Now you can practice for Mario Kart World in Florida
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is the most classic Super Nintendo World attraction, featured in Universal Japan, Universal Hollywood, and now Epic Universe in Florida. In practice, it’s basically an exact clone of what you find in California and Tokyo… meaning no, you won’t discover any secrets or Easter eggs like a secret Wiggler Racer or a Waluigi meet-and-greet hidden in the queue.
In fact, there is one small difference compared to Universal Hollywood. There, the queue for Yoshi’s Adventure is inside the Bowser’s Challenge ride, while at Epic Universe, the queue for Yoshi’s Adventure is separate. This makes the queue at Epic Universe better, so I guess that’s a small win for the Florida version? Yay!
Since this ride is basically the same as the one in Universal Hollywood, the good and the bad aspects about it won’t change much from our original article.
What we like about Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
The queue is incredible, and the atmosphere throughout the ride is fantastic. As someone who grew up playing games like Super Mario World, Super Metroid, and Chrono Trigger, it’s amazing to see a juggernaut like Nintendo brought to life at Epic Universe. Mario Kart is one of the most important IPs for Nintendo - just look at Mario Kart World being a launch title for the Switch 2 - so it’s amazing to see a game we really love being featured in a huge theme park like Epic.
And you know what? They really did a great job! The ride is packed with characters and Easter eggs that show the creators paid close attention to the Mario franchise as a whole. The track features chain chomps, piranha plants, shy guys, and dozens of cool characters from the Mushroom Kingdom that only a few fans will recognize.
The ride is also a lot of fun and feels very original compared to most attractions out there. For one, you use AR glasses, making it one of the few rides of its kind in the world. This also means it’s a ride you really have to experience in person to fully understand. YouTube videos just don’t do it justice and often look a bit janky.
The concept, however, is simple. You use a steering wheel alongside the other guests in your car to steer your vehicle, look at rival racers through your AR glasses, and press a button to fire shells at them. If your team collects 100 coins, you win! Yeah, time to show Bowser who’s the boss. This is a ride that gets better the more times you experience it, since it might take a while to understand the rules and see what’s happening.
What we don't like about Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
The main drawback of this ride is that it sometimes feels like a tech demo. That’s not to say it’s bad, but it does feel more like a prototype for a future ride that could fully harness the potential of AR technology.
At times, the visuals can look a bit wonky, as if the racers are floating, and the virtual characters occasionally appear blurry. This is understandable, given that the technology is still relatively new and likely paving the way for more advanced rides in the future. Plus, there’s nothing stopping this ride from being updated down the line with improved racer models or smoother visuals.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge FAQ
Where is Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge located?
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is located inside Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe. If you need help planning your trip or just want to chat about Mario Kart, make sure to hit that Request a Quote button and let’s talk!
What’s the ride height requirement for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge?
You must be at least 40 inches tall to ride Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.
What is the ride time for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge?
The ride lasts approximately 4 minutes.
Is Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge fun for children?
Yes! The ride is very colorful and features several Nintendo characters. If your kids have played Mario Kart before, they’re going to love this one.
