Nickelodeon Universe

Nickelodeon Universe American Dream

1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey 07073, United States

Added on April 24, 2025

Operating season: Year-round (indoor)

Nickelodeon Universe American Dream, located inside the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is one of the most thrill-heavy indoor theme parks in the world. With several record-breaking roller coasters and family-friendly Nickelodeon theming, it offers a completely weather-proof experience just minutes from New York City.

History & Background

The park opened in late 2019 as the second-ever Nickelodeon Universe, following the original at Mall of America. Built as the anchor indoor park for the massive American Dream retail and entertainment complex, the New Jersey version leans more into coasters and thrill rides, while still offering plenty for younger guests. It quickly became a top indoor destination for locals, tourists, and theme park fans on the East Coast.

Ticket Prices & Packages

Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream uses timed access tickets:

All-Access (4-Hour Pass): ~$69.99 per person
General Access (less intense rides): ~$49.99
Unlimited All-Day Pass (if available): ~$89.99
Annual Passes: Currently not available
Children under 2: Free

Buy Tickets Here

Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit

Open daily, year-round, including holidays and school breaks.

Typical hours:

Mon–Thurs: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Fri–Sun: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
(Hours may vary during holiday periods)

Best times to visit:

Weekdays during school hours
Late evening time slots on weekends
Avoid rainy weekends and school breaks if you want shorter lines

Top Rides & Attractions

TMNT Shellraiser – Indoor launch coaster with steepest drop in the world (121.5°)
The Shredder – World’s longest indoor spinning coaster
Slime Streak – Family coaster themed to Nickelodeon’s famous slime
Nickelodeon Skyline Scream – Indoor drop tower
Sandy’s Blasting Bronco – Reversible launch coaster with airtime and spins
Invader Zim’s Rotor Ride – Classic gravity-wall ride
Jimmy Neutron’s Atom Smasher – Spinning car coaster with neon theming

Family & Kids Rides

Blue’s Skidoo, Dora’s Sky Railway, and PAW Patrol Adventure Bay
Timmy’s Half-Pipe Havoc – Smaller version of a Disk’O coaster
Fairly Odd Airways, Backyardigans Swing-Along, and more
Characters meet and greet throughout the day with SpongeBob, Blue, and others

This version of the park is more thrill-focused than the Minnesota park, but still includes a solid selection of family rides.

Indoor Experience Highlights

100% indoor and climate-controlled
Great for year-round visits, rain or shine
Located inside a multi-billion-dollar mall with retail, food, and other attractions
Free entry to the mall — only pay for the rides
Combine with DreamWorks Water Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, or SEA LIFE Aquarium

Dining Options

Nickelodeon Universe has snack and concession stands, but the mall offers hundreds of dining options nearby:

MrBeast Burger (inside the mall)
Five Guys, Dunkin’, and Popeyes (near court entrances)
Carlo’s Bakery and Oreo Café for desserts
Yard House, Carpaccio, and Italian street food in the food hall

Re-entry to the park is allowed during your time slot if you want to grab a meal.

Hotels & Accommodation

While the mall does not yet have on-site hotels, plenty of lodging options are available nearby:

Hyatt Place East Rutherford Meadowlands
Hampton Inn Carlstadt – Closest to the American Dream complex
Hilton Meadowlands – Great for groups, close to MetLife Stadium
New York City hotels for guests making a day trip from Manhattan

Many offer shuttle service to the American Dream or are rideshare-accessible.

Getting There & Parking

Address: 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Located next to MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Sports Complex.

Parking: $5 for up to 3 hours, $1 per hour after
Free with validation at select mall stores
Accessible via NJ Transit (bus or Meadowlands train stop on game days)
Easy access via I-95 and NJ Turnpike

Tips for Visiting

Buy tickets online — time slots may sell out, especially on weekends
Head to Shellraiser and Shredder early — longest wait times
Combine with DreamWorks Water Park or other attractions for a full day
Bring your own locker lock or rent one onsite for valuables
Take advantage of weekday afternoons for low crowd levels