Whether they think of the American Dream as an epic, fun-filled destination or a traffic nightmare, New Jerseyans have been anxiously awaiting the debut of the mega entertainment complex. The destination is still on track for a spring 2019 opening, with the exception of the DreamWorks Water Park, which will open in September 2019, according to a spokesperson for American Dream. Curiosity about American Dream’s progress is at an all-time high, especially now that passersby can see roller coaster tracks and water slide tubes coming to fruition from the highway. Here’s what you can expect:
SHOPPING
Brands like H&M, Zara and Victoria’s Secret will open their biggest mall-based flagship locations at American Dream, each with one-of-a-kind experiential components. The Collections at American Dream is a collection of shops that boasts exclusive luxury brands along with unique experiences within each store. Many will be the exclusive brick-and-mortar locations for many of the renowned high-fashion brands featured. The Collections will have an outdoor vibe indoors, according to the American Dream site.
ENTERTAINMENT
This may be the part of American Dream’s progress we’ve been most excited about. For starters, DreamWorks Water Park will span 8 acres of glass-domed, splish-splash fun. Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park is also 8 acres in a glass dome, but will become home to two record-breaking attractions: an intertwined Launched Euro-Fighter with a serious vertical drop and a Spinning Coaster with cars that rotate on a vertical axis while moving along the track.
Big SNOW America, the star of which is the much-buzzed-about ski slope that stands at 800 feet tall. The wintry 180,000-square-foot space will also have an ice climbing wall, according to the American Dream site.
LEGOLand Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium will each be dedicated to 35,000-square-foot spaces, leaving tons of room for imaginative brick-built creations and the walk-through sea life tunnel. Oh, and your kids can also play mini golf at not one, but two 18-hole putt-putt courses.
At the NHL-sized ice rink, guests can suit up for open skate, ice hockey and figure skating. Touring shows and exhibits will figure-eight in and out of the space year-round. Budding Marty Brodeurs will also be thrilled to hear about team events to come via partnerships with the New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils.
The American Dream Observation Wheel (think of it as a Ferris wheel with 26 climate-controlled gondolas attached) is almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty and will stand 235 feet wide facing west side of NYC, making for epically Instaworthy views.
The CMX Luxury Theater is shaping up to be a must-see with 1,400 seats, 12 duo screens, dine-in movies and private viewing options. CMX X4D features surround-sound, 4-D films that simulate everything from rain and wind to fog and scents, all to enhance your movie experience (much like the moving chairs!). It’s the only theater of its kind in the NY metro area.
If you’re thinking you’ll need to glue the kids to your side to make it through this place in one piece, not to worry: American Dream is all about tech, including smart bracelets that’ll keep you connected to the kids no matter where they may wander off to.
DINING
Taste your way through Southwestern gub, Italian, organic, sushi and more while taking in nightly concerts in the food court. There are more than 100 places to dig in at, including 14-18 full-service restos, a first-of-its-kind food hall that features a cooking studio and revolving kitchens that’ll be home to rising chefs and pop-up spots, and a kosher food hall packed with six units of the best kosher food operators from NYC to Miami (it’s also the first in a North American retail entertainment destination). VICE’s MUNCHIES, the millennial-driven food section of the popular website, will open its first-ever food hall with 18 vendors at the Meadowlands giant.
WHY NEW JERSEY?
The tristate area leads in US annual consumer spending at a whopping $136+ billion. Sixty-two million tourists visit the tristate every year, and American Dream predicts the Meadowlands space alone will bring in 40 million guests annually from all over the world (hence the valet and 33,000+ parking spaces).
Avoid traffic by hopping an NJ Transit train from your local area since there’s a local station on site at the American Dream. Or try the bus, taxi or rideshare and get dropped off at the on-premise hub. The site is just 4.5 miles from Manhattan, making transportation a breeze for those who can hop the ferry from NYC to a bus that’ll drop them at American Dream directly.
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