15 things at the American Dream mall opening day that blew our heads

1. It is still an active construction site. Even before the delayed opening time at 10am, the doors were not locked, and some could go in to look at workers in hard hats like hammering or watch employees remove skates from boxes.

2. Getting there on roads or buses was INSANELY easy (except navigating the lot was NOT). There was NO traffic. Not even on the ramps that lead to the property or the parking lot – and I got there just when American Dream opened.

But the signage was inconsistent from the highway into the property and nonexistent when entering the complex. Media parking was marked with a temporary sign, but the average person had to guess where to go – or ask one of the many American dream workers in security vests located throughout the property.

3. Speaking of workers, all the staff I met – with or without my press mark on – were so nice. Like, Disney nice. They were friendly, happy and if they did not know the answer to my question, they sought out someone who did.

4. They opened on time, but did they? They set the opening date on October 25 and they let the audience in on October 25. But the place is a construction zone. There are no shops. And hardly any food was available. And the whole thing won't be up until March – it's five months away.

5. Ice skating was free! We bothered all week about when tickets to the ice rink would be sold. We didn't want to miss them. Then we were told that ice skating would be sold on site. But when we got there, ice skating was free. And it's free for the rest of the weekend. (Employees said skates would probably cost between $ 12 and $ 15 as of Monday).

6. Nickelodeon Universe tickets were free! We were humbled that we couldn't get a Nickelodeon Universe ticket for opening day. They sold out so quickly. But when we went there on opening day we found out that anyone was allowed to be in the park on Friday, for free.

6. Don't get too excited, because we think this was one thing, but the food was also free! Sandwiches, salads, ice cream, sweets, chips, soft drinks and water – it was all free on Friday. It was also the only food in the 3 million square foot facility. A kiosk had sandwiches and salads. A few wagons were strewn all over the Nickelodeon Universe with chips and sweets. I saw one that had pre-packaged ice cream, which you would find on an ice cream truck. (We also saw people walking around the park with salads, etc. Did they bring them home? Kinda sticky, but you do.]

7. just felt out of place in the very modern architecture of the mall, but people said the pumpkin decor was a lot of fun. I understand they were trying to give people something else to do and see.

8. Governor Phil Murphy, who didn't get a big ceremony or press event for the opening, had to ride a roller coaster instead! Murphy took a spin on The Shellraiser after delivering a quick statement to reporters who were penned for more than an hour on the mezzanine overlooking the Nickelodeon Universe

9. We were also humbled that there was no major press event, we waited 17 years for this thing, I know that the official grand opening will happen in March when everything is open, but this moment deserved more pomp than et m harassing bands parading through the park and a few words from the governor – which could hardly be heard due to how noisy it is inside the park.

10. Shellraiser deserves its own mention. We knew it was record-setting – because of the 122-foot incline that provides panoramic views of the skyline from Rutherford to Manhattan. But we were surprised and a little terrified to see that cyclists have 20 seconds to soak in that view. It is long when you are 122 meters from the ground waiting to be pulled face down.

11. I didn't expect the rides to be so intense. Maybe because the park is indoors. Or maybe because it's Nickelodeon theme. But these rides are not hams. Sure, they have a bunch of rides for the little ones. But there are more than a few rides that will turn you upside down or find other ways to put your stomach down. (Don Ghermezian, CEO of American Dream and president of the mall's owner Triple Five, told the press that one-third of the Nickelodeon Universe is too small, one-third is for families, and one-third is for teens and adults). [19659023] 12. A bunch of the rides were closed. Two of the three slides for record-setting were “closed for testing.” Ken Downing, creative director of the mall, told NJ Advance Media that a trip was in need of a part sent from Germany. Others ran, but with dummies on board. And some did not move, during the hours we were in the park. If I paid $ 50 to get into the Nickelodeon Universe and so many highly publicized rides didn't run, I'd have my money back. Hopefully they will run for the paying audience soon.

13. The benches and chairs in the Nickelodeon Universe (and right outside it) are funky shapes and bright colors. But they are hollow, molded plastics. It's a $ 4 billion mall, and the furniture feels like IKEA. I sat on a bench under a tree in the Nickelodeon Universe and felt like I was being dumped. They are not solid. They feel cheap.

14. The murals are very cool and lively and look good on camera. They are meant for visitors to use on social media, and they shoot really well.

15. I saw workers putting together shelves and filling them with stuffed animals minutes before Murphy arrived. Behind a bank of waiting news cameras, three workers unpacked SpongeBob coffee cups when the governor arrived. It was like going to someone's house for dinner, and they start vacuuming while you're there. Strange. And unpleasant.

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

Allison Pries can be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com . Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries . Find NJ.com on Facebook . Got a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips .

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