How Secaucus Kids Will Be Using American Dream

SECAUCUS, NJ — American Dream. These days, it seems like that's all anyone in New Jersey can think, talk or complain about.

The controversial megamall will open two of its entertainment venues this Friday, Oct. 25: Nickelodeon Universe theme park and the ice rink, called The Rink at American Dream. The rest of the mall is not yet ready to open.

It's already been reported that tickets are sold out for opening weekend — so who's going? Friday will be a soft opening where East Rutherford public school children will be brought in for a field trip, Patch has learned. The mall is located in East Rutherford.

So what about Secaucus kids?

"We are working on getting Secaucus kids taken there for a field trip soon," promises Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli. "It's still being worked out."

Entry fees to the Nickelodeon theme park, water park and ski slope at American Dream will be about $50 each per adult ticket. But Secaucus school children would go for free on a field trip.

Secaucus kids will also get to play in a hockey tournament at the American Dream rink later this winter, Gonnelli said. The town of Secaucus already has its own rink, but American Dream offered to host a tournament for Secaucus youth ice hockey players.

"How cool would that be?" said Gonnelli.

Gonnelli added that he's still very worried about resulting traffic from the mall.

American Dream's Secaucus roots go farther than that: Hudson Regional Hospital, located in Secaucus, is supposed to operate two first-aid stations and a wellness center at the mall when it opens more fully this spring.

The Rink at American Dream is an NHL-regulation size facility that will host open skates and figure skating and hockey tournaments. Its first special event, scheduled for Oct. 31, is a "spooky skate" that includes pumpkin pick-and-paint activities, face painting and other fall activities, mall developer Triple Five said.

Nickelodeon Universe, which is being billed at the Western Hemisphere's largest indoor theme park, will feature over 35 rides, rollercoasters and attractions.

Nov. 27

DreamWorks Water Park is set to open on Nov. 27. As North America's largest indoor water park, it'll include over 40 water slides and 15 attractions, including a lazy river and wave pool. DreamWorks Water Park also has the world's tallest indoor body slide featuring a 142-foot drop and luxury cabanas (designed by New Jersey-native Jonathan Adler) to relax in.

Dec. 5
On Dec. 5, Big SNOW, the country's only indoor real-snow park, will open, offering year-round skiing and snowboarding, as well as a retail shop, according to Triple Five. Private lessons, coaching and children's camps will also be available at Big SNOW.

March 2020

By March 2020, the mall's 350 retail stores will be open for business, Triple Five said. Luxury retailers include Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, Watches of Switzerland, Hermes, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Uniqlo, H&M, Zara, Primark and Tiffany & Co.

Related: American Dream: What Will Actually Be Open On Oct. 25?