Growing up in Southern California, amusement parks were more than just a trip —they were an adventure. It was an escape from reality that brought themes of magic and mythical celebrations to life; all in the state of California. And, as a child of an immigrant family, road trips were less common while places like Universal, offered us an affordable alternative to explore an immersive experience.

As a Universal pass holder for all four years of college and an avid follower of the franchise since the young age of 5, I was thrilled to check out the new Super Mario World in the Los Angeles Hollywood “Lot of Fame”. Since the ride’s debut in February 2023, over 4.1 million guests have experienced Super Nintendo World filled with interactive games and even a viral Toad that greets you with open arms, according to NBCUniversal. But only a fraction ever crack the leaderboard or even get past 100 points on the coveted Super Mario World Kart Ride; where players compete to earn coins, throw turtle shells at Browser and run through mystery boxes.

Well, unless you are StarRoadster. 

Superfan and 22-year-old CSUN animation student Gavin Sanchez recalls meeting Doug for the first time—in line at the Super Mario Kart ride.

“Like most people, I saw the score on the scoreboard and was just like, what the heck? Who is this guy?” said Gavin fille with happy jitters as he waited to enter Bowser’s Castle with his fully charged powerband. Gavin is a superfan in his own way, hailing from Hollywood, California, surrounded by media and entertainment—his dad worked at Warner Bros. since he was a kid. He’s always loved the quirkiness of theme parks: where his passions for animation and live installation events come hand in hand.

Like many others, Gavin recently took his obsession to the next level: this April, he started work at Super Mario World as a crew member at the Kart Ride. 

For him, this is more than a dream. It’s a reminder that what he loves can be experienced on a deeper level—now from the inside out.

“I’ve just always loved characters and animations and things that make me happy,” said Gavin. “And now that I can share that with everyone, I’m hoping that I can make others happy too.”

Gavin and Doug met at a monthly Reddit group that brings together the ultimate community. Through their newfound community, the space encourages us to understand that the magic of a place like this is really about the people who make it home. 

“I will always cherish the memories that people I have found throughout this journey…and now I can even consider becoming an animator, working behind the scenes, and also someone who is directly working with people to make the lives of everyone, much much happier.” said Gavin.

In fact, for Afton “Affy” McCornack, 25, the parks were her lifeline. She started the largest Reddit subgroup for Universal superfans after surviving homelessness and a severely abusive relationship—living in her car with a partner for two years in downtown L.A.. She first visited Universal at age six, from San Fernando, CA., and during her darkest times, she found comfort in a familiar safe space.

“I remember I came to Universal solo a lot, but I knew that a community would make this experience so much better,” said Affy. “So, it just made sense to help each other out and create this special, special group.” 

She has now left the abuse, and works at a homeless shelter as a community organizer; helping others through similar, difficult times, in or out of the parks. She shares that love with others who find peace and also a good deal for themed entertainment.

“A pass to Universal is a fraction of the cost of Disneyland—which is why I always said Universal is for the people!” she said lined up for the Mummy ride, one of her personal favorites. “It’s been for lower-income families. It’s sustainable enough to allow anyone to enjoy the park at a reasonable price… it really does bring a lot of people who wouldn’t normally come together.”

Affy is not alone. Over the past decade, Universal’s lowest-tier pass, the California Neighbor Pass, is a fraction of Disneyland’s $599 Magic Key Pass.

“These price ranges make it inaccessible for the average middle-class family in America and make it just so much harder for those who love the parks to keep up.” said Affy. 

Universal has also increased their ticket prices roughly 12% the past two years and  while Disneyland has increased its ticket prices more aggressively — making a 20% jump in just two years (Condé Nast Traveler, 2019), it makes sense why. Universal has less acres, with limited character interaction and, as Doug mentions, many mechanical issues. 

“I’ve told the workers for an entire month that I wasn’t getting the amount of points I should because my band stopped counting my back-to-back wins,” said Doug. “It took them weeks to get back to me and honestly, the average fan is not going to wait that long.” 

New York Times reporter on Hollywood Entertainment and Business, Brooks Barnes, understands that Universal is continuing to catch-up to Disney worldwide fame. Just this May, Universal Studios opened its land in Florida called “Epic Universe” an playful expansion that includes some of Dreamworks best franchises like How to Train Your Dragon and Super Mario World. 

“Disney parks have been as popular as they are money making machines and that there’s this generational effect that kicks in, right?”. Said Barnes. 

“It’s really reliant on parents bringing their kids instead bringing their kids to, you know, and universal, because that their parks are newer, that same psychological factor, generational wheel, hasn’t been as powerful. Now they’re starting to get into that place where you can bring grandma who visited Universal as a kid, you know, like three generations, let’s say yeah. And that is really a powerful business driver for Universal, and I think that’s part of why you’re seeing them build.” 

The generational wheel and differences between a fan of Universal and Disneyland have consistently kept the theme parks in separate lanes. However, at the theme park demands the top experiences, competition is getting tight. 

“Universal’s been doing it longer, meaning like, you know, they let their they let their cast, their crew members, whatever they call them, I think crew members. It definitely doesn’t say that the cast for Disney, but you know, they don’t have such, such strict standards there, either. And so I think the feeling is that people feel a little bit more comfortable expressing themselves at Universal.”

Even with its kinks, Universal has continued to become a third-space for adults who love themed entertainment and, beyond that, find new meaning in the midst of helping others enjoy the park as much as possible. 

“To be honest, the reputation the community has isn’t super favorable; seen as rowdy, aggressive and less concerned with quality than the Disney crowd.” said Bryan Him, a 24-year-old who runs r/universal studios and also a blog that helps support first-time visitors.

Bryan decided to start the reddit chat in June of 2011, searching for a community after the prices of Disneyland continued to rise, pricing him out the experience. Throughout the last decade, he has become a fan of the Reddit community; ranking hot food across the park to even bringing others together digitally. It feels like his expertise on the park, that has given him a home away from home, has been fulfilling to also help others ways to maximize their visit. 

“I will say that, looking at post statistics, my Toadstool Cafe menu reviews have helped a lot of people planning trips, so that’s definitely a plus, right? Nearly 300k views…crazy, man” said Him, as he embarked on his next challenge; ranking all the restrooms and how easily accessible each are in order help first-time park goers.

“I know everyone’s already said it, but it’s true; Universal gave me a space away from the bullying and feeling like an outcast,” said Bryan. “I disliked themed parks growing up, I was scared of heights and loud noises and sad scenes in movies…but in reality, I just needed a community to help make those things fun to me, again.”

With each fan comes a story of resilience and community that gives them a purpose beyond their wildest dreams. Whether it’s championing Super Mario Kart or developing the next generation of superfans, theme parks will continue to bring people together and remind us that no game of life is won without a team.