Disney Store Times Square Location - Opening Fall 2010

[Puffpatty]

The Times Square Alliance has posted pics of the parade that took place yesterday morning. I missed it but I went in the store yesterday afternoon and I have to say it's impressive. Can't wait to spend my lunch hours wandering around (I work a block away) when the initial crowds die down.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timessquarenyc/sets/72157625223864369/with/5161110125/

 

[MainStreetFireman]

Finally saw the new Disney Store in Times Square today. It was nice, well-themed, and the staff was excellent. However, it is much smaller than the old 5th Avenue "World of Disney".

While beautiful and well-stocked with merchandise, it is not the "resort outpost" that WOD was. I know that many people will stop in to get some "NYC only" Disney merchandise, but that will be no different than the many Planet Hollywoods throughout the world, which only differ by the location-specific merchandise available at each.

As a NYer, I enjoyed the former WOD because it was like a trip to WDW, a unique and magical oasis unlike any the overwhelming majority of stores in NYC. I would happily buy a new Haunted Mansion pin or a diecast version of the monorail, feeling a little of the unique magic of the parks as I anticipated our family's next trip. I guess that WOD's demise only proves that the majority of consumers prefer homogeneous goods and shopping experiences.

Regardless of my disappointment at Disney's corporate direction in merchandising, this store is visually beautiful and happily and efficiently staffed.

 

[Marthasor]

Finally saw the new Disney Store in Times Square today. It was nice, well-themed, and the staff was excellent. However, it is much smaller than the old 5th Avenue "World of Disney".

While beautiful and well-stocked with merchandise, it is not the "resort outpost" that WOD was. I know that many people will stop in to get some "NYC only" Disney merchandise, but that will be no different than the many Planet Hollywoods throughout the world, which only differ by the location-specific merchandise available at each.

As a NYer, I enjoyed the former WOD because it was like a trip to WDW, a unique and magical oasis unlike any the overwhelming majority of stores in NYC. I would happily buy a new Haunted Mansion pin or a diecast version of the monorail, feeling a little of the unique magic of the parks as I anticipated our family's next trip. I guess that WOD's demise only proves that the majority of consumers prefer homogeneous goods and shopping experiences.

Regardless of my disappointment at Disney's corporate direction in merchandising, this store is visually beautiful and happily and efficiently staffed.

I completely agree with you. I loved WOD - particularly the gallery space. It was truly a unique Disney experience in our neck of the woods. I live 40 minutes north of the city and went down to the store during the soft opening. I was expecting more of the WOD experience and was a bit disappointed. I can find more unique merchandise on the disney store web site. I may stop in again if I happen to be in the Times Square area with my DS, but I certainly didn't feel like it warranted a special trip. I think they have some serious space constraints in the new store. I just didn't feel the magic.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Finally got to the TS Disney store last night for the first time. WOW. What a disappointment. I don't know if it's gone really downhill in the past month, but it wasn't well maintained, the merchandise all looked really cheap, and there wasn't that much of it. Yikes.

 

[cmclaura]

Wow, definitely not the experience we had on November 6. Perhaps they're just not able to keep up with everyone coming in to do Christmas shopping and haven't been able to restock quick enough?

When we visited, the store was well-stocked and cast members were replenishing merchandise as it flew off the shelves.

Cast members themselves were incredibly nice, patient, and friendly, all in the Disney manner.

We spent about an hour there in the morning, went off to do some sightseeing and then came back for another hour in the afternoon.

It was a wonderful, truly magical experience -- and I lived in Orlando for 8 years!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I guess I was just surprised how small it was. I was expecting something much better from the comments here.

 

[lamondivine]

For those who live or travel in New York, you can remember a bar called Barcode (Charmin and recently it took over during the holidays), next to the mega times Virgin Megastore. My thoughts are that this is the location of the new Disney Store. I could be (and I hope I'm wrong). I would like to shop, take the Virgin Megastore location. Three huge floors of Disney, which also houses a movie theater would be a good way to spend the day.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

For those who live or travel in New York, you can remember a bar called Barcode (Charmin and recently it took over during the holidays), next to the mega times Virgin Megastore. My thoughts are that this is the location of the new Disney Store. I could be (and I hope I'm wrong). I would like to shop, take the Virgin Megastore location. Three huge floors of Disney, which also houses a movie theater would be a good way to spend the day.

This is the location, but the store is tiny, and doesn't use anywhere near all the available room in the building. Virgin Megastore is LONG gone. There's no movie theatre.

 

[njprincess601]

We were Christmas shopping earlier in the week and stopped by the store. We were not very impressed. I like the old store much better. This one very felt very small and cramped. I did like the Mickey and the Empire State building display when you first walk in and the Mickey and Minnie on the moon when coming down the escalator but other than that it wasn't all that impressive. I guess I was just expecting too much. Still bought a cute little picture frame and some other things!

 

[wdwscout]

For those who live or travel in New York, you can remember a bar called Barcode (Charmin and recently it took over during the holidays), next to the mega times Virgin Megastore. My thoughts are that this is the location of the new Disney Store. I could be (and I hope I'm wrong). I would like to shop, take the Virgin Megastore location. Three huge floors of Disney, which also houses a movie theater would be a good way to spend the day.

I remember when Charmin had the space. In fact I told my husband as we were waiting to go in for the D23 event that this was definitely where Charmin had the bathrooms several years ago. It seems to me that the upstairs space Disney is using is about the same size (read: small) that Charmin used.

I liked the store, but we were not WOWed by any means.
I really liked the 5th Ave store. It felt grand and special. This does not.

 

[challer]

I'm waiting until after New Years. Let all the tourists go back home.

 

[brookelizabeth]

We went to the store last month and really enjoyed it! The space is small, but there is a ton of merchandise to look at. I loved all the unique NYC items and they have a great selection of adult clothing-more than most Disney stores.

We went in with zero expectations and were pleasantly surprised. It sure beats the one out at the Queens Mall!

 

[challer]

We went in with zero expectations and were pleasantly surprised. It sure beats the one out at the Queens Mall!

No doubt. The Queens Mall store is like a pile of unfolded T shirts and plushes in an old closet. That was one of the worst Disney stores I've even seen.