If you and your family want to slide with Shrek or plummet with the Penguins of Madagascar, a new H20-based theme park in New Jersey offers splashes and thrills alongside your favorite animated characters. The world’s first DreamWorks Animation Water Park opens on March 19, 2020. At 370,260 square feet, it’ll be the largest water park in North America; and since all the fun is indoors, guests can frolic 365 days a year.
“We can’t wait for guests to visit DreamWorks Animation Water Park and experience the completely unique, jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring destination that we have created,” said Don Ghermezian, co-CEO of American Dream, in a statement. “We also look forward to welcoming a new audience to the property with the introduction of retail, opening some of the largest flagship stores globally.”
Among the attractions is the world’s largest wave pool, the Far Far a Bay, a one-and-a-half acre pool inspired by Shrek’s magical kingdom whose waves measure up to six feet in height. You can also float and spot characters from DreamWorks films in the three-foot deep Bubbly Lazy River, relax in one of five Forbidden Waters Hot Tubs or sip a fruity libation in King Julien’s Pineapple Jam Swim-Up Bar. Among the water slides is the Swamp n’ Splash, a high-speed four-person tube ride with sudden drops, banking swings and zero-gravity moments, and Lemur Leap, a two-person tube ride with a sudden drop and large spiral bowl. Those seeking the biggest thrills can attempt the Mad Flush, a body slide into a giant spiral finishing with a three-foot drop into a six-and-a-half-feet deep pool or Shrek’s Sinkhole Slammer, a four-person tube slide plunging into a massive 60-foot funnel with intense drops.
Additions to the park will continue after it opens, including installing the world’s tallest indoor drop slide with a 50-foot freefall and the Toothless Trickling Torpedo, the world’s tallest and longest hydromagnetic water coaster that traverses the entire park. Luxury cabanas designed by Jonathan Adler, private party rooms and more features will be offered at a later date.
The water park is part of American Dream, a massive destination for style and play with some of the world’s largest retailers including Aritzia, Zara, Sephora, H&M, UNIQLO, Primark, Ulta Beauty, Old Navy and Morphe. Other family entertainment at American Dream includes a black-lit golf course, a theme park inspired by Nickelodeon characters, an indoor real-snow year-round ski resort and an ice skating rink.
Admission to the DreamWorks Animation Water Park is US$99 for those aged ten and up, US$89 for guests aged three to nine and free for children two and under. A Twilight admission for US$74 is valid two hours prior to the park’s closing, seven days a week. Self-parking is always free and valet parking is US$10. You can purchase tickets in advance on their website.
