A localized power outage disrupted operations at the American Dream entertainment and shopping complex Monday afternoon, forcing the closure of numerous stores, restaurants and attractions, including the indoor water park, while emergency crews helped evacuate visitors from amusement rides.
The outage began at about 3 p.m., leaving large sections of the sprawling complex without electricity and illuminated only by emergency lighting. Most retail stores and restaurants closed as a precaution, although the mall itself was not formally shut down. Officials also temporarily stopped vehicles from entering the parking garage while the outage continued.
Guests inside DreamWorks Water Park were instructed to leave the pools, while visitors aboard amusement rides were safely evacuated. The East Rutherford Fire Department assisted with several ride evacuations.
At least one person was evaluated for minor breathing difficulties, but no serious injuries were reported.
Mall officials said utility crews worked into the evening to restore electrical service.
“We are working closely with our utility provider to safely restore full power as quickly as possible,” American Dream said in a statement. “All guests were safely evacuated from park rides.”
As of Monday evening, American Dream had not announced when all attractions would reopen or whether rides and the water park would resume normal operations Tuesday. The complex also had not announced a specific refund or rebooking policy for guests who purchased attraction tickets for Aug. 3.
Visitors were advised to monitor American Dream’s website and customer service channels for updates regarding reopening schedules and ticket accommodations.
Existing published terms and conditions do not specify automatic refunds for interruptions caused by unforeseen operational issues, leaving any compensation to the discretion of management.
The outage is the latest challenge for one of New Jersey’s most ambitious—and controversial—development projects.
Originally conceived in 2003 as Meadowlands Xanadu, the complex was envisioned as a massive retail and entertainment destination adjacent to MetLife Stadium. Construction stalled repeatedly after financing collapsed during the Great Recession, leaving the unfinished multicolored structure to become a widely ridiculed symbol of New Jersey’s failed megaproject ambitions.
Over the next decade, the development underwent multiple ownership changes, repeated construction delays and several redesigns before Canada’s Triple Five Group, owner of the Mall of America and West Edmonton Mall, acquired the project and rebranded it as American Dream.
The complex finally began opening in phases in late 2019, only to be dealt another severe setback months later when the COVID-19 pandemic forced widespread closures.
The project’s history has also been marked by substantial public involvement. State and local governments committed hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives, transportation improvements and other financial assistance over the life of the development, making American Dream one of the most heavily subsidized commercial projects in New Jersey history. Supporters argued the incentives would generate jobs, tourism and tax revenue, while critics questioned the repeated public investment in a project beset by delays, cost overruns and changing ownership.
Despite those challenges, American Dream has evolved into one of the region’s largest entertainment destinations, featuring an indoor ski slope, water park, amusement park, aquarium, skating rink and hundreds of retail stores and restaurants.
Monday’s outage temporarily brought much of that activity to a standstill, but officials said emergency procedures functioned as intended, allowing visitors to be evacuated safely while crews worked to restore power.
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