Here's a Sneak Peek At American Dream's Giant Aquarium

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - Merlin Entertainments Limited unveiled what its giant aquarium at American Dream will look like when it opens next spring.

During a special event Thursday at EnVue Hotel in Weehawken, Merlin presented New Jersey SEA LIFE Aquarium’s theme: “City Under The Sea,” which will revolve around iconic moments and landmarks in New York City.

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Click here to see a full list of what is opening and when.

The 25,000-square foot aquarium will be home to more than 3,000 creatures, with approximately 75 to 100 different species of fish and invertebrates from local and international waters.

Through more than ten interactive exhibits, visitors will experience the creatures of the rock pool that are the "Athletes of the Shores," the seahorses that are the "Ballet Dancers of the Ocean," the piranhas that are the "Wall Street Wolves" and the jellies that are the "Disco DJs of the Deep."

Other areas to explore include:

• “Rush Hour of the Ocean” platform with “subway-style adverts and swarming yellow eels, reminiscent of NYC taxi cabs.”
• “City’s Freshwater,” where visitors “can engage with the indigenous fish from the Hudson River.
• "Urban Jungle" where naturalistic flora and New York Deco architecture intertwine amongst a variety of creatures.
• “Sharks Fish Avenue” will showcase a display of storefront windows as the voyage continues through an underwater tunnel centerpiece with panoramic views of Manhattan landmarks, such as the Chrysler Building and Times Square, set amidst schools of tropical fish, sharks, rays and more.

The attraction will also offer talks and events, feeding demonstrations, and more, allowing guests to interact directly with some of the creatures, according to Merlin.

“We are very excited to open the first Northeastern SEA LIFE aquarium in New Jersey at American Dream,” said Merlin Entertainments executive John Jakobsen. “American Dream is an unmatched destination and the much-anticipated New Jersey SEA LIFE will deliver a one-of-a-kind experience that will inspire and educate visitors about the ocean and the diverse creatures that call it home.”

The American Dream aquarium will be Merlin’s 10th SEA LIFE in the U.S. and first in the northeast. For information on tickets, annual passes, birthday party packages, and school and group tickets, visit https://www.visitsealife.com/new-jersey/.

The massive $5 billion shopping and entertainment venue opened last month, unveiling Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park and an NHL-size ice rink. Other attractions, shopping and dining will follow over the next several months.

On Nov. 27, DreamWorks Water Park, an indoor water park that will include the world's largest indoor water coaster, a free fall slide with a 70-foot drop, a lazy river and a 1.5-acre wave pool is set to open.

Big SNOW, the country's only indoor real-snow park, will open Dec. 5. It will offer skiing, snowboarding, introductory lessons, private coaching, children's programs, snow play, corporate team building and private events within its 180,000-square-foot, 16-story, climate controlled facility.

Merlin will also be opening LEGOLAND Discovery Center New Jersey at the Meadowlands mega-mall next spring.

According to Merlin, it’ll be “the ultimate indoor playground for families with children ages 3-10” and include several LEGO play areas, such as a brick pool, train ride, 4D cinema, party rooms, a café, retail shops and a workshop class with a LEGO master model builder.

Merlin is also slated to open LEGOLAND New York in Goshen, NY - which is about 30 miles from the New Jersey border - in July 2020.