Super Nintendo World Confirms For Universal Orlando Resort Dubbed “History’s Worst Kept Secret”

“We will soon be adding another Super Nintendo World to Universal Orlando Resort,” Universal Parks & Resorts Chairman and CEO Mark Woodbury announced Wednesday night at the grand opening event for the eponymous attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. He then admitted the news might be “the worst kept secret in history.” You can see the moment below.

Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood will officially open on Friday, roughly coinciding with the release of Universal and Illumination on April 7, 2023 Super Mario Bros Movie – The voice of Mario himself, Chris Pratt, was heard at the grand opening event on Wednesday night. A larger Super Nintendo World opened in Universal’s Japanese park last year with its own Mario Kart attraction, one is planned for Singapore and it’s now officially confirmed that Orlando will also get a version of the attraction.

The Orlando construction will be part of the resort’s larger, long-awaited Epic Universe park, which is expected to open in 2025.

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts announced Epic Universe in 2019, calling it “the largest investment Comcast has made to NBCUniversal in its theme park business.” The then-head of Universal Parks & Resorts, Tom Williams, described the “vision” for Epic Universe as “historic.” He said the new park is “the most immersive and innovative theme park we’ve ever created.”

Given these adjectives, anticipation ran high among fans, with some seeking building permits for the 750-acre site and others sending in drones to survey construction and use photos to predict future attractions.

It’s all part of Universal’s aggressive expansion, which includes regional parks and attractions such as those recently announced in Texas and Las Vegas, as well as major new attractions on existing properties.

Late last year, Universal Orlando Resort announced the closure of at least five attractions to make way for what it called “new family entertainment.” Fievel’s Playland, Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, Curious George Goes to Town, DreamWorks Destination and Shrek and Donkey’s Meet & Greet were scheduled to close at the end of the day on January 15, 2023.

While not Mario related, some educated guesses as to what will fill the space include a possible Pokemon attraction, or concepts based on DreamWorks or Illumination IP such as: trolls or The Secret Life of Pets – The Minions of Illumination will have their own zone as early as next year. Universal promised more details “in the coming months.”

Watch below as legendary Mario franchise creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Universal Parks boss Woodbury debuted the West Coast Super Nintendo World at last night’s grand opening event.