Tag Archives: Universal Studios Hollywood

Super Nintendo World Mario Kart Ride Has Strict Waistline Limits

Height limitations have always been a challenge for some amusement park guests, as safety features on thrill rides aren’t designed to accommodate every rider. But Mario fans flocking to Universal Studios Hollywood this month for the opening of Super Nintendo World may find themselves unable to enjoy the park’s most exciting attraction, this time because of their waistline.

According to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal, Universal Studios Hollywood has warned that some guests might not be allowed to ride Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, which allows guest to climb aboard a go-kart and experience the popular Nintendo racing game in real life through augmented reality effects and animatronic characters, “if their waistline measures 40-inches or more.” With the average male waist size in America now exceeding 40-inches, that limitation is going to potentially leave many guests very disappointed after enduring what will probably be very long lines at the new attraction.

In recent years, theme parks around the country have become more stringent about safety and the restraints used on ride vehicles, and it’s not just for high-speed attractions like roller coasters that can take riders through inverted loops and steep curves. As indoor rides have become more complex and now provide riders with highly immersive experiences, the technology they employ has also become more complex… and more dangerous.

Trackless vehicles now deftly weave through attractions like Galaxy’s Edge’s Rise of the Resistance with more speed and agility than the ride vehicles used on classic attractions like The Pirates of the Caribbean. As a result, while Pirates doesn’t restrain riders, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge will, as there is a serious risk of injury should a rider exit a vehicle before the ride is finished. On top of that, there’s now even more emphasis on safely securing smaller children in the same seats used by adult riders, which contributes to more limitations for larger guests.

Jeff Polk, the senior vice president of resort operations at Universal Orlando Resort, told the Wall Street Journal that many of its parks’ attractions offer test seats located outside the rides as a result, allowing guests to test restraints and capacity ahead of time to avoid finding themselves turned away after waiting hours in line. But at the same time, some park visitors also told the Wall Street Journal that testing seating ahead of time can be awkward, embarrassing, and not always indicative of the ride’s actual build and design.

Some attractions, like Universal’s Islands of Adventure’s The Incredible Hulk Coaster in Florida, now offer certain seats specifically designed for larger guests. But as the pandemic-weary population is embracing travelling and vacations again, theme parks are bursting at the seams with hours-long wait lines, and there’s simply less incentive for parks to offer rides with seats they may not be able to fill every time the ride is operated.

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Performer rushed to hospital after possible drowning reported at Universal Studios Hollywood

UNIVERSAL CITY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A performer at Universal Studios Hollywood was rushed to the hospital after a possible drowning was reported Monday afternoon.

According to a Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson, it happened during an afternoon performance. The Los Angeles County Fire Department said the man required CPR.

“Details surrounding the event are under review. As always, safety is our top priority in our day-to-day operations,” said the spokesperson said.

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A witness who spoke with Eyewitness News said it all unfolded during a WaterWorld performance. He said the performer was on one of the towers, and as part of the act, fell into the water.

The witness told ABC7 the other workers noticed he was missing and went in the water to pull him up.

In video obtained by Eyewitness News, several people are seen pulling the performer to an area behind the scenes.

The witness said the show was suddenly canceled and guests were escorted out.

The condition of the performer remains unknown.

This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.

Copyright © 2023 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Here’s our first look at Universal Studios’ upcoming Mario Kart ride

Photo: Universal Studios

We’re still months out—with “early 2023″ as an approximate opening date—from the debut of Universal Studios Hollywood’s new Super Nintendo World, the theme park company’s first attempt to import Universal Studios Japan’s well-received Mario-themed attraction area to the States. (Similar additions are being built at the company’s other U.S. parks, with later debut dates.) Today, though, the theme park owner revealed the plans for its first major ride to entice park goers to head down the Warp Pipe and check Super Nintendo World out in L.A. next year: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

As far as Mario brands being translated into rides go, Mario Kart—what with the cars and the chaos, etc.—is a pretty natural fit. (It’s certainly better than our initial pitch, the Twisting Turning Turbulent Toadcoaster.) (Although just try to tell us a Luigi’s Mansion-themed haunted house wouldn’t be amazing.) Bowser’s Challenge is, in fact, an adaptation of an existing and tested ride from Universal Studios Japan, which combines carts on rails with augmented reality goggles in order to create the illusion that riders are actually on the track with Mario, Peach, and, presumably, the dreaded Waluigi.

Now, is this as cool as, say, just letting people drive some go-karts on a brightly colored Mario Kart course? Not remotely. But it probably involves a lot less legal liability for the park, and at least kids will apparently be able to turn the wheel a little to control the angle of their karts. (We’ll admit to being somewhat skeptical of the “indoor car with video screens/AR” trend in recent theme park ride design—give us a real coaster any day of the week—but Universal Studios is promising that this particular version of the tech is at least some of the most complex it’s ever tried to run.)

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is slated to open alongside Super Nintendo World in early 2023.

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Universal Studios Hollywood: Power outage at Universal Studios Hollywood leaves people stuck on Transformers ride

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (KABC) — A group of people visiting Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday had to be rescued after a power outage left them stuck on the Transformers ride.

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the incident call came in just before 3:45 p.m.

A group of about 11 people had to be rescued, according to authorities. The power outage also impacted the Harry Potter ride.

No injuries were reported and crews were able to get everyone off safely.

AIR7HD video from above the scene showed LACOFD units surrounding the north side of the theme park, which appeared to be the only part that was affected by the outage.

Universal Studios Hollywood issued the following statement Thursday evening:

“As a result of a power interruption from So Cal Edison, we experienced a brief power dip which resulted in exiting guests from some attractions. Power has been fully restored and we’re working to get a few remaining attractions back online. The theme park remains open.”

Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.



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