Nickelodeon Theme Park Opening

March 11, 2008 -- BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - An indoor Nickelodeon theme park is opening in the Mall of America.

Nickelodeon Universe, the network's first theme park, is scheduled to open March 15. The seven-acre amusement park will include 18 Nickelodeon-branded rides, including a roller coaster called SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge; Avatar Airbender; and The Naked Brothers Crazy Cars.

The park will be located near the east entrance of the mall, which is considered the largest shopping destination in America.

This is one of several efforts by the network to associate its brand with travel and destinations. In 2005, a Nickelodeon-themed resort opened in Orlando, and in August, Nickelodeon will launch its first-ever family cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, with a Western Caribbean itinerary.