No, they don’t have the Donkey Kong RAP playing in the queue. Bummer.
Donkey Kong was a classic in the 90s. I remember playing the 2D game on the SNES and being mind-blown by the graphics. Then came Donkey Kong Country 2, Donkey Kong Country 3, and Donkey Kong 64. We don’t talk about that last one. The series had an amazing revival on the Wii with Donkey Kong Country Returns, followed by Tropical Freeze on the Wii U, both excellent games. Now, our favorite monkey with a red tie comes to Epic Universe, bringing one of the most unique roller coasters to Florida.
Mine-Cart madness is fun, especially since it has a brand new gimmick, where your vehicle is actually attached to a concealed track underneath a fake track above. This permits the coaster to have a lot of surprises, like jumps across broken tracks, your vehicle switching tracks and so on. The coaster can be a bit bumpy, and wait times are usually massive but, all in all, this is a great coaster and a great addition to Super Nintendo World.
What we like about Mine-Cart Madness
It’s pretty easy to see what the best thing about this ride is: it’s super unique. Your vehicle is actually attached to a mechanical arm, which is then connected to a hidden track below the one you see. This allows the coaster to pull off lots of cool surprises, like your mine cart “jumping” across gaps, switching tracks, and more. It’s a really fun feeling, and kids love it too. The ride is well made and a great nod to the Donkey Kong Country video games.
The theming inside the ride is also top-notch. You get to see the classic barrels from the games (which launch you forward), the broken tracks look awesome, and there’s even Dixie Kong waving hello. The queue features Cranky Kong and Squawks, and you also get to see Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong near the end of the ride. If you’re a fan of the Donkey Kong games, you need to come here… especially with the new Donkey Kong game announced for the Switch 2!
This is also a great ride for families and children. Adults will definitely enjoy the unique aspects, and kids will surely get a laugh out of the broken track illusion. It’s not an intense ride, and the gimmick basically carries it through the entire duration. I really love when roller coasters at least try something new, instead of just being your standard 7/10 ride that doesn’t take any risks.
What we don’t like about Mine-Cart Madness
The main problem with Mine-Cart Madness is related to ride capacity. The queue just moves very slow, and it’s not uncommon to see big lines for this one, often reaching 70 minutes. It also doesn’t help that the queue is rather boring - expect for the part where you meet Cranky Kong and Squawk. It’s a bit of a letdown to wait more than one hour in a queue for a ride that takes about 90 seconds.
Mine-Cart Madness can also be pretty bumpy. That’s a big con for anyone with back problems or for those who prefer a comfy ride like Wing Gliders. Remember, your vehicle is actually attached to a hidden track below by a mechanical arm, which explains why you’re bumping left and right. Some people love it, since it really simulates a mine cart shaking all over, but others are definitely not into it.
I also wish that the ride was just a little longer. Wing Gliders is a family coaster and lasts for about two minutes, so I wish that Mine-Cart madness was just about 30 seconds longer. This is especially important since this is probably going to be one of the most popular rides in the park, with wait times that are over 40 minutes most of the time, so getting only 90 seconds of ride time might feel like a bummer.
Conclusion
Mine-Cart Madness is a really fun coaster with a genius gimmick that makes it stand out from everything else you’ve ridden in Florida. Just for that, you should ride it at least once and draw your own conclusion. The ride capacity isn’t the best, which can lead to long wait times, but once you’re finally in, there’s nothing quite like it.
Mine-Cart Madness FAQ
Where is Mine-Cart Madness located?
Mine-Cart Madness is located inside Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe. Want more info about the coaster, how to become best buds with Donkey Kong, and plan your trip to Epic Universe? Just click that Request a Quote button!
What’s the ride height requirement for Mine-Cart Madness?
You must be at least 36 inches tall to ride Mine-Cart Madness.
Is Mine-Cart Madness scary for children?
Nope, not at all. There are no big drops or sharp turns, though the ride is a little bumpy.
What’s the general wait time for Mine-Cart Madness?
Mine-Cart Madness is a popular ride, and during preview events, wait times were often around 70 minutes.
