Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge – Everything You Need To Know!

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is the only ride inside the new Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood and has been highly anticipated by Mario Kart fans across the globe.

The ride mirrors that inside the Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan and uses AR technology constructed through a Mario hat and visor. We had the pleasure of experiencing the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride multiple times both during the annual pass preview event and technical rehearsals.

What Is The Average Wait Time For Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge?

We’ve seen the standby wait times for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge range from 20 minutes to 180 minutes. However, the standby wait time displayed on the digital board can often be different to the actual wait time you experience – both for better or worse.

Thankfully, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is not only one of the best rides at Universal Studios Hollywood but it also has a highly detailed queueing area for you to enjoy as you wait.

This queueing area takes you through Bowser’s entire castle which is situated at a height with a fantastic outdoor viewing area at around the halfway point. The queuing area consists of multiple large areas and rooms each of which comes complete with colourful designs, Super Mario characters, set pieces and some fantastic easter eggs from Super Mario games past and present.

The first queueing room you enter is designed to mimic Yoshi’s Island and as such is filled with beanstalks, gem-filled caves and Yoshi coins.

From there you’ll enter the second queueing room which showcases the interior of Bowser’s incredible castle. This castle has multiple rooms including a study featuring several books and photos referring to the different Super Mario games as well as an assembly room, where Bob-ombs and Bullet Bills are made.

Can You Use The Universal Express Pass On Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge?

Sadly, it is not possible to use a Universal Studios Express Pass to skip the line for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. Instead, it seems (albeit not confirmed) that only VIP Experience guests will be the only guests that are able to skip the line.

However, a VIP Experience is in our opinion so much more than just Super Nintendo World. Therefore we wouldn’t recommend going on this guided tour with the sole purpose of skipping the line on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

Does Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge Have Single Rider?

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge has a single rider line which is located to the right (next to the test seat) just inside the ride’s entrance.

I’ve gone on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge as a single rider multiple times during trips to Super Nintendo World and found that the queue is often 90% lower than the advertised standard wait time.

What Is The Height Restriction For Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge?

To go on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge alone, guests must be 48″ or taller, meanwhile, to go on the ride with a supervising adult, guests must be 40″ or taller.

There are height requirement bars both outside the ride and at the boarding area. Given the long expected wait times for this ride, we highly recommend ensuring everyone in your party meets the requirements prior to waiting in line to avoid disappointment.

What Is The Weight Restriction For Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge?

There is no weight restriction for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. However, this ride does use a lap bar and for your safety and security, you’ll need to ensure that the lap bar securely fits around your waist to be able to go on the ride.

This means, that rather than your overall weight, going on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge instead depends on where you hold your weight (stomach, thighs, breasts, bum, waist etc.)

Universal has come under fire for its size restrictions with this ride with those with a waist larger than 40″ reportedly unable to fit within the test seat. Sadly, we are unable to report based on personal experience. However, according to many on Reddit this is a slight over-exaducation by the media.

If you have personal experience based on this we would love to hear from you (anonymously is fine) in the comments for the benefit of other SNW fans.

The test seat for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is located inside the entrance of the ride to the right (before the stairs). If you have a waist larger than 40″ we would recommend using the test seat prior to queuing to avoid disappointment given the long estimated wait times.

Instructions on how to use the test seat are provided above, however, if you’re unsure about anything we recommend speaking to one of the staff members that should be located at the ride’s entrance.

Does Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge Have Child Swap?

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge operates a child swap programme that allows parents to take turns going on the ride while the other parent waits with the child who is too small to ride.

If you would like to use the child swap programme you’ll want to speak to a staff member at the entrance of the ride who will provide you with instructions.

What Is The Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge Ride Like?

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is designed to make you feel as though you’re inside the Mario Kart game.

During the queueing process, you’ll be provided with your Mario Kart visor (which has been designed to resemble Mario’s hat) and given visual instructions across multiple screens on how to successfully adjust the visor to your head and then once onboard your Mario Kart vehicle connect the 3D goggles to your visor.

Once you’re at the front of the queue you’ll be asked to board your Mario Kart vehicle. Mario Kart vehicles can seat up to four people, two at the front and two at the back.

When the ride is ready to go Lakitu will give you the 3-2-1 signal and from there you’ll race through multiple courses trying to help Team Mario win the Golden Cup.

Just like in the Mario Kart games, you’ll want to toss shells at Team Bowser’s vehicles and collect coins. To do this simply aim with your visor by turning your head (regardless of which way your vehicle faces you’ll shoot in the same direction that you look towards) and then push the buttons located on the top of the steering wheel.

The ride moves incredibly slowly (I’d say no more than 10km/hr) and has no scary scenes as such it should be suitable for all children who are tall enough to ride.