BeccaGrace
Reads Disney Menus When She's Sad
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2005
- Messages
- 1,077
We couldn't swing a trip to WDW this year so we've been trying to do Disney related things to keep us going until we get back...this weekend our quest for all (local) things Disney brought us into the city (from NJ) to visit the World of Disney store in Manhattan.
I decided to make a mini-trip report of our trip because many DISers aren't near the city and don't know how great the store is and because there was lots of fun and different stuff going on this weekend that I thought was worth sharing with everyone!
My dh, Joey, and I have been to the store already but it was the girls first trip there, which made it feel really special and exciting. We only live about an hour away but they've only been in the city twice (Wiggles show in '03 and Museum of Natural History in '05)--it's kind of sad actually and now that we've seen how easy and low maintenance the trip was I think we might do it a bit more frequently. In fact, I even heard my city-hating (and formerly Disney hating--see my siggie) husband tell the girls that he was excited to see the store decorated at Christmas-time!
First off--we were shocked at how well-orchestrated our trip turned out to be. Grace finished soccer at 11:00 and we went home to check the train schedule. There was a 12:15 train that we never thought we would make...well we got to the station, bought our tickets and were on the platform with 2 minutes to spare! Joey and I couldn't believe our luck--much better than waiting another 1/2 hour waiting for the one we thought we'd catch. And even better--it was an express train that was only stopping in Newark and the airport before hitting Penn Station!
The train was packed so Becca and I shared a seat with another passenger and Joey and Grace were right behind us. Grace is a bit of a talker, like me, and Joey and Becca are both very shy. Well Grace started yammering away to anyone that would listen about how she was going to meet Ariel and that Nightmare Before Christmas is her favorite movie ever. I'm sure everyone on the train loved her
And then she started singing 
When we got to NY we had the walking v. cab debate. I love to walk, especially in the city. And I have a horrific fear of cabs--I was in a handful of fender benders with them in the past and didn't want the kids near one. Joey despises the city and walking and was set on getting one though. So our compromise was that we would start walking and if we happened upon an available cab we'd get it but we weren't going to stand around trying to hail one down. Well by block two we were carrying the kids and by block three even I was realizing it was going to take a year to make the 20-some block trek. Just as I had that realization a cab stopped right in front of us and let out it's ride...Joey skipped over and was obviously thrilled. My eyes were shut for the entire cab ride as I sat clutching the children but I did hear several cries of glee and, "This is the greatest ride EVER!". I have to admit, as much as I hate cabbie driving, it got us to the store by 1:30. Joey and I just kept saying, "I can't believe we are already here and we were just playing soccer less than 2 hours ago!"
Even though the city was crowded, the store didn't seem to be crowded at all! As we walked up (well, I ran because I was so excited!) there was a cast member standing outside giving out paper Flounder and Sebastian masks. Everyone I saw at the store took Flounder--there didn't seem to be much love for poor Sebastian! The CM told the girls that Ariel and Prince Eric were waiting to see them on the 3rd floor and they could sign their masks.
When we walked in all my dreams in life were realized...ever since missing the Nightmare Before Christmas display by 2 days last year I've been waiting for this fall to see all the Jack stuff...my wait was SO worth it! As you walk in the entire right side of the store is ALL Nightmare stuff. AND if you spent $50 (was there ANY doubt we would!?!?!) you could get a Nightmare tote bag for $10. I didn't take a picture of the bag (I'll try to later) but it's Jack and all the characters in a taxi and it says "Nightmare in NYC 2006"--too cool. I also picked up the matching t-shirt and a black thermal shirt with Jack on it. AND A ZERO PEN!!!! I literally ran to it and judging by the mortified look on Joey's face I must have also shrieked when I saw it!
I couldn't go through all the Jack stuff immediately because the girls were on a mission to meet Ariel. She was the only princess we didn't see at WDW last year and they were really excited to see her. Anticipating a huge line we took the escalator to the 3rd floor where...we were THIRD in line. Seriously--there was like NO line! I was shocked (and delighted)--this day was really working out too well logistically. As we waited there were characters "inspired by the Nightmare Before Christmas" roaming by; a funny character with a pink wig and spider hat (who for some reason reminded me of Cyndi Lauper) came over and asked the girls what they were going to be for Halloween. The whole Halloween thing is depressing me because the girls have no desire to be princesses for the first time--they want to be witches. They had fun telling the CM about it though and as soon as they were done it was our turn to meet Ariel and Eric!
As we walked in to the visiting area, which reminded me of an old theater lobby with the plush red velvet surroundings and screens playing scenes from the Little Mermaid, a cast member handed the girls lace gloves to keep. Becca, who loves anything dress up, was thrilled!
Ariel and Eric greeted the girls so warmly--they were extremely engaging and friendly. However, for some unexplainable reason, Grace chose this moment to turn into the little girl from the Universal commercial that no longer is awed and enraptured by princesses (I thought I had until she was 8 for this to happen--she's only FIVE!)...so, unlike Becca who stood with her mouth open and eyes sparkling, Grace goes--"Hey, Ariel and Eric, look what I can do!" and proceeded to make snorting pig noises
They took it in stride and laughed...but I think it reduced the magic level a notch
The NY WOD store now has Photopass photographers. So in addition to me taking pics there was also a CM taking shots and handing out Photopass cards. I haven't actually checked our shots but assume they are probably much like this awful one...apparently Grace's anti-princess vibe passed over to taking pretty princess pictures and we ended up with several like this:
Luckily there were a few cute ones where she wasn't hamming (or even facing the camera)!:
After our visit with Ariel and Eric we looked at some of the gallery art. These are the times I wish I was a zillionaire--I saw SO much stuff I wanted! It was a bit more nervewracking being in that section with the kids though and reminding them not to touch anything--they never try to at regular museums but since this was all Disney characters I think it gives them the impression that everything is accessible. But we got through without incident and made it to the plush section (surprsingly bypassing the Mr. Potato Head building station and stuff your own pirate skull without even a single "Can we do that!?!?)...Becca immediately grabbed another stuffed Pluto (i.e. "my puppy"). We've been catering a bit to Becca all week because her birthday is coming up on the 11th and she also had a visit to the ER last week and needed stitches in her forehead after doing a header into the coffee table...so there was no doubt Pluto was coming home with us
Grace chose Lady, from Lady & the Tramp--I was surprised because she seemed to be bypassing all her favorites today.
After we picked out our treats Daddy headed over to the pins and we hit the Princess department. Again, I could do some serious damage in this store if I had large amounts of money. I honestly want almost everything they sell! Becca was able to get a replacement Belle music box since the one we got in WDW last year had been disastrously manhandled by her well-meaning sister and no longer shuts.
I spoke with a very nice CM while the girls looked at the princess stuff about the pin trading they have at the store on the first Saturday morning of each month. Unfortunately Joey only buys pins he likes so he really doesn't want to trade anything but it's good to know they have it there!
Joey actually stayed low-key in his pin buying this visit but did get a few and a new album since his others are full. I am so glad I started him on this addiction
Another new friend we met was a Jack-like skeleton man who told us he was from Halloweenville, which is right next to Halloweentown where Jack lives. He escorted us from the Princess area back to the Jack section so the girls could get their faces painted--again, NO line!
The faces painting was also captured by the Photopass photographer--actually the same one as upstairs, it was like we had our own paparazzi trail throughout the store!. The Cyndi Lauper lady was painting Mickey pumpkin heads in orange and black--the girls LOVED them!
Next we saw the crafts at the tables set up by Family Fun magazine. They had Halloween pictures to color and a pirate craft. We actually skipped them because the girls were more interested in shopping--they are definitely MY kids!
Joey checked out while we took the elevator down to the rest rooms--also empty with no line (definitely a plus for a mom with two kids that suddenly HAD to go!). The downstairs is just the bathrooms and coat check but they have very beautiful framed Tink posters down there that I loved.
When Joey caught up to us with the bags he showed us that not only did we get the Nightmare bag for $10 but they filled it with candy--I was shocked at how much was in there!
We took a few last silly Halloween shots in the store and one with the Cinderella statue since she wasn't getting there for real until 4:00 and we were already done at 2:30.
The girls were really tired after their busy morning so we decided to scrap the visit to the big Toys R Us in Times Square (which I still haven't been to!) Again a cab pulled right in front of us (as we bought a hot pretzel on the corner) and Joey didn't hesitate before jumping inside. We got back to Penn Station in record time and were on a train home (another express route!) within 15 minutes. We could not have orchestrated the logistics any better--we left home at 11:30 and were home by 3:30 in the afternoon! It definitely has us receptive to more trips in with the girls in the future--everything went perfectly (except Grace's facial expressions in all the pictures!)
It was a great quick trip and we all got what we wanted. Now I have my Disney fix until Princesses on Ice next month And I can't wait to go back to the store at Christmas time to see if they can outdo our wonderful Halloween trip!
I can try to answer any questions anyone has about the NY store--I'd definitely recommend it. We had a great time
I decided to make a mini-trip report of our trip because many DISers aren't near the city and don't know how great the store is and because there was lots of fun and different stuff going on this weekend that I thought was worth sharing with everyone!
My dh, Joey, and I have been to the store already but it was the girls first trip there, which made it feel really special and exciting. We only live about an hour away but they've only been in the city twice (Wiggles show in '03 and Museum of Natural History in '05)--it's kind of sad actually and now that we've seen how easy and low maintenance the trip was I think we might do it a bit more frequently. In fact, I even heard my city-hating (and formerly Disney hating--see my siggie) husband tell the girls that he was excited to see the store decorated at Christmas-time!
First off--we were shocked at how well-orchestrated our trip turned out to be. Grace finished soccer at 11:00 and we went home to check the train schedule. There was a 12:15 train that we never thought we would make...well we got to the station, bought our tickets and were on the platform with 2 minutes to spare! Joey and I couldn't believe our luck--much better than waiting another 1/2 hour waiting for the one we thought we'd catch. And even better--it was an express train that was only stopping in Newark and the airport before hitting Penn Station!
The train was packed so Becca and I shared a seat with another passenger and Joey and Grace were right behind us. Grace is a bit of a talker, like me, and Joey and Becca are both very shy. Well Grace started yammering away to anyone that would listen about how she was going to meet Ariel and that Nightmare Before Christmas is her favorite movie ever. I'm sure everyone on the train loved her
And then she started singing When we got to NY we had the walking v. cab debate. I love to walk, especially in the city. And I have a horrific fear of cabs--I was in a handful of fender benders with them in the past and didn't want the kids near one. Joey despises the city and walking and was set on getting one though. So our compromise was that we would start walking and if we happened upon an available cab we'd get it but we weren't going to stand around trying to hail one down. Well by block two we were carrying the kids and by block three even I was realizing it was going to take a year to make the 20-some block trek. Just as I had that realization a cab stopped right in front of us and let out it's ride...Joey skipped over and was obviously thrilled. My eyes were shut for the entire cab ride as I sat clutching the children but I did hear several cries of glee and, "This is the greatest ride EVER!". I have to admit, as much as I hate cabbie driving, it got us to the store by 1:30. Joey and I just kept saying, "I can't believe we are already here and we were just playing soccer less than 2 hours ago!"
Even though the city was crowded, the store didn't seem to be crowded at all! As we walked up (well, I ran because I was so excited!) there was a cast member standing outside giving out paper Flounder and Sebastian masks. Everyone I saw at the store took Flounder--there didn't seem to be much love for poor Sebastian! The CM told the girls that Ariel and Prince Eric were waiting to see them on the 3rd floor and they could sign their masks.
When we walked in all my dreams in life were realized...ever since missing the Nightmare Before Christmas display by 2 days last year I've been waiting for this fall to see all the Jack stuff...my wait was SO worth it! As you walk in the entire right side of the store is ALL Nightmare stuff. AND if you spent $50 (was there ANY doubt we would!?!?!) you could get a Nightmare tote bag for $10. I didn't take a picture of the bag (I'll try to later) but it's Jack and all the characters in a taxi and it says "Nightmare in NYC 2006"--too cool. I also picked up the matching t-shirt and a black thermal shirt with Jack on it. AND A ZERO PEN!!!! I literally ran to it and judging by the mortified look on Joey's face I must have also shrieked when I saw it!
I couldn't go through all the Jack stuff immediately because the girls were on a mission to meet Ariel. She was the only princess we didn't see at WDW last year and they were really excited to see her. Anticipating a huge line we took the escalator to the 3rd floor where...we were THIRD in line. Seriously--there was like NO line! I was shocked (and delighted)--this day was really working out too well logistically. As we waited there were characters "inspired by the Nightmare Before Christmas" roaming by; a funny character with a pink wig and spider hat (who for some reason reminded me of Cyndi Lauper) came over and asked the girls what they were going to be for Halloween. The whole Halloween thing is depressing me because the girls have no desire to be princesses for the first time--they want to be witches. They had fun telling the CM about it though and as soon as they were done it was our turn to meet Ariel and Eric!
As we walked in to the visiting area, which reminded me of an old theater lobby with the plush red velvet surroundings and screens playing scenes from the Little Mermaid, a cast member handed the girls lace gloves to keep. Becca, who loves anything dress up, was thrilled!
Ariel and Eric greeted the girls so warmly--they were extremely engaging and friendly. However, for some unexplainable reason, Grace chose this moment to turn into the little girl from the Universal commercial that no longer is awed and enraptured by princesses (I thought I had until she was 8 for this to happen--she's only FIVE!)...so, unlike Becca who stood with her mouth open and eyes sparkling, Grace goes--"Hey, Ariel and Eric, look what I can do!" and proceeded to make snorting pig noises
They took it in stride and laughed...but I think it reduced the magic level a notch The NY WOD store now has Photopass photographers. So in addition to me taking pics there was also a CM taking shots and handing out Photopass cards. I haven't actually checked our shots but assume they are probably much like this awful one...apparently Grace's anti-princess vibe passed over to taking pretty princess pictures and we ended up with several like this:
Luckily there were a few cute ones where she wasn't hamming (or even facing the camera)!:
After our visit with Ariel and Eric we looked at some of the gallery art. These are the times I wish I was a zillionaire--I saw SO much stuff I wanted! It was a bit more nervewracking being in that section with the kids though and reminding them not to touch anything--they never try to at regular museums but since this was all Disney characters I think it gives them the impression that everything is accessible. But we got through without incident and made it to the plush section (surprsingly bypassing the Mr. Potato Head building station and stuff your own pirate skull without even a single "Can we do that!?!?)...Becca immediately grabbed another stuffed Pluto (i.e. "my puppy"). We've been catering a bit to Becca all week because her birthday is coming up on the 11th and she also had a visit to the ER last week and needed stitches in her forehead after doing a header into the coffee table...so there was no doubt Pluto was coming home with us
Grace chose Lady, from Lady & the Tramp--I was surprised because she seemed to be bypassing all her favorites today. After we picked out our treats Daddy headed over to the pins and we hit the Princess department. Again, I could do some serious damage in this store if I had large amounts of money. I honestly want almost everything they sell! Becca was able to get a replacement Belle music box since the one we got in WDW last year had been disastrously manhandled by her well-meaning sister and no longer shuts.
I spoke with a very nice CM while the girls looked at the princess stuff about the pin trading they have at the store on the first Saturday morning of each month. Unfortunately Joey only buys pins he likes so he really doesn't want to trade anything but it's good to know they have it there!
Joey actually stayed low-key in his pin buying this visit but did get a few and a new album since his others are full. I am so glad I started him on this addiction
Another new friend we met was a Jack-like skeleton man who told us he was from Halloweenville, which is right next to Halloweentown where Jack lives. He escorted us from the Princess area back to the Jack section so the girls could get their faces painted--again, NO line!
The faces painting was also captured by the Photopass photographer--actually the same one as upstairs, it was like we had our own paparazzi trail throughout the store!. The Cyndi Lauper lady was painting Mickey pumpkin heads in orange and black--the girls LOVED them!
Next we saw the crafts at the tables set up by Family Fun magazine. They had Halloween pictures to color and a pirate craft. We actually skipped them because the girls were more interested in shopping--they are definitely MY kids!
Joey checked out while we took the elevator down to the rest rooms--also empty with no line (definitely a plus for a mom with two kids that suddenly HAD to go!). The downstairs is just the bathrooms and coat check but they have very beautiful framed Tink posters down there that I loved.
When Joey caught up to us with the bags he showed us that not only did we get the Nightmare bag for $10 but they filled it with candy--I was shocked at how much was in there!
We took a few last silly Halloween shots in the store and one with the Cinderella statue since she wasn't getting there for real until 4:00 and we were already done at 2:30.
The girls were really tired after their busy morning so we decided to scrap the visit to the big Toys R Us in Times Square (which I still haven't been to!) Again a cab pulled right in front of us (as we bought a hot pretzel on the corner) and Joey didn't hesitate before jumping inside. We got back to Penn Station in record time and were on a train home (another express route!) within 15 minutes. We could not have orchestrated the logistics any better--we left home at 11:30 and were home by 3:30 in the afternoon! It definitely has us receptive to more trips in with the girls in the future--everything went perfectly (except Grace's facial expressions in all the pictures!)
It was a great quick trip and we all got what we wanted. Now I have my Disney fix until Princesses on Ice next month
And I can't wait to go back to the store at Christmas time to see if they can outdo our wonderful Halloween trip!I can try to answer any questions anyone has about the NY store--I'd definitely recommend it. We had a great time
