In the latest sign of renewed interest in the site, DreamWorks Animation, of “Shrek” and “Kung Fu Panda” fame, has reached a deal with developer Triple Five to open a 14.7-acre amusement park at the American Dream Meadowlands mall in New Jersey, the New York Times reported. This will be the studio’s first amusement park based on its movies following the falling out of plans to bring parks to China, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg told the Times that the park will feature DreamWorks characters, technology and storytelling “in a unique and innovative family entertainment experience.” There will be rides, attractions and a wave pool that incorporate DreamWorks movie characters.
As The Real Deal reported, the Meadowlands project — previously called Xanadu — was foreclosed upon. Last year, Triple Five, which owns the Mall of America, committed to restart the stalled project and this is the latest step towards its revival.
As reported in late June, the New York Jets and Giants National Football League teams filed a lawsuit to block the delayed American Dream project over an alleged violation of a prior agreement for the two teams, who play at the nearby MetLife Stadium, that gives them approval rights for any plans to expand the shopping center. [NYT]