MEADOWLANDS — Triple Five and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. on Wednesday announced plans to create an indoor theme park at the American Dream at Meadowlands project (formerly Xanadu) around the characters found in DreamWorks Animation films.
American Dream at Meadowlands on Route 3 will house the first North American theme park to exclusively feature DreamWorks Animation characters, including favorites from the Company’s blockbuster films of “Shrek,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Kung Fu Panda,” “Puss in Boots,” and “Madagascar.”
“”American Dream at Meadowlands is poised to become a one-of-a-kind retail and entertainment destination in North America. We look forward to working with Triple Five Worldwide to incorporate DreamWorks Animation characters, storytelling, and technology into a unique and innovative family entertainment experience at the venue,”” said Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation in a press statement.
“”American Dream at Meadowlands is working with the most creative minds in the entertainment business,”” said Don Ghermezian, President of Triple Five Worldwide. “The theme park will have direct input from the creative talents behind the films to create a park experience that will attract a global market.”
American Dream at Meadowlands will house themed rides, attractions, retail and other venues. The retail and entertainment venue will also have a water park, ice skating rink, indoor ski park and theaters along with nearly 1.7 million square feet of retail space and 150,000 square feet of fine dining and restaurants.
The project has stalled several times due to lack of financial backing since 2009. Canada-based developer Triple Five Group stepped in at the end of 2010 and proposed an expansion of the project to include indoor amusement and water parks.
The New York Giants and New York Jets sports teams sought an injunction last month to prevent the developer from reviving the project. The lawsuit filed in a state court in Bergen County alleges that Triple Five did not receive their consent to expand the project and also cites traffic impacts.
Area mayors have also expressed concerns about potential traffic impacts due to the expansion and have considered joining the lawsuit.
Triple Five moved in Superior Court Tuesday to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the New York Giants and New York Jets.