American Dream latest attraction? a splash zone for kids
By: Daniel Munoz
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... American Dream in the Meadowlands is now offering a "splash zone" at its indoor Dreamworks Water Park for the venue's youngest guests, the mall's executive said.
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The attraction is formally dubbed Gabby's Dollhouse: Kitty Splash Garden, and it's based on Gabby's dollhouse," a Netflix television show produced by DreamWorks animation and co-created by former "Blue's Clues" actress Traci Paige Johnson and former "Blue;s Clues" producer Jennifer Twomey.
..... The "interactive splash zone" is a water play area geared toward toddlers and young children, according to a press release from American Dream.
..... "We're constantly looking for new ways to elevate our parks and enhance the overall gust experience," American Dream general manager Bryan Gaus said in a statement.
..... In addition to the indoor water park, American Dream - a $5 billion, 2 million-square-foot mall and entertainment venue more than 30 years in the making - features an indoor amusement park with roller coasters, a 300-foot Ferris wheel, indoor miniature golf and ice skating, and the only year-round indoor ski and snowboard park in North America.
..... American Dream also has more than 200 stores,- including flagships for Toys R Us and Babies R us - and over 50 dining options, including fast-casual, sit-down and high-end.
..... It also boast stores that sell collectible brands - such as Bandai Namco and Chinese-based retailer Miniso - as well as Balenciaga and Guucci. and it is home to the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
..... The mall has bet on hosting sport-related events, including the Harlem Globetrotters this past summer [2024] and the USA Curling championship last winter. [2024]
..... In March, [2025] the Jonas Brothers drew a crowd in the thousands to American Dream. Meanwhile, the recent opening of sports memorabilia store CardVault by retried NFL superstar quarterback tom Brady drew hundreds of patrons.
Evictions, lawsuits, mall open on Sundays
..... But not all stores and attractions at the mall fare well. Paradox Museum, for example, face eviction from American Dream over $1.7 million in unpaid rent and other costs - an action that is playing out in the courts.
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And the mega-mall is in the midst of a slew of lawsuits, including over several alleged injuries, as well as unpaid bills and negotiated property taxes.
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American Dream also faces the prospect of a lawsuit over its decision to stay full open on Sundays in violation of the Bergen County blue laws, which prohibit nonessential retail operations that day.