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Universal Studios Japan: General Discussion
Bowser
TS Member
Will it be the same ride at Epic? I know the Mario Kart in Hollywood is slightly lesser than the Japan version but i guess the "jumping" concept will be the same regardless.
Mario kart in Hollywood is the same ride as Japan it’s the land that’s different as they had a smaller area to work with and doesn’t have the Joshi ride.
The three rides at epic will be the same as Japan, although donkey king has a slight upgrade with a huge water feature cascading down the facade, there wasn’t room in Japan. Also the Nintendo land is also slightly bigger in Orlando, again due to more space and learnings from when they opened the Japan version.
The three rides at epic will be the same as Japan, although donkey king has a slight upgrade with a huge water feature cascading down the facade, there wasn’t room in Japan. Also the Nintendo land is also slightly bigger in Orlando, again due to more space and learnings from when they opened the Japan version.
Skyscraper
TS Member
The Hollywood version was shoehorned into a tight space, whereas the Epic version has been destined along with the rest of the park, so I'd assume the Epic version will be a similar size to the Japan version.
Edit: Just beaten by @Maelstrom
jon81uk
TS Member
As far as I know its the same ride. I'm sure I've read somewhere that the Japan version is constrained due to the land available, but theyve gone with the exact same layout in Florida where that is less of a problem.
There are rumours of a Luigi Mansion ride coming next at Epic, I assume Japan won't have the space.
Bowser
TS Member
I’m almost positive it’s not the same, I think Hollywood has a slightly shorter layout with a few scenes missing.
This post on Reddit appears to corroborate that for what it’s worth:
Hey we are literally at USJ right now. We also are from LA so have been to USH countless times (we’re season pass holders). The other person is wrong, the Mario kart ride is much longer and shows more tracks than the one we have!
From: https://www.reddit.com/r/usj/comments/1fqe4ox/osaka_vs_hollywood_overlap/#:~:text=We%20also%20are%20from%20LA,Simpsons%20in%20the%20Japan%20version
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Bowser
TS Member
Plastic Person
TS Member
I watched one of the POVs, which I understand didn't include a small finale scene with animatronics. Very much Universal's equivalent to Seven Dwarves Mine Train, for better or worse.
It is as I expected, very short. hopefully it’s better in person and it’s ghe POV camera that doesn’t do it justice (which if often the case). the indoor scenes where you can see the buildings roof etc seem not up to universal normal standards. I am sure will still be a good experience and certainly will look good off ride.
Zeock
TS Member
It really doesn't look great for a park of USJ's calibre, especially where the corrugated roof is visible at the end. It is also very short for a ride that will attain some very high queue times, but I am sure that many will find it enjoyable, both on and off-ride.
Benjsh
TS Member
I have watched the POV's and similar to the Mario Kart ride it left me feeling seriously underwhelmed too. I never did have much faith for this jump track gimmick from the off though really. A cool idea in principle but something that is quite difficult to pull off and incorporate into a thrill ride.
On our Florida trip next year this is arguably the land I'm least looking forward to at Epic Universe where as for my son it's probably 1st or 2nd.
On our Florida trip next year this is arguably the land I'm least looking forward to at Epic Universe where as for my son it's probably 1st or 2nd.
Tim
TS Member
From the footage I don't think it helps that you can't often see the track over the very low camera position. Which is of course the main gimmick of the ride.
I think that despite a coaster jumping the tracks bring a really neat idea, its also not a new idea and there's a reason it hasn't been done before. The trick only really works for people off ride or those with a front row seat. And even then the chunks missing from the scenery to hold the support arm are very noticeable. But it adds a lot of expense and complications to the design and presumably operations of the ride.
I think that despite a coaster jumping the tracks bring a really neat idea, its also not a new idea and there's a reason it hasn't been done before. The trick only really works for people off ride or those with a front row seat. And even then the chunks missing from the scenery to hold the support arm are very noticeable. But it adds a lot of expense and complications to the design and presumably operations of the ride.
Bowser
TS Member
50% of passengers are front row seats no? Will be interesting to hear from people once they’ve ridden it.
Personally I thought Mario Kart was great. Whilst the AR is distracting it is incredibly well implemented and as a fan of the IP the theming is perfection which of course increased the enjoyment. So I’m optimistic Donkey Kong will deliver more than a POV may suggest.
Tim
TS Member
True, but 50%, (whilst better than for example Nemesis, 12.5%), still means that half the guests don't get a good view of the gimmick.
And I'm not saying it's a bad gimmick, just that I'm not surprised it hasn't actually been done before.
Bowser
TS Member
Astonishingly Mine Cart Madness only has a queue of 100 minutes currently whilst 6 other rides have longer waits!
Don’t know what it was like this morning. Can only assume there’s a strict capacity limit on the area (within an area already limited) as opposed to it being a throughput monster.
From: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDa328_xLPB/?igsh=MWt2M2ZlejRoMXhrMA==
Don’t know what it was like this morning. Can only assume there’s a strict capacity limit on the area (within an area already limited) as opposed to it being a throughput monster.
From: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDa328_xLPB/?igsh=MWt2M2ZlejRoMXhrMA==
Llama
TS Member
There are some good videos of the whole Donkey Kong area on Youtube. The environment looks incredible, same as the Mario section, and it also looks like they nailed the mine cart aesthetic and motion if you're watching the coaster from the surrounding area. There's a clip of it sliding through a pool of water and it looks very believable. From the earlier leaked POV and the new footage I think the coaster isn't going to move your needle if you're into intense experiences but it looks like a much better translation of the Donkey Kong game concept to reality than Mario Kart is.
Bowser
TS Member
Reviews seem very positive:
Starting with our friends at VGC who said this additional area makes the overall experience "significantly better":
www.nintendolife.com
Starting with our friends at VGC who said this additional area makes the overall experience "significantly better":
IGN called the Donkey Kong Country area a "well-polished nugget of physical DLC":
And 'NintenDaan' attended on behalf of GameXplain - sharing his thoughts about the Minecart Madness ride:
Round Up: The First Reviews For Super Nintendo World: Donkey Kong Country Are In
Here's what the critics had to say
www.nintendolife.com