The original Super Nintendo World in Japan was more difficult to visit due to the pandemic, but this summer we had the chance to visit the newer one at Universal Studios Hollywood, and here’s a recap of our experience, with thoughts, recommendations, and of course, lots of photos of the whole thing:
7 things to keep in mind before going to Super Nintendo World
1. Think about your budget
Prices range from $109 to $149 for one-day general admission to the entire Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. This includes Super Nintendo World, but as we explain in the video, it is do not guaranteet that you enter this area. You might want to consider adding the early bird ticket (starting at $20) to your cart so you can make sure you get it. As long as you can be there as early as 08.00, then that’s it…
In addition comes the roughly forty dollars per Power Up Band, the collectible wristbands from NFT that allow you to interact more with many of the items, the carousel and the “mini-games”. Can you hear the coins popping out of the wallet?
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2. Buy the actual Power Up Band
The bracelet itself is nicely built and designed, making the question blocks and other interactive points work. There are vending machines where you can buy your own. We bought Yoshi and Toad, and joined the ranking of the respective characters in the app. Speaking of that…
3. Download and install the Universal Studios Hollywood app upon arrival.
The free app, which connects to free Wi-Fi in the park, includes a nice GPS map and a number of features exclusively dedicated to the Super Nintendo World corner, almost like a separate mobile game. You can collect stamps by completing various activities, check your rankings, customize your avatar, see what you’ve done so far in the Super Mario World-like map… And you can order a virtual line:
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4. Watch out for the virtual queue
When Super Nintendo World gets too crowded, it just closes its doors. It’s the very last corner of the entire complex, which means you’ll get there after a 20-minute walk, including long escalators, and as long as you don’t stop at, say, Harry Potter’s Hogwarts or The Simpsons’ Krustyland.
When this happens, only those who have booked an approximate time frame to enter Super Nintendo World via the virtual queue feature in the app will be allowed in. And when the doors are closed, the feature isn’t even there, leaving you wondering if you’re actually getting in.
However, we were told that it normally reopens to all visitors once it clears up a bit, and that’s exactly what happened. Had we known that was the case, we wouldn’t have gone all the way to the Nintendo area until it was open or until the time we had booked in advance. Yes, there were big red signs warning of this, but who reads red signs?
5. Don’t go there on a Sunday when the Super Mario Bros. movie is still playing.
It’s also true that we didn’t spend a full day (we arrived at 4:00 p.m.), that we wanted to leave early (we had ordered dinner elsewhere), and that it was a summer Sunday when Mario fever was still prevalent due to of the film. If you’re on vacation and can choose any other day of the week, you’ll want to make the most of it now that the craze is over, not least with the aforementioned early access.
6. Order at Toadstool Cafe
The restaurant at Super Nintendo World is one of the most captivating places and perhaps the best experience for the whole family. The venue itself, the way you select your meals, the themed food, the cooking Toads… everything smells and, well, tastes like you’re in the Mushroom Kingdom itself, and if you don’t book in advance, it’s going to be hard to get a table.
7. If you miss Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, you’re missing half the experience.
Finally, something that may not seem so obvious at first. The Mario Kart ride is very good with its nice AR gimmick and the “multiplayer” approach to the karts, where multiple drivers can enjoy the experience in groups and teams, and where you actually compete on a beautifully designed track.
Of course, that’s the main attraction at all of Super Nintendo World, apart from the environment itself, but if for some reason you ditch the ride, know that some of the very best indoor areas are built as part of the up to two hours ( !) the long queue leading to the tour. So if you don’t wait in line for the ride, you’re missing out on the pretty fan-worthy Yoshi’s Island landscape and Bowser’s Castle interior, including a non-canonical but very cool and interesting Bowser’s Lab. As much, if not more, love and effort has gone into this than the near-perfect outdoor elements, and it really does make time go by as you marvel at every detail.
For more tips and impressions, play the full video, which was shot at the gates of Princess Peach’s Mushroom Kingdom Castle.
2023-08-08 18:00:00
#tips #prepare #enjoy #visit #Super #Nintendo #World
