Are you a fan of SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?? You're in luck! A new indoor theme park is in the works for New Jersey's Meadowlands. It will be called Nickelodeon Universe.
NJ.com reported the big news which might actually come as some relief to locals. Now known as American Dream Meadowlands, the area it sits in East Rutherford, New Jersey (right near Giants Stadium/MetLife Stadium) has had dragged out development since it was called Xanadu back in 2002. It was meant to be a sports and recreation area that would have a mall, theater, bowling and more (it even had an indoor ski slope) but after a few bankruptcies, permits, and other issues it's sat as a ridiculous eyesore for all to see driving on the NJ Turnpike. Construction has continued on and off through this year.
Nickelodeon Universe is the latest addition to help get this establishment off the ground. Developer Triple Five tell NJ.com it will be “the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere at 8.5 acres. Its rides and attractions will be based on Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Blaze and the Monster Machines.” There's already a similar indoor theme park from the same team at the Mall of American in Minnesota.
Besides the main Nick properties, there was already a deal with DreamWorks for a water park there featuring properties like Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, and Kung Fu Panda and a planned Legoland Discovery Center.
At this point financing is still a question in order for construction to resume but as a New Jersey native I'm crossing my fingers big time that this all comes together. Current rides at their other locations include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shell Shock, Avatar Airbender, and Rugrat Reptarmobiles. Petition to include a You Can't Do That on Television or Double Dare experience please!