A deleted post on social media has sparked speculation among enthusiasts, suggesting that The Legend of Zelda might finally have its own theme park attraction after years of anticipation. When the initial Super Nintendo World site debuted at Universal Studios Japan in 2021, it primarily centered around the renowned Super Mario Bros. franchise. However, it soon began introducing interactive rides and attractions based on its other intellectual properties. Several months after the opening of the Japanese park, Nintendo revealed plans for a Donkey Kong-themed expansion set to launch in spring 2024, with a version for Universal Studios Orlando's forthcoming exhibit to follow in 2025.
Undeniably, Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong are just the beginning of the Nintendo universe. Over the years since the park's inception, there have been numerous speculations about Super Nintendo World incorporating attractions based on major franchises such as The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon. In 2020, insiders suggested that Universal Orlando intended to replace its existing Lost Continent attraction with a Zelda-themed area, which was ultimately abandoned in favor of the existing Mario and Donkey Kong attractions. However, a recent report indicates that the Zelda plans are being revisited, with sections of the Lost Continent being closed in May.
An Instagram post by a Universal Studios employee, which has since been deleted, seemingly depicted Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma and franchise creator Shigeru Miyamoto wearing safety gear at a construction site, as reported by GamesRadar. Although the context of the post was lost along with the video itself, individuals who viewed it and subsequently shared screenshots on social media allege that it was captured at the upcoming Epic Universe expansion of Universal Studios Orlando - the location of the park's Super Nintendo World exhibit scheduled to open next summer.
Although the image could pertain to anything, the presence of Aonuma and Miyamoto suggests that it may be related to the long-rumored Legend of Zelda attraction. The aforementioned 2020 report suggested that the previously planned Zelda attractions might have included a theater-style show featuring adjustable rows of seats and a water ride similar to Pirates of the Caribbean, where boats would be elevated into the air and maneuvered around.
These concepts, or modified versions of them, could potentially materialize at the upcoming Epic Universe expansion of Universal Studios Orlando, assuming that the photo of Eiji Aonuma and Shigeru Miyamoto indeed pertains to their supervision of work on a Legend of Zelda theme park attraction. No definitive details have been confirmed at this juncture, so fans eagerly anticipating the potential inclusion of Hyrule-themed thrills in a theme park environment will have to await further official updates. Meanwhile, Super Nintendo World is scheduled to open at Universal Studios Orlando in Florida in the summer of 2025.