BLOOMINGTON, Minn., (Nov. 8, 2011) Between Thanksgiving and New Year, Mall of America welcomes approximately 16 million guests. The increase in traffic often causes headaches when it comes to getting in, getting out and parking at the Mall. There are three tools that Mall of America will utilize this year to help ease those headaches: #moaparking updates on Twitter, real-time traffic updates on the mobile web app for Mall of America and new way finding signs that have been installed through a cooperative effort of the Mall of America, the City of Bloomington and MNDOT.

"At Mall of America, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance the guest experience, whether that is while they spend time at the Mall or before they even enter our doors," said Maureen Bausch, executive vice president at Mall of America. "Having three different tools working together to help make holiday shopping and spending time at the Mall better, easier and faster is a step in the right direction."

Whether you're on Twitter or not, the way that Mall of America utilizes the social tool is accessible to everyone with the internet. If you're on Twitter, follow @MallofAmerica and if you're not head to www.twitter.com/MallofAmerica or search.twitter.com and enter "#moaparking" to see real-time updates on the best location for parking at that time.

If you have a smart phone, or a phone from which you can access the internet, another tool to help ease traffic pains is the mobile app for Mall of America. Under the directions and parking portion of the mobile web app guests can find live traffic information for the highways surrounding Mall of America and driving directions. To coincide with the Twitter parking updates, the parking portion of the mobile web app includes a color system that lays over the parking lots at Mall of America: green is available, yellow is congested and red is busy. There is also an alert icon indicating if there is an accident or construction in a specific area.

The City of Bloomington and MnDOT have installed six new dynamic hybrid way finding signs at various freeway locations leading to the mall. MnDOT will change the signs messaging based on observations and input from the Bloomington Police, with assistance from Mall of America traffic management staff. When traffic volumes and conditions warrant, the information on the signs will advise and assist motorists in finding the least congested way to reach Mall of America.

For more information visit www.mallofamerica.com. For more information about the wayfinding sign project visit www.ci.bloomington.us

About Mall of America®

Mall of America is the nations largest retail and entertainment complex. At 4.2 million square feet, MOA is home to more than 520 world-class shops; Nickelodeon Universe®, the nations largest indoor family amusement park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, a 1.2 million gallon walk-through aquarium; Moose Mountain Adventure Golf; Theatres at Mall of America® - a 14-screen movie theater with VIP theatre and more. The Mall opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Follow Mall of America on Facebook and Twitter or visit our blog.

Contact:Dan Jasper

952.883.8829 djasper@mallofamerica.com