Nickelodeon Universe (MOA) Discussion Thread

[RCjunkie 0]

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.

[kcxbmjzijxktrmjxxp 0]

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.

[grsupercity 25]

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 

[kcxbmjzijxktrmjxxp 0]

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.

[kcxbmjzijxktrmjxxp 0]

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!