The American Dream mall is debuting in East Rutherford Friday, with the Nickelodeon Universe theme park and an NHL-sized ice skating rink beginning the 3 million square foot development’s chaptered opening. The mall was issued a temporary certificate of occupancy from the state Thursday night after a day of mounting concerns over whether or not it would be allowed to open.

With many questions swirling in the days leading up to the opening, like what parking will cost at the mall, which rides will be open at Nickelodeon Universe (there are 35 total), and what it will cost to go skating at the ice rink, visitors Friday will get a first look at the long-awaited complex.

Construction crews were throughout the mall working, as most of the property is continuing to be built out.

Handfuls of people stopped by to get a peek at the mall as hectic workers prepared for opening day. Without clear signage, it was not immediately easy for guests to figure out where to park or through which entrance to get into the mall. Security guards told reporters conflicting information about when the public could enter.

When they did get in, many were impressed.

“I would definitely bring my kids here to enjoy,” said Yulie Marte, 32, of Passaic. And, she’s eagerly awaiting the rest of the mall’s stores and restaurants opening.

“As soon as they do, I’ll be back," she said.

Others weren’t as enthused by the mall’s phased opening, which won’t be completed until March 2020.

“Really, this is just a skating rink,” Steven Owens, a Dumont resident who drove about 30 minutes to check out the mall, told NJ Advance Media. He left when he realized there was no place open in the mall to eat breakfast or shop, but not before remarking on the fact that the mall was actually opening.

“It’s been sitting here for 20 years,” he said, referring to the development’s labored history. “Finally happened.”

Check out photos below for your first look at the inside of the American Dream mall.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall, Nickelodeon Universe, and an NHL-sized ice skating rink opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation. The DreamWorks waterpark will open in November.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation. The DreamWorks waterpark will open in November.

The American Dream mall, Nickelodeon Universe, and an NHL-sized ice skating rink opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

The American Dream mall and Nickelodeon Universe opened Friday, October 25, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The American Dream mall opened today after years of anticipation.

American Dream mall, Nickelodeon Universe, and an NHL-sized ice skating rink opened in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Friday. The mall opened today after years of anticipation. October 25, 2019.Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

American Dream mall, Nickelodeon Universe, and an NHL-sized ice skating rink opened in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Friday. The mall opened today after years of anticipation. The DreamWorks waterpark will open in November. It is still under construction. October 25, 2019.Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

American Dream mall, Nickelodeon Universe, and an NHL-sized ice skating rink opened in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Friday. The mall opened today after years of anticipation. October 25, 2019.Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

American Dream mall, Nickelodeon Universe, and an NHL-sized ice skating rink opened in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Friday. The mall opened today after years of anticipation. The DreamWorks waterpark will open in November. It is still under construction. October 25, 2019.Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

American Dream mall, Nickelodeon Universe, and an NHL-sized ice skating rink opened in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Friday. The mall opened today after years of anticipation. October 25, 2019.Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

American Dream mall, Nickelodeon Universe, and an NHL-sized ice skating rink opened in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Friday. The mall opened today after years of anticipation. The DreamWorks waterpark will open in November. October 25, 2019.Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

American Dream won’t charge for parking this weekend (Oct. 25-27) during its special preview.

On a regular day, the American Dream mall parking costs:

0 – 29 min: Free

30 min - 3 hours: $3

Up to 4:59 hours/min: $4

Up to 6:59 hours/min: $5

Up to 7:59 hours/min: $6

8+ hours: $24

There will be an American Dream parking fee flat rate of $30 any time there’s an event at neighboring MetLife stadium. You can, however, get your parking validated on those event days with the purchase of a Nickelodeon Universe ticket (which costs $39.99 or $49.99).

And if you’re looking for full service, valet parking is $10 -- plus the standard parking rates.

Eventually, the American Dream mall will include a DreamWorks waterpark, massive indoor ski slope called Big SNOW, more than 350 retailers and 100 dining options, an aquarium, LEGOLand Discovery Center, CMX Luxury Movie Theater, Kidzania, and a 300-foot observation wheel. The next attraction set to open in a three-story candy department store, IT’SUGAR, on Nov. 7.

But for now, visitors will have to be satisfied checking out Nickelodeon Universe, the ice skating rink, and a small sliver of the mall in between the two attractions.

The American Dream mall started as a proposal for a shopping and entertainment development in the Meadowlands back in 2002. Since then, the project formerly known as Xanadu has gone through a host of changes, new owners, and false starts. Triple Five, the Canadian developer that took over the project in 2011, reworked and expanded the scope of the complex to include the theme park, waterpark, and a long list of high-end stores, known as “The Collections.”

Once the stores do open, they will be limited by Bergen County’s Blue Laws, which prohibit retailers from being open on Sundays. The rest of the complex, including the entertainment and food venues, will be open 7 days a week.

The American Dream, once it’s all finished, will be 45% retail and 55% entertainment.

See more of our ongoing coverage of the American Dream mall here.

Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com Follow her on Twitter @briannakudisch. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

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