During a recent work trip, I had the chance to spend a few evenings exploring Nickelodeon Universe, the indoor theme park inside the Mall of America. Since I was staying just across the street, I was able to pop over after work, giving me lots of opportunities to check out the park’s five coasters, as well as explore other attractions and shops.
Instead of an unlimited ride wristband, I opted for purchasing point passes, since I wasn’t sure if I would be able to fit everything into one evening. If you’re planning to ride each of the park’s five coasters just once, 30 points should be enough, and it’s actually more cost-effective than the unlimited pass. I ended up purchasing more than 30 point passes for a few rerides and a trip on Log Chute, which turned out to be a great decision for my visit.
Ranking the Coasters at Nickelodeon Universe
5. Back at the Barnyard Hayride
As expected, this Zamperla Mini Mine coaster doesn’t offer much for thrill-seekers. It would be great for little ones looking to experience their first coaster. Otherwise, it’s a quick credit if you’re a coaster counter.
4. Fairly Odd Coaster
As a frequent visitor to Worlds of Fun and someone who has gotten plenty of rides on Spinning Dragons, this one felt very familiar. It’s a Gerstlauer spinning coaster that’s fun in a group, but not particularly remarkable, especially for anyone who is not into the spinning gimmick.
3. Pepsi Orange Streak
This one surprised me the most. It’s a long, winding family coaster that’s more about the journey than the thrills. As my first ride of the trip, it gave a fun, scenic tour of the park and even dips into the Log Chute’s indoor section, which was a fun added aspect to the ride’s experience. It’s tame, but charming. I was able to ride with a few of my co-workers, and it seemed to be the crowd favorite!
2. Avatar Airbender
Coming in second is the Intamin Surfrider Avatar Airbender. While I’m not a big fan of the spinning aspect, the shuttle coaster offered some good floater airtime at the peaks of each swing. Personally, I found the restraints a bit uncomfortable, but the overall experience was still fun.
1. SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge
This was hands-down the star of the park. Despite its compact footprint, it delivers intense thrills from start to finish. Its 97 degree first drop is thrilling for riders and eye catching for passing guests. Almost every time I walked by, there was a crowd just outside the entrance waiting to watch it drop.
I don’t have many experiences with Gerstlauer Euro-Fighters, but I was impressed with the pacing of the ride. I used some additional point passes to reride this coaster another day, and it was well worth it!
Hidden Gem: Log Chute
Even though I would usually pass on an indoor log flume, I’m really glad I made an exception here. The Log Chute is packed with story scenes and old-school charm. It reminded me of a log flume version of the original Fire in the Hole from Silver Dollar City. One of the ride ops called it “the best non-coaster ride in Minnesota,” and honestly, I’d agree. Don’t miss it. The only downside: you may be hitting up a few of the mall’s stores on the way out for some dry clothes!
Final Thoughts
Though I didn’t get around to many of the flat rides or more kid-focused attractions, Nickelodeon Universe was a great way to spend a few hours after work. It’s not a destination park by any means, but it’s absolutely worth checking out if you’re in the area—or looking for a coaster fix during a Minnesota winter.
Have you visited Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America? Let us know what you thought about the park in the comments section below.
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