned, Super Nintendo World can feel a little overwhelming, especially after multiple visits. There’s a constant barrage of motion, bright visuals, and sound effects, all designed to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a video game. While awe-inspiring at first, it can become a sensory overload over time. I even noticed a few guests wearing noise-reducing headphones, something I didn’t see as frequently in other lands.

That said—don’t let this discourage you! The level of theming and interactivity here is next-level, and I highly recommend checking it out.

Power-Up Bands: Your Key to Interactivity

One of the major features of this land is the Power-Up Band—a $45 USD accessory (plus tax) that unlocks interactive experiences throughout Super Nintendo World. Think of it like a game controller for real life.

You’ll use it to collect digital coins, participate in interactive games, and unlock Bowser Jr.’s Shadow Showdown by gathering keys throughout the land. I also learned from a team member that you can sync the band with your Nintendo Switch for bonus content and achievements, which is a super cool feature for fans at home.

Rides in Super Mario Land

There are three main rides in Super Nintendo World, and I got to experience two of them:

🐣 Yoshi’s Adventure™

This is a gentle, family-friendly omnimover ride themed around everyone’s favorite dinosaur. Guests ride on colorful Yoshi cars and search for glowing eggs throughout the Mushroom Kingdom. You’ll press matching colored buttons in your car when you spot each egg—three in total. At the end, if you’ve matched everything correctly, you’ll unlock a fun “golden egg” bonus visual in your vehicle.

While there’s no physical prize, it’s a great interactive game for younger kids (and fun for nostalgic adults too).

🏁 Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge

I wasn’t sure how I’d do on this one, given that screen-based rides usually mess with my equilibrium—but I was pleasantly surprised! This ride blends practical sets, seamless motion, and a visor-based augmented reality game.

The queue experience includes getting your “Mario hat,” which clicks into a visor for the 3D portion. There are four seats per vehicle—two in front, two slightly elevated behind for a better view.

During the ride, you’ll shoot shells at enemies, collect coins, and compete in a high-speed race through iconic Mario Kart tracks. The interactivity was smooth, and I didn’t feel disoriented at all. In fact, I was so focused on collecting coins, I didn’t even notice much of the physical set! It’s a ride I’d absolutely do again.

🎢 Mine-Cart Madness™ (Next Time!)

I skipped Mine-Cart Madness™ this time—for two reasons. One: I promised my husband I’d wait to ride it with him, and two: it looks wild! After walking 20,000 steps that day, I didn’t think my body would thank me for a high-speed, jump-track finale. But trust me—I’ll be ready for it on my next visit!

Food in Super Mario Land

I didn’t eat in this land (I was saving space for other park goodies), but here are the main food options:

• Toadstool Cafe™ – Quick service with whimsical Mushroom Kingdom views.

• Yoshi’s Snack Island™ – Juices and fruit-based treats near Mount Beanpole.

• Turbo Boost Treats – Mario Kart-themed snacks and drinks.
  

Donkey Kong Country: Chill Vibes & Jungle Fun

Donkey Kong Country was more my speed when it came to immersion. It’s less overwhelming and features some really fun interactive games—especially the bongo stations. If all three bongo players hit their beats in sync, Rambi the Rhino bursts from the crate in a fun animated reveal. It took a few tries, but once we got it right (with some help from a team member), it was totally worth it.

Donkey Kong Country Eats

There’s only one food spot here: The Bubbly Barrel, home to the viral DK Crush Float—a banana-pineapple float topped with caramel popcorn and toffee in a souvenir barrel mug. I didn’t try it, but it looked delicious and makes for a great photo op!

Shopping & Souvenirs

This is the place for Super Mario merch. From bookmarks to clothing, plushies, pillows, and magnets, there’s something for everyone. If you're a Nintendo fan, prepare your wallet.

Characters to Meet

You’ll find Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad in Super Mario Land, and Donkey Kong near The Bubbly Barrel in Donkey Kong Country. The character interactions are charming and worth the wait!

Final Thoughts

Even though I had a few personal reservations about sensory overload, Super Nintendo World is absolutely worth visiting. The theming is top-tier, the rides are innovative, and the land is packed with interactive fun for the whole family. Whether you're a die-hard Nintendo fan or just looking for something new and exciting, this world delivers.

Plan ahead, bring a Power-Up Band if you can, and give yourself time to explore. You could easily spend the better part of a day here—and that’s not a bad thing at all. #SuperNintendoWorld #EpicUniverse #UniversalOrlando #MarioKartChallenge #YoshisAdventure #DonkeyKongCountry #ToadstoolCafe #MineCartMadness #PowerUpBand #UniversalEpicUniverse #ThemeParkBlog #NintendoFans #GamerLife #SuperMarioLand #EpicUniverseUpdate #TravelWithYouAreTheMagic #YouAreTheMagicAdventures #UniversalOrlandoResort #ThemeParkTips #EpicUniverseRevealed