Nickelodeon Universe

Nickelodeon Universe (originally Knott's Camp Snoopy, later known as The Park at MOA) is the seven-acre (28,000 m²) indoor amusement park in the center of the Mall of America (MOA), in Bloomington, Minnesota, USA and at American Dream Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey which opened on October 25, 2019.
On August 18, 2009, Nickelodeon and Southern Star Amusement announced that the second Nickelodeon Universe would be in New Orleans, Louisiana and tentatively would open around the end of 2010. It was set to be the first outdoor Nickelodeon Universe theme park, but on November 9, 2009, Nickelodeon announced that it had ended the licensing agreement with Southern Star Amusements.
The amusement park is owned and operated by The Triple 5 Group (under license from Viacom), which is the owner of Mall of America, Inc. Triple 5 Group also owns West Edmonton Mall, which also has an amusement park in the mall called Galaxyland.
== Design ==
Nickelodeon Universe is primarily lit by a glass ceiling, which is also the source of most of the heat for Mall of America. It was originally built by the then-owners of Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. The floor has a wide variance in height – the highest ground level in the park is 15 feet (4.6 m) above the lowest. This allows for a far more naturalistic experience than would normally be found in an indoor amusement park.
The park has four small roller coasters, but mainly has flat rides due to space constraints. Near the SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge roller coaster is the site of home plate for Metropolitan Stadium, which was previously located on the site of the Mall.
== History ==
=== Camp Snoopy ===
The park was originally known as Knott's Camp Snoopy, and later, simply Camp Snoopy, and was themed around the Charles M. Schulz "Peanuts" comic strip characters. Camp Snoopy themed areas are still located at Cedar Point and Knott's Berry Farm, also owned by Cedar Fair.
Camp Snoopy was never aggressively themed to the Peanuts franchise; the park had a very outdoors and woodsy feel with more subtle references to the Peanuts franchise. Much of the original theming in the Camp Snoopy fountain and all around the park was already toned down by the time the rights to the Peanuts characters were lost.
Theming that was removed from the park prematurely and was never replaced includes various kites near the ceiling, Charlie Brown and Lucy playing baseball above the Sports Grill restaurant (although their baseball remained suspended in the air afterwards), theming in Snoopy fountain, the retheming of Snoopy Boutique, Snoopy Bouncer, and the Snoopy Shop and much smaller theming.
On April 7, 1998, New Horizon Kids Quest, Inc. opened a Kids Quest hourly child care facility in Knott's Camp Snoopy. It incorporated 17,385 square feet (1,615.1 m2) and served children ages six weeks to twelve years until it was removed in 2007. It is now the "Dutchman’s Deck Adventure Course" ropes course, slides and zip line, which opened in 2009.
In 2005, there were plans to revitalize the Camp Snoopy image, and a new logo was introduced in October, called the "roller coaster logo" to replace the "canoe logo". However, this did not last long, as there were even bigger and unexpected changes coming within the next few months.
=== The Park at MOA ===
On January 9, 2006, Mall of America management announced that talks between MOA and Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. (which owns the national rights to amusement-park branding of the Peanuts license) had broken down, primarily over the mall's rights to effectively market its park within and outside the United States, and effective January 19, the park's Peanuts branding would end, the park being temporarily renamed "The Park at MOA" while new branding was being applied. All traces of the Peanuts branding was removed, some very sloppily, although the gift shops were allowed to continue selling Peanuts merchandise without the Camp Snoopy label. The inflatable Snoopy character was removed and it took several months before it was finally replaced by a generic tree house inflatable. Many other landmarks in the park were either replaced by generic landmarks or not replaced at all.
=== Nickelodeon Universe ===
On November 2, 2005, Viacom filed a trademark for Nickelodeon Universe. The park's new licensing deal and name, "Nickelodeon Universe", was announced on July 25, 2007. Construction began on August 27, 2007, work was completed in sections so 80 percent to 90 percent of the park remained accessible at all times. Nickelodeon Universe was completed on March 15, 2008.
New rides include SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge, a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter style coaster themed after the Nickelodeon show SpongeBob SquarePants, the Splat-O-Sphere, a tower drop-ride in the center of the park, and the Avatar Airbender, a surf-rider attraction located in the center of the park as well and Brain Surge which is on the side of the park. The shooting gallery beneath the Ripsaw/Orange Streak roller coaster was gutted and was replaced by Rugrats Reptarmobiles.
The site of the Mystery Mine Ride was completely demolished to make way for SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge. This site also included an Old Time Photography studio and restrooms. Old Time Photography relocated into the mall (but not within the park) and restrooms did not return in this section of the park.
Levy Restaurants partnered with Nickelodeon Universe to include a themed restaurant at the park. The restaurant was called EATS and is located in the former Park at MOA food court. Recently, the partnership ended; the EATS area closed and was replaced with a butterfly display.
On March 12, 2008, the Star Tribune reported that the price of ride points, daily wristbands, and, in particular, annual passes, would take a significant price hike once the park transitioned to Nickelodeon Universe. The price for an annual pass, which had remained $99 per year since the park opened in 1992, would increase to $250, and daily wristbands would be raised from $24.95 to $29.95. They eventually rose to $32.99 in 2014. Then in 2017, prices rose to where they currently stand at $35.99 for a daily wristband. On April 2015, the price for the annual pass drops down to $139. Some decreed the price increases as being unjustifiably high when compared to other parks, such as much larger Walt Disney World at $249.95 and local park Valleyfair at $79.95–$99.95. Others defended the pricing as necessary to accommodate the millions of dollars of investment needed to rebrand the park as Nickelodeon Universe.
Even though the Nickelodeon cable channel changed their logo in September 2009, Nickelodeon Universe still continued to use a variant of the splat logo. The old logo was phased out after the new, all-text Nickelodeon Universe logo was revealed in an ad for the park's New Year's Eve event. The new logo has now replaced all of the old logos on the website, and in the park.
Nickelodeon Universe opened its second location at American Dream Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ on October 25, 2019.
== Rides and attractions ==
The park is free to enter, but the rides require patrons to purchase a varying number of tickets (points), depending upon the type of ride. All-day unlimited ride wristbands and annual passes are also available.
=== Mall of America ===
==== Roller coasters ====
Ride Name 	Opened	Manufacturer 	Model/Type 	Former Name 	Notes
Pepsi Orange Streak 	1992 	Zierer 	Tivoli — Custom 	Pepsi Ripsaw (1992–2007) 	
Back At The Barnyard Hayride 	1995 	Zamperla 	Dragon 	Li'l Shaver (1995–2007) 	Replaced Huff and Puff
Fairly Odd Coaster 	2004 	Gerstlauer Amusement Rides	Spinning Coaster Model 420/4	Timberland Twister (2004–2007) 	Gerstlauer's first spinning coaster in the US
Avatar Airbender 	2008 	INTAMIN Worldwide 	SurfRider Coaster 	Replaced the water fountain area in the center of the park 	
SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge	2008 	Gerstlauer Amusement Rides	Euro-Fighter (Custom) 	Replaced Mystery Mine (1992-2006) Yogi's Big Rescue (2006-2007)	
==== Thrill rides ====
Ride Name 	Opened	Manufacturer 	Model/Type 	Former Name 	Notes
BrainSurge 	2010 	Chance Rides 	UniCoaster 	 	Based on the game show of the same name
Log Chute 	1992 	O.D. Hopkins 	Log Flume 	Paul Bunyan's Log Chute (1992–2007)	
Shredder's Mutant Masher 	2015 	Chance Rides 	Revolution 20 	 	Replaced Danny Phantom Ghost Zone
Splat-O-Sphere 	2008 	Moser Rides 	Spring Ride (4x4)	 	Replaced the water fountain
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shell Shock	2012 	Gerstlauer Amusement Rides	Sky Fly 	 	Replaced Tak Attack
Barnacle Blast 	2014 	Rope Courses, Inc 	Zip Line 	 	Part of Dutchman's Deck Adventure Course.
==== Family rides ====
Ride Name 	Opened	Manufacturer 	Model/Type 	Former Name 	Notes
Paw Patrol: Adventure Bay	2018 	Nickelodeon Universe	Playground 	 	Replaced Jimmy Neutron: Atomic Collider
Backyardigans Swing-Along	1992 	Zierer 	Wave Swinger 	Kite-Eating Tree (1992-2006) Tree Swing (2006-2007)	
Carousel 	1992 	Chance Rides 	36' Carousel 	Americana Carousel (1992-2007) 	
El Circulo Del Cielo 	1992 	Chance Rides 	Century Wheel	Skyscraper Ferris Wheel (1992-2007) 	
Ghost Blasters 	1999 	Sally Corporation 	Dark Ride 	 	
==== Kid rides ====
Ride Name 	Opened	Manufacturer 	Model/Type 	Notes
Big Rigs 	1992 	Zamperla 	Convoy 	Formerly known as Truckin' (1992-2007)
Blue's Skidoo 	2008 	SBF Visa Group	 	Replaced Red Baron
Bubble Guppies Guppy Bubbler	2015 	Zamperla 	Samba Tower - Custom 	Replaced Balloon Race
Crazy Cars 	1992 	Bertazzon 	 	Formerly known as Bumpers (1992-2007) and Naked Brothers Crazy Cars (2008-2011)
Diego's Rescue Rider 	1992 	Zamperla 	Crazy Bus 	Formerly known as Camp Bus (1992-2007)
La Aventura de Azul 	1992 	Zamperla 	Rio Grande Train - Custom	Formerly known as Bloomington Express (1992-2007)
Pineapple Poppers 	2008 	 	 	Replaced Snoopy Bounce and Bounce
Rugrat Reptarmobiles 	2008 	 	 	Replaced the shooting gallery
Swiper's Sweeper 	1992 	Zamperla 	Speedway 	Formerly known as Speedway (1992-2007)
Wonder Pet's Flyboat 	1999 	S&S Worldwide 	Frog Hopper 	Formerly known as Frog Hopper (1999-2007)
==== Attractions ====
Ride Name 	Opened	Manufacturer 	Notes
Moose Mountain Adventure Golf 	1992 	Unknown 	
Xscape Entertainment Center 	1992 	Xscape Entertainment Center	Two locations; formerly Games! Powered by Namco
Dutchman's Deck Adventure Course 	2010 	Ropes Course, Inc 	Includes the Ghostly Gangplank ropes course, Anchor Drop slides and Barnacle Blast zip line.
Flyover America 	2016 	Flyover America Ltd 	
Rock of Ages Blacklight Mini Golf	2017 	Rock Of Ages Inc 	
5D Extreme Attraction 	2018 	Matrix Technology 	
==== Former rides ====
Ride Name 	Opened	Closed	Manufacturer	Model/Type 	Notes
Tak Attack 	1998 	2011 	Zamperla 	Rotoshake 	Formerly known as "The Mighty Axe" and replaced by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shell Shock
Balloon Race 	1992 	2015 	Morgan 	Balloon Chase	Replaced by Bubble Guppies Guppy Bubbler
Danny Phantom Ghost Zone 	1992 	2015 	Chance Rides	Falling Star 	Formerly known as "Screaming Yellow Eagle" and replaced by Shredder's Mutant Masher
Jimmy Neutron's Atomic Collider	1992 	2018 	Zierer 	Hexentanz 	Formerly known as "Treetop Tumbler" and replaced by Paw Patrol Adventure Bay. One of the last Hexentanz in the world.
==== Dining ====
* Caribou Coffee
* Grub
* Sweet Treats
* Hard Rock Cafe
* Various carts featuring popcorn, mini donuts, cotton candy, Dippin Dots ice cream, Pepsi beverages And ICEE beverages.
==== Former dining ====
* Tall Timbers
* Stampede Steakhouse
* Mrs. Knott's Restaurant
* Mrs. Knott's Picnic Basket
* The Silver Stein-Festhaus
* Festhaus Buffet
* Hormel Cook Out
* McGarvey Camp Bakery
* EATS
* Cool Treats
* Schwan's Ice Cream Cafe (Replaced by Sweet Treats)
* Slurp and Snack (Replaced by Grub)
==== Retail ====
* Nickelodeon Store
* Toys
* Gear
* LEGO Store
==== Former retail ====
* 4U (Replaced by Peeps & Company, which eventually closed and became the Mall's second IT'SUGAR location called "Candy Universe". This IT'SUGAR location is now closed.)
* NU Stuff (Replaced by Gear)
* Candy Universe (Operated by IT'SUGAR)
* American Girl
=== American Dream ===
==== Roller coasters ====
Name 	Opened	Description
TMNT Shellraiser 	2019 	A Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter that is the world's steepest roller coaster at a 121.5 degree drop angle
The Shredder 	2019 	Gerstlauer Spinning Coaster
Nickelodeon Slime Streak	2019 	Chance Rides Family Coaster
Sandy's Blasting Bronco 	2020 	Intamin multi-launch coaster
Timmy's Half-Pipe Havoc 	2019 	Intamin Half-Pipe (Surfrider) Roller coaster
=== Other Rides ===
Name 	Opened	Description
Aang's Air Gliders 	2019 	A Zamperla Air Race attraction that sends 24 riders into several loops and twists. The ride is themed to Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Bikini Bottom Crosstown Express 	2019 	A Zamperla Rocking Tug themed to a Bikini Bottom bus from the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise. Intended for families with young children.
Blaze's Monster Truck Rally 	2019 	A children's ride where scaled-down Monster Trucks drive along an oval track encircling some mock stunt ramps. The ride is loosely themed to the Blaze and the Monster Machines franchise, and presumably a Zamperla Convoy.
Blue's Skidoo 	2019 	A children's spinning ride where riders can board various vehicles themed to Blue and Magenta. Loosely themed to the Blue's Clues show.
Dora's Sky Railway 	2019 	A monorail that takes riders on a journey across the park. This attraction is loosely themed to the Dora the Explorer franchise and gives families an elevated view of the park.
Fairly Odd Airways 	2019 	A Zamperla Flying Tigers taking younger riders for a flight in their own planes. Themed remotely to the Fairly Odd Parents.
Invader Zim's Flip & Spin... OF DOOM! 	2019 	A bumper car style attraction where riders can flip upon impact. Very little is currently known about this attraction, but it is not at all common. Themed to Invader Zim.
Jimmy Neutron's Atom Smasher 	2019 	A Chance Rides Unicoaster flat ride where riders spin along a track and can control the flipping motion of their vehicle. Themed to The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron show, and only the third Unicoaster to be installed within North America.
Legends of the Hidden Temple Challenge	2019 	A 10-story tall interactive ropes course developed by Michigan-based RCI Adventure Products. Vaguely themed around the discontinued Legends of the Hidden Temple game show.
Nickelodeon Skyline Scream 	2019 	This is an S&S - Sansei Technologies spinning Rotating Tower drop tower, which is marketed as the tallest indoor drop tower in the world, taking the record from Galaxyland's Space Shot, which is 37 m tall (121 feet).
PAW Patrol Adventure Bay 	2019 	A large interactive play area with play structures, slides, and pits meant for younger children, and themed around the Paw Patrol franchise.
Pup, Pup, and Away 	2019 	This is a Zamperla Ferris Wheel Fiesta Balloon/mini ferris wheel that is loosely themed around the Paw Patrol.
Ren & Stimpy's Space Madness 	2019 	A 10-passenger Zierer family drop tower. This attraction can hold 10 riders and is themed to The Ren & Stimpy Show.
Rugrats Reptar Go-Round 	2019 	A Chance Rides double-decker Carousel of the 36 foot variant. All of the vehicles are custom themed to the Rugrats franchise. Riders have the option of riding on Reptar's back or in a tea cup or other ride vehicle.
Shimmer & Shine Jumping Genies 	2019 	A Zamperla Jump Around where riders are speedily taken through a circle. Unlike many of the other attractions, this is located within an enclosed building within the park. Themed to the Shimmer & Shine show.
SpongeBob's Jellyfish Jam 	2019 	A Zierer family Wave Swinger themed to a horde of jellyfish in the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise.
Kraang Prime Pandemonium! 	2019 	This Zamperla pendulum ride takes riders in 360° loops going both directions. It is of the 16 seater Discovery Revolution make, and loosely themed around the Krang extraterrestrial villain in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.
== Accidents/Incidents ==
==== Mall of America Location ====
* On August 3, 1998, a 12-year-old boy named David Martin, was killed after he fell off the Log Chute. When the boat neared the top of the chute, he began to panic and reached outside of the log to grab a railing. The ride stopped, but the log had already begun its descent down the major drop. Losing his grip, Martin fell off the chute, falling onto the landscaping rocks. He then died as a result of his injuries. O.D. Hopkins Associates, Inc., the manufacturer of the ride, inspected it and found it was in proper working order. It was Camp Snoopy's first fatal accident.
* On August 15, 1998, an 8-year-old girl named Anna Coleman, died of a heart attack, a week before her 9th birthday after she rode the Screaming Yellow Eagle (now known as Danny Phantom Ghost Zone, which was replaced by Shredder's Mutant Masher), a rotating platform ride from Chance Rides. Her parents said she died from a heart attack because she had a history of heart problems for the five years before her death. The ride was working properly.
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