UniversalParksBlog News for December 15th, 2024
Over the past few days, we’ve gotten a giant preview of what’s coming to Universal Epic Universe.
Notably, the preview came from overseas. So, you had to go to Japan to learn more about the future of Universal Orlando Resort.
Photo: universal
I’ll explain in the latest UniversalParksBlog News.
The Undiscovered Country
Photo: Universal
During Memorial Day Weekend in 2025, Universal Epic Universe will finally open to the public.
At that point, guests will explore Donkey Kong Country for the first time…sort of. It really depends on whether you’re a world traveler.
I say this because a handful of you will have already experienced the attraction at Universal Studios Japan (USJ).
This park debuted its Donkey Kong Land expansion the other day, which was a huge story in Japan.
PhotoLjapancheapo.com
That’s because the new land represents the first addition to the wildly popular Super Nintendo World. So, intrigue was high.
Here’s a video of one individual’s experience on the area’s opening day at USJ:
The first thing to know is that access to Super Nintendo World includes Donkey Kong Country entry as well.
Photo: geekvsfan.com
So, there’s no secondary paywall for the expansion. There was some early fear about this, but people worried over nothing!
Of course, the crowds were off the charts due to the new area.
Universal
Anytime a theme park adds something original, it’s a huge draw, especially in the early days.
Even so, Donkey Kong Country is special because people have been playing these video games since the 1990s.
Photo: USJ
I mean, if you include Donkey Kong itself, people have been playing for 40 years now!
Speaking of which, Donkey Kong does host a character greeting at the park. As you might expect, that proved quite popular.
Photo:Orlandoparkstop.com
But that wasn’t the primary draw at Donkey Kong Country. You can guess what was…
Meet the New Roller Coaster!
Photo: USJ
Okay, take a look at the hottest new roller coaster in the world, Mine-Cart Madness!
This is an attraction that Epic Universe will host in a matter of months.
Something will immediately jump out at fans of the games. The music on the ride sounds just like the classic soundtrack!
As for the ride, yes, it’s short. It lasts about 90 seconds, which has sadly become typical of many recent coasters.
On the plus side, the experience itself is dazzling, as the coaster features the “track-jumping” premise from the video games.
At times, you won’t see roller coaster tracks in front of you, making it seem like you’re about to go off-track.
USJ情報局 Photo: Twitter/L.C.A.STUDIOS@LCASTUDIOS_USJ
That’s a concept that has never been attempted on a roller coaster before, yet it feels perfectly at home on Mine-Cart Madness.
Universal Studios patented entirely new technology to make this optical illusion possible. And the results speak for themselves.
Photo: Universal
The other significant aspect of this ride is the background, as it’s just like settings from the Donkey Kong Country video game series.
So, the immersive elements surpass anything we’ve seen from Universal Studios in the past. This IS the next big thing.
Photo: gameintime.com
In fact, I’d encourage you to watch this second video that shows Donkey Kong Country at night:
Now, here’s Mine-Cart Madness in the dark.
I think you can tell how much better this park is at night when the visuals seem more ethereal.
Photo: geekvsfan.com
As for the ride, my favorite part is that, in the end, Diddy Kong gets his magically large banana!
More about the Grand Opening
Photo: Paste Magazine
TDR Explorer, my favorite Japanese theme park influencer, has put together a guide to Donkey Kong Country that highlights its greatness.
However, this may be the rare instance when you want to know what the local media has to say about the new expansion area.
The Japan Times describes opening day as follows:
Photo: Newsweek
“By 8 a.m., when the park had opened to the general public, the area was packed with kids of all ages sporting Donkey Kong- and Mario-themed swag, and the line for Mine Cart Madness had already ballooned to three hours.”
The article notes that the expansion adds 70 percent more space to Super Nintendo World, which the themed land sorely needed.
Photo: LADbible
The article adds that “the attention to detail in Donkey Kong Country is impressive.”
Specifically, the author gushes, “From the music…to the decorative crates and barrels that are a staple of the series right up to the giant Golden Temple at the center of the area, USJ’s set designers hit all the right notes here.”
Photo: TDRexplorer.com
Importantly, all the reviews comment that this roller coaster targets families rather than adrenaline junkies.
That’s the correct decision by Universal Studios. While a VelociCoaster type of ride has its place, it’s not for everyone.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Anything at Super Nintendo World should cater to entire families.
I hadn’t expected Mine-Cart Madness to manage that feat, yet it has!
Photo: Universal
Universal officials deserve tons of credit for what they’ve achieved here, and I cannot wait to visit Epic Universe in six months!
PS: If you’re interested, here is the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto providing a tour of the area:
Universal Studios Miscellany
Photo: Volcano Bay
In other Universal Studios news, Volcano Bay is having a tough time.
Universal Orlando had already adopted a seasonal schedule with planned off-days at the water park.
Image Credit: Universal
Due to unseasonably cold weather in the area, Volcano Bay has closed on several other dates as well.
If you plan to visit the water park at this time of year, you should always track the schedule to verify it’s open. Sometimes, it’s not.
In news of the unexpected, DreamWorks Land has already undergone an emergency refurbishment at Poppy’s Playground.
This sort of thing isn’t that unusual for new themed lands, especially ones that are child-friendly.
Photo: Universal
Any parent knows how impressively a kid can break things that are supposedly childproof.
Still, a “temporarily out of service” sign isn’t what you want to see at a place that’s just been open for six months.
Universal
According to park officials, it shouldn’t be closed for long. Hopefully, it’ll be back in time for Christmas Week.
If not, that’s one less entertainment spot available during the most crowded park week of the calendar.
Photo:Universal Studios Hollywood
Speaking of calendars, I’ll write more about this next time, but Universal Studios Hollywood just released its 2025 calendar.
There’s something listed there that should grab your attention…
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Feature Photo: Universal
