Mall of America info???

[Bob O]

We are planing to go to the Mall of America for a couple of days the first weekend of march and havent been their in several years. So what is new and what is worth going to??? We know about the indoor amusement park but dont know alot about what has been added in the last several years, also any recommendations on a nearby hotel, has to have a pool as daughters love to swim. We have seen brochures etc but was looking for people's opinions and not web site links.
Thanks in advance for any info!!!

 

[zulaya]

It's been a couple months, but it's hard to know what you have and haven't seen. They have a BeaverTails stand now near the North Food Court. I guess at one point they had a printout of a post from the DIS about people raving about it. The log ride has changed themes so many times I am just not sure what you might have seen last time.

I know you didn't ask for websites, but I know the mallofamerica.com website keeps real up to date on all the shops and eateries. You probably would be able to tell if you have seen something before or not.

There's a restaurant called The Odyssey on the south side, that's very interesting. There are 3 main dining areas: one is Atlantis themed (lots of water, dolphins, blues and purples), one is Serengeti themed - African Savannah like, and the other is Machu Picchu - Incan/Mayan/Aztec. I have eaten in Atlantis and Serengeti and both were really neat in terms of theming. The furniture was well blended in with the theme. My sister has been to Machu Picchu and thinks it's the best room of all. The menu was not really what I'd call the best deal in town. Mostly a la carte, which I am not a big fan of, and the portions were smaller than I like - but keep in mind that at the time, we had spent the day there, walked A LOT, and were starving. I think it's a nice experience.

My sister and brother also got these old time photos taken. I guess you get them in black and white - they may do color, I don't know - but they picked the scene they wanted and the photos they wanted and it was real reasonable. I guess they have kids themes too as she wanted to take my 6YO and 7YO to get their pictures done as well.

Hotels...my MIL just had a girlfriends weekend in November and they stayed at the Holiday Inn in Bloomington, but the one on the west side, a little farther from MOA. She loved the pool and amenities and the price was like $79 a night. Again, I know you didn't ask for websites, but if you check the website for the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau, I know they list hotel and other specials right there for visitors to use.

Have fun on your visit.

 

[Disfan1]

I was going to recommend the Holiday Inn in Bloomington, too. We stayed there in September & it was great! I used the Mall of AMerica website to help plan our visit- it has lists of special events & a list of all of the stores! Have fun- my next stop is going to be the Edmonton Mall!

 

[Fire14]

I know when i went ages ago I stayed at Days Inn right across from Mall.

 

[Bob O]

Thanks for the info and help!!!
Im sure the area has changed at least a little bit in the last couple of years.

 

[hercamore]

Hi Bob,

I don't think the area around the Mall or the Mall itself has changed much in the last few years.

Looks pretty much the same to me except for some shop turnover as the leases are up. One addition I like is the new Krispy Kreme donut shop, and boy, are they pricy little donuts! But yummy.

I have stayed at the Country Inn and suites hotel right next to the Mall. Very nice family hotel. All the hotels close to the Mall are going to be upwards of $100 except for Days Inn. Homewood suites also is a nice hotel near the Country Inn.

For a quiet place to eat in the Mall, check out the 3rd floor of Nordstroms. They have a counter where you can order some really nice lunches. Good food and decent prices. YOu order and pay for your food. Then you walk into their huge dining room (all windows) and server will bring your food to you. One of the most peaceful places in the whole Mall.

herc.

 

[dianeschlicht]

There's a restaurant called The Odyssey on the south side, that's very interesting

Not any more! That closed about a month ago. I was sorry to see it go too, but the quality had declined in the past year. MOA has had some problems since 9/11. It is still considered by many to be a target, but I have my doubts that it really is. Because it celebrated it's tenth anniversary last August, a lot of the stores are doing makeovers and updates. The list of stores out there changes faster than I can keep up with, and I go often, since it is only 25 minutes away. I think the sales are great this time of year! I usually find great bargains out there.

 

[Bob O]

Any more info out there????

 

[We4mickey]

Here are a few links for you.
http://www.mallofamerica.com/moa/servlet/SMTMall?mid=369&pn=ENTRY&rs=0

http://www.minneapolis.org/pages/visitors/winter_getaways.asp

http://www.bloomingtonmn.org/mallofamerica.html

Hope these link will help.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I went to the mall yesterday with some friends. There are a LOT of closed stores, and not just little shops either! Some have signs saying they are just remodeling, but the landscape is changing out there. The sales right now are incredible! Macy's had 65% off racks with "additional 50% off signs on top of them. One of my friends got a London Fog coat that was marked at $112 for the 65% off price, and she got it for $56.