NEWARK — Thousands lined up outside the Prudential Center in Newark Thursday morning to register for "American Idol" auditions this weekend.

Some of the singers had been waiting in the Prudential Center area since 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, and a few even before then, according to a Fox spokeswoman. About 3,000 people had already registered as of 8 a.m.

Though Fox wouldn't provide additional numbers until registration closes early Saturday, in 2010 a record 17,000 contestants auditioned for the singing contest in East Rutherford's IZOD center.

Today, one hopeful pop star was the daughter of retired Devils star Ken Daneyko. He and daughter Taylor arrived at the Prudential by 5:30 a.m. from their home in Mendham.

This was Taylor's first time auditioning.

"I've always wanted to be on stage," she said, adding that when she was little, she used to sing Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" and cry.

Her father looked on proudly, carrying his daughter's purse.

"I had a dream to be an athlete," the older Daneyko said. "Now she has a dream, and when they have their dreams you've got to support them."

Today marks the first of two days for "Idol" contestants to register. Registration will be open a full 48 hours, from now until the morning of auditions this Saturday - contestants can even register at 3 a.m. in the morning. Complete registration rules are available on the "American Idol" website.

After the quick sign-up, registered contestants need to show up at 5 a.m. on Saturday for auditions. Host Ryan Seacrest will likely be there, though judges won't - in the first round, singers are judged by producers.

Though there is no real incentive to get there early - at least one "Idol" winner was the last person to register - many singers said they did it for fun.

"They just want to be part of the 'American Idol' experience," said Patrick Lynn, a supervising producer on the show who's based in Los Angeles.

Sisters Seana and Kayla Hendrickson, from Connecticut, arrived at 6:30 a.m. and found themselves near the end of a long line. Two hours later, they were about to go in.

"Our breakfast was coffee and water," Seana said.

Seana's the one auditioning, though the sisters joked that Kayla should, too - and make it onto the series as one of the entertaining disasters showcased in the early episodes. For Seana, however, winning "American Idol" would be the culmination of a long dream.

"When I was in seventh grade, I said I would audition when I was 18," she said.

She's 21 now - but having just graduated college "with a theater degree and therefore no job," now happened to be the perfect time.

"I've been anticipating coming since [the show] started but I was too young," said Sherayne Solomon, a 19-year-old from the Bronx who is auditioning for the first time.

After she reached the right age - currently, 15-years-old - other commitments got in the way year after year. But this time was different. Solomon arrived at the Prudential Center by 5 a.m., with her sister for moral support.

It was also Daniela Iannella's first time auditioning - but for different reasons.

"I've always been afraid," the 19-year-old said. "But now I realize that was stupid." She drove up to Newark from Long Island with her boyfriend this morning.

Other contestants, however, waited to register in the afternoon, when the process was quick and line-free.

"The wait will be Saturday for me," said Chris Lee, 23, of Manhattan. Of course, he's an expert - this is Lee's "third or fourth" time auditioning, he said.

Lynn said he's already seen some talented singers in the crowd - along with some "obvious characters." Ideally, he said, contestants should be a bit of both.

"We get good singers all the time," he said. "We're also looking for people with good personality."

Because of the high temperatures, producers for the Fox singing competition began letting would-be contestants in early, about fifteen minutes before 7 a.m. Producers also issued a warning to singers on the American Idol website.

"Please be aware that we expect temperatures in the New Jersey / New York area to exceed 100 degrees tomorrow and the coming days," the site said. "It is important that all participants, contestants and their family members take precautions to deal with the high temperatures. Bring a hat, sunglasses, an extra bottle of water and sunscreen just to be safe."

Lynn had some extra advice, as well.

"People should participate," he said. "Mug for the camera."