Nintendo World previews coming up

Passholders should expect long lines, the park warns

Universal Studios Hollywood is warning its biggest fans to prepare for long lines when Super Nintendo World passholder previews begin in January ahead of the opening of the new video game-themed land.

Universal Studios Hollywood will host annual pass previews of Super Nintendo World on some dates from Jan. 29 through Feb. 11. The new land officially debuts to the general public Feb. 17.

Super Nintendo World will feature the augmented reality racing car ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, Toadstool Cafe restaurant and 1Up Factory retail shop.

The passholder previews will provide access to the new land, ride, restaurant and shop on the lower lot of the movie theme park. But since this is a “technical rehearsal” — Universal's term for soft opening — all locations are subject to occasional delays and closures.

A limited number of reservations for passholder previews will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Super Nintendo World previews for passholders will be held at Universal Studios Hollywood on Jan. 29, 30 and 31 and Feb. 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11. The dates fall on every day of the week — so expect weekend dates to fill up first and fast.

Passholders will be able to make reservations on any of the available preview dates — regardless of whether their annual passes are blacked out on the event date. Passholders will reserve a time slot when they make their reservation and will only be able to access Super Nintendo World during that two-hour window.

Universal recommends checking in at least one hour before the reservation time at the Globe Gardens outside the park on the pathway between Frankenstein parking and the security entrance.

Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. for 10 a.m.noon time slots. Checkin tables will close at 3 p.m. each day. Universal warns that lines may be long for passholders with late reservation times.

Passholders will need to show their annual pass and event reservation confirmation email to get in. Passholders will be able to enter Universal during theme park hours before their reservation time.

Annual pass discounts for platinum and gold members will apply toward food and beverage purchases in Super Nintendo World during the preview events.

Visitors will enter Super Nintendo World through a green warp tunnel that takes them into a compact and colorful landscape alive with animatronic scenery.

Spinning gold coins, question mark boxes and other video game booty frame lifesize versions of Peach's Castle and Bowser's Castle.

Throughout the land, visitors wearing PowerUp Bands can take part in gameplay inspired by Nintendo video games.