American dream reopens Thursdaybut the 3 million square foot entertainment and retail complex won’t fully launch until at least 2021.
The property’s Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center are scheduled to open next spring, Merlin Entertainments Ltd., which operates the two attractions, announced Tuesday.
Both projects were under construction and set to open in the spring of this year before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed progress for at least another 12 months.
“The health of our guests, staff and sea creatures is of the utmost importance and we are taking all necessary steps to prepare for a safe and exciting opening next year,” said Camille DePascale, general manager of attractions, in a press release. “Our number one priority is to create fun and educational experiences for families.”
This week, American Dream will reopen after closing in March, days before the entire property is scheduled to open to the public. The East Rutherford resort, which opened in October 2019 and has long been plagued by setbacks, will reopen its indoor amusement park and ice rink on Thursday, while also launching its water park and part for the first time. of its commercial wing at the same time. Its indoor terrain park, which opened in December, reopened on September 1.
Merlin’s two attractions, which will open next spring inside American Dream, will be New Jersey and New York themed, officials said.
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The 25,000-square-foot aquarium will feature more than 10 interactive exhibits inspired by local landmarks, the company said, including “Athletes of the Shores” and “Wall Street Wolves.” Its main feature will be its underwater tunnel, which offers images of Manhattan’s landmarks scattered among schools of fish, sharks, rays and other sea creatures. The aquarium, similar to the one American Dream developer Triple Five also houses at its Mall of America property in Minnesota, will house more than 3,000 creatures.
The Legoland Discovery Center will provide interactive and educational experiences for families with children ages 3-10. It will feature a Lego-themed train ride, a 4D cinema, building lessons, a Lego recreation of New York and New Jersey landmarks, and other interactive build and play areas.
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Although their openings are far from seasonal, attractions are prepared to adhere to limited capacity, social distancing, mask enforcement, enhanced cleaning measures and signage requirements as needed. Tickets for both attractions will be released in the coming months, officials said.
Even as American Dream comes back to life, the beleaguered entertainment hub lost another major tenant to bankruptcy: the Century 21 department store, which announced in 2016 that it would open a 60,000 square foot store in American Dream. It is still unclear which stores will open in the mall. Even before the pandemic hit, state records showed construction by tenants was expected to continue through 2021.
Melanie Anzidei is a retail reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the latest news on store openings and closings in North Jersey’s largest malls, malls and town centres, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @melanieanzidei
