News: The Park at MOA to become world's first Nickelodeon theme park

Posted at 7:27 PM EST (0027 GMT)

Feb. 28th, 2007 -- Via Press Release ---

Mall of America and Nickelodeon announced a partnership today combining the country's largest shopping and entertainment destination with the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Under the new agreement, various Nickelodeon properties and characters will come to life in the first-ever Nickelodeon themed park, part of a re-branding of the Mall's seven-acre amusement park. Fresh designs and exciting new rides and attractions, inspired by Nickelodeon's popular shows and characters, are just a few of the anticipated changes.

Construction will begin after the architectural plans are complete, with the grand opening of the newly re-themed park anticipated in spring 2008. "Nickelodeon's family-friendly focused entertainment is a perfect fit for Mall of America, and we are thrilled about what this means for the Mall and Minnesota," said Maureen Bausch, vice president of business development for Mall of America. "We expect the newly themed park will draw even more new visitors from around the United States, as well as international travel markets."

"Both Nickelodeon and Mall of America have tremendous family and kid appeal. This is the perfect marriage of two entertainment entities:
Nickelodeon, the number-one brand for kids, and Mall of America, the top shopping and entertainment destination in the country," said Howard Smith, senior vice president of Nickelodeon Recreation. "We're absolutely thrilled to expand our brand with our first stand alone Nickelodeon theme park and our largest retail presence in such a wonderful destination."

As part of the partnership, Nickelodeon will bring an assortment of its top characters, interactivity, and its signature iconic green slime to Mall
of America. The newly revamped park, and the first ever Nickelodeon theme park, will feature new rides, live shows, attractions, retail, games and entertainment, and food service establishments themed with top ranking network properties including: SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Danny Phantom, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, The Backyardigans and many more. Costumed characters and live interactive entertainment from these Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. shows will also find a home at the Mall.

Nickelodeon will also establish its largest retail presence in the world at Mall of America, with a brand new Nick store occupying more than 4,000 square foot space, offering consumers items such as branded tee-shirts, souvenirs, novelties and more. And the network will introduce healthy dining options throughout the parks' eateries, in line with its four year old health and wellness pro-social initiative for kids and families, Let's Just Play.

Though the majority of the creative elements are in development, including the official name of the new park, one of the first rides to be introduced in the park is a roller coaster based the animated Nick series, Avatar: The Last Airbender. Located in the northwest corner of the park, the "Avatar Airbender" will be the park's first upside down roller coaster. Construction is expected to begin in 2007.

During the transitional period and the construction, the amusement
park, current attractions and rides will remain open. Mall of America and Nickelodeon have also announced immediate plans for one additional ride, a free-fall tower for teens and adults. Plans are still being finalized for the free-fall tower, which could drop from up to 70 feet.

Throughout the design and creative process, Mall of America and
Nickelodeon will conduct research and gain feedback on different concepts and designs by working with an advisory panel of kid experts to weigh in on key decisions and issues.

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