Disney Store in NYC

[ms.ojo]

Has anyone here ever been? How is it different from the Disney Stores at a mall??

Sorry if this isn't the proper place to post this question...I just didn't know where it fit in.

My dh is thinking of taking us to NYC this weekend as a last minute surprise Mother's Day get away (w/ the kids) and thought it would be fun to check out this store. (We live in CT so it's not a far drive) But I don't know anyone who has been. if it's difficult to drive there or if we should take the train in from say Stamford. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I thought this was so sweet of my dh to come up w/ this idea.

TIA for your help DISers!!!! You're the best!

 

[beattyfamily]

We went last year as a surprise treat for our girls (while visiting my sister and niece in PA). We took the train in.

It was great! I loved it. It is different in that it's 3 levels, it has character meet and greets, it has the Cinderella's Court experience and it has NYC merchandise.

I could swear it also had some WDW merchandise that you can get in the parks.

We had so much fun!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I LOVE the World of Disney store in NYC. It is nothing like the Disney Stores in the mall being that it is actually owned by Disney and not the Children's Place like mall Disney stores. Like the previous poster said, it has four floors and always has characters to take pictures with, so bring your camera! They sell a lot of DisneyWorld/Disneyland exclusive merchandise (a lot of the stuff that you can find at the World of Disney in DTD.) They also sell a lot of NYC disney merchandise that I'm assuming you can't get anywhere else (Minnie dressed as the Statue of Libery, etc.)

It's really a fun store. My boyfriend and I went there after an awful night in the worst hotel in Manhattan. We were ready to pass out after walking around NYC all night and all morning. We went to the World of Disney and boy did we perk up quick! We spent hours there! You should definitely try to go when your in Manhattan! Have fun!

 

[Greg K.]

...and a fun one!

Whenever I need a Disney "fix," I wander over and browse

It's three floors, with a fairly good variety -- much better than the mall stores -- and some nifty design touches that add a little magic. Think of it as a smaller version of the World of Disney at Downtown Disney. Downstairs, you can also make vacation ressies and buy theme park tickets!

As mentioned, they also offer the princess thingy (haven't been, don't need to, and it seems ridiculously overpriced). They also offer some merchandise that is exclusive to the NYC store, with the NY Disney logo.

It's definitely worth a visit if you're in the nabe!

 

[tkd lisa]

My DD and I went there last spring, when we had a special trip to NYC for her 13th bday. I was surprised at how big it is! We took the train up from DC, and it was a fairly nice walk. I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but I do know it's NOT in Time's Square anymore (which was where the first policeman sent us!). I sort of think it was more over towards Central Park.

They had a large variety of Disney pins, as well as video games, etc. To me, it seemed like a cross between WoD and Once Upon a Toy from DTD, with the character meeting area thrown in.

We did get two NYC Disney T-shirts for us. DD's has Mickey and Goofy washing the windows of a skyscraper, and it says something like "Disney Window-washers, NYC Spring 2005", and mine has Minnie in a bunny suit with "NYC Spring 2005" on it. I've never seen another shirt like them.

 

[Amrita]

I live in Queens, NY, and am leaving for Orlando Monday AM, and I think Manhattan is an awesome idea for Mother's Day, but please be prepared for rain! The news forecasts rain for the whole weekend! I would rather be in Manhattan on a nice day so that you can stroll Central Park. Disney Store is great, but a nice day outdoors would be even better!

 

[Torontogal]

We are hoping to go for the 4th of July. Never been to the States for 4th of July and heard it is a big party. i cannot wait to get my Disney fix there. Anyone know if the store sells scrapbooking supplies. Is there a schedule anywhere on the net of which characters are there and what time?

 

[beattyfamily]

We are hoping to go for the 4th of July. Never been to the States for 4th of July and heard it is a big party. i cannot wait to get my Disney fix there. Anyone know if the store sells scrapbooking supplies. Is there a schedule anywhere on the net of which characters are there and what time?

YES! Meet & Greet info

Upcoming Character Appearances

May 1, 2006 - July 1, 2006
Pinocchio & Jiminy Cricket & Geppetto

May 13, 2006 - December 31, 2006
Cinderella

July 2, 2006 - September 2, 2006
Goofy & Pluto & Donald Duck

September 3, 2006 - September 30, 2006
Rafiki & Timon

October 1, 2006 - November 11, 2006
Pooh & Eeyore & Tigger

November 12, 2006 - January 2, 2007
Santa Goofy, Chip-n-Dale

 

[ms.ojo]

Thank you all for the great info'n and quick replies. You guys are the best!!!!!

The forecast here in CT is rain too. It's actually raining out our original Mother's Day Plans. Each year dh takes a day off from work to watch the kids so I can go to the big Brimfield Antique show in Mass w/ my Mom. But the forecast is for cooler rain tomorrow...and she's now 80...just not a good mix. I wouldn't want her to have a hard time. So.....he started trying to brainstorm something else fun and came up w/ World of Disney in NYC. I appreciate your advise about visiting Manhattan in the rain vs. a beautiful sunny day...but maybe it won't be so bad....and perhaps crowds will be fewer. (Have to look on the bright side)

I called the Disney store for directions and they told me which trains to take to get close to them, but I have no idea where to catch a train into the city and then where the hubs are to find the trains she mentioned. I guess my next call will be AAA for help. I'm disappointed their website didn't give detailed directions from a few key areas. Oh well. I have a quest to pull this together today.

 

[Greg K.]

If you're taking the train to Grand Central or Penn Station, the easiest thing would be to just catch a taxi. If the traffic's not bad, you should be able to get to the Disney Store on 5th Avenue for $6 or $7.

Otherwise: from Grand Central, you can take the #7 train to 5th Avenue, and walk up 5th Ave. (It's about 10 blocks -- a fun 10-15 minute walk.)

From Penn Station, you can take the E uptown, also to 5th Avenue (and 53rd, I believe), and it will deposit you just a block or two from the store.

Personally, I'd spring for the money and take a taxi!

 

[ms.ojo]

Thank you Greg....I'm springing for the taxi!!!

May as well considering what we'll probably drop that day for the train, meals and shopping at the World! Of course seeing the surprised looks on my children's faces...priceless. And mine too! I so love Disney, this will be great.

 

[ms.ojo]

Does the city of New York WANT tourists??????

I just went to the Amtrack site and we're talking $300 (or more if we start in Hartford) to get my family of 4 in and out of the city tomorrow and that's w/ us driving all the way to New Haven to pick it up!!!

Well, I can't justify that for a last minute trip. Heck, I flew 4 of us roundtrip to Disney for just over $400 last spring and $500 in Dec.

Well, back to the drawing board. I'm certainly not going to drive to Manhattan. What a bummer.

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

My DTwin and I live nearby so we go sometimes. We love it there. For as long as you're there, you forget that you're in NY and feel like you're in DTD. It's big, 3 levels, not like the Disney Store.
They sell not just generic Disney merchandise but merchandise from WDW and Disneyland. My favorite part of the store is the 3rd floor where they regularly have a Character Meet&Greet and also have some really amazing pieces of art. There's one in particular that I have my eye on. I'm taking DH soon so I can show him!
We just went on Saturday and took pix with Pinocchio and Gepetto (Jiminy Cricket will be there this weekend along with the above). But I haven't gotten a chance to upload those pix yet. As soon as I do I'll show you!
HAPPY SHOPPING!
OH, AND ONE MORE THING! If you're an Alfredo's fan they have a restaurant branch like the one in Epcot just a few blocks up the road from the Disney Store. We easily walk there from the store.
And FYI- The exact address of the store is on the corner of 5th Avenue and 55th Street.

Here's a couple pic's from when we went before Xmas:

 

[gonemousin']

No, no!! Don't take Amtrak (rip off). Drive to either Stamford or New Haven, park your car, and take the commuter rail line in. It should be very inexpensive. This is how we go into the city all the time. (we typically park in Stamford because it's a much shorter train ride for our littlest and less patient DD2!!) And definitely take a cab once you get into NYC. Good luck and Happy Mother's Day!!

 

[beattyfamily]

No, no!! Don't take Amtrak (rip off). Drive to either Stamford or New Haven, park your car, and take the commuter rail line in. It should be very inexpensive. This is how we go into the city all the time. (we typically park in Stamford because it's a much shorter train ride for our littlest and less patient DD2!!) And definitely take a cab once you get into NYC. Good luck and Happy Mother's Day!!

I agree! That is how we got there from PA. It wasn't that expensive at all.

 

[JRawkSteady]

World of Disney in NYC (not the Disney Store) is definitely unique. My DGf is a manager over there and I, a former CM (until I got a better job with the Disney company). The merchandise is that which you'd find in the parks.

The entire first floor may seem kind of pushy because management down there is more interested in making money than entertainment, but when you get to the 2nd and/or 3rd floors, you will really feel like you're in the parks!

 

[clori]

the website worldofdisney.com is for the NYC store. It includes lists of character appearances etc.

 

[Greg K.]

http://mta.info/

According to this, the off-peak RT price from Stamford, for one adult, is $18.50 -- less if you buy your ticket on the web. Good luck!

 

[Ghost]

The first time I visited the store in NYC I stayed for hours.... (when I told people at home they thought I was crazy)... So much to see at the store... (I am such a Disney addict)

 

[Karnak]

I try to visit NYC as often as I can. Next to WDW, NYC is my favorite vacation spot. I enjoy the Disney Store there because usually I can find (usually just to look at), some interesting Disney artwork. If one wanted to decorate a room with such artwork, the NYC store would be a good place to look methinks.

Enjoy.