Well, maybe not that intense.
I wrote several posts about the Mall of America after our first visit in 2015 (blogged about in 2016):
https://sporktogo.blogspot.com/2016/09/mall-of-america-overview.html
It is still vast and full of stores, as one would expect. Some of those stores have changed.
One of my favorite new additions was the Beef Jerky Experience, where you can buy (and sample, though the samples are small) all kinds of beef jerky from all kinds of animals.
Their offerings include mix and match options and a monthly club.
Margaritaville is still there, though we were there shortly after Jimmy Buffett's death, so we thought they might be a bit subdued.
The main food court has been updated. It seems bigger, though I am not sure that is true. There are definitely lots of options.
Many of the options are things that you can easily find without travel to Minnesota, but some are unique and it is a high variety.
One thing I have understood since I first visited Eaton Centre in Toronto was that when you have what seems to be a ridiculously large mall, that may not be so much a sign of consumer culture run amok as it is a sign of severe winters, where entertainment is even more important than shopping.
While the Nickelodeon Universe may be the best known and central hub of that entertainment (and I have previously written about the mini-golf, mirror maze, and aquarium), there is also a movie theater, a State Fair themed floor and a Crayola Experience.
They had added a ride I will feature next week, as well as an escape room and a climbing wall. That "intense experience" photo at the beginning is from the 5D Extreme Attraction, located at one edge of the Nickelodeon Universe.
Of course, every mall has its regular, non-extreme play area, but I appreciated that there was one with Lego tables by the Lego Store.
I was also interested to see a music store selling instruments and lessons.
No, it does not seem to be affiliated with Prince, but that's still cool.
The other recent addition is an M Health Fairview location. Given the heavy amount of business travel in the area (near the airport and full of hotels), this is surely of good use to them, but also to locals.
Shopping isn't my favorite activity anyway, but I imagine most people could eventually get tired of it, no matter how many stores there are, how clever their names, or how bold their decorations.
Accessibility: Navigation is good, with wide aisles, smooth floors, and elevators. It is huge, so plan accordingly for energy. Some areas have better seating than others.
Maps are mostly helpful, but as a guide to charging stations they are not. We were never able to match one with its supposed location.
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