Dancing at the Meadowlands Expo Center

Every year (well, except 2020), the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, hosts a variety of events.  Some of these are dance competitions, including Star Dance Alliance’s World Dance Championship and World Dance Pageant.  We’ve been here countless times, so I thought I might share some information about the layout, where to stay, where to eat, and other tidbits.

Secaucus holds a special place in my heart.  During my middle school years, my friends and I spent many hours at the Mall at Mill Creek (there was a movie theater there as well).  That mall has long since given way to a commercial area known as “Harmon Meadow.” The Meadowlands Exposition Center sits in this vast complex.  

Lodging

If you are looking for convenience, the Harmony Suites is literally right across the driveway to the Expo Center.  This property recently changed hands; it was formerly the Embassy Suites. In the past, the World Dance Pageant (by Star Dance Alliance) has held events here (the welcome meeting and the interviews, if memory serves). It is the closest lodging to the Expo Center that you can find.

The Hyatt Place is directly behind the expo center, so it’s one of the more convenient options! It boasts pet-friendly rooms, 24/7 dining options, a 24-hour gym, free breakfast, and more. Reviewers rate it at 4 out of 5 stars, so I would definitely suggest taking a look at the website and doing some homework before booking.

A little further away, the Courtyard by Marriott – Secaucus has earned 4.3 out of 5 stars.  They offer free Wifi and parking, and pets are welcome (additional fees apply).  You can work out in the on-site fitness center and eat breakfast at The Bistro (their on-site restaurant).  Again, you’ll want to contact the hotel directly about what limitations they have in place due to health regulations.

One of the newest options is the Aloft by Marriott, which is the furthest hotel from the Expo Center out of the three I’m discussing in this post.  Like the other Marriott property, it offers free Wifi and parking, and is pet-friendly (additional costs apply).  A continental breakfast is available for a fee.  Re:Fuel is a grab-and-go breakfast stop, and WXYZ provides cocktails, small bites, and nightlife after 5 p.m.  Yet again, I’d urge you to contact the hotel directly to find out if there are any restrictions in place for the time of your stay.  The Aloft also has earned 4.3 out of 5 stars, according to their website.

If you’re willing to drive a couple more minutes, the Renaissance in Lyndhurst has been a great experience for some of my dance mom friends (clean and comfortable, from what I’ve heard, and right across the way from Medieval Times). For more lodging options, check here.

Location and Parking 

The Meadowlands Exposition Center is located at 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus.  It is situated on an “elbow,” with the building sitting caddy-corner.  When you are facing the building, you can find the parking garage off a small access street directly to the left (in between the Expo Center and the Embassy Suites).  Check the clearance guidelines if you have a bigger vehicle or an antenna.  It is free to park there, but arrive early because spots go pretty fast.  

To enter, you can either haul up the countless stairs (especially painful after leg day at the gym), or use the ramp to the left of the entrance.  Since many of us have rolling bags, the ramp is probably the option for us dance moms.

When You First Walk In…

When I offer my description of the Meadowlands Exposition Center, please bear in mind that these experiences are from both pre-COVID and post-COVID events for the Star Dance Alliance.  To be transparent, I do not know for certain what the layout, restrictions, and protocols will be in place going forward.  If your team is heading there, your studio director should receive information from the hosting company about the guidelines to be followed.

When you first walk into the glass doors of the main entrance, you will enter a carpeted area that is separate from the auditorium.  This is typically where the staff has set up huge backdrops for photo opportunities, and where the registration desks are located.  A walled-off area sits opposite the entrance doors; there are smaller breakout rooms hidden behind it!  During the World Dance Pageant, the dancers would report to those rooms for their classes and the after-party.  

The Auditorium

To get to the auditorium itself, you can either walk to the left or right.  If you’ve ever been to an exposition or convention center, you already know that it looks like a large warehouse with a nicer floor.  Toward the back (where you walk in), various vendors may have set up shop.  Star Dance Alliance usually sells clothing, programs, stuffed animals, water bottles, and other souvenirs.  Other vendors have included dancewear companies and photographers.  Rows of screens have been set up to re-watch videos or view pictures for purchase.  

If you need to use the restroom, it is located as soon as you walk in, all the way to the right.  Nearby, a small food station offered muffins, sandwiches, snacks, and drinks (I’m not sure if that will be available this year).

Dressing Rooms and the Warm-Up Area

The stage is set up on the opposite end of the auditorium (seriously, you can’t miss it).  The boys’ dressing room has typically been on the right side of the stage (when you’re facing it), and the girls’ dressing room is to the left.  Both rooms are essentially curtained-off areas of the center.  

Be aware that the lighting is very poor; if you have a lighted mirror, I would absolutely suggest you pack it!  Very few outlets will be available as well, so bringing back up power packs or a power strip to share would be helpful if you have electronics. Tables are often set up for the teams to use in the dressing rooms, but they are often taken quickly.

For the World Dance Championship and Pageant, dancers can rehearse in the warm-up area behind the stage.  Usually, teachers are able to run the routines on one of three large “matted” areas. When we did a regional Starpower competition, there were no mats/dance floors available to warm up on. During the larger events, staff members might interview dancers, teachers, and others on a raised platform near the warm-up mats.  Another set of bathrooms is located behind the warm-up area as well, so the dancers don’t need to haul butt across the expo center before they take the stage.

And What a Stage It Is!  

Again, my experiences at this venue are solely with those from the Star Dance Alliance. They strive to put on a wonderful, seamless presentation, and their extraordinary efforts do not go unnoticed.  The stage, lighting, and other equipment are truly impressive, and the dancers can’t help but feel as if they are part of something huge when they enter the venue.

The Seating

Spectators will watch the show on metal folding chairs, neatly arranged in rows.  If you have back or bum issues, you may consider bringing a seat cushion or other support.  The event crew will probably have set up a camera on a crane to get those awesome shots, so you might not want to sit directly behind the equipment.  

Because the seats are arranged on the floor (not on an incline, like a theater), the chairs near the front and middle are hot commodities.  Try to arrive early to get good seats, but understand that there will be a great deal of movement as dance moms run back and forth to get their kids ready.  If your seat isn’t ideal, don’t worry too much; the staff sets up large viewing screens on either side of the raised stage.  Behind the vast seating area, the event’s on-air personalities execute their emceeing duties on a raised platform.  

The Acoustics

Because it’s essentially a large, hollow chamber, the noise level in the venue is usually very high.  If anyone in your party has auditory sensitivity issues, bring some earplugs.  With all of the shouting you’re going to be doing (just to be heard above the din), bring gum or lozenges to keep your throat moist. Also, give your child permission to call you by your first or last name that day (dozens of women turn around in alarm when one kid yells, “Mom!”). 

Food Options

Thankfully, the area offers a wide array of restaurants within walking distance.  Chili’s, Chipotle, Starbucks, Buffalo Wild Wings, Carrabba’s, and Outback are just a few dining options.  Last night, we went to the Red Robin’s and walked out within five minutes (the hostess didn’t even acknowledge us on her first two passes through the waiting area, and another told us to move over and sit down while we were waiting for our table to be cleaned off).  While I understand that we are experiencing a wave of short-staffing issues in restaurants, we would rather spend our money in places that value the customer.  If you’re crushed for time, DoorDash, UberEats, and GrubHub can be lifesavers.  

Sights to See

If you’ve got a day or two off, keep in mind that you’re just a short train or bus ride into NYC!  Even closer is the new American Dream mall complex, which boasts the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, DreamWorks Water Park, Blacklight Mini Golf, SeaLife Aquarium, Legoland Discovery Center, and so much more.  The Kerasotes Showplace Movie Theater, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment Center, and Liberty State Park are just a short drive away as well. For a fun, unique dining experience, visit Medieval Times in nearby Lyndhurst.

A Memorable Experience

If your dancer is attending either the World Dance Pageant or World Dance Championship, be prepared for an experience like no other.  This professional production is truly next-level.  It is sure to be one of those memories you’ll all look back on with pride and satisfaction, and could very well be the highlight of your child’s dance career.  Merde!

Work hard, have fun! – Danielle

Did your team win a Golden Ticket? Check out my insider’s guide to the World Dance Championship – What You Need to Know.

Heading to Harrah’s, Atlantic City, for a dance event? Get the lowdown on this venue here: Dancing at Harrah’s in Atlantic City.

If you live in the Tri-State area, join our dance mom community on Facebook!