Virgin Times Square Closes to Make Way For Expansion of Disney's Theme Park

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 11:45am

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2008/10/21/is-disney-looking-to-trade-its-5th-avenue-store-in-for-a-brand-new-retail-location-down-in-times-square.aspx

Disney's scattered theme park in New York City (meaning their Broadway shows and 5th ave store) may have a new central hub -- it's Main Street USA, if you will. It's been announced that the VIRGIN Megastore in its prime Times Square location will be closing, but now the Mouse House is eyeing the property.

And something you WON'T find in the article...I have a friend who works for the Mouse House and here's what Disney is planning for the building:

-Close their 5th Ave store and move it in here;
-Arcade Zone with Disney-themed games;
-Silver Screen with a single movie theatre screen setup to show Disney features;
-Disney's Soda Fountain, a duplicate from it's current lone shoppe in LA;
-A stage space where Cast Members will have regular Disney Sing-A-Longs with costumed characters.

Their movie theatre would host Red Carpet Premieres of their feature films. Events would be setup such as Disney Channel concerts & DVD/CD/Merch signings. Groups that book with Disney would be invited to go to the Soda Fountain for a free sundae before being escorted by a Cast Member to their Disney on Broadway show.

[barcelona20]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 11:47am

Brilliant move by Disney. Stick to movies and retail, hopefully not more musicals.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 11:52am

Nothing too scary there!
Shame Virgin are leaving but Disney moving in, well there could be a lot worse! At least they're bring a new movie theatre back to Times Sq, that alone they should be thank for.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 11:53am

Wow. I'm excited.

Note the dripping sarcasm.

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 11:59am

Yuck...is February still Virgin's tentative closing date?

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 12:05pm

OK you guys are gonna miss Virgin in Times Sq. Where would visitors and your good selves now go to get a good selection of cast recordings etc in Manhattan? I know Virgin Union Sq very well. DONT mention Colony - I'll cross the road passing there incase it sucks in my hard earned cash!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 12:07pm

Amazon.com

Best Prices, Best Selection.

And no, I don't work for them.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 12:08pm

I'm just going to point out that all the Virgin Megastores around the country are closing because they're going out of business due to high costs of running a record store and the iTunes boom. It's not that Disney is somehow buying them out. The one in Union Square will be gone as well.

While I don't support Disney's continued encroachment on Times Square past the extent it already is, it would be cool to have a very nice single screen movie theatre. Something akin to El Capitan in Los Angeles where they could have premieres and themed theatre decorations and cheesy pre-show entertainment. I think all that's kind of fun.

What they should really do is build a new Broadway theatre in theatre and stop taking over one of the normal ones that something else could go into.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 12:09pm

LOL
Im probably there best customer after you then!
I miss not strolling over to Footlights, that used to take up 2 or 3 hrs of one of my New York days!

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 12:14pm

I would fully support it if they were turning it onto a theatre. You KNOW Disney's just going to keep turning out shows. I mean, come on. Every single one of their movies has potential to be a stage show. It's just how they're made. If the Virgin store was turned into, say, the Walt Theatre or the Walt Disney Theatre (I'd say the Walt would be the best bet), I'd support that because it would mean one more theatre open for non-Disney shows.

However, this is not the case and they're just trying to be money-grubbing whores. Stop owning things, Disney!! Stay on Fifth Ave. where you (kind of) belong!!

[winston89]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 12:43pm

I was under the impression that the Disney store on fifth was only moving because the rent got too high for them which is why they were moving to Times Square. I didn't expect the rest of the stuff that they have planned.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 12:58pm

Sounds like fun.

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 1:07pm

Jim Hill says a lot of things. I'll leave it there.

Anyway, I don't doubt that this is all in the works, and perhaps it even is as definite as it's being made out to be. But keep in mind that with the current economic crisis Disney is scaling back, delaying, or canceling a number of projects that haven't already been officially announced and budgeted for. Property might be cheap(ish) but what actually ends up in the building might fall victim to budget cuts. So basically--who knows, this may indeed happen, but I also wouldn't be surprised if much of the idea gets the axe.

Updated On: 10/21/08 at 01:07 PM

[JRybka]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 1:08pm

As one who adores all sorts of entertainment.... Broadway, Movies, Books, CD and the such.. I have to say that I think that Disney could really do something nice for Time Square. Even if we are not fans of the "Disney-train" they did a wonderful job with the New Amsterdam. I thought it was gorgeous.
That being said... Virgin Megastore is HUGE! It is almost too big and there are parts that they have closed off... didn't it have a movie theater down in the basement?
Anyway... my point is this (and I do have one...) Perhaps Disney would be able to make the area very nice. There is a lot of room in the area and they could make it into something pretty cool.

I walk around times square and see a lot of stuff closing... They say it is the rents. If that is the case and only Disney's can afford it then I guess that is what Times Square is going to get. Maybe we should look into how NYC can get smaller business into this expensive arena instead of having to give up space for the big companies.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 1:12pm

The most irritating corporation in the world in the most irritating location in the world. It's a match made in hell!


Someone please say a prayer for the soul of New York City...

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 1:15pm

<< Disney is scaling back, delaying, or canceling a number of projects that haven't already been officially announced and budgeted for >>

Big time !!! Was reading "Screamscape" yesterday--- seems like every project is now on hold !

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 1:21pm

It saddens me to see the "flavor" of the old Times Square disappearing. I'm not talking about the hookers and drug dealers that plagued 42nd Street. It just seems to me that Broadway is becoming less of Broadway and more of mainstream Americana. Nothing wrong with that in itself, but the exciting aura of "Broaday" seems to be vaporizing.

Updated On: 10/21/08 at 01:21 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 1:24pm

SDav 10495, precisely. There was supposed to be a huge renovation in the Magic Kingdom Fantasyland section with new rides and ravamps and such in 2009. That got postponed due to the economic crisis. Same with many other projects Mickey has been working on. Perhaps, for now, they are buying the building and then will create whatever it's going to be late next year.

[jagfkb]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 4:58pm

To be honest, I'm suprised this didn't happen sooner. They used to have a large Disney store next to the New Amsterdam, and to be honest, a Time Square store would sort of tie together Disney in New York. Though I doubt they'll build a new theatre, it would be a great idea to do so! The level of effects they would be able to pull off would be quite astounding, and could bring tourists to New York in this bad time.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 5:02pm

Aounds cheesy, but I personally would love that... it's a shame that the Virgin Megastore has to close, but if anything had to replace it, I think the Disney store would be a lot of fun. And, um, I'm wearing a Belle t-shirt as I type this, so this is definitely up my alley. Hey, not everyone lives within close proximity to Florida or California.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 6:13pm

Virgin Megastore was way overpriced for most items. A double CD or DVD would often be be $17.99 on Amazon.com and $30+ at Virgin. I'm certainly not going to bemoan their closure.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 6:17pm

Honestly, I love the Virgin Megastore. T-shirts are always overpriced but I don't take issue with them other than that. It is truly a mind-blowing selection. As for this...we'll wait and see.

I know it sounds ridiculous, but most of the time I do like to believe in the innate goodness of Disney. I love their 55th and 5th store and was bemoaning its contract not being renewed.

[winston89]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 6:21pm

Scarywarhol,

From what I understand, if Disney had their way then they would stay on 5th. But, the rent has gone up so high that they can't afford it. I do find it funny that they can't afford rent on fifth but they can afford it in Times Square.

[Elphie3]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 6:25pm

If only they would buid a new theater!

[coolkid11776]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 6:40pm

When will Virgin be closing?