icyangel2666

That moment when you type a review for at least an hour and then accidentally click on something and it all disappears... Ok, so here's a summary of what I was typing before. I've lived in Duluth my whole life and visited MOA many times, especially as a kid. This place has changed many times over the years. The theme park for example used to be called Camp Snoopy, and featured all sorts of Peanuts stuff. Including a giant Snoopy bouncy room. Until about 2005 or so they took away all the Peanuts themed stuff and it was just called "The Park at MOA" (how exciting?) but then they changed it up again a few years later and is now called Nickelodeon Universe, and has a few theme rides of Nickelodeon characters. They had a lot of cool rides and other attractions over the years that they eventually got rid of, such as a huge Merry-go-round, and a shooting gallery (not real guns, they just flashed lights at targets) my favorite was shooting the mechanical bear so it would stand up and roar. The log chute became one of my favorite rides, I was scared to go on it until I was about 12, then I was going again and again, just don't ride in the back if you don't want to feel like falling out. They have some lumberjack themed stuff because Minnesota used to be a major logging state back in the day. Anyway, one of the other things I love about this place is the Aquarium. It's had different names over the years. First used to be called Underwater World, we still have a mug from when it was called that. Then changed it to Underwater Adventures for a long time, but now it has a different name again, Sea Life Adveture. But being a nature and animal freak this became my favorite part of going. At the end they sometimes have touch tanks which are a lot of fun, as a kid I used to spend hours petting sting rays, I couldn't get enough. And the string rays loved me too, they'd turn around and beg to be petted more. That's priceless. But sometimes they'd quit having touch tanks because stupid people would mishandle the animals, lift them out of water and such. Plenty of shops. Lots of restaurants to choose from, I became a huge fan of Rainforest Cafe. (Again cause I'm a nature/animal freak) For a few years I'd request to go there for my birthday. Consider yourself lucky if you get a fish tank seat, those are usually taken. It's very relaxing and a cool place. My favorite menu item was Red Snapper, (unfortunately they changed that off the menu) but it was deliciously seasoned and totally scrumptious. The favorite and featured desert is The Volcano, it's as big and exciting as it sounds, easily can share one with others. Totally recommend that restaurant. The whole mall has fun for everyone. A lot of times we find ourselves people watching, there's people from all over the world that go there, you wouldn't think so but they do. The only reason why I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I personally don't like some of the changes they've made, regarding some of the favorites taken away. But this is a place I've always loved going to. Always well tuckered out after going. Oh yeah, and DON'T ever go there on a holiday. We went once on Thanksgiving Day and it was like being in a river of people. Insanely crowded.