Angry Birds Happy Shoppers: American Dream Reopens With Mini Golf

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — American Dream is closing one chapter of a business nightmare when the mall opens on Thursday amid the coronavirus pandemic.

After being shuttered for months, the mall has been slowly reincorporating elements back into operation, most notably Big SNOW, which reopened in early September.

Now, the mall will reopen, and simultaneously debut a new feature: "Angry Birds" themed mini golf.

At the "Angry Birds Not So Mini Golf Club," players can sort through 18-holes while trying to save the islands popularized by the game.

"Nothing excites us more at American Dream than being able to offer our guests completely new and fresh experiences,” said Mark Ghermezian, American Dream Co-CEO.

Tickets for the course are $20 and are available for purchase ahead of opening now online.

According to a news release in late August, certain retailers and a number of the mall's attractions are confirmed for reopening, including H&M, Primark and Zara, who will open their American Dream locations for the first time.

DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe and The Rink are also slated for reopening Thursday.

"We'd like to thank Governor Murphy, his administration, the New Jersey Department of Health, our legislative delegation, County Executive Jim Tedesco and his team, and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority for their collective efforts throughout this process to get to a safe reopening," said Ghermezian.

"We know that our community has been waiting to return, but it was important to us that we took the proper time and precautions needed to welcome guests back in the safest possible manner."

Some of those precautions will include:

• Face coverings required for entry
• Reduced capacities throughout American Dream and within each open attraction
• Increased sanitizing and disinfecting throughout common areas and attractions
• Hand sanitizer stations and hygiene reminders installed throughout American Dream and within attractions
• Physical distancing guidance, including ground markings, plexiglass barriers and touchless programming

According to an American Dream spokesperson, mall officials worked with Hackensack Meridian Health to develop plans, protocols and procedures for the reopening of the property and attractions.

Recently, American Dream and Hackensack Meridian agreed to a 10-year partnership which names the organization American Dream's official healthcare partner.

Additionally, Hackensack Meridian will operate an urgent care facility at the East Rutherford mall.

Read more: Hackensack Meridian To Run Urgent Care Center At American Dream