Amusement Park News

Something new is shining at Bloomington, Minnesota's Mall of America — and getting ready to illuminate Woodfield Mall in greater Chicagoland. Merlin Magic Making and Fever have joined forces to launch two new attractions: the just-opened Super Neon in Minneapolis and Wondra in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Super Neon is an immersive experience that offers a richly glowing environment with an otherworldly vibe — a rewarding fusion of visual art and play. The entire project was created in under a year by Merlin Entertainments' creative arm and the international live entertainment platform Fever.

Located on the third floor of the massive Mall of America, Super Neon spans 11,000 square feet of illuminated, interactive spaces. Guests move through a vividly colored rainstorm with underwater umbrellas, wander a magical forest where trees come alive at their touch, and explore a variety of photo-worthy installations. Highlights include brightly hued sculptures, color-beam painting, and sensory light tunnels.

In essence, it's all about light — and the uplifting power of color. According to Merlin Magic Making creative lead Liz Cummings, “light has a mood-boosting impact on us all.” She notes that the current fascination with “awe-inspiring lighting installations” has inspired Merlin to harness that “mood-boosting impact” and make these trends relevant as attractions.



Cummings explains that Super Neon prompted her team to reimagine their creative process, allowing them to “deliver faster while still bringing the depth, quality, and signature Merlin magic” to fresh, culturally resonant ideas.

Like Cummings, Tom McElwee, regional general manager for North America at Fever, is enthusiastic about “bringing unique, world-class experiences to life for audiences everywhere.” He calls Super Neon the ultimate example of “immersive storytelling done right.”

Guests typically spend up to an hour exploring the light displays and interactive exhibits. Tickets start at $25.99 per person.

Designed to elevate the senses and boost mood, McElwee says Super Neon is “imaginative, meaningful, and designed to spark wonder.”

With its kaleidoscopic colors and joyful atmosphere, Super Neon invites visitors to step into a world that's both hands-on and dreamlike. Early guests have described the attraction as “magical.”

The new experience feels like a perfect fit for the Mall of America, which encompasses more than 5.6 million square feet and already houses major attractions including the SEA LIFE aquarium, FlyOver America, and the Crayola Experience, along with new escape rooms and the interactive Great Big Game Show experience.

The collaboration between Merlin and Fever also seems like a natural match. Both companies have a history of creating and presenting imaginative, meaningfully fun pop-ups.

Proving the strength of this partnership, Merlin and Fever have also introduced Wondra in the Chicago area.

Like Super Neon, Wondra centers around light-filled experiences. Opening in October, it reimagines the beauty of nature — from rainforests and oceans to the intergalactic cosmos. While Super Neon delivers a dazzling dreamscape, Wondra focuses on illuminating the natural world.

The Wondra attraction will open at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois, covering 11,500 square feet. Visitors can expect nature-inspired wonders such as interactive flower fields, personalized clouds, radiant caves, and glowing bioluminescent waters to “wade” through.



Cummings says the attraction is “rooted in the idea that people are drawn to nature — and we all crave more of it.”

Both Super Neon and Wondra reflect the growing demand for experiential, immersive environments. Together, Merlin and Fever are working rapidly to “deliver faster” and create ever more relevant installations.

McElwee describes Wondra as “imaginative, meaningful, and designed to connect guests to the wonder of nature in a whole new way.”

Like the Mall of America, Woodfield Mall is one of the nation's largest and most popular shopping destinations, featuring attractions such as Peppa Pig World of Play, YuKids Island, the Improv Comedy Club, bowling, and a game lounge.

Both Wondra and Super Neon are expected to attract school groups, private and corporate events, and individual visitors alike.

The rapid rollout of these experiences captures the spirit of the moment, blending Merlin's expertise in creating everything from roller coasters to theme parks with Fever's marketing savvy and passion for immersive experiences.

Instagram-ready and delightfully surreal, both attractions represent a new, absorbing level of family fun for all ages.

While this partnership will likely continue to produce more innovative attractions in the future, Merlin is also preparing for an especially active creative season — including the launch of a high-tech indoor, space-themed roller coaster at LEGOLAND Resorts in Florida and California in early 2026. The company is also developing a global first: the world's first permanent, immersive Minecraft attraction.