Reader’s Question: On February 10, I will be going to Universal with my family of four (children aged 7 and 5). We definitely want to visit Nintendo World. – We absolutely want to ride Mario Kart. – We also want
to ride Yoshi! If possible, we would like to ride Donkey Kong as well. I’ve heard that it’s best to arrive early, so we plan to get there one hour before the park opens. I would like to know the best flow for the day once the park opens! My plan is as follows: On February 10, we will enter at 7:45, one hour before the scheduled opening at 8:45. → Head straight to Nintendo World, buy our bands, and line up for Mario Kart first. → After finishing that, we will line up for Yoshi next. → Depending on the wait time, we will line up for Donkey Kong. → After riding everything, we will play with the bands (though I’m not quite sure what we can do with them). Is this plan feasible? I have a few questions: – If we arrive early, can we go directly into Nintendo World? – For buying the bands, can one adult decide what to buy in advance and go purchase them while the other three head toward Mario Kart? – If we can get into Nintendo World in the morning, should we still get timed entry tickets online for later in the day? Lastly, I have one more question! What is the typical wait time for attractions on February 10? If the wait times are generally over 60-90 minutes, I might consider getting an Express Pass (though it’s quite expensive for four people, so I’d prefer to manage without it if possible, but since we don’t go often, I’m also considering splurging). February 10 is a weekday, but since it’s the day before a holiday, various online crowd predictions suggest it might be somewhat crowded. The last time I went to Universal was ten years ago with just adults, and I remember that some attractions had wait times of 30-40 minutes. I have no idea what the current crowd situation will be like, and since this is my first time going with kids, I would appreciate any advice! If there are any Universal experts out there, I would greatly appreciate your help!
Planning Our Epic Day at Universal Studios Japan
Oh boy, oh boy, I can’t believe the day is almost here! February 10 is going to be an absolute blast for my family and me. We’ve been counting down the days until we get to step foot in Universal Studios Japan, and of course, the highlight of our visit is Nintendo World! As a family with two energetic young kiddos, aged 7 and 5, I want to make sure we get the most out of our adventure. With Mario Kart, Yoshi, and maybe even Donkey Kong on our to-ride list, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable experience!
I’ve been doing a ton of research and planning to make sure our day is seamless and fun. I mean, who wouldn’t want to zip through the Mushroom Kingdom and race their family on Mario Kart? So, let’s dive right into the game plan and my thoughts on how to tackle the park efficiently.
Getting There Early
First off, the plan is to arrive at the park by 7:45 AM. Now, I’ve heard from countless sources that arriving early is the key to getting a head start on the crowds, especially on a day leading into a holiday. It feels like a little adventure in itself, waking up early and getting ready while the rest of the world is still snoozing away!
But here’s the kicker: when we arrive, can we go directly into Nintendo World? I’ve scoured the internet, and it seems that while we can enter the Universal Studios grounds early, we won’t be able to head into Nintendo World until the park officially opens. So, the game plan might need a little tweaking. We’ll have to wait for the main gates to open, and then like a bunch of determined Mario characters, we’ll dash straight to Nintendo World once the clock strikes 8:45 AM!
The Amazing Band Experience
Speaking of being organized, I’ve been pondering the whole band-buying situation. If one adult decides on the bands and runs off to purchase them while the other three make a beeline for Mario Kart, will that work? I think so! I’m hoping that by the time the other adult gets back, we’d have a great spot in line. But here’s a little voice in my head saying—what if they don’t have the bands we want left? It’s a bit of a gamble, but I think it’s worth a shot.
Our Ride Strategy
Now, onto our ride strategy! The first thing we’ll do is head straight for Mario Kart. From what I’ve read, that ride can get pretty popular, and I want to ensure we experience it without a ridiculous wait. I’ve heard that once you get on that ride, the whole family will feel like we’ve been transported into a real-life Mario game (cue the happy squeals from the kids!).
Right after Mario Kart, we plan to line up for Yoshi. The little ones are going to adore riding around on Yoshi—it’s such a cute and gentle ride! And since it’s more forgiving for younger kids, I think it’ll be a nice way to ease into the day after the adrenaline rush of Mario Kart.
Now, if we still have some energy and time, we’ll tackle Donkey Kong. I’ve read mixed reviews about wait times, and I’m hoping that if we time this right, we’ll catch it when the line isn’t too long. Otherwise, we might have to save it for later in the day or even another trip. Fingers crossed!
Timed Entry Tickets—A Must or Not?
Now here’s a question: should we get timed entry tickets online for later in the day? Since we’ll be there early, I’m thinking maybe we don’t need to. But the thought of potentially missing out on something makes me a little nervous. If we can experience everything we want without the timed tickets, I’d prefer to just go in and enjoy the rides on our own schedule. But I’ll definitely keep an eye on the crowd levels and wait times as we ride!
Wait Times on February 10
Now, let’s talk about wait times. I’ve read that February 10 is a weekday and a day before a holiday, so it might not be as crazy as a weekend, but still a lot of people might have the same idea as us! I’ve seen predictions ranging from 60-90 minutes for the more popular attractions, which is a little daunting. I mean, can you imagine waiting that long with two kids? That’s a recipe for “Are we there yet?” every five minutes!
We’re definitely considering the Express Pass, but man, that’s a splurge. I just keep thinking, “What if we don’t get to ride everything we want?” But you know what? This trip is a special occasion, and splurging a little might save us from a ton of stress. I just have to weigh the pros and cons—there’s nothing worse than seeing the kids’ faces fall when the wait is too long.
Playing with the Bands
Once we finish up our rides, I’m excited to see what we can do with the bands. I’ve heard there are interactive elements throughout Nintendo World, and I can’t wait to let the kids explore. The thought of them running around and scanning their bands to unlock surprises sounds like so much fun! It’s like a mini-adventure within the adventure, and I know they’ll be super into it.
At this point, we might need a snack break! I’ve already got my eye on some of the themed snacks available in the park. I mean, how can we resist a little Mario-themed snack after all that fun? A quick bite will not only refuel us but also give us a chance to catch our breath before heading back out for more exploration.
Final Thoughts
Looking back at all the preparations we’ve done, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and a tad bit of anxiety. Will everything go according to plan? Will the kids have fun? And most importantly, will we make amazing memories? I keep reminding myself that the goal is to have a great time together and enjoy the experience, regardless of wait times or crowds.
In the end, whether we ride Mario Kart, Yoshi, or Donkey Kong, what matters most is sharing those laughs and smiles as a family. So here’s to an epic day filled with adventure, laughter, and maybe a few unexpected detours along the way. I’ll be sure to share our experiences afterward, and who knows, maybe these tips will help another family looking to navigate their own Universal adventure!
Until then, let the countdown begin, and may the odds be ever in our favor! 🎮🍄
