cstephens
06-13-2006, 02:51 PM
Really enjoyed today's article about Disney-related things to do in New York City. (http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060613sw) Couple comments and additions:
New Amsterdam tour - This was one of the things I definitely wanted to do, and it was well worth it. Our tour had about 10 people in it, so it was really easy to hear the tour guide. It was fun to see one of the backstage wings with the packed props and costumes from "The Lion King". It would be interesting to see what they show you when "Mary Poppins" moves in. We also got a closeup look and were able to touch some of the masks used in the show. Amazing how they are so much lighter than they look. It's also pretty amazing standing on the stage and looking out at the audience, and the story of the restoration of the theatre is incredible, especially given the absolutel disarray, neglect and destruction that the theatre had been subjected to. At the end of the tour, they allow you into the gift shop, and you get an extra 10% off, so if you're going to make purchases, that's a good time, both because of the discount and the short wait. We took the 10am tour, which I'm glad of because the 11am tour looked to be much more crowded.
World of Disney was cool to see, though I expect it's a lot more impressive if you're not used to visiting either Anaheim or Orlando. I was actually a bit disappointed at their selection of location specific merchandise. I finally managed to find a shirt that I liked, and my favorite was a keychain with Mickey and Minnie in a carriage in Central Park, but I was hoping to find many many souvenirs to bring home to friends and failed. We did like the Mr. Potato Head parts and came home with a nicely packed box. They also have stations where you can create a virtual Mr. Potato Head, and then when you're done, it prints the picture out for you as a keepsake.
There is an amazing 3-story Toys R Us in Times Square, inside of which is a ferris wheel with vehicles themed to different games/toys/etc. Two of the cars are themed to Toy Story.
A very slight Disney connection can be found on the Radio City backstage tour (http://www.radiocity.com/themusichall_tours.html). You get to learn about the Music Hall's development and history and founder, Samuel "Roxy" Rothafel, and among other things (including meeting a REAL LIVE ROCKETTE), they take you into a VIP meeting lounge, and scattered around the lounge are pictures of Roxy with various famous personalities. The husband happened to notice one that included a picture of Walt Disney with Roxy. Not a reason in and of itself to take the tour, but the tour is enjoyable, and anyone who happens to take it can be on the lookout for Walt's picture.
New Amsterdam tour - This was one of the things I definitely wanted to do, and it was well worth it. Our tour had about 10 people in it, so it was really easy to hear the tour guide. It was fun to see one of the backstage wings with the packed props and costumes from "The Lion King". It would be interesting to see what they show you when "Mary Poppins" moves in. We also got a closeup look and were able to touch some of the masks used in the show. Amazing how they are so much lighter than they look. It's also pretty amazing standing on the stage and looking out at the audience, and the story of the restoration of the theatre is incredible, especially given the absolutel disarray, neglect and destruction that the theatre had been subjected to. At the end of the tour, they allow you into the gift shop, and you get an extra 10% off, so if you're going to make purchases, that's a good time, both because of the discount and the short wait. We took the 10am tour, which I'm glad of because the 11am tour looked to be much more crowded.
World of Disney was cool to see, though I expect it's a lot more impressive if you're not used to visiting either Anaheim or Orlando. I was actually a bit disappointed at their selection of location specific merchandise. I finally managed to find a shirt that I liked, and my favorite was a keychain with Mickey and Minnie in a carriage in Central Park, but I was hoping to find many many souvenirs to bring home to friends and failed. We did like the Mr. Potato Head parts and came home with a nicely packed box. They also have stations where you can create a virtual Mr. Potato Head, and then when you're done, it prints the picture out for you as a keepsake.
There is an amazing 3-story Toys R Us in Times Square, inside of which is a ferris wheel with vehicles themed to different games/toys/etc. Two of the cars are themed to Toy Story.
A very slight Disney connection can be found on the Radio City backstage tour (http://www.radiocity.com/themusichall_tours.html). You get to learn about the Music Hall's development and history and founder, Samuel "Roxy" Rothafel, and among other things (including meeting a REAL LIVE ROCKETTE), they take you into a VIP meeting lounge, and scattered around the lounge are pictures of Roxy with various famous personalities. The husband happened to notice one that included a picture of Walt Disney with Roxy. Not a reason in and of itself to take the tour, but the tour is enjoyable, and anyone who happens to take it can be on the lookout for Walt's picture.