Ultimate Birthday Adventure: Exploring Super Nintendo World & Universal Studios in LA!

Intro

🌟 Birthday Adventure: LA Edition! 🎉 Join us for a wild ride through Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios! 🏰🎢

From Super Nintendo World to Jurassic World, we’re diving into all the thrills and spills. 🦖🎮 Get ready for Mario Kart madness and magical moments at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 🧙‍♂️🎇

Don’t miss out on the tasty treats like Mario Burgers and the ? Block Tiramisu! 🍔🍰 Stay tuned for more blogs as we explore every corner of this magical city. 🌴✨ But for now, let’s reminisce about the epic views, exciting rides, and unforgettable memories! 🎈 #BirthdayBash #LAAdventures

Getting to Super Nintendo World

I just love the West Coast, and I have a blast every time I come to these parks in California. Later this year, I would be back to this coast for an Alaska Cruise, which I loved, but for now, I gotta check the always exciting Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.

When I got in the morning, the first thing I did was to rush to the Lower Lot, just like everyone else, to check on this new land.

To get in, there was a line by the Transformers queue, but we were able to get in quickly, not too long after the actual opening time. This was my first time time seeing this land in person, and a few months later I was going to experience the one in Japan.

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

One of the best attractions in this land is Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, an exhilarating 3D ride where riders compete in a thrilling race against iconic Mario Kart characters. The statue of Bowser at the entrance is amazing.

The lines can be very long, but once inside there are all these rooms, where you would be getting instructions on how to play this game/ride.

There are 2 sides, and once you got your hat on, the glasses are on the actual car. The game is amazing and once we get into the rainbow road it gets to a 100 in craziness. Make sure to collect all those coins and get all of those points. You will be evaluated at the end!

At the exit you can find the 1-Up Factory with multiple merchandising of Mario and Nintendo in general.

Toadstool Cafe

In order to get into Toadstool Cafe it is required to get a reservation first thing in the morning. I would recommend to split your group, and while one person go get the reservation in front of the restaurant, the other one go do the line for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

Once inside, it is just amazing on how good it actually looks. In the screen there would be nice stories with Toad and its friends, and even Bowser would attack all of the sudden.

But we came here to get food right, so that is why I got the Mario Burger (Bacon, Mushroom & Cheese) and the ? Block Tiramisu. The burger was actually amazing and the tiramisu was pretty good too, I actually wanted to eat again here.

Power-Up Band Games

One of the add ons of the getting the Power-Up Band is that if you collect at least three of the four keys you can unlock the final challenge and enter Bowser Jr.’s hideout to play the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown.

This game is actually very fun, and uses a tracking device that kind of play like VR but in real life.

Additionally, you can go up some areas of this land and enjoy nice views. It is definitely a small land, but it is still very very nice. I cannot wait for the one in Epic Universe.

Super Nintendo World Popcorn and Drink Cart

Just outside of this land, but still in the Lower Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood, you can find the Super Nintendo World Popcorn and Drink Cart, where you can find multiple offerings for a quick snack.

But I was obsessed with these ice cream sodas, like the Mario’s Strawberry Soda. It was just amazing, 10/10 would recommend, and you get a little souvenir with the little mustache.

More of the Lower Lot

But this birthday trip was not only to see the Super Nintendo World, I also wanted to see what else was new in this park, but specifically in the Lower Lot I had never explored the Jurassic World area, so got a drink in Isla Nu-Bar…

But could not ride Jurassic World: The Ride. Ugh. I was finally going to be able later in the year when I came back to Halloween Horror Nights.

A classic will always be the Transformers ride, and believe, I will be going in there in every single trip, even though is the exact same one as the one in Orlando.

Time to go upstairs, literally up and up and up multiple stairs, into the Upper Lot. The view from the escalators on the way up always amazes me. It is just crazy to get this view from a Theme Park.

Universal Studio Tour

One of my favorite things to do during these trips is the Universal Studio Tour. It is just something so exclusive to this park, and for that I gotta respect it. It last approximately 1 hour, but it has some much happening, and every ride is just a little different. Definitely love it.

Also, because there is a Jaws Experience, which kind of remind me of the one in Osaka, Japan and the now extinct in Orlando.

The multiple areas where we pass by sets and stuff used for dozens of movies and TV Shows is always cool to see.

Like, for example, the Jupiter’s Claim area for the movie NOPE, which I love.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

I never miss it in any Universal trip, and here I was again, at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, in a version that is right next to Springfield, but I would allow it.

It is always nice to get to Hogsmeade, and even though they do not have the multiple rides that Orlando offers…

…enjoying the butterbeer and the fish and chips that I love so much always fills my heart.

Water World

It was getting later in the day, and I took advantage of some time I had and saw one of the last shows of the Water World. I think I had seen it before, but this is the first time I was like fully enjoying it.

The visual effects were amazing, and of course I had to see it back in Japan. Loved all the explosions and fireworks.

Not too far from there, Donkey from Shrek was doing some meet and greet. Dreamworks is really doing nice stuff, especially with their new land in Universal Studios Orlando.

Illumination Land

Minion Land or Illumination Land, this area is very cute, and reminiscent of New York. I had never been in The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, another new attraction, and it was super cute. I loved every minute of it. There were SO MANY animatronics.

It was almost the sunset, and I could see next door the Super Silly Fun Land, in which I did not go because it is mostly for little kids, but it is nice to have this option for this demographic.

In this section, there is the carbon copy of Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.

And just the park closed, I was heading out. I loved my experience in this park, and it left me with the willingness to come back soon. I did return for Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood, but now I need to return like in 2024 or 2025. Let’s see.