RCjunkie Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 At $19.99 for a 2 hour pass with unlimited rides and only 250 allowed in the park should be a pretty good deal. They said all rides will not open though. So if the flume ride does not open then it won't be a good deal. I usually do not hit this park until it snows but with VF closed that will change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcxbmjzijxktrmjxxp Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 The M&M'S website for M&M'S Mall of America announcing a 2021 opening date and concept art for the location: Quote M&M’S IS COMING TO MALL OF AMERICA® IN 2021! With a central location inside the east market area of Mall of America®, the more than 24,000 sq. ft. store will incorporate region-specific décor that clearly distinguishes this location, paying homage to Midwest culture. New personalization components and exclusive merchandise will complement the store’s more recognizable elements such as the iconic Wall of Chocolate and larger than life character moments. Continue to check back here for more details on the store opening over the next few months. Was not ever a fan of encroaching on the landlocked foot print of the amusement park for more retail (see also Peeps & Company, American Girl), but this is especially pronounced given the exceedingly vacant "Central Parkway" expansion above North Garden and major vacancies in Southeast Court and Northeast Court due to the closures of large anchors (see Bloomingdale's, Sears). The park will never have room to expand so I am wary of Mall of America's insistence on reclaiming space for more retail given the mall's vacancy rate. This is further exacerbated by American Dream's Nickelodeon Universe introducing exciting new ride concepts and a clear indication that Nickelodeon was more willing to broaden their IP portfolio than they were in 2008 when we officially the last vestiges of Camp Snoopy, which arguably was a better fit for Minnesota. Long story short, I am concerned about short-sighted development decisions that will limit our mall's ability to remain a world-class destination by limiting options to expand the park offerings in favor of more retail space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grsupercity Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 You can not blame tenants for wanting to be close to NU. But I do think Nick Universe should be able to grow as demand is there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcxbmjzijxktrmjxxp Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 Absolutely. Definitely not blaming tenants for wanting to be close to the park, but I am blaming Mall of America for lack of foresight for park expansion. They have lost two of the large anchor spaces and the hollow Central Parkway expansion that desperately need tenants. Adding more retail space inside the landlocked park just does not make sense. Additionally, the original iteration of Camp Snoopy itself was more of a self contained well-rounded experience: rides, attractions, park-specific (especially Knott's brand) shops, quick service and sit down restaurants, and a food court. A lot of that has been lost over time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcxbmjzijxktrmjxxp Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 On 12/1/2007 at 9:23 AM, knottytree39 said: Even before Nickelodeon came in I always thought that the Kite Eating Tree looked like a jellyfish. They could have painted a detailed jellyfish top and the swings would be all the rays and spongebob would be riding the top...but it looks like it will be just another swing...and it seems they have there heart set on striclty themed areas, if they didn't GB could be a Danny Phantom ride. I was reading through the beginning of this thread and thought this was funny - this actually came true at Nickelodeon Universe: American Dream 12 years later! Their swing ride was themed as SpongeBob's Jellyfish Jam (photos from Theme Park Archive) Does beg the question though, it seems Nickelodeon was more willing to dig into their library at American Dream than when Nickelodeon Universe opened at Mall of America in 2008, (Hey Arnold!, Ren & Stimpy, Invader Zim (I know there was a lot of hope for him at Mall of America a decade ago!)) ours seems to have aged more quickly because of this. Our Park (Backyardigans Swing-Along especially) is stuck in 2008 rather than using some more classic IP like American Dream has. Wondering what budget there is for future refreshes or we're stuck waiting for complete ride replacements as we've seen the last few years... Also wondering after all this time if @Looty could give us more insight into that initial thought process and what never came to be (i.e. the Mall really seems to celebrate and embrace Paul Bunyan now with all his seasonal costumes!) now that we're over a decade removed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCjunkie Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 A group here in the Twin Cities that uses drones to film just released a video for the Mall of America and it has a heavy presence of NU in the piece with some really cool shots and angles of the park so thought I would share. Let me know what you think. If you like that you can check out another one they did last month for a local bowling alley to get them some business during COVID. This one was done in ten takes and the directory said the hardest part was flying the drone in through the front door. All the people involved were in on the filming and if you listen closely you can hear them utter lines from the Big Lewboski. Enjoy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcxbmjzijxktrmjxxp Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 On 4/29/2021 at 9:19 AM, RCjunkie said: A group here in the Twin Cities that uses drones to film just released a video for the Mall of America and it has a heavy presence of NU in the piece with some really cool shots and angles of the park so thought I would share. Let me know what you think. Thank you for sharing this! This is amazing and beautiful footage. love how they have one of the skaters in a Mighty Ducks jersey as an homage to the scene in D2: The Mighty Ducks where they're skating through Camp Snoopy! That was always one of my favorite parts in the whole movie. This is so timely as The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers is currently streaming its first season on Disney+. I'm bummed they didn't film this one in Minnesota though like the previous movies :(. Would have been cool for a Mall of America/Nickelodeon Universe cameo like the old times! https://www.battleofcali.com/2013/9/27/4777810/the-d2-the-mighty-ducks-rollerblading-sequence-analyzed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcxbmjzijxktrmjxxp Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Also, M&M's Mall of America is now open! https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mms-expands-retail-business-with-the-opening-of-its-new-store-at-mall-of-america-301280876.html https://www.mms.com/mall-of-america And they have a virtual tour of the remodeled space: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Au4XrMzbGmN Definitely fits the theme of Nickelodeon Universe better than what was there, but still wish it could have been an actual ride/attraction given the high vacancy in the rest of the Mall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyman6 Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 So a new rumor I just read on ScreamScape is that the new Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster may be coming to MOA and is to open in late 2022. Anybody know anything about this? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 That would be pretty weird considering they have a Eurofighter. Nothing would shock me but it would be weird... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyman6 Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 It wouldn't be the first park to have two different Gerstlauer models. Its a long shot but NU at MOA has been rumored to get a new coaster for a few years now. 2008 was their last new one. And there is a large area above the arcade that could hold a station and transfer track area. I guess we will find out soon enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Jizzman Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 I'd love for that to happen if true, and hey, maybe it would put some pressure on CF/Valleyfair to add a new coaster! The flume and supreme convenience of Minneapolis' public transportation make a MOA visit so easy, a new coaster would be awesome! Isn't there a huge water park being built too? Or did that not survive covid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 It would be great if this park gets a new coaster, but I most want to see Log Chute reopen. I'm surprised it has remained closed as long as it has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CP_RULES Posted October 28, 2021 Share Posted October 28, 2021 13 hours ago, garyman6 said: It wouldn't be the first park to have two different Gerstlauer models. Its a long shot but NU at MOA has been rumored to get a new coaster for a few years now. 2008 was their last new one. And there is a large area above the arcade that could hold a station and transfer track area. I guess we will find out soon enough. Your comment made no sense to me until I realized I was in the Minnesota theme park/mall thread and not the American Dream/nightmare mall thread. How is the mall itself doing these days? I know a lot of malls are dead, but most cities have one or two left that are thriving. Is MoA one of them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyman6 Posted October 28, 2021 Share Posted October 28, 2021 10 hours ago, CP_RULES said: Your comment made no sense to me until I realized I was in the Minnesota theme park/mall thread and not the American Dream/nightmare mall thread. How is the mall itself doing these days? I know a lot of malls are dead, but most cities have one or two left that are thriving. Is MoA one of them? MOA is beginning to thrive again! Nick U has been busy! MOA is like a city within a city, it's always evolving to be fresh and current. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyman6 Posted October 28, 2021 Share Posted October 28, 2021 22 hours ago, PKI Jizzman said: I'd love for that to happen if true, and hey, maybe it would put some pressure on CF/Valleyfair to add a new coaster! The flume and supreme convenience of Minneapolis' public transportation make a MOA visit so easy, a new coaster would be awesome! Isn't there a huge water park being built too? Or did that not survive covid? Actually, I just read a few weeks ago that the city of Bloomington and MOA are back in talks about moving this project forward. It was stalled during covid but I'm pretty sure its going to happen. To my knowledge it has not been scaled back either, which is good news! A massive indoor waterpark in this region will be incredibly popular, especially during the winter months. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grsupercity Posted October 28, 2021 Share Posted October 28, 2021 2 hours ago, garyman6 said: Actually, I just read a few weeks ago that the city of Bloomington and MOA are back in talks about moving this project forward. It was stalled during covid but I'm pretty sure its going to happen. To my knowledge it has not been scaled back either, which is good news! A massive indoor waterpark in this region will be incredibly popular, especially during the winter months. it will most likely be the best waterpark in the region as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donomike05 Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 On 10/26/2021 at 7:37 AM, garyman6 said: So a new rumor I just read on ScreamScape is that the new Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster may be coming to MOA and is to open in late 2022. Anybody know anything about this? Any update on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainUnknown Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 ^ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donomike05 Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 36 minutes ago, CaptainUnknown said: ^ In regards to it coming to MOA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 Yes, the update is that it's going to Cotaland, which is not MOA. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyman6 Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 Just read recently in the local paper that the Water Park project is back on!! I'll keep an eye out and report back when I hear something but the local government still wants this to happen and they did approve some tax incentives for the water park project. No timeline yet but stay tuned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyman6 Posted April 19, 2022 Share Posted April 19, 2022 I just read an update on the Waterpark Project. This is from the City of Bloomington dated Jan. 4th 2022. The proposed South Loop water park project is in motion once again. In September, the City Council and Port Authority directed staff to investigate a private financing model allowed by new 2021 legislation. If the financing markets “like” the private model, we could see a closing on the project in 2022, with an opening in 2024. Of course, no real estate deal is done until the financing closes, which is still months away. The water park would be open to the general public. The new 330,000-square-foot water park would bring an estimated $1 million in new admissions and lodging taxes to the City. No Bloomington property taxes are at risk for the project debt. A discount on admission to the water park for Bloomington residents is planned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyman6 Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 So I want to ask for opinions. There is a very real, very good possibility that Bloomington, MN. may host the 2027 Worlds Fair. They are one of 5 global finalist. The winner will be announced next summer. What I would like input on is what do you all think Nick U. would do to capitalize on this? The Worlds fair grounds will literally encircle and include MOA. The fair will run from end of May to early August and bring 10's of millions of visitors to the area. Does Nick U. add another coaster, attraction, etc. or do they do nothing and just take money. With the increased attendance and spending at the park during this time they could literally pay off a brand new coaster in one summer. So what kind of coaster do they add? What are you thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grsupercity Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 4 hours ago, garyman6 said: So I want to ask for opinions. There is a very real, very good possibility that Bloomington, MN. may host the 2027 Worlds Fair. They are one of 5 global finalist. The winner will be announced next summer. What I would like input on is what do you all think Nick U. would do to capitalize on this? The Worlds fair grounds will literally encircle and include MOA. The fair will run from end of May to early August and bring 10's of millions of visitors to the area. Does Nick U. add another coaster, attraction, etc. or do they do nothing and just take money. With the increased attendance and spending at the park during this time they could literally pay off a brand new coaster in one summer. So what kind of coaster do they add? What are you thoughts? I think a 4D freespin could fit in here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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