Network crash halts Universal Studios Hollywood reservations for Super Nintendo World
A crush of Mario Bros. fans anxious to be the first to see Super Nintendo World overwhelmed the Universal Studios Hollywood computer servers as season passholders tried to secure reservations for the new video game-themed land.
A computer network outage shortly after passholder reservations began at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5 forced the movie theme park to postpone sign-ups for Super Nintendo World previews until next week.
“We apologize for the inconvenience as we work through a network outage affecting pass members reservations for Super Nintendo World,” according to the Universal Studios Hollywood Instagram account. “Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.”
REVIEW: You can’t see in or out of Universal’s new Nintendo land, which sucks you into a video game world
Super Nintendo World will feature the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge augmented reality racing car ride, Toadstool Cafe restaurant and 1Up Factory retail shop in an immersive land that leaves you feeling like you’ve been sucked into a video game.
“They drastically under-estimated the gamer community,” Daniel Martinez wrote on Instagram.
The Universal passholder website and official Twitter account will have updates on Super Nintendo World preview reservations at Noon on Friday, Jan. 6.
Passholders will be able to make reservations for Super Nintendo World previews “early next week,” according to the Universal Instagram account.
SEE ALSO: Universal Studios Hollywood warns of long lines for Super Nintendo World passholder previews
Universal season passholder Will Elizondo spent three hours hitting refresh on his computer in hopes of securing reservations for the Nintendo World previews.
“Now we get to do it again next week,” Elizondo wrote on Instagram.
Furious Universal passholders vented their anger on social media.
“How were you not prepared for this?” wrote Cara on Instagram, echoing the sentiments of many passholders.
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Super Nintendo World passholder previews – originally scheduled for select dates in late January and early February – remain unchanged. The new land officially debuts to the general public on Feb. 17.
Super Nintendo World previews for passholders will be held at Universal Studios Hollywood on Jan. 29, 30 and 31 and February 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11.
Passholders will be able to make reservations on any of the available preview dates – regardless of whether they are blacked out on the event date or not. Annual passholders will reserve a time slot when they make their reservation and will only be able to access Super Nintendo World during that two-hour window.