The Limited-Time Character Experience Coming to EPIC Universe
Universal EPIC Universe will host a limited-time Yoshi meet and greet starting March 10, 2026, celebrating the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The character experience runs daily through April 13 at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD in both Universal EPIC Universe and Universal Studios Hollywood.
MAR10 Day Launch
The experience launches on MAR10 Day, Tuesday, March 10, which Nintendo fans celebrate annually as Mario Day. The timing aligns with the premiere of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on April 1, giving guests opportunities to meet Yoshi just before and after the film’s theatrical release.
Yoshi serves as the centerpiece character for the celebration, allowing guests to interact directly with the beloved Nintendo character through a walk-around meet and greet rather than only experiencing Yoshi through the Yoshi’s Adventure attraction already operating in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
Movie-Inspired Food
Specialty desserts and snacks reflecting the cosmic space theme will be available at select dining locations:
Rosalina Cupcake: Blue velvet cupcake filled with blueberry cheesecake, topped with lemon buttercream, a chocolate crown, and a star decoration referencing Rosalina’s character from the Super Mario Galaxy games.
Galaxy Popcorn: Multicolored berry flavored popcorn with edible glitter creating visual spectacle that ties into the cosmic theme. Available later in the promotional period.
Limited-Time Merchandise
Exclusive merchandise includes first-of-its-kind interactive shoulder pals themed to the Lumas from the film. Available in blue and yellow color variants, the shoulder pals feature light and sound effects and can communicate with each other when positioned close together.
The interactive nature reflects Nintendo’s emphasis on play, translating movie characters into physical merchandise that maintains the spirit of engagement. The communication feature between multiple Luma shoulder pals encourages guests to purchase both color variants or coordinate with family members.
CityWalk Photo Opportunities
The celebration extends to Universal CityWalk Orlando and Hollywood with themed photo opportunities inspired by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The vibrant settings invite fans to pose in galactic tunnel-like experiences from Mario’s newest adventure.
These photo opportunities are accessible without theme park admission, allowing anyone visiting CityWalk for dining or entertainment to participate. The settings create shareable social media content when guests post images to Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms.
Strategic Timing for EPIC Universe
The March 10 through April 13 timeline strategically spans the period leading up to the April 1 premiere and extends nearly two weeks beyond theatrical release. This allows guests who see the movie opening weekend to visit the parks immediately afterward while the film remains fresh.
The limited-time nature creates urgency encouraging visits during the specific window, while the month-long duration provides sufficient time for families to plan trips and make arrangements without feeling rushed.
Theatrical Screenings
Fans can watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at Universal Cinema at Universal CityWalk Hollywood and Universal Cinemark at Universal CityWalk Orlando beginning April 1, providing convenience for guests who want to experience both the film and the theme park celebration during a single visit.
EPIC Universe Context
For Universal Epic Universe, which opened recently as Universal’s newest theme park featuring SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park, the limited-time Yoshi meet and greet represents one of the first major character additions since opening.
The success of this activation could influence Universal’s future approach to character experiences at Epic Universe, potentially leading to additional limited-time appearances tied to movie releases or seasonal celebrations that keep offerings fresh and encourage repeat visits.
The comprehensive celebration, spanning character meet-and-greets, specialty food, exclusive merchandise, and photo opportunities, creates multiple touchpoints for guests to engage with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie promotion across different areas of both resort destinations.
