"We are excited:" Giant Nickelodeon theme park, largest indoor park on the continent coming to New Jersey

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey -- SpongeBob SquarePants may live in a pineapple under the sea, but he'll have a new home in New Jersey soon at Nickelodeon Universe: the largest indoor theme park on the continent.

The 8.5-acre park will feature rides and attractions centered around iconic Nickelodeon characters including SpongeBob and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Nickelodeon is joining with Triple Five Group of Companies for the theme park at American Dream, a massive shopping and recreation center in New Jersey.

"Based on the success we have seen with Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America, we are excited to bring the number one entertainment brand for kids to American Dream," said Triple Five President Don Ghermezian.

Everyone - from infants to adults - can relate to something Nickelodeon, Ghermezian said.

The 3 million square foot American Dream Complex will also feature more than 450 stores, a 16-story Big Indoor Ski & Snow Park, a 1,500 seat theater, an aquarium, an ice rink, and a miniature golf course.

American Dream Meadowlands was scheduled to open in 2017, but is now scheduled to open in 2018 because of issues financing the project.

The world's largest indoor-theme park is in Dubai.