Super Nintendo World (Osaka) - Donkey Kong Expansion Thread

[DarkMetroid567]

It actually makes me worry about the Epic version too — this version tested too, after all. As more months pass by I’m wondering if this is a Top Thrill 2 situation…

 

[captainmoch]

With a USJ trip planned for November 1st, I've lost all hope for it being open by then. Maybe softs?

 

[GA-MBIT]

From what I understand, lots of technical quirks and issues that are being figured out on both continents simultaneously. Whenever someone finds something wrong with Florida, Japan has to test it too, and vice versa. Funny enough, the process that I've heard sounds a little bit like QA / Bug Testing for a video game.

 

[queenmetroid]

We've actually seen this situation before with Rise of the Resistance and it did not go so well, and that was using a relatively proven trackless technology. Even though California was completed first, they redirected all the resources to open Florida's version first due to the strategic importance of Disney World during the summer. I suspect that if Universal was forced to choose based on available resources both internally and from the manufacturer, they would also choose Florida over Japan because opening a new theme park with a missing area would look much worse to the press and public.

I have no doubt the troubleshooting is even harder to deal with given it's a brand new ride system and there's a huge time difference and possible language barrier.

 

[quinnmac000]

This is also more of a protective move than anything as well....USJ has limited capacity due to a lot of attractions being reworked then add in this ride saying its open but having continually breakdowns, its smarter to work out all the kinks so it works well at opening rather than say good enough open it and have it down multiple days making angry customers.

 

[Gartooth]

That we are over half way through August and haven't heard anything about this does give me a feeling they're targeting a winter opening at this point. So around November or December. Crazy how big of a delay this ride suffered.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

This is also more of a protective move than anything as well....USJ has limited capacity due to a lot of attractions being reworked then add in this ride saying its open but having continually breakdowns, its smarter to work out all the kinks so it works well at opening rather than say good enough open it and have it down multiple days making angry customers.

Sure, but no ride is foolproof — eventually they’re going to have to have enough confidence to open the ride with the knowledge that it’s going to break down a little bit. You can’t open a ride with 100% certainty.

If USJ was worried about capacity, there was a wiser choice than a first-of-its-kind prototype coaster by an unproven manufacturer with a <1000 capacity.

 

[captainmoch]

I've given up hope on it being open by November 1st. I've accepted it but still a shame!

 

[SilicaKong20XX]

Don't know if this is legit, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is:

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Two-thirds of the way through 2024 without an announcement…. I’m sick

 

[captainmoch]

I was so sure that this would be open by my November 1st trip, even after the first delay announcement...

 

[DarkMetroid567]

I’m at USJ today!

DK is easily visible from Hippogriff and Hollywood Dream - Backdrop so I got to see it often. It’s definitely testing, but I didn’t see any test riders or even water dummies.

Also, the ride is LOUD from the Forbidden Journey outdoor queue. You hear a loud boom + what sounds like Diddy shrieking.

Excited to see if we get any news. That USJ twitter page seems to believe it’s opening November 5th because of some extended hours.

 

[captainmoch]

I’m at USJ today!

DK is easily visible from Hippogriff and Hollywood Dream - Backdrop so I got to see it often. It’s definitely testing, but I didn’t see any test riders or even water dummies.

Also, the ride is LOUD from the Forbidden Journey outdoor queue. You hear a loud boom + what sounds like Diddy shrieking.

Excited to see if we get any news. That USJ twitter page seems to believe it’s opening November 5th because of some extended hours.

I am gonna be praying to every deity imaginable for soft openings, LOL.

 

[maxairmike]

Looks like they’re holding off on selling Express for dates from Nov. 1st until a later date even though tickets are available (went to check for my trip in early November as well). Was hoping that it would be open for a solid month or more before so we wouldn’t be in the grand opening craziness, but it looks like we’ll either be in that madness or hoping for softs.

Was hoping to do this before it opened here in FL, but it’s looking more likely that I’ll experience it at Epic instead.

 

[Eckert]

Looks like they’re holding off on selling Express for dates from Nov. 1st until a later date even though tickets are available (went to check for my trip in early November as well). Was hoping that it would be open for a solid month or more before so we wouldn’t be in the grand opening craziness, but it looks like we’ll either be in that madness or hoping for softs.

Was hoping to do this before it opened here in FL, but it’s looking more likely that I’ll experience it at Epic instead.

I'll be going in the beginning of November too, how likely is that softs will happen?

 

[maxairmike]

I'll be going in the beginning of November too, how likely is that softs will happen?

Personally, no clue. Never paid much attention to USJ before. Probably best to try and keep a closer eye on local accounts that post updates. For me, I would either prefer it be open soon or officially announce the opening date is like 2 weeks after I go.

I’ll be experiencing this soon enough in Orlando, I have no desire to get caught up the mania of the grand opening timeframe.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

My gut is telling me that if we don’t see an announcement in the next two weeks, this will be a 2025 attraction

 

[krazyhorrorkid]

My gut is telling me that if we don’t see an announcement in the next two weeks, this will be a 2025 attraction

It is what it is, 2025 isn’t that far now anyways.
There is probably an issue like some have hinted at and have stated. Does anyone know the specific reason what the hold up is now?

 

[TheUniC6]

It is what it is, 2025 isn’t that far now anyways.
There is probably an issue like some have hinted at and have stated. Does anyone know the specific reason what the hold up is now?

A while ago, Tomfoolery said there was a problem with the ride's electrical system. Perhaps it still pertains to that.

 

[maxairmike]

No mention of Donkey Kong anywhere to be found (at least that I saw) with the release of Express for November, so I would not expect it to be open in early November at this point.