Universal Confirms that Orlando’s Epic Universe Will Include Super Nintendo World
by Jessica Montevago
A rendering of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan reveals a highly themed and expansive, multi-leveled land which will feature multiple attractions, shops and a restaurant. Photo: Universal
Super Nintendo World is coming stateside.
During Comcast’s fourth quarter 2019 earnings call on Thursday, Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts said after the new land opens at Universal Studios Japan this summer, Super Nintendo World will launch “in the U.S. to follow in the coming years” at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe and at Universal Studios Hollywood.
According to Roberts, Super Nintendo World combines “one-of-a-kind ride technology with iconic IP,” such as the Mario Brothers, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong.
At Universal Studios Japan, there will be wearable wrist band called a Power Up Band, as well as a specially designed app, that will allow guests to have interactive experiences. It will also bring to life Nintendo’s iconic locations, including Mushroom Kingdom, Peach’s Castle and Bowser’s Castle. The attractions will include an all-new Mario-Kart attraction and Yoshi ride.
After it debuts in Japan, “then we’re going to bring it to [Universal Studios] Hollywood and we’re going to bring it, obviously, in the fourth gate in Florida,” Roberts said. “So I think Nintendo is going to be potentially a big accelerator both in the theme park business.
“I think the next big thing on the horizon is Nintendo. Nintendo based on our research is one of the biggest potential drivers of attendance that you could have of any kind of IP. It’s up there with Harry Potter, which in some of our parks Harry potter drove incremental attendance of about two million people. So Nintendo is in very rarefied air. And the attraction that we’re building in Osaka is spectacular.”
Universal will open a theme park in Beijing in 2021, the largest park to date, and has started construction on its fourth theme park Epic Universe in Orlando, which is scheduled to open in 2023.
“The park business is set up for growth in years to come,” Roberts said.
During the earnings call, Comcast reported steady results at its U.S. parks, offset by some softness at Universal Studios Japan in Q4 2019. Theme park revenue grew in Q4 by 3.2% to $1.6 billion and EBITDA declined 4.5% to $636 million.
Looking ahead, the company expects to see continued growth in the parks business from robust pipeline of new attractions. A new Jason Bourne-themed live action stunt show and over 2,000 hotel rooms coming online in Orlando this year, as well as Secret Life of Pets-themed ride in Hollywood.
The theme park also saw higher guest spending and total attendance in 2019, despite a challenging fourth quarter “during a particularly competitive period.”
