Visitors finally took their first steps inside the American Dream mall on Friday.

The mall, located by MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, was once called "the ugliest damn building in New Jersey and maybe America," by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Construction has been on and off for several years, after hitting several road blocks in everything from funding to lawsuits from the NFL.

More than 17 years later, CNBC got a peek inside the partially opened center. (Only the ice rink and Nickelodeon theme park are open as of now.)

An estimated 2,500 people visited the mall on Friday, according to an American Dream press release. They waited in long lines for everything from food to rides — and to take their pictures with characters like Spongebob.

On Friday, some parking spots we saw cost up to $45. On its website, American Dream lists parking prices listed for $3-$24.

Phil Murphy, the governor of New Jersey, called the first phase opening a "great first step."

"There's that great line, 'I don't know how to define it, but I'll know it when I see it.' This feels like it's a success," he said.