Thought I might as well post some of my thoughts. Keep in mind these are only based on video footage.
I had lowered my expectations for the attractions as soon as I knew what they were. Mario Kart was never the most anticipated thing for me because, well, it’s Mario Kart. People were expecting this big epic adventure with high speed action? Have they even played Mario Kart? It’s all about the items and gameplay.
The ride looks like a lot of fun. I think Universal creative did about as well as they could for a “Mario Kart with a story”. I understand why they did this. There’s no individual attraction based on the main series games, so they tried to add as many elements from the main games as possible. It makes for a wonderful queue with fantastic music. But I can’t help but feel like they should have made a ride based on the main series. Have that be the epic ride that travels through the Mushroom Kingdom, to far off galaxies, culminating with a Giant Bowser fight. Then keep Mario Kart focused on the item gameplay.
Things aren’t helped with Yoshi. This ride has way too many ideas and it is way too short to explore any of them. Is this a Yoshi’s Island ride? Is this a New Super Mario Bros Ride? Why is Captain Toad here? Why is there a random picture of Starship Mario and Gateway Galaxy in the tunnel? This ride really doesn’t pickup it’s weight, and Mario Kart is forced to bear the insanely high expectations all by itself.
As for the land itself, bravo. This looks like the best themed land ever. It’s so alive. I don’t love 3D World, but it made a great base for creating a general Mario experience. The underground experience looks amazing. I love the Bowser Jr side story. The Piranha Plants look real! I could go on and on.
The music...it’s sooo good! Nearly all of the main games are represented in some way, and they are all remixes! Bobomb Battlefield, Slider and Peach’s Castle from Mario 64. Delfino Plaza from Sunshine. Good Egg, Gusty Garden, Ghostly, and Comet Observatory from Galaxy. Puzzle Plank from Galaxy 2. Super Bell Hill, Fuzzy Time Mine, World Bowser, and Simmering Lava Lake from 3D World. Bowser Jr.’s theme from NSMB Wii. All of the Mario Kart remixes! I can’t wait to listen to these in higher quality.