Epic Universe construction update: Donkey Kong coaster on tracks
The “track-jumping” Donkey Kong roller coaster is in testing as Epic Universe construction continues in Orlando.
An Epic Donkey Kong Adventure
Mine-Cart Madness — a Donkey Kong Country roller coaster — will open with the new Universal Epic Universe theme park in 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort. (A version of Mine-Cart Madness will also open later this year at Universal Studios Japan. Although Super Nintendo World also exists at Universal Studios Hollywood in California, Mine-Cart Madness is not being built at that park.)
bioreconstruct captured aerial photographs of Mine-Cart Madness construction progress in Florida during a helicopter flight on June 20, 2024.
Jumping the Track
As part of Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World, Mine-Cart Madness will send riders across what will appear to be gaps in its roller coaster track, mimicking the sensation of jumping between track pieces like Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong in their video games. How does it work? In actuality, the real track hides underneath as a bottom layer. Construction workers recently installed additional theming in areas surrounding the ride track.
Donkey Kong Ride Vehicles Testing
At the construction site of Mine-Cart Madness, ride vehicles are now on the track. Though testing for the jungle-themed coaster has been ongoing since at least March (as captured by Ethan Hershaft on X), the photos below from last week mark the first time bioreconstruct has seen the cars outside of the load station.
At the time these photos were captured, contractors may or may not have been performing a pull-through test. During this standard procedure, workers navigate ride vehicles slowly along the entire length of the track with a cable (as pointed out by the yellow arrow in the photo below). bioreconstruct noted that the car appeared stationary at the time of his aerial photo shoot.
Super Mario Land
Next door to Donkey Kong Country, progress continues on Super Mario Land, aka Mushroom Kingdom. Together, Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country will make up the area of Epic Universe collectively known as Super Nintendo World.
The multi-level outdoor area of Super Mario Land will involve various interactive elements and serve as an entrance to Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, an indoor attraction.
The land will also feature an outdoor Yoshi ride and a Toad-themed quick-service dining location. The primary Nintendo retail location, the Nintendo Super Star Store, will reside in Celestial Park, just outside the portal into Super Nintendo World.
Discover Super Nintendo World
Read all the details about Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World in our previous coverage:
For a behind-the-scenes perspective, watch this video and hear artists from Universal Creative discuss the making of Super Nintendo World:
All About Epic Universe
Super Nintendo World will be one of five worlds part of Epic Universe. The others are How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe (based on Universal Classic Monsters), Celestial Park (a non-IP-focused central hub), and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic (details forthcoming).
Universal Orlando guests can currently get a sneak peek at the upcoming park by visiting the Epic Universe Preview Center, located in Universal CityWalk. Inside, visitors can observe a scale model of the entire park, look at concept artwork, and purchase exclusive Epic Universe merchandise.
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