Super Nintendo World Hollywood Tips for First Time Visitors

Are you planning a trip to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood but you don’t know where to begin?  If so, you’ll want to read this article!  From early entry to character experiences and power-up bands, here are several Super Nintendo World Hollywood tips for first time visitors!

Disclosures: My family and I purchased early access tickets to Super Nintendo World on our own but received complimentary admission to Universal Studios Hollywood. All opinions, however, are my own. In addition, this post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and buy, The Cactus Chronicles will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for helping support The Cactus Chronicles.

1. Buy the Early Access Ticket in Advance
2. Buy a Power-Up Band in Advance
3. Download the Official Universal Studios Hollywood App for Virtual Queue Reservations and More
4. Character Experiences in Super Nintendo World
5. Toadstool Cafe Reservations
6. Utilize the Singer Rider Line as Needed
7. Stay at a Hotel Nearby and/or Arrive Early to Universal Studios Hollywood

My family loves Universal Studios Hollywood and we try to visit there once a year.  I’ve previously written about Universal Studios Hollywood Tips, but Super Nintendo World is the latest area in Universal Studios Hollywood to open and deserves an article of its own.   As a result, keep reading for a list of Super Nintendo World Hollywood Tips for First Time Visitors!

1.    Buy the Early Access Ticket in Advance

There is only one ride in Super Nintendo World, called Mario Kart:  Bowser’s Challenge.  If you want to avoid waiting in a long line to ride it, then you’ll want to consider purchasing the Super Nintendo World Early Access Ticket.  The early access ticket includes one hour early entry in Super Nintendo World as well as a one time express pass to the Studio Tour (valid until 11 am).*

*Please note that you’ll still need to purchase either general admission tickets or express passes in addition to the Early Access Ticket.

Is the early access ticket for Super Nintendo World Hollywood worth it?  

Yes, absolutely.  My family and I arrived at the park 45 minutes prior to early entry and we were lined up, ready to go, with our tickets.  Once our tickets were scanned, we were escorted to Super Nintendo World by Universal Studios Hollywood employees.  We were able to ride Mario Kart:  Bowser’s Challenge two times within a 30 minute timespan; however, timing is literally everything.  Because we were 45 minutes early, we were in the front of the line.  Had we arrived minutes before early entry, we might not have been as successful.  For preparation for our trip, I tracked the wait times on the official Universal Studios Hollywood app and saw wait times up to 180 minutes for the Mario Kart ride.

I highly recommend buying the Super Nintendo World Early Access Ticket several weeks in advance of your visit.  The tickets sell out quickly.  If you wait until the last minute to buy them, it’s likely the tickets will be sold out.

2.    Buy a Power-Up Band in Advance

The Power-Up Band is basically a slap bracelet that can be used interactively throughout Super Nintendo World to collect coins and unlock challenges.  The lines can get very long for these activities but you can also use a power-up band for the Mario Kart ride.  As a result, I recommend purchasing the power-up bands in advance.  That way, you aren’t spending crucial time in the park (especially Super Nintendo World) trying to set it up – and more importantly, missing out on challenges (more about that below).  If you aren’t able to purchase it in advance, though, there are locations in Super Nintendo World where you can also purchase the power-up bands, including the 1-UP Factory store.

My son and I bought our power-up bands the day before our visit, at Universal CityWalk.  That’s because there is a Nintendo store near VIVO Italian Kitchen and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.  The Nintendo store has several Nintendo-themed merchandise for sale, including the power-up bands.  

That evening at our hotel, my husband and our son linked our power-up bands to the official Universal Studios Hollywood app and my son read the instructions that came with the bands.  (The power-up band also acts as a amiibo which can be used for the Nintendo Switch).  

By the time my family entered Super Nintendo World, we were wearing our power-up bands, ready to collect coins and keys.  The lines for these activities/challenges get very long, even during early entry, so you’ll want to pick and choose wisely.  I recommend collecting three keys so that you can participate in the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown.  My son and I were able to participate in the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown and it was one of the highlights for us in Super Nintendo World.

You can read more about the power-up bands by clicking here.  Are the power-up bands worth it?  That answer is a very subjective one and depends on the person.  For example, my husband did not want a power-up band, but I ended up sharing my power-up band with him so that we could divide and conquer while waiting in lines.

3.    Download the Official Universal Studios Hollywood App for Virtual Queue Reservations and More

You’ll definitely want to download the official Universal Studios Hollywood app prior to your visit.  It not only lists the wait times for the rides, including Mario Kart:  Bowser’s Challenge, but it also provides more information for the power-up bands.  Also, if Super Nintendo World is at capacity, you can enter a virtual queue to get access into Super Nintendo World.  While access to Super Nintendo World doesn’t guarantee that guests will be able to ride Mario Kart:  Bowser’s Challenge, guests will at least be able to enter Super Nintendo World and have the opportunity to participate in the challenges with the power-up bands.

4.    Character Experiences in Super Nintendo World

Guests can have their pictures taken at designated locations with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad.  As you can imagine, the lines can get very long.  The times are not currently posted on the official Universal Studios Hollywood app, but the times are posted on signs at the designated locations.  My son was able to have his picture taken with Mario and Luigi and we were both able to have our photo taken with Princess Peach.  You can also have your power-up band scanned for possible enhanced experiences.

5.    Toadstool Cafe Reservations

Toadstool Cafe is the only dining option inside Super Nintendo World Hollywood.  It’s a sit-down restaurant that requires reservations.  Reservations are difficult to get and can only be obtained by scanning a QR code posted on a sign outside of Toadstool Cafe and the entrance to Super Nintendo World.  That’s another reason why it’s important to buy the early access ticket and get early entry into Super Nintendo World.  Toadstool Cafe runs out of reservations within minutes of the park opening.

However, during our particular visit, the online reservation system was experiencing technical difficulties.  As a result, my family was able to eat inside Toadstool Cafe without a reservation.  However, this is not the typical experience so I would not expect the same to happen for future visits.

I recommend trying to get reservations for Toadstool Cafe as soon as you enter Super Nintendo World, as long as you are there as soon as Super Nintendo World opens (and even then, it’s extremely difficult to get reservations).  I’m not a theme park foodie but my family enjoyed our meals.  The menu can be found here.  I ordered the Luigi Burger (with pesto grilled chicken) and it was delicious!  However, we did experience some disappointment because Toadstool Cafe did not have any of the desserts available.  

6.    Utilize the Single Rider Line to Avoid Long Waits

Mario Kart:  Bowser’s Challenge does have a single rider line!  My family did not utilize it since we were able to ride it together on two separate occasions, thanks to the Super Nintendo World Early Access Ticket.  However, I did notice that some of the guests were waiting in the single rider line.  This is obviously more difficult to do if you are traveling with young children.  However, this is a convenient option for adults and teenagers who don’t mind riding by themselves.

7.    Stay at a Hotel Nearby and/or Arrive Early to Universal Studios Hollywood

My family stayed at the Sheraton Universal Hotel and I would definitely consider it for future stays/visits.  It is a 10 minute walk to Universal Studios Hollywood and it also has a complimentary shuttle (that it shares with the Hilton) to CityWalk/Universal Studios Hollywood.  The first shuttle of the day picked up guests 30 minutes before Super Nintendo World early entry started.  The day before, when we took the shuttle to CityWalk to buy our power-up bands, I asked the shuttle driver for tips for early entry because I anticipated that the line for the shuttle would be long.  She recommended that we walk to Universal Studios Hollywood in the morning, instead of taking the shuttle, to avoid waiting in lines.  We did just that, and it worked out in our favor.  

Because Early Access started at 7 am, we left the hotel at 6 am that morning, walked to Universal Studios Hollywood and were lined up at the front entrance to the theme park by 6:15 am.*  

There are two separate lines at the entrance:  one for Super Nintendo World Early Access ticket holders and another for regular admission.  In order to get in the early access ticket line, we had to show our early access tickets.  From there, our general park tickets were also scanned.  We also had to show our early access tickets one more time prior to entering Super Nintendo World. 

But what if you don’t have early access tickets to Super Nintendo World?  

It’s still possible to go to Super Nintendo World and ride Mario Kart:  Bowser’s Challenge; however, you might want to consider arriving at the park at least 45 to 60 minutes before it opens for the day and even then, plan on waiting in line for Mario Kart for a long time (my guesstimate is 75 minutes but there aren’t any guarantees).  Also, you might want to consider purchasing the Universal Studios Hollywood express pass.  You can read here why I think the Universal Studios Hollywood express pass is worth it, but basically, it comes with a one-time (per day) reservation-free entry into Super Nintendo World (when reservations are required).  Keep in mind, though, that it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to ride Mario Kart:  Bowser’s Challenge.

*Park hours vary.  Always check the hours listed on the Official Universal Studios Hollywood App.

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