Mall of America tips, budget suggestions, do's & don'ts?

[hollypoast]

My family is going to the Mall of America at the end of the month including a 16, 14 & 6 year old. We are taking the train up and staying at the Best Western Plus. Any suggestions on good deals? Is the Sea Life aquarium worth it? Where is the best place to buy the Nickelodean Universe wrist bands? (cheapest) What would you recommend and what would you never do again??

I'm looking for budget "Disney" advice but for the MOA. After the Disboards and Disney it so hard to travel anywhere else!

 

[rhiansmom]

I would check craigslist for wristbands for Nick U. MOA often runs "buy so much at the mall" and bring in your receipts for free wristbands and locals sell them. Typically they will meet you at the mall for the sale you can verify they work.

Sea Life is fun especially if you haven't been.

 

[pinkcow]

I used to work a few miles from MOA. There has been Subway discounts for Nick Universe, you just can't get them in the Subway at MOA. There's also an "after 5" discount.

Learning from my mistakes, I would avoid Cantina #1 and Kokomos Island Cafe. I've had poor meals at both. However Twin Cities Grill and Famous Dave's are usually good.

If you're looking for a truly budget meal, Ikea is across the street from MOA, and they typically have a super cheap daily special.

HTH!

 

[scrapquitler]

My family is going to the Mall of America at the end of the month including a 16, 14 & 6 year old. We are taking the train up and staying at the Best Western Plus. Any suggestions on good deals? Is the Sea Life aquarium worth it? Where is the best place to buy the Nickelodean Universe wrist bands? (cheapest) What would you recommend and what would you never do again??

I'm looking for budget "Disney" advice but for the MOA. After the Disboards and Disney it so hard to travel anywhere else!

We loved the aquarium. But don't make the mistake we did...we waited and went to the aquarium at the end of the day, and then when we wanted to go thru it again, there wasn't enough time. You are allowed to go as many times as you want, but if you wait too late, you won't have the chance...so I suggest going earlier in the day than dinner time.

 

[Small Town Princess]

We love Kokomo's Happy Hour!!! Sunday – Friday 3 – 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – close:
•½ Price All Appetizers (except Pu-Pu Platters)
•$3.00 All 16oz Tap Beers
•$3.00 All Well Cocktails
•$3.00 Select Frozen Cocktails (WAY YUMMY! And served with little tropical picks in the drink. So cute and cheap!!!)
•$3.00 Gionelli Red or White Wines (Gionelli Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pino Grigio and Merlot)
•Ask your server about Daily Drink & Shot features!

Forgot to add...these frozen drinks can be non-alcohol

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Not sure how many days you will be there, but there is a pass you can buy that includes Nicolodeon, the aquarium, museum, the zoo, I think the waterpark of America too. Go to the Bloomington website. It was a pretty good deal when we looked at it last year, but we weren't there enough days to make it worth our while.

Just a note about the mall - They have a rule where you can't be under a certain age (I think 16) without someone over 21 in the evenings. We found out the hard way when our 20 yr old took our 11 yr old over to shop or ride the rides (using the hotel shuttle.). She was frantically texting us to come get the 11 yr old as security wouldn't let them in the mall! So, just mentioning that in case you were thinking of letting your 16 and 14 yr old stay on their own there for a bit. Check the times before you do!

There's an awesome ropes course in Nickoledon too for the kids. Most of the restaurants have a happy hour w/ half price apps and cheap drinks.

 

[jrmo]

You will love the Best Western Plus. We found it was just as fast to walk to the mall as drive. Your six year old will love the pool area. We couldn't drag ours out! It was immaculately clean, the free breakfast was plentiful, and every staff member we met went out of their way. If your youngest needs to run off some energy, there is a decent park directly west, across the highway. You can see the hotel from it, but unfortunately I don't remember the name of it.

I will second IKEA for cheap meals, and some cheap entertainment, really. I would highly recommend the after 5 Nick U wristbands. Go to Sea Life first thing in the morning and right before closing. It's empty at those times and you get the most bang for your buck.

If you're into leaving the Mall area, there are several free things to do in the Twin Cities. Como Zoo and Conservatory are free and fun.

If your family is into hiking and nature, there is a lovely free Nature center: the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge. It's maybe a five minute drive from the hotel, over near Fort Snelling.

Have a great trip!

 

[MacClemsons]

Not sure how many days you will be there, but there is a pass you can buy that includes Nicolodeon, the aquarium, museum, the zoo, I think the waterpark of America too. Go to the Bloomington website. It was a pretty good deal when we looked at it last year, but we weren't there enough days to make it worth our while.

Just a note about the mall - They have a rule where you can't be under a certain age (I think 16) without someone over 21 in the evenings. We found out the hard way when our 20 yr old took our 11 yr old over to shop or ride the rides (using the hotel shuttle.). She was frantically texting us to come get the 11 yr old as security wouldn't let them in the mall! So, just mentioning that in case you were thinking of letting your 16 and 14 yr old stay on their own there for a bit. Check the times before you do!

There's an awesome ropes course in Nickoledon too for the kids. Most of the restaurants have a happy hour w/ half price apps and cheap drinks.

It's called the Big Ticket - $79 adults and $69 kids. You have 3 days to do any/all attractions 1x. Nickelodeon universe & aquarium can easily be done in same day. We used a day at MN zoo (Como zoo is free) and a day at waterpark which is right near MOA. Waterpark is indoor so it's not as big as what we are used to in FL, but still fun. Science museum is large and worth a couple hours, but we had sci museum passes from reciprocal museum. Www.visitbloomingtonmn.org (I even found a $10 off online coupon last summer)

Lots of great stuff in MSP. My parents live there so we go up for a few weeks each summer.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

There is a Disney store in the mall.

 

[hollypoast]

Thanks so much for all of the info! I love our little dis-community.

We are taking the train up arriving late on the first day. We will have two full days at the mall and then we leave early on the fourth day. I think we will only have time MOA stuff, plus we won't have a car.

 

[jrmo]

Not sure if you're aware or not, but your hotel also has a great free shuttle. You probably won't need it to get to the mall, but they will take you to Ikea and the Wildlife Refuge. I don't remember exactly what the limitations are on it, but anywhere close by.

 

[Sandy61]

We liked the mini golf at MOA called Moose Mountain.

The aquarium was just so-so. I think if you had younger rather than older kids it would be more interesting. We took our son who was 12 for New Years Eve which was fun but none of us liked the aquarium. We had won tickets to everything at MOA, otherwise we would not have gone to the aquarium.

 

[BlueBeagle]

I would check craigslist for wristbands for Nick U. MOA often runs "buy so much at the mall" and bring in your receipts for free wristbands and locals sell them. Typically they will meet you at the mall for the sale you can verify they work.

Sea Life is fun especially if you haven't been.

Those have expired now. They seem to change the benefits every year (last year they were good till June 6th with all spring breaks blacked out). This year they expired on the 28th.

My kids like Sea Life - but go in either early or later. It gets hot and stuffy in the walk way. Buying the pack with with Moose Mountain/Sea Life/Nick Universe would probably be the best way to go.

My kids LOVE to eat at the Rainforest Cafe - especially at the bar. A quiet place with good food is Nordstrom's cafe. Nordstrom's also has a free coat check on the third floor.

We live close to the mall and I'm sad to say my middle son used to call it 'home' when he was 2 (it was a great place to walk with him before opening time in the winter). Oops.

 

[hollypoast]

My kids like Sea Life - but go in either early or later. It gets hot and stuffy in the walk way. Buying the pack with with Moose Mountain/Sea Life/Nick Universe would probably be the best way to go.

Where do you buy the combo pack tickets?

 

[BlueBeagle]

If you purchase tickets online at Sea Life park (through the MOA website) for unlimited wristbands for Nick Universe a Sea Life park all day pass is included for $46.30 per person. And if you bought both online seperately it would be $44. So no savings there

https://secure.merlinentertainments...1102&catalogId=34052&storeId=17151&langId=-15

It's under purchase discount tickets online than the MOA
I just checked the Moose Mountain add on and it's $28.49 per person (unlimited rides and golf). Small savings over buying them separately.

http://tickets.nickelodeonuniverse....oryGroupExternalID=GA&CategoryExternalID=NUPT

Buying the tickets online will save you a little money.

Just an FYI -the Mall is CRAZY busy on Saturdays. Also, Tuesdays are Toddler Tuesdays. There is usually something going at the rotunda (you can see the schedule online). More importantly - kids eat free at some of the restaurants for lunch and dinner. At least your youngest could eat free.

 

[MINNIEsotanice]

Once you get to Minnesota if you can get to a Taco Bell they have discount coupons for Sea Life. Either one free child admission with an adult purchase or buy one adult get one half off.

 

[marshallsmommy]

If u don't buy a package deal keep an eye out for the shark that is the mascot for Sea Life they hand out $2 -$5 off coupons as they walk the mall I really like the little "quick servic" restaurant pardon my french the tart le original is kind like le chefs and they have pastries YUM!

 

[scchristo]

I can't guarantee that this is still an option (I've only been back once since the management change) but I believe that the Sea Life admission is good for the entire day. My recommendation is to go to Sea Life when it opens and come back later in the day. My niece and nephew (and stepdaughter when she was younger) are always in a hurry to get to the rides. We always think "What a great idea! Let's stop back." But we never seem to make it back at the end of our MOA trips that include Sea Life .