You’re gonna want to hit the ground running, but trust us — don’t start here.

Super Nintendo World

Super Nintendo World is one of the hot-ticket lands at Universal’s new Epic Universe park in Orlando, and it’s going to blow your kid’s mind. Between Mario Kart, Power-Up Bands, interactive games, and just the sheer colors of it all, this place is one of the most immersive and exciting areas in the whole park. But if you’re not careful with your timing, you might end up dealing with a full-on meltdown when it’s time to move on — and that’s the major mistake we’re begging you not to make.

Going to Super Nintendo World FIRST Thing in the Morning

We know. The second those park gates open, your kids (or you — no judgment) will probably be ready to sprint straight to the green warp pipe and jump headfirst into Mario’s world. But let’s hit pause for a second.

Portal Entrance to Super Nintendo World

Here’s the thing: if you take your kids to Super Nintendo World first thing in the morning, you’ve basically just set your entire day up to be one long negotiation to not leave. This land is designed to suck you in. It’s interactive, it’s loud, it’s game-based, and it’s a kid’s dream come true.

Super Nintendo World

And once they’re in, they’re not gonna want to go explore the rest of the park. No other land is going to measure up in their eyes. You’re going to be in a position where you’re either spending the entire day here (which may not be the most efficient or strategic park plan) or dragging them out kicking and screaming (which is not a vibe).

Super Nintendo World with a glimpse at Toadstool Cafe

Instead, consider saving Super Nintendo World for the end of your day. Let the other four portals in Epic Universe have their moment — How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, Celestial Park, Dark Universe, and the Wizarding World are all impressive in their own right and totally worth exploring. Plus, if you hit up those lands earlier in the day while the excitement is fresh, you can save the big reward — Mario, Peach, Yoshi, the whole gang— for later. It gives you something to look forward to, and there’s a good chance crowds may thin out a bit later in the day once the initial rush dies down.

A Land That’s Built for Deep Engagement

Another reason to hold off on Super Nintendo World until later: this isn’t just a walk-through-it-and-move-on type of place. The entire land is built for interactivity. There are Power-Up Bands that let you collect coins and complete mini-games, hidden secrets all over the place, and layered storytelling that keeps kids (and let’s be real, plenty of adults) completely engrossed. It’s not just one or two rides and out. You’ll be in there a while.

Bowser’s Challenge!

So if you go first thing, you’re essentially starting your day with the deepest, most time-consuming land in the park. That makes it really hard to stick to any kind of itinerary or see the rest of Epic Universe without feeling rushed or frazzled.

Use It as Your Grand Finale

Look, we’re not saying don’t go. You should go. It’s going to be an absolute must-do. But treat it like dessert. Let your kids know from the beginning of the day that Super Nintendo World is the last stop — and make it something to work toward. That way, you don’t blow your energy (and their patience) right out of the gate.

Super Nintendo World

As a bonus, you might actually enjoy it more when you’re not jostling through peak morning crowds, and you’ll be able to take your time without worrying about the rest of your checklist.

Mario and Luigi!

We’re all about helping you plan a smarter trip, so trust us on this one: don’t start your day in Super Nintendo World. Save it for the end, and thank us later. We’ll be covering even MORE Epic Universe stuff, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

What are you most excited about in Epic Universe? Let us know in the comments!