For a limited time, Buy a Day, Get a 2nd Day FREE for General Admission Tickets at Universal Studios Hollywood! Valid for visits through Dec. 16, 2026
'Sup gamers? It's a-me, Tad, the gamer and Super Mario fan of the Frog Fam. I'm sharing everything I've learned about the newest land and its toadally immersive ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. And of course, I'm always making repeat visits to play this real-life video game over and over again! It's been busy since it opened, so we have hoppin' tips to help you make the most of your visit. You can now make your Toadstool Cafe reservations up to 60 days in advance. Hop along as we have more tips and updates to cover.
Overview of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood
We've had a chance to visit Super Nintendo World a few times with and without Early Access. We know you have concerns about avoiding a line at Mario Kart and getting into Toadstool Cafe. We have all the secrets for doing it all. Consider them your "cheat codes" for navigating Super Nintendo World. Be sure to keep hopping back, as I'll be "leveling up" all the deets as I go back for repeat visits in the Mushroom Kingdom. As Luigi would say, "Let's a-go!"
When did Super Nintendo World Hollywood open?
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood officially opened Feb. 17, 2023.
Where is Super Nintendo World?
Super Nintendo World California is located in the Lower Lot. You can see the entrance to the left of Transformers: The Ride-3D. And get this: You enter this colorful and interactive new land via a warp pipe. Super frogciting!
When is the best time to visit Super Nintendo World in California?
When the land first opened, it utilized a Virtual Line when the land hit capacity. But that is no longer needed. We still recommend Early Access to visit before the park opens. This Early Access add-on ticket allows you to enjoy Super Nintendo World for one hour before the park opens to the public! It's a great way to do all the challenges without lines.
Lines (and temperatures) also drop off in the evening, making that another good time to visit.
On Halloween Horror Nights, the land is closed to most guests. From 7 to 10 p.m. guests with 2 PM Day/Night combo tickets, Express or Unlimited Express can get exclusive access to the land. That is when the land is least crowded! You must show your ticket to enter the land. Mario Kart was a literal walk-on when we visited, and there were no waits for challenges. Plus, this happy land gives you a break from all the scares! And starting in 2025, Platinum pass members using their complimentary HHN ticket also get access to the land!
The very first Fan Fest Nights after-hours party launched in spring 2025 and it will be back for 2026! In 2025, we went on a Yoshi Egg Hunt and got meet Yoshi. After completing the egg hunt, guests could meet a different-colored Yoshi, but that line got cut early. There were also special foods. 
We can't wait to see what Fan Fest Nights bring to Super Nintendo World in 2026.
Is Super Nintendo World in Florida?
Yes! Super Nintendo World opened alongside Universal Epic Universe on May 22, 2025. And the Orlando version of this awesome land even has a Donkey Kong section and ride and a Yoshi ride. Talk about super! You can save on tickets through Undercover Tourist.
Rides at Super Nintendo World Hollywood
Let's speed right to my favorite part! The large (and only) ride in Super Nintendo World in California is based on my favorite video game, Mario Kart! Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge is located inside Bowser's Castle. The interactive, moving track ride combines augmented reality (assistance from head-mounted goggles) with projection mapping technology and set pieces. It's said to be one of the most complex rides ever made! You are given a visor to wear right before you board the ride, and then you'll magnetically attach a pair of goggles to the area under the visor.
The 4D ride has a height requirement of 40 inches (102 cm). Riders 40-48 inches (122 cm) tall require a supervising companion aged 14 or older. Luckily, a Single Riders line and a Child Swap option are available for this ride.
Riders climb aboard Mario Kart vehicles from the dungeons of Bowser's Castle. Then it's time to attach the goggles, tap your Power-Up Band to the "M" on the steering wheel in front of you, and wait for the "3-2-1-Go!" signal from Lakitu. In the quest to win the Golden Cup, riders steer through courses in the clouds and underwater! They can battle Team Bowser alongside Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach, throwing shells and collecting coins along the way.
The goggles on this ride allow you to see graphics and characters. If you feel motion sick from wearing them, simply take them off during the ride. When you shoot, you will shoot where your head is pointed. So look at your targets when shooting for better accuracy.
When is the best time to ride?
You will find the shortest waits during Early Access and right when the park opens if you head straight there. You can also try to ride close to the end of the night. (Keep in mind that if the ride breaks down at the end of the night, you might not get to ride.) The longest wait times seem to be between 10 a.m. and noon (we've seen the wait reach four hours during peak crowds!), so it's best to avoid the ride then. We had good luck with the Single Riders line early in the day the last time we visited. You must be over 48 inches to ride alone.
If you want to skip the line, opt for a Universal Express ticket. The Universal Express ticket includes access to Mario Kart! Another way is to book a VIP Experience or upgrade to the VIP Theme Park Experience. For a more budget-friendly option, the Single Riders line is free! But at peak times, even that can back up.
We visited on a sold-out day. At 9 a.m. (official park opening), we saw the shortest wait of the day listed at 50 minutes. We waited 7 minutes as Single Riders. It jumped to 90 minutes after that and sat at 240 minutes between 10 a.m. and noon. Near the end of the night, it was listed as a 70-minute wait.
Advice for Timing Your Visit
We have a full post on Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge. Ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge during the Early Access hour or as soon as the park opens. In the first few minutes after the park, the land and the ride are both flooded with crowds so your best bet is to make it the main priority on your list.
You can also maximize your time by making your Toadstool Cafe reservation for the afternoon. Leave the land during the peak of the morning, after you ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge and go ride the other Lower Lot rides while you wait for your dining time. The wait times for the other Lower Lot lines were each only 5 minutes in the first hour of park opening the mornings we visited. After that, you can do the Studio Tour and Upper Lot.
In fact, if you have Early Access, you get Express access to the Studio Tour until 11 a.m. Come back to Super Nintendo World later to dine in Toadstool Cafe and do the challenges. The lines are long for the challenges all day but at least you skipped the lines for other attractions in the park while you could. Lines for the challenges tend to die down at the end of the night.
If you have Early Access, complete the ride and as many challenges as you can before the land officially opens to everyone else. You can get a lot done in that hour!
Again, if you hoppen to be visiting during Halloween Horror Nights, get a 2 p.m. Day/Night Combo ticket or Express to gain exclusive access to Super Nintendo Land from 7 to 10 p.m. You'll have the place mostly to yourself! We also recommend the After 2 p.m.ticket for Fan Fest Nights through Undercover Tourist to save money.
Interactive Features in Super Nintendo World Hollywood
Imagine you have been transported into a Super Mario Bros. video game, with the ability to bump into Goombas and dodge Venus Fire Traps as you collect coins in the Mushroom Kingdom. In Super Nintendo World, you can do all of that and more! In fact, you can become one of the characters in the game (with some assistance from Power-Up Bands). You are not simply playing the game on a screen, you are living it! Expect colorful animatronic scenery with spinning gold coins, boxes with question marks and more within the interactive games and quests scattered throughout the land. There are so many cool details — it is a feast for the eyes!
Mount Beanpole
This towering landmark sits at the heart of the land and serves as the entry queue for Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge.
Bowser's Castle
Complete with a sculpture of its powerful namesake, Bowser's Castle is the key centerpiece of Super Nintendo World Hollywood. Guests navigate the winding corridors and pass through the hall of medallions and trophies to board Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, while learning more about Bowser's plans to defeat Team Mario for the Golden Cup. The queue is extremely detailed and a must-see for Nintendo fans! But it does have a lot of steps, so talk to a team member about taking the elevator if you need it.
Power-Up Band
This wearable wristband syncs with Universal Studios Hollywood's official app to unlock many interactive elements within the land. These include but are not limited to, keeping individual and team scores, collecting digital coins and obtaining special keys after winning challenges, allowing you to level up your game. Wahoo!
The band also allows guests to have star-worthy interactions with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach!
Power-Up Bands come in six different character designs and are available for purchase within the land, at Super Nintendo World retail shops in the theme park and in CityWalk (at the Super Nintendo Store). There is also a seventh special-release Golden Power-Up Band available as of Feb. 17, 2024.
The band is a rubber slap band. It tends to curl up on your wrist and fall off, so keep a close eye on it. You may ask for a free lock at shops that sell the bands. The bands run about $45 with tax. No discounts apply.
Interactive Gameplay
With a Power-Up Band, the possibilities for engaging in real-life gameplay within the land are endless! Many of these activities include punching question blocks to collect digital coins. Discover a new dimension of the land via interactive binoculars that use AR technology. Players can beat the four Key Challenges and collect keys from activities hosted by Goomba, Koopa Troopa, Piranha Plant and Thwomp. Succeeding in these mini-games leads to a boss battle with Bowser Jr. Collect three keys in the app by completing challenges before heading to Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. Don't froget — you can only access Shadow Showdown if you have a Power-Up Band account with at least three keys. Otherwise, you will not be able to participate in this challenge or enter its queue.
Use Sun Protection
Most of the challenges are outside, and the lines are out in the sun. Wear hats and sunscreen, and stay hydrated when waiting and playing. Character meet-and-greets are also outside.
Character Interactions in Super Nintendo World Hollywood
You can meet Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess Peach in Super Nintendo World in California! The characters can talk and move their eyes! It's recommended to hop in line about 30 minutes before their scheduled appearance. Upcoming greeting times are indicated on a sign near their meeting area. Sadly, Mario and his pals do not come out in the rain.
As the queues to meet these toadally awesome characters are usually very long, pay close attention to the signage, as some character queues are next to lines for the game challenges. (You don't want to get in the wrong one!) Signs near their meet-and-greet areas tell you when they will next appear. Get in place early to get to the front of the line.
Merchandise at Super Nintendo World Hollywood
Get your Super Nintendo and Mario gear now! To begin the countdown, Universal revamped the Feature Presentation store into a Super Nintendo-themed setting. Mario and Luigi apparel, iconic character hats, plush characters (including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and Bowser) and more, are available for purchase there. You can also find more Super Nintendo World items in the character shop in the Lower Lot and the Super Nintendo World Store in CityWalk.
1-UP Factory
When you exit Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, you'll pass through the 1-UP Factory to purchase a souvenir! The retail shop offers an extensive collection of merchandise, including Nintendo character apparel, iconic hats and headwear, plush characters, bands and more. The Power-Up Bands can be found behind the counter.
Food in Super Nintendo World Hollywood
Some of your favorite Nintendo characters are serving up delicious dishes inside the new land, too! Hop over to our full post on Super Nintendo World food for more delectable deets.
Toadstool Cafe
The land's signature restaurant serves a gourmet menu full of fresh food prepared daily. As Chef Toad has perfected his mushroom-esque menu, this restaurant gets crowded very quickly and is accessible via reservations. You can now book advance dining reservations for Toadstool Cafe up to 60 days in advance.
You may see QR codes outside the land and in front of the cafe until reservations are full for the day. Here's the link to reserve. You can also reserve through the Universal Studios Hollywood site or app. We recommend reserving for the late morning before the lunch rush or later in the day. Keep in mind that you will still have to wait in line to order food when you arrive. And then you may wait a while for the food to arrive. Allow an hour and a half from restaurant arrival to when you exit in case Bowswer shakes things up and send Bullet Bills through the kitchen.
Menu items include Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots, Super Mushroom Soup, Tomato Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Mario Bacon Cheeseburger (also available in a vegetarian option), Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs, Bowser's Fireball Challenge, Short Rib Special, ? Block Tiramisu, Princess Peach Cupcake and more. The kids' meals include a burger and spaghetti. The full menu, with descriptions and prices, is accessible on the Universal Studios Hollywood app (and be sure to visit our food post for more photos and descriptions!).
We tried every dish! Our frog squad's favorite is the Luigi Pesto Chicken Burger. The pasta was pretty good too (but a bit spicy), and we loved the seasoned fries. The short rib is tasty! Out of the soups, we prefer the mushroom soup. The kids' meals come with a ? mark box, containing a coin cookie inside. It is an Oreo-like cookie dipped in yellow chocolate.
Fun beverage items include the Super Star Lemon Squash and all of the collectible drink sippers. You can also find more fruity cream sodas, popcorn and sippers just outside the land. The stand offers Princess Peach's Peach Soda, Mario's Strawberry Soda and Luigi's Green Apple Soda.
New items pop up from time to time, such as:
- Yoshi's Fettucine Alfredo — Pesto Alfredo sauce, grilled chicken, broccoli and mushrooms topped with egg shaped bread.
- Chef Toad Chicken Special — Oven-roasted chicken, potatoes, tomatoes and spinach served with lemon beurre blanc.
Power Up Cafe
A Power Up Cafe opened in the Upper Lot (not in the land). It has some themed snacks not available at Toadstool Cafe. Get a calzone, Fire Flower Pretzel, Super Star popcorn and fun fizzy drinks with popping pearls and Power Up sugar shapes that change the color and flavor of the drink.
Holidays at Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World has joined in the holiday fun around the park! Celebrate in the Mushroom Kingdom with Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess Peach during the holiday season.
A Super Star tops the tree alongside festive wreaths and two snowmen. You might just recognize said snowmen while they greet you for a special photo op. Themed decor adorns the land and seasonal treats are found in Toadstool Cafe. Plus, holiday merchandise is available for purchase during the holidays.
Here we goooooo! What are you most looking forward to at Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood? What do you most want to know? Let us know in the comments below.
Related: How to Navigate Virtual Queues at Universal Studios Hollywood
Related: How to Use Super Nintendo World Power-Up Bands at Universal Studios Hollywood
Stay cool!
