World of Disney NYC - now we have a closing date

[challer]

Last I spoke to a CM here, they thought they'd be open until April 2010.

Looks like she was off a bit.

I'm going to miss my little island of the Parks here in good ol' NYC. I've spent a number of Friday afternoons taking the long way home through Manhattan just to "get a fix." It's lost it's luster a bit over the months (closed meet & greet spot, closed party rooms, no live performances anymore), but still had the touch.

I may need to go back with my camera before it shuts down.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/for-disney-the-magic-on-fifth-avenue-ends/

For Disney, the Magic on Fifth Avenue Ends
By PATRICK MCGEEHAN

Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
Customers shopping in the World of Disney store on Fifth Avenue in August.


The Disney store, whose arrival on a chic corner of Fifth Avenue in the mid-1990s heralded a fleet of corporate flagships, is preparing to exit the Manhattan stage.

Disney notified state officials this week that it planned to close the 30,000-square-foot World of Disney emporium by Dec. 31, leaving its 148 employees without jobs. The closing would leave Disney without a store of its own in Manhattan for the first time in more than 15 years....

 

[Donaldfan81]

I am very saddened by this. I love that store and hope that they find another place in the city for one soon enough. I just can not see them leaving new york city without a store for long.

 

[Launchpad11B]

This sucks!

 

[rotlex]

This really, really stinks. We live roughly 70 miles from Manhattan, and it's nice knowing there is a little Oasis of Disney not that far away. Sure, we have a local Disney store in the mall, but it's just not the same.

I guess I never read all the details, but I can't imagine why they would be moving out. Can they possibly be losing money? Maybe? I just can't see how though!

 

[LMO429]

I'm so bummed about this too.

I'm hopeful they will build a bigger and better store in times square

 

[dpuck1998]

I'm glad I got to see it just in time. Too bad

 

[wdwscout]

I am also saddened by this news.
But I'm thinking they HAVE to have a Manhattan store.

In addition to the store on 5th, they used to have a Times Square store.

And with all the Broadway shows, Good Morning America and the ESPN Zone - all in Times Square, it just makes sense to have a new Disney Store located there as well.

Just a thought- has anyone moved into the old Virgin Records store yet? Perfect location!

 

[challer]

I am also saddened by this news.
But I'm thinking they HAVE to have a Manhattan store.

In addition to the store on 5th, they used to have a Times Square store.

And with all the Broadway shows, Good Morning America and the ESPN Zone - all in Times Square, it just makes sense to have a new Disney Store located there as well.

Just a thought- has anyone moved into the old Virgin Records store yet? Perfect location!

Virgin is empty. I figured if Disney wanted to be there bad enough, they would have done this already. It's been a while since they made the decision not to renew the lease on 5th Ave, so there's been plenty of time to find a new location.

I'd love to see this, but I doubt they'd do it:

Blowout, going out of business sale! Everything must go!

(PS - maybe NY/NJ/CT DISers could do a g'bye meet?)

 

[Mickey's Other GF]

NOOOOOOOOOO!!! That's aweful!

At least I will get to go one more time in November. *Hopes for sales*

 

[Mish19]

That's so sad! I will have to make sure I go over there after work one night.

 

[Anjiebaby]

That is sad, One of my son's favourite parts of our NYC trip was pin trading at the World of Disney store.

 

[snowwhitenyc]

So sad! I get my hair cut around the corner, I loved stopping by to get my Disney fix.

The Virgin Megastore is already promised to Forever 21, unfortunately. And I can't really imagine a better location that the current 5th Avenue store, it is hard to imagine where else they'd go. I just hate the mall chain of Disney Stores...they seem completely devoid of any Disney magic or charm. Bummer.

 

[goofygal531]

I knew it was closing, but wasn't sure of the date. I just always knew "sometime in 2010"

I might just take a walk over there today to check out their Halloween stuff. I loved having this store so close by and not having to lug home all the WDW merchandise from FL. I'm really going to miss it.

I personally avoid Times Square at all costs, I just can't stand the crowds there. But it's really a good location for them. With GMA, the Broadway shows, and the crowds, it fits. They'll find something.... I'm just going to miss the convenience of the 5th Ave store.

No more pit stops to see the characters on my way to Saks

 

[challer]

Going to WoD-NYC in 4 hours... Can't wait to get outta here.

 

[onestepcloser]

I am also saddened by this news.
But I'm thinking they HAVE to have a Manhattan store.

In addition to the store on 5th, they used to have a Times Square store.

And with all the Broadway shows, Good Morning America and the ESPN Zone - all in Times Square, it just makes sense to have a new Disney Store located there as well.

Just a thought- has anyone moved into the old Virgin Records store yet? Perfect location!

There was a rumor around here in the city (and by "the city," I of course mean NYC ) a few years ago that Disney was gonna take the Virgin Megastore space, but apparently it's going to be a Century 21. (The department store, not the real estate company!)

I hope they open a new WoD somewhere in the city... I love popping over there when I've got nothing to do just to soak up the atmosphere and spend some money on stuff I don't need.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

The store is starting to look like any other Disney store at this time of year, which is to say it is mostly princess Halloween costumes and some generic character clothing.

For what it's worth, I thought they never committed to the concept that this was an oasis, a WDW consulate, if you will. Yes, Disney is in business to make business; but the way that it is done in the parks should be the model. Make it a destination, and the sales will follow.

While they did commit to Disney NYC merchandise, the park merchandise never had its own home (with the exception of the housewares section). Rather than divide by category (clothes downstairs, toys and media upstairs), divide more by theme. Most importantly, get rid of all the behind-the-glass art pieces on the third floor. It was just wasted space.

They had half a good idea when there were computer terminals to investigate trip planning. But rather than leave the terminals at the mercy of kids trying to log on to their AOL accounts, why don't you have a 2 appropriately attired resort representatives (from the deluxes) and a DVC rep roaming the floor, trolling for business? Give people who book vacas there a little incentive (special rate, or free park hopping, or something) and then make sure a Disney NYC bag is in their room at the resort. After all, don't you want to encourage people to go your most profitable location?

As long as Disney thinks "store" first, this idea will always resemble a mall store more than the Disney properties.

 

[michelleiada]

We will be in Manhattan - Times Square for the weekend of November 19th. We are taking my daughter to see Phantom of The Opera for her Sweet 16. At least I will get to visit the store before it closes.

 

[challer]

I'm in WoD right now. What Disney Store plays "One Little Spark" as background music? (It's playing right now)

Besides costumes for HW, (including Tiana already), they also have Mickey HW big figs (next to the Olszewski pillboxes).

No blowout sales yet.

I'm picking up some Main St popcorn for myself. See ya!

 

[jnfr2424]

This is truly sad news! They were already in the Times Square area right next to where Mary Poppins is but they left that spot to go to 5th Avenue!
First they got rid of the WOD in Vegas now this one is leaving! This was a easy trip for me to go and get some pins that I bring and trade when I am in the World! I guess I know where I will be this weekend!

 

[challer]

Here's a shot of the center display when entering WoD (pic taken with my Blackberry, so not great quality):