If you grew up playing the video game franchise, Super Mario, then you will be excited to know that Super Nintendo World is now coming to Universal Studios Hollywood! The theme park is set to officially open on February 17, 2023.
I grew up playing a lot of Super Mario video games on my DS; my favorite being Super Mario Bros. I never thought that the game I used to play as a little girl was going to be brought to life! Personally, I think they did a great job because the land looks identical to the game, except with everything combined. I think their idea was to have a combination of most of the worlds in the game. However, the land is not super big, so it only has one ride, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, one restaurant, Toadstool Cafe, a store, 1-Up Factory and lots of mini-games throughout the land.
As the opening of Super Nintendo World approaches, here are five tips on how to make the most out of your time in the new world:
- Get There Super Early
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I cannot stress this enough, you NEED to be there early. If you want to get on the ride without waiting a long time, then you have to sacrifice your beauty sleep. Please do not assume that because the land opens on a Friday that it will not be full. On the contrary, many people will have that idea. There will most likely be lots of people trying to be the first ones to ride. The best thing you can do is get there before the park opens. Once inside the theme park, walk straight ahead passing Dreamworks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda all the way to The Simpsons Ride. Make sure to turn left, towards the Starway escalators which will take you to the lower lot. From there, you should be able to see the entrance.
- Download The Universal Studios Hollywood App
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Make sure to download the app! The app gives you access to wait times, showtimes and a map of where everything is. It’s super helpful and easy to use and the best part is that it’s free. Through the app, you can also access the Super Nintendo World feature, which provides more information about the land.
- Check If Reservations Are Needed
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Since it is a new attraction and the theme park most likely expects high attendance, it is possible that on certain days they might have a virtual line. If that is the case, then you need a reservation. The reservation gives you access to the land and the attraction. It is highly important that you check this out on the day you go because it simply depends on how busy the park is that day.
- Power-Up Bands
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If you want to feel even more immersed in the world, then these bands are for you. There are six different bands to choose from: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Yoshi and Toad. The band enhances your experience in the land by allowing you to play and collect coins. For this, the Universal Studios Hollywood App is required in order to connect the band.
There are many things you can do with the band:
- Play mini-games in the land
- Collect coins when riding the attraction
- Collect coins and stamps through punch blocks
- Unlock hidden messages with your band
Not only does the band allow you to play and compete with others in the park, but you can connect it to a Nintendo Switch console (which is a pretty cool feature). Keep in mind you do not need to purchase a band in order to enter the land or ride the attraction.
- Give Yourself Enough time to enjoy everything
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Make sure you time yourself well. While the land may appear to be small, there are many things to do. As the saying goes, time flies by when you are having fun. If you want to enjoy the entire park, then make sure to arrive early. Do the attractions that get the most packed first. For example, you can do these attractions first:
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
- Jurassic World – The Ride
- Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
- Transformers: The Ride – 3D
- The Simpsons Ride
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
And then the rest that is left you can do in whatever order you’d like. This is just an idea of which attractions usually end up getting a long wait time throughout the day. The same thing goes for food: if you eat at lunchtime, expect certain restaurants to be packed. So make sure to give yourself time and create an itinerary if that helps you stay organized.
These are the tips I have for you all! I hope it helps and that you have a great time no matter when you check out Universal Studios Hollywood. Be sure to look at their website if you want more information on other attractions!