If you’re looking for a fun-filled day with young kids, American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, delivers an action-packed experience. We recently visited with our 7, 6, and 3-year-old, and between the DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe, and a delicious dinner at Marcus Live, it was a day to remember!
DreamWorks Water Park: A Splashing Good Time
We started our day at DreamWorks Water Park, the largest indoor water park in North America. Walking in, the sheer size and vibrant atmosphere were impressive.
The kids were beyond excited to see the giant character-themed attractions from their favorite DreamWorks movies like Shrek, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda.
Our 3-year-old at 38″ could participate in plenty of the action, including the toddler-friendly Penguin Frozen Fun Zone, lazy river, and large water play structure.
The Penguins Frozen Fun Zone allowed my 3 year old to run up the small stairs and get on the slides himself. He seriously had the best time in here!
They were small enough for him to navigate independently, but big and fast enough to feel like he wasn’t missing out on the big water slides.
There will also be a brand new Gabby’s Doll House Splash area that wasn’t open yet when we were there, but that will be plenty of fun for little ones!
The wave pool was another highlight—they loved the gentle, but large, waves and warm water.
In the Kungfu Panda Temple of Awesomeness play structure, they could climb and slide for what felt like hours! This is great for kids of all ages.
There are also pretty large slides built in there that young children can go on as well. These extend from the back (picture below).
Our older kids couldn’t get enough of the large water slides, especially ones like the Penguins Plummet and Dragon Racers.
Most of the large slides are minimum 48″ height requirement, but a few tube and mat slides allowed 42″ above which was perfect for my 6 year old. I loved that the tubes were for 2 people so my son felt safer with dad.
With a racing mat slides, my son got to race his dad which he loved!
One major perk of DreamWorks Water Park is that the temperature inside is kept at a comfortable 81°F, so even in the winter, it feels like a tropical escape.
The cabanas are a nice space to relax between all the action and sets you apart from the regular water park. You also have perfect fews of so much of the park which make them a great option.
However, renting a cabana isn’t necessary. There were plenty of spots to place your stuff from lounge chairs and tables. We did go on a Wednesday, so the crowds were minimal.
I loved how they incorporated characters all throughout the water park. It really kept the kids excited and engaged rather than just regular slides.
Lastly, there were a food options inside the park so you didn’t need to go into the mall for that which was great! They mostly served your typical pool bar foods, but everything was delicious. There was also seating right above the wave pool for a grand view of the whole park.
Our trip to American Dream Mall was a hit with everyone. DreamWorks Water Park kept the kids entertained for hours. If you’re planning a visit, be sure to get there early, wear comfortable clothing, and bring plenty of energy—you’re going to need it!
Would we do it again? Absolutely! American Dream Mall truly is a dream destination for families looking for fun, adventure, and great food all under one roof.
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
