Latest news with #Power-UpBands
CNET
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
Next-Level Role Play: Buying a Nintendo Power-Up Band or Harry Potter Wands at Epic Universe? Here's What to Know
You can battle the infamous Bowser with general park admission, but you'll need a $40 NFC-infused slap bracelet to fight his son. Universal's Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida. uses tech to create extra levels of immersion in theme parks. Guests feel like they're the main character in different lands. But going deeper in a story can cost more, as with the Power-Up Bands of Super Nintendo World. They keep score and unlock new levels, but they aren't included in the price of entry. Over at a new Harry Potter land, set in 1920s Paris, wands starting at $65 can perform new tricks and cause a stir with improvisational actors walking around. More advanced wands can track your progress on an app and reveal new secrets in alleyways. I visited Epic Universe during its grand opening in May to learn more about how the tech works and talk to the teams behind the design of this next evolution in theme park design, which you can watch in the video embedded above. I was on a quest to find out if it really is worth the extra cost for these accessories, and certainly some reveals are more rewarding than others. These theme parks are becoming a living video game of sorts as you go on side quests, talking to characters in the land and trying to find new hallways and sensors to activate. A lot can be done in the parks without these gadgets, but if you have time to explore (and a spirit of role play and patience to try a few times), tech really does take immersion to another level. And thankfully, you don't need to pull out your phone to start unlocking the extras (but you can if you want to). Perhaps we're more programmed to just jump in and understand the tech without thinking about the tech when we're exposed to video games and virtual entertainment in the real world. When I eventually do take my kids to see this place, I feel like I would be missing out without getting a band or wand -- but not everyone in your party will necessarily need one to get a kick out of it.
USA Today
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Universal Epic Universe reveals merch and retail experiences
Universal Epic Universe reveals merch and retail experiences Show Caption Hide Caption Universal Epic Universe by the numbers Let's break down what we know about Universal Orlando Resort's new theme park, Epic Universe. Universal Orlando Resort's Epic Universe will feature over 20 retail locations with merchandise inspired by the park's five immersive lands. Guests can purchase themed apparel, accessories, toys, and collectibles from popular franchises like Nintendo, Harry Potter, and How to Train Your Dragon. Exclusive items include interactive wands, Power-Up Bands, and a crossbody dragon egg carrier with a plush dragon inside. Fans eagerly awaiting the opening of Universal Orlando's Epic Universe theme park can take the excitement up a notch with the reveal of brand-new merchandise. Slated to open May 22, Universal Orlando Resort's newest and largest theme park aims to transport guests into five highly detailed, imaginative worlds with over 50 unique experiences. For those who want to keep the park's fun going long after they depart, Universal Epic Universe will have more than 20 immersive retail locations featuring both new and popular merchandise inspired by the worlds, Universal Orlando Resort said in a news release Wednesday. All retail experiences and merchandise will be available when the park opens. 'The groundbreaking, immersive worlds of Epic Universe created the dream opportunity for us to design a first-of-its-kind merchandise program that brings these iconic stories to fans in new and innovative ways,' Justin Lafoe, global parks merchandise and retail officer at Universal Products & Experiences, said in the release. 'We are thrilled to bring fan-favorite worlds to life and give guests the chance to bring home a piece of their adventures with them.' Here's what guests can expect at Universal Epic Universe's retail locations. Celestial Park As the first world guests encounter when they enter the park, Celestial Park will sell Universal Epic Universe branded merchandise, such as apparel, accessories, home decor and collectable souvenirs like popcorn buckets and glowing wands. Other unique retail shops include: Other Worlds Mercantile is a bustling marketplace with "majestic treasures where all of the worlds come together." Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets will sell candies and sweets. Various Emporia will house three smaller shops: Sensorium Emporium, North Star, Wintry Wonders and Lens Flair. Nintendo Super Star Store for Nintendo-themed items. Toothess' Treasures will have all things dragons, from "blind-box collectible dragon toys, apparel and plush inspired by the larger-than-life dragons in Berk". Here, guests can adopt a dragon via a crossbody egg carrier that holds a plush dragon and peruse a Toothless collection that features a popcorn bucket, zip-up jacket, wings, masks, plush headbands and more. Viking Traders will sell cosplay attire like helmets, shields and swords or buy "rustic swag fit for impressionable dragon trainers" at Hiccup's Work Shop. How to Treat Your Dragon is where guests can find themed treats like mystery chocolate dragon eggs and sheep marshmallows. Only available in this world are experiential Power-Up Bands inspired by popular characters Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Toad, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. With a Power-Up Band, guests can join interactive activities, win digital keys, collect digital coins and stamps, track their score, check their ranking and more. Other retail options include: 1-UP Factory and Mario Motors stores will feature character hats and headbands based on Chef Toad, Bowser Jr., Princess Peach and more; character plush like Mario, Luigi and Donkey Kong; a Mario Kart collection and a colorful Yoshi collection. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will sell food and beverage accessories like the light-up Super Star Popcorn Bucket, 1-UP Mushroom Sipper and Super Mushroom Sipper. At Funky's Fly 'n' Buy in Donkey Kong Country, guests can get all-new merchandise, such as a banana-shaped fanny pack inspired by Donkey Kong's favorite food. Other items include a gigantic Donkey Kong coffee mug, a Diddy Kong ticket holder and more. Dark Universe At Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, guests can "become fashionably monstrous with elaborate face paint" and shop commemorative merchandise collections like the Bitty Monsters, Frankenstein Manor - home to Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, Dr. Pretorius, The Burning Blade Tavern, and Curse of the Werewolf. Pretorius' Scientific Oddities, located next to Darkmoor, will sell cosplay attire. Guests can find these and "other eclectic items" at Pretorious' Scientific Oddities as well as The Manor Storehouse and Guild of Mystics retail locations in Dark Universe.
