According to the good folks at Gallup, consumer confidence
is on the rise. At the very least, there’s been a sharp albeit seasonal
increase in spending over the past two weeks.
Of course, anyone who wandered through FAO Schwartz
yesterday could have told that you spending was up. Based on the tons of
tourists that were crowded around this NYC landmark’s Muppet Whatnot Shop.
Photo by Nancy Stadler
Even with a base price of $130 (which is quite a jump from
what these Whatnots were going for back in October of 2008, when this FAO
Schwartz in-store feature first opened. Back then, you could design and then
have built your very own custom Muppet Whatnot for $90), people still patiently
stood on line. Waiting for the chance to submit their design for a personalized
puppet.
Shoppers of all sizes couldn’t
wait to get their hands on a Muppet Whatnot. Photo by Nancy Stadler
It was a similar sort of mob scene over in FAO Schwartz’s
new Disney section. Which featured an assortment of classic characters that
were exclusive to this store …
Photo by Nancy Stadler
… not to mention plush versions of Dug & Kevin from “Up”
…
Photo by Nancy Stadler
Based on what FAO Schwartz employees told me yesterday, the
talking version of Dug the Dog have proven to be particularly popular with
tourists. Though – that said – it was rather hard to hear what this new Pixar
star had to say over the noise of the crowds.
“Hi there. My name is Dug. I have
just met you and I love you.” Photo by Nancy Stadler
A few blocks south on 5th Avenue, the World of Disney
was equally crowded. With hundreds of tourists crammed into this three story
store, eagerly snatching up the over-priced designer t-shirts that were on
display in WOD’s new TrenD section (Which – as you might have already guessed –
featured some of the very same items that are now on sale at WDW’s newest
shop at Downtown Disney.
Photo by Jim Hill
But the most obvious Mouse-related sign that the economy was
on the mend came yesterday when Disney Theatrical Productions revealed that the
final 16 performances of the Broadway version of “The Little Mermaid” were completely
sold out.
Now keep in mind that – just weeks ago – you could pick up a
half-priced ticket for this musical at the TKTS booth in Times Square. And that
– in order to spur sales – Disney had buses all over town plastered with
banners proclaiming that “Mermaid” “ … must close August 30th.”
Photo by Alice Hill
Clearly something must of clicked. For – as of right now –
there isn’t a single seat to be had at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. And if you’re
headed to NYC over the next two weeks
and really need to see “The Little Mermaid” … Well, you can come by the box
office and hope for a cancellation OR purchase a day-of standing room ticket
for $26.50.
From Disney Theatrical’s point of view … While they’re not exactly
thrilled that the Broadway production of “The Little Mermaid” will be closing after
50 previews and 685 performances (Contrast that with “Beauty & the Beast” ‘s
original Broadway run, during which that show racked up 46 previews and
5,464 regular performances), with their latest musical going out on top like
this, with not a ticket to be had … Well, that will make it that much easier
for Disney Theatrical to hype “The Little Mermaid” ‘s upcoming national tour. Which
gets underway in the Fall of 2010 and reportedly plans to make stops in Chicago, Los
Angeles, Seattle, Washington DC, Tampa, Denver and Tempe.
So what about you folks? Are you also seeing signs in your
area that suggest that the economy is actually turning around? Or is what was
going on NYC yesterday more indicative of tourists being driven crazy by the heat
(The Big Apple is just now going through its first heat wave of the summer)
Your thoughts?