A new SpongeBob SquarePants-themed attraction is headed for Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America, with a planned opening in March 2027 that would bring five towers, seven bridges, two slides, interactive games and tunnels to the indoor theme park in Bloomington. The attraction is called Dutchman's Deck.
According to NickALive!, the new version of Dutchman's Deck would occupy the space formerly used by the Dutchman's Deck Ropes Course, sitting across from the SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge roller coaster. The outlet reports the attraction will also include four Nickelodeon-themed birthday party rooms, giving families a dedicated space for celebrations inside the park.
Per the same report, Dutchman's Deck is expected to be included in the standard theme park wristband experience at Nickelodeon Universe, meaning guests would not pay an extra fee to use it. NickALive! also describes the course as rising 55 feet above the park floor.
An Existing Attraction Already Carries the Name
The Dutchman's Deck name is not new to Nickelodeon Universe. A Dutchman's Deck Adventure Course already operates at the park, and Mall of America's own attraction page describes that existing course as reaching 56 feet above Nickelodeon Universe, calling it the tallest Sky Trail ropes course in the world. That same page lists Dutchman's Deck as a $15 add-on to a Nickelodeon Universe Unlimited Ride Wristband, a detail that conflicts with NickALive!'s description of the planned attraction as part of the standard wristband experience at no extra cost.
The existing course also carries a 48-inch height requirement for participants, per Mall of America's listing.
What the Current Ropes Course Includes
The current Dutchman's Deck Adventure Course includes a ropes course, zip line and slides, according to Mall of America. Coasterpedia's entry on Nickelodeon Universe breaks those elements down further, naming the Ghostly Gangplank ropes course, the Anchor Drop slides and the Barnacle Blast zip line as the attraction's components.
Mall of America describes the Ghostly Gangplank as the tallest Sky Trail ropes course in the world, challenging guests to climb 56 feet above the park floor. The mall's page also markets Barnacle Blast as the longest indoor zip line in North America, sending riders soaring 55 feet above Nickelodeon Universe.
Online Chatter and an Uncertain Timeline
Word of changes to the attraction had already stirred some notice among theme park enthusiasts before the NickALive! report surfaced. A post on Reddit's r/rollercoasters forum noted that Dutchman's Deck at Nickelodeon Universe Mall of America had been removed from the park's website, a sign that something was shifting with the existing attraction even before details of the new SpongeBob-themed version emerged.
The planned March 2027 opening would place the attraction within the broader SpongeBob universe. The planned opening is scheduled ahead of Talk Like a Pirate Day.
Several details about the transition between the existing ropes course and the planned SpongeBob-themed attraction remain unresolved, including how the current height requirement, structure height and wristband pricing square with the new description. No construction start date, completion date or opening-day schedule for the planned attraction has been verified.
