We’re getting a closer look at Universal’s plans for the Donkey Kong section of Orlando’s proposed Super Nintendo World land, thanks to what appears to be official concept art posted to the artist’s personal portfolio.
The pieces of concept art, which were found on a personal themed design portfolio site, appear to match the leaked photos of Orlando’s original Super Nintendo World model. This was the land that was set to replace KidZone at Universal Studios Florida. We now believe that the land will instead be built at Universal’s Epic Universe instead. Check out the full images below, as well as more details about what appears to be shown in them.
The portfolio included two separate pieces of concept art. The first piece shows, in colorful detail, the two sides of the land. The land would be built in a horseshoe shape, with the ride entrance and main show building at the back. The ride would then extend outside of the main building, and into the land, on both the right and left sides of the area.
The first image on top shows the view of the left-hand side of the area, if we were looking towards the main ride entrance. This view appears to be a cut-out view, with some foreground elements missing, including a section of track that passes in front.
The green jungle background at the top would be a flat facade, hiding the Mario Kart ride building behind it. The Gray/blue structure is a long inside scene located just in front of the jungle wall. And in front of that is the extended queue areas. Some of the queue would be covered, but this section is not inside. And in front of that would be a section of outdoor track passing through the spikes in the front (not shown).
The second image from the first set, also fully colorized, shows the right side of the land. Starting on the left of the image, we can see a section of the Mine Cart coaster heading back towards the main building, and another heading out. If you look closely, you can spot the real track that the ride vehicles will be running on behind the supports for the false track. The real track is laid out vertically, at a 90 degree angle not usually seen for coaster track. And the car will be placed on a boom arm so it appears to travel on the false track. (See the ride testing video below.)
Enlarged view to see detail of boom coaster with hidden track behind supports
Around the track are sections of temple ruins, jungle theming, and once again another flat backdrop with jungle foliage painted on it, this time to block the backstage areas from view of the land. There appears to be a pirate ship in this piece of concept art, which would give a nice viewing area for the outside sections of the coaster, while also adding some unique set pieces for riders.
Moving further to the right we see Donkey Kong’s treehouse. Below his treehouse will be a stage area for character meet and greets. And to the right of that, at the very end of the land, we can see Funky’s plane, which will be set up as an outdoor gift shop.
The second set of concept art images focus on the temple facade, which will act both as a visual weenie for the land, and as the ride entrance. Donkey Kong’s Mine Cart Madness ride will take riders through the temple, and around the land, passing through different settings while incorporating popular characters from the Donkey Kong Country video games.
The drawings show both an overhead and a front-view of the temple entrance area. The ride entrance and exit are marked on the image. Guests will be able to see an iconic barrel jump right above the doorway before they enter. The ride vehicle will appear to jump right over a waterfall coming from the monkey’s mouth on the front of the temple facade. The water flowing down the front of the building will collect in a pond, and then flow to the right side of the area, behind the ship.
Closer view of temple front and ride entrance with water flowing between the doorways
Nearly all of this can also be seen in the leaked photographs of a model for Super Nintendo World that were discovered earlier this year. The image below shows off the temple, track layout, and many other iconic elements such as Donkey Kong’s treehouse and Funky’s plane, just like we see in this new concept art. Some changes from the art can be seen, like the direction of the barrel above the ride entrance. It’s possible the model may have been the most complete variation of the plans before construction was to begin.
Leaked model photograph of the Donkey Kong area
As we all know, construction never started on the KidZone area of Universal Studios Florida for Orlando’s version of Super Nintendo World. Instead it is widely believed to have been put off for Universal’s Epic Universe, the new theme park in development near the Orange County Convention Center. Super Nintendo World, including what appears to be the Donkey Kong area, even appear in the official Epic Universe concept art.
Possible Nintendo attractions labeled on Epic Universe concept art
We will be talking more about Super Nintendo World, including the Mine Cart Madness ride and surrounding Donkey Kong area, in future articles and videos. For now, be sure to check out our speculation article all about the rides for Epic Universe, which includes more information about the mine cart boom coaster patent and how it works. (See the video below to see some of the off-site ride testing as well.)
Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness boom coaster ride testing off site.
Source: https://t.co/fuoIkE9lzP pic.twitter.com/SIejEYqEgs
— Alicia Stella (@AliciaStella) August 1, 2019
While the first of the Super Nintendo World lands will be opening next year in Universal Studios Japan, that land will not feature the Donkey Kong area, (at least not at first). It will open with the Mario Kart and Yoshi rides. Universal Studios Hollywood is expected to open their Nintendo land in 2021, but it too is not expected to contain the Donkey Kong attraction at first. At this time, it appears that Orlando was, and is, intended to be the first to receive this extra section for Super Nintendo World. The new Epic Universe theme park is expected to open in Orlando in 2023.
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