Oh boy! Nintendo is a hot ticket right now. There’s an all new epic Mario game out for a brand new system that is being well received, while one of the older systems is the most sought after console of the year. There’s a new Mario Brothers film in the works with Universal, and the studio that brought us Minions and Despicable Me, AND now there’s talk of the new World of Nintendo coming sooner than we thought to Universal Orlando.
According to a the assignment editor at WFTV Channel 9, they have new permits that have been filed, in hand for the new Nintendo World.
CONFIRMED: .@UniversalORL submitted plans for 8.8 acre Super Mario Land, called Prj 487, at USF in KidZone/Barney/Animal Actors area behind Simpsons land. Will have Donkey Kong and Mario Kart areas. Construction likely to start early 2018. pic.twitter.com/jWGhjEkSBm
— Chip S. (@chickenlilchip) November 21, 2017
WFTV says that they have the plans in hand, which they believe to be for the new Nintendo Land at Universal Orlando. With plans now in hand, they also believe that the timeline for the new Nintendo area will be moved up, and we could see construction start as early as 2018. With construction starting that soon, there’s the possibility that Universal could open the new Nintendo World in 2021, which is a year after the opening in Japan. It’s also the same year as the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, which will have tons of new attractions opening themselves, including a new Tron Coaster, a Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster, and a Ratatouille ride. So, the timeline makes sense. Keep in mind that the plans are not listed on any official City or County website, where they would have to be filed in order for permits to be issued.
Another tidbit from the news station is that the plan is to expand the Nintendo area to another park. It’s all speculation at this point, but rumor has been that Toon Lagoon at Islands of Adventure would be removed to make way for a new Nintendo Island. It’s something that has happened before, with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Those attractions opened in 2010 and 2014, respectively. The first land will allegedly be built in Kidzone, featuring two new attractions and themed elements and could be open as soon as 2021, with the next area likely following a few years later. A third area is also rumored, along with a rumor of a third park on property that Universal purchased on Universal Blvd, near the Orange County Convention Center.
All of this is pure speculation, and until Universal officially announces it as happening, it’s not happening. We’ll just have to see if it really happens, but until then, take it with a grain of salt.
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