While we know Nintendo is making its way into the world of amusement parks thanks to a partnership with Universal, details have remained scarce since. But via an inside tip and a leaked map, it looks like we may know a little more about what to expect once Mario and company show up in Orlando.
As reported by WFTV, the ABC affiliate in Orlando, an inside source told the station that Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone currently at Universal Orlando will be closed and reconfigured for Nintendo Land. WFTV is also reporting that the source has once again confirmed a Mario Kart-themed ride, but said it wouldn’t be a traditional kart experience. “ It will be a moving track ride where guests wear augmented reality glasses to feel like they're moving through a video game,” the station posted.
Outside of Mario Kart, it’s being reported there will be a Donkey Kong roller coaster. There will also be floating coins above walkways that will spin using a magnetic system.
All this lines up with a leaked map posted online by an Orlando radio station, WDBO. The map shows a “Donkey Kong Island” area with a roller coaster named Monkey Mines Madness Coaster. The Mario Kart ride can also be found in the yellow Super Mario World Ride area.
If this map is correct, there will also be a Zelda area, a little kids area themed after Kirby and a ton of Mario rides everywhere. The entrance to the area will feature Peach’s castle and there are warp pipes to walk through connecting areas of the park to each other.
This map shows that Nintendo World will be situated right between The Simpsons Ride and E.T. Adventure. This is right where the Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone is right now.
Again, this all relies on the assumption that this map is correct. While it is possible someone in Orlando leaked the map out to the press, there are a few errors that make me a little dubious this isn’t just some fan idea. The most glaring is the typo about The Simpsons Ride. There shouldn’t be an apostrophe there.
It’s also kind of weird they are calling the Zelda area “Zelda’s Kingdom.” You would think Nintendo would just call it Hyrule or Kakarico Village or one of the many locations in the game. Of course, these could be early rough drafts of plans where attention to detail isn’t as needed, or it could just be a fake made by a fan online.
So what do you think? Do you believe these leaks and are getting excited? Will you hold off until construction has actually started in Orlando? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
