Super Nintendo Land at Universal Studios Hollywood

Super Nintendo Land at Universal Studios Hollywood really felt like being in a Mario video game! 

What to expect in Nintendo World: 1 Mario Kart Ride, 5 mini-games, 3 character photo-ops, 1 restaurant, 1 souvenir shop at the end of the ride, and lots of hidden secrets for you to explore! 

TLDR- I recommend coming if you are fan of Mario, and $20-30 early access is worth it if you can get to Universal by 7 AM - once inside it's possible to do everything in 1-2 hours.

If you aren't willing to splurge on VIP ($369-499 per person, when my ticket cost for admission was $130) - and only care about Nintendo World (and the tram), early access is $20 -30 and allows you "admission one hour prior to scheduled Park opening. Ticket also includes one-time express access to Studio Tour (valid until 11 am only)."

What I'd recommend if you get for example 8 AM early access (1 hour before 9 AM park opening): 

• Download Universal Studios Hollywood App - load Ticket + Early Access 
• Buy Power Up Bands ahead of time or have a friend who is a passmember buy for you (save 10-15%!) 
• Line up by 7 AM, go into Super Nintendo World - SKIP the picture with the pipes sign outside and take pictures later (I read there are long lines during day but this was not true)
• Ride Mario Kart first (unless you are going just adults/without kids/don't care about being in a group - ride single rider and skip the line!) 
• Play mini-games/take character pictures while line is short before 9 AM/park opening 
• Reserve Toadstool Cafe for whenever you want to eat (lunch?) - can be done online as soon as park opens- my link was something like: Zomatobook 
• 10:45 AM - go up to use express pass for tram tour

Here's my Early entry experience with timestamps: 

• 7:15 AM - arrive at park - start lining up 

• 7:30 AM - they let people in to park, got in about 10 min later after picking a slow line where the people didn't have tickets on phone ready 
• my advice is go as far left as possible and wait in a line with less kids
• 7:42 - bought Power Up Bands at Universal Studio Store (towards left after walking in) - two of these were over $90 and none of these are even limited edition so be prepared to drop $$

• 7:45 - staff escort early access crowd to the lower lot 

• 8:00 AM - pic outside Nintendo World at sign (WISH I TOOK THIS LATER)

• 8:01 AM  In Nintendo world by 8 AM 

• 8:01 AM - first mini-game Pirahna Plant Nap Mishap done by 8:02 AM - 

• Goomba Crazy Crank done by 8:04 AM- 

• Mario & Luigi Picture 8:08 AM - 

• Koopa Troopa POWer Punch - 8:10 AM 
• Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown 8:11 AM - you need to do at least 3 mini games to do this challenge

• Toad Picture 8:20 AM -  

• Thwomp Panel Panic -8:28 AM 

We were a bit worried because standby for Mario Kart got to be 75 min by 8:30 - but we noticed there was single rider - so we did that and our wait was not that bad! 

• Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge (Single Rider) enter 8:35 AM ride 8:43 AM 

So it's possible to do the ride and all the games within an hour with early access - with the caveat of single rider in Mario Kart does not explain how to play so I was quite confused. And the queue of the Mario Kart (which I got to experience later with a gratuitous express pass) does explain the game and should be experienced, which is why I recommend doing Mario Kart ride first.

1up Factory: here are pics of Merch 

Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge - pics of the actual queue and ride

I did not plan in advance to ride single rider- but the single rider is kind of hidden in the right corner as soon as you enter and not super advertised. Single rider is almost a walk-on compared to the queue of 65-120 min. However, it does not tell you how to play the game. Also, the queue has a lot of details and I'm not even sure I saw them all since I did not go through normal stand-by! 

From the beginning part - you can see that you're in Bowser's castle.

When we get into a video room there are explanations of what to do in the game. 

Essentially, you race as team Mario and the ride is a VR experience using googles over your head, so it is a combination ride and video game. 

You sit in a group of 4- 2 in front and 2 in back- and while the car moves, the ride is basically all on the google in front of your head. 

Overall it's a decent ride at around 7 minutes, but I was not amazed. I ultimately rode it 4 times by 3 pm and didn't really improve even after properly learning the instructions the final time.

Toadstool Cafe: 

This is the basically the only food option. (Besides a drink stand outside Nintendoland in the lower lot). It requires a reservation - and lunch spots filled up quick. I went at 10:00 AM for a snack and again at lunch. The hostess outside is strict on time and will not let you in 10 min before [she had an attitude but I guess doing her job]. I recommend lining up 5 min before your time. 

There are many toads at the queue:

Menu snapshot: 

Snack:

Garlic knots and a super star lemon squash drink. I do not recommend the lemon drink.

The dining room environment changes! 

Lunch 

Almost ordered the whole menu when going with a group.

Bowser's fireball challenge - 1 lb. meatball with sauce and puff pastry - 24.99

In the foreground - burger and fries - 16.99

Pirahna Plant Caprese - 12.99

Desserts - 9.99 - in foreground Princess Peach cupcake - raspberry 

? Block Tiramisu - the most popular dessert and refreshing on a hot day 

Mt. Beanpole Cake - least favorite dessert - chocolate vanilla strawbetty and matcha

Also - if you go with a passholder - there is 10-15% discount on food! But make sure the workers process it because my group had an issue. 

I had the Luigi chicken pesto sandwich and it was filling and not bad! 

App + daily Rankings: 

Where USH SNW immerses you into the video game is with the app and purchase of the Power Up Band - you can track the coins you collect and interact with many parts of the world! 

One regret - not getting the {free} Super Nintendo World 1 year anniversary button advertised on the website- it is apparently at guest relations near the entrance. And not getting a picture with Princess Peach. [the characters queue only for 15 min or so - so my only pic was from afar].

Overall: While there is only 1 ride with possibly insane wait times, it's still possible to see most of the Super Nintendo Land and especially get shorter lines if you wake up early and do early access. The land is super immersive and fun - but requires you to have a smart phone and pay $$ for a power-up band. The food was good for theme park food and just getting to experience this made my inner child at heart happy and basically made it worth stopping by Universal [we also did the tram and then left.]