D-K, UH, Donkey Kong is here! DK’s Minecart Madness coaster is a huge hit with guests of Epic Universe, but its low capacity and popularity lead to wait times that cause PTSD in folks who remember the original Dumbo in Magic Kingdom. This article will cover three times when the waits for Minecart Madness are lower and ideal for riding.

What is Donkey Kong Minecart Madness?

Minecart Madness is a family-friendly thrill coaster through the remains of a temple with Donkey Kong. Guests ride on four-person mine carts that create the off-ride illusion of jumping track. The ride profile features sudden drops and turns, but no inversions like on Stardust Racers.

Why Should I Ride Minecart Madness?

Minecart Madness is a fun, wild mouse-like attraction through a temple and is one of the hottest tickets at the park. The unique track jumping visual is great to see when on the ride and off of it, plus Donkey Kong is a massively popular character for many children and adults alike.

Why Are There Long Waits?

Outside of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, Minecart has the longest waits in Epic Universe due to several factors:

⭐️ The four-person carts are dispatched at long intervals which creates the conditions for a low-capacity attraction. We think Minecart Madness puts through 800-1000 guests an hour.

⭐️ Tech issues continue to plague the attraction. The original version in Japan was delayed several months, and the Orlando version also has its own share of problems. It is common to see some vehicles missing (reducing capacity) or the attraction going down due to technical issues.

⭐️ Minecart Madness is an outdoor attraction and closes during inclement weather. This backs up the Express line and causes guests to come back later.

⭐️ Donkey Kong is popular! Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch 2 has sold over 3.5 million copies after its release this past summer. People love the big monkey.

Best Times to Ride

Similar to how Hagrid when it opened, Donkey Kong Minecart Madness wait times are long nearly all day. Don’t bother attempting to ride during Early Park Admission; it’s not open then, and lots of guests wait the whole EPA in line to ride. Don’t do this because you’re wasting critical low wait times for the attraction. Instead, line up immediately before general admission guests are allowed into the land to avoid the general admission rush.

The next best time to ride is during the last hour the park is open. Lines will lower throughout the day as guests exit the park, but lines will remain long until the last 15 minutes the park is open. Jump in right at the end of the park day if you can, but beware that periodically the attraction has closed early for maintenance. If this happens during your trip, a sign outside the land will notify you of the early closing.

Finally, the next best time is during the lunch rush as guests are eating, waiting for food, or leaving the land. A mid-day lull around 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. is common, just like at Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure, and is a good time to jump in line.

TouringPlans Touring Tips

⭐️ Don’t waste your Early Park Admission time waiting for Minecart Madness; instead, ride at the immediate end of EPA before general admission guests arrive.

⭐️ Ride at the end of the lunch period, around 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., for lower waits during the mid-day. Beware of the weather forecast predicting rain, as this will hamper your plans.

⭐️ Not an early riser and/or don’t have EPA? Ride during the last hour the park is open. Make sure to verify in the park that the attraction isn’t closing early for maintenance.

Do you enjoy Minecart Madness? Or do the waits for it make you Mad? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!