A recent incident at Universal Studios Hollywood has raised concerns after a video emerged showing guests smoking while riding the popular Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge attraction. Smoking is strictly prohibited on rides at the park, with such rules in place to maintain a safe environment for all guests. This breach of safety protocols on one of the park’s most high-tech attractions has sparked significant debate among fans and visitors alike.
A Major Breach
The Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge is part of the newly opened Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood, offering an immersive experience that combines cutting-edge augmented reality and interactive features. Guests put on special goggles to experience Mario Kart courses like never before, racing alongside characters such as Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach. Players collect digital coins and throw shells to compete for the coveted Golden Cup. However, Universal’s strict no-smoking policy is an essential part of maintaining safety on this thrilling ride, as smoking could pose serious distractions or even fire hazards in such an environment.
The video showing guests smoking on the ride has not gone unnoticed, and it has prompted concern from the park’s visitors. Fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment, particularly over the disregard for park rules on an attraction that is aimed at families and younger audiences. Universal Studios Hollywood is known for maintaining high safety standards, and this incident could push the park to take further action to ensure its rules are enforced more effectively. While the park has yet to comment on the matter, the circulating video continues to attract attention.
This is taking Universal HIGH to the next level LOL omg 🍃😂🤣 @UniStudios pic.twitter.com/WX1WpNcb4l
— Universal HIGH 🌎 (@HighUniversal) July 23, 2025
A Need for Safety
This situation underscores the need for vigilance when it comes to enforcing safety rules at theme parks, especially on attractions designed for all ages. For Universal, this will likely prompt a review of their policies and how they can better ensure compliance across the board. As the incident unfolds, guests are left wondering what steps Universal will take to prevent similar occurrences in the future and how the park will reassure visitors that safety remains a top priority.
What are your thoughts on this rule break? Let us know in the comments below!
This is what happens when you don’t have smoking areas inside the park. Smokers will try and find a location to smoke or just light up in the bathrooms. This video seems to be showing people smoking marijuana so I think it was more of a stunt for views online than because they couldn’t help themselves. As a smoker myself, I like that the parks used to have a place for us to go for a cigarette. It kept me in the park and not outside the gates. So long as it’s away from major traffic where children are, I do not see an issue with smoking outside. Universal could also adopt an indoor area with a good air filtration system for smokers to light up. This works well in many airports like Atlanta and keeps people from smoking in the bathrooms, or in Universal’s case, on a ride.