Epic Universe: Navigating Through the Portals With A Mobility Aid

Hey friends! After spending some time exploring Epic Universe, I’ve gathered some helpful tips and must-know details for anyone navigating the park with a mobility aid: whether it’s a wheelchair, walker, scooter, cane, or anything else. As a full-time walker user myself, I’m always on the lookout for how inclusive a space truly is. I’m happy to report that Epic Universe is overall very ADA-accessible and easy to navigate. Still, there are a few key things you’ll want to know before you “power up” and go for your visit!

Epic Universe is very walkable, and the vast majority of the ride queues are ADA-friendly. However, there are some rides that may require elevator access to fully experience the queue or reach the loading platform. To help your day go as smoothly as possible, I've broken everything down land by land to help you better plan ahead and focus more on the fun!

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™

As you approach Super Nintendo World, you’ll immediately catch sight of the larger-than-life, iconic green warp pipe portal, your first clue that you’re about to enter a world on a whole new level! Overall, there are 3 ways to enter and explore the land. So no matter how you roll (literally or figuratively), there’s a path for you!

The primary entry has a set of escalators located just inside of the Warp Pipe Portal, but please do not worry – there are two alternate routes that you can take to enter the world right from the ground level for mobility aid use or if you simply want a different experience. One is a fully immersive entry and the direct path that gets you straight into all the action.

For my fully immersive enthusiasts, you’ll walk right into the Warp Pipe Portal and take the pathway to the far right, just before the escalators. Taking this path will lead you to a themed elevator – a perfect way to stay in the story while keeping things accessible! Once you've reached the second floor, you’ll “sync up” with theme park guests who are entering the land from the WPP escalators as you make your way through Princess Peach’s castle – your official gateway into Super Nintendo World.

In true Mario Kart fashion, if you’re just here for the action and want to get inside Super Nintendo World fast, there’s a direct path that bypasses the Warp Pipe entirely, getting you straight into the land without missing a beat! This path is located just past the Warp Pipe Portal, to the right, and in between the world renowned “Here we Go!” and the Nintendo Super Star Store (gift shop with stained glass windows). Whether you’re all about the immersion or just want a seamless entry, Super Nintendo World has thoughtful options to help you enjoy the experience fully.

A gentle note, friends: once you have entered Super Nintendo World from one of the three access points, you will need to use elevators to navigate around the land from any entry point you use. Keep an eye out for signage, or feel free to ask a Team Member if you would like more help getting around. 

Once inside, there’s a total of three rides: 

• Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness

• Yoshi’s Adventure

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

Do note that Donkey Kong and Yoshi’s Adventures are located downstairs, while Mario Kart is located upstairs. Keep this in mind depending on which entrance you use to come into Super Nintendo World.  That way, you’re not hopping around from elevator to elevator, going up and down. 

Elevator Details:

• Mario Kart has three elevators that you will have to navigate within the queue. When you walk into the ride queue, you enter Bowser’s castle and are met with a staircase. Let a Team Member know you need elevator access. They will escort you to your first elevator that’s located to the left of the staircase. This will take you to Bowser’s Library. The second elevator is located around the corner after you watch the pre-show. This elevator will take you downstairs and let you out right by the loading platforms. After you experience the ride, you would then have to take a third elevator that will lead you to the Mario Motors Gift Shop and the exit.

• Yoshi’s Adventures has one elevator. You will enter the queue and walk through Yoshi’s New Island, until you get to Toadette’s home, built in a tree. The elevator is within the tree, and it will take you to the second floor where the ride is located. 

Team Members are stationed along the queue to escort and guide you through the accessibility route. Just let them know you need elevator access. They’re super helpful!

DARK UNIVERSE

Monsters Unchained

The queue is mostly fully walkable. There is a part in the queue where you reach the foyer area with a double staircase. Once you reach that area, there’s a Team Member that will guide you under the stairs to reach an elevator on the left. Once you reach the second floor, another team member will help re-integrate you in the line so you don’t miss a beat. Once you exit the ride, you’ll see an elevator by the stairs that will lead you to the gift shop.

Curse of the Werewolf

While there isn’t an elevator, there are a few steps within the ride queue. To avoid them, you’ll be escorted by a team member through the ride’s exit, which provides accessible entry straight to the loading platform. 

CELESTIAL PARK

Stardust Racers

This attraction requires elevator access to reach the loading platform. You will walk through the queue as normal, until you reach the lockers. Once at the lockers, you will see the staircase. The elevator is off to the left of the staircase. There wasn’t a Team Member present to escort me; I had to figure it out for myself. Once you reach the second floor, there is a Team Member present to escort you through a metal detector before then escorting you to the accessibility side of the loading platform. 

THE WIZARDING WORLD: MINISTRY OF MAGIC

Battle of the Ministry of Magic

I didn’t get a chance to ride this one (yet!), but I did walk through the queue. Aside from how absolutely breathtaking the queue is, it’s very ADA-friendly. From what I can gather, there might be stairs to access the ride vehicle. From the queue, I was unable to locate exactly where the elevator access might be. I’ll be sure to update this once I confirm the full process!

ISLE OF BERK

Out of all of the lands, I think Isle of Berk is the MOST inclusive when it comes to being ADA-friendly! All of the rides are completely accessible. I didn’t experience any issues when it came to the queue line or entering the ride vehicle. I do want to point out one thing, as there seems to be some inconsistencies with entering the queue for this ride. 

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders

There are: 

• Two loading areas: the loading area directly to the left of the stairs is the loading area for ADA-accessible needs. Able-bodied guests will take stairs up and over to the other side of the loading platform.

• Depending on the Team Member present,  you might either enter the queue through the front entrance or come up through the exit. 

  • I rode this ride twice, and both times I was told to go through the queue as normal.

  • I was speaking to someone who had someone in their party with a mobility aid, and the Team Member at the front of the queue escorted them through the exit to access the ride.

  • With that being said, it will be at the discretion of the team member to ultimately decide if you would access the ride through the queue or through the exit.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Epic Universe is doing a great job making each land as inclusive as possible. With that being said, knowing where elevators are and how to navigate through each area makes the experience smoother and more magical, in my honest opinion. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned theme park pro, planning ahead can really empower your visit—especially when navigating with a mobility aid. From immersive entries to thoughtful ride access, I truly appreciated how much care has gone into making this park enjoyable for everyone. I hope this guide helps take the guesswork out of your day so you can focus on what really matters: making unforgettable memories and having epic fun!

If you have any questions or want more accessibility tips, feel free to reach out—I love sharing helpful insights and hearing about your adventures too. Until next time, happy exploring and may your park days be full of power-ups and magic!