The Disneyfication of Times Square

Times Square is, without a shadow of a doubt, an area that had gone through a dramatic transformation in the 1990s. It’s one that many called Disneyfication. It went from a seedy pocket of adult theaters and clubs and shops to the M&M store, Bubba Gump Shrimp, and Wax Museums. That term, Disneyfication, not only signaled the cleaning up of 42nd Street but on a more literal level was indicative of a time where The Walt Disney Company was heavily invested in its revitalization. That includes almost building a 47-story tall Disney hotel in the heart of Times Square.
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Additional Sources
Chang, Dean. “Fun City.” The New York Daily News, 29 Sept. 1996, p. 21.
Furse, Jane. “Times Sq. Changing at a Disneying Pace.” The New York Daily News, 31 Dec. 1996, p. 8.
Grant, Peter. “HMV Joins Party.” The New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 1996, p. 38.
Grant, Peter. “Sky's the Limit on 42d.” The New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 1996, p. 35.
Lewis, David L. “The Deuce's Redo Waxing Closer.” The New York Daily News, 17 July 1995, p. 42.
Lowry, Tom. “City Can Tap Feet to 42d St. Beat.” The New York Daily News, 20 July 1995, pp. 40-41.
Lowry, Tom. “Disney Corners 42d.” The New York Daily News, 12 May 1995, p. 7C.
“The Times Are Changing, and so Is Times Square.” The Journal News, 18 Dec. 1995, p. B4.
Whoriskey, Peter. “The Man Who Wants to Reinvent Miami.” The Miami Herald, 28 June 1995, pp. 1E-2E.

[@danielbarela3325]

"The Disneyfication of New York is over, everyone. At the stroke of midnight, your Lexus is going to turn back into a hot pile of rats fighting over a human finger." Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan), 30 Rock

[@ArtisticlyAlexis]

I love that you branch out into histories that tell a different side of American history. Amusement history shows so many more aspects of our country than people realize: politics, wealth, power, culture, & so much more .

[@liamb.9964]

I 100% agree with you.

[@DistoryDan]

Remember when the M&M store got sued by the Naked Cowboy?

[@jacksonplaysgames2422]

Looks like someone hit the bell

[@chrisonthedot]

What?

[@mylesmaddux2488]

I dont mean to be so offtopic but does anyone know a trick to log back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost my account password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I find the Eisner era fascinating, not just for the rapid expansion of the entertainment and parks but because of how much effort went into injecting the Disney brand into American culture. The "Disney Car", Mickey's Kitchen, the prevalence of the Disney store, Disney Cruise Line, etc. I can't help but feel that Disney today is too busy playing it safe. The pandemic has shown how vulnerable the company is and could really expand into other markets and cultural ventures rather than just purchasing IP.

[@AveryTalksAboutStuff]

I'm just thinking of that final scene in the first Captain America movie.

[@GusBatista03]

Me too. Every time.

[@katherinealvarez9216]

Huh, so was I.

[@perceivedvelocity9914]

My Mom moved from New York to the West Coast in the late 70's. She was shocked when Times Square was rebuilt in Disney's image. My grandfather would never let my Mom anywhere close to that part of town when she was young.

[@gars129]

Some people complain about the death of the real or gritty New York, but never go near South Bronx or Flushing.

[@Hiphop618]

I love Flushing! Soooo many good Asian restaurants.

[@jordandupre5726]

I’m a New Yorker myself and the Disneyfied Version of Times Square is the only one I know. I’m only 20 years old so I can’t remember a time when Times Square wasn’t big retail chains and Broadway theaters.

[@alxisl]

Same! Im 27

[@syxepop]

Easy, there have been plenty of movies that have been filmed in Times Square through the decades and can tell you the story of its' pre-Disneyfication "seedy" self...

[@TheSongwritingCat]

I'm older than you but still young enough to not understand what charm and character people thought they would be preserving. Also, all those shops would have been phased out soon enough with the rise of easily accessible... salacious material on the internet. And the renovation of the New Amsterdam is absolutely gorgeous.

[@syxepop]

@@TheSongwritingCat - it would've taken 5 years to "clean house" on 42nd St. instead of the year or so with 'Rudy's cleanup". Even the P**N industry have their Amazons and Walmarts...

[@TheSongwritingCat]

@@syxepop Are you agreeing with me or disagreeing? I don't quite understand your point.

[@rebeccaheuer3255]

They used the same term about Las Vegas in the 90s

[@csmlyly5736]

Las Vegas is if you took a shit and called it not shit

[@reeceparriah4772]

You should do another podcast with yestwrworld!!! I’m in quarantine and that podcast is the thing keeping me going. But I find the ones with you and him the best ones!

[@lightningbear2135]

I remember Times Square in the early 90’s it was very seedy.

[@vnana2991]

might check out times square today just to think about this. heard it’s been less crowded since the pandemic

[@lastname5719]

I miss out headlines! The pun at 5:50 !! Unmatched

[@nordisk1874]

You got to do Disney trying to by Astroland in Coney Island! The one Bloomberg killed!

[@hamotin1michael160]

Ohh you said broadway you’ve awakened Disney dan

[@SaturnCanuck]

Thanks Rob. That was very informative. Keep up the good work -- glad to see your theme back.

[@AlphaNovemberHotel651]

Thank you Rob. Informative and entertaining as ever.

[@craigconn7424]

Great video as always loved it. You always have videos that show me things I did not know but want to know more. Thank you so much love you channel take care.

[@j_v_k_]

oo super interesting video! scary to think how much impact disney has over cities that arent even connected to its amusement parks. thanks for the great work!

[@brak666]

I went to high school in NJ in the 90's and we did a lot of Broadway field trips. It's was so weird seeing Times Square change over those years. I kinda actually miss seedy Times Square.

[@sage5611]

Really appreciated your video. Just curious, how long did this take you to research?

[@richardsantiago429]

They have ESPN zone and abc studios for good morning in time square

[@trickycrayon]

Love the background music in this one. And the content, obviously! Go 90s~

[@ecoRfan]

Nice Mickey at 0:55 complete with the “55” and “71” signifying park opening years

[@gabedl2834]

Can you make video why disney and el captan theater in hollywood are partnered up and why i feel disney owns them but not 🤔

[@metropod]

Old joke that sums up the native opinion of the area from thirty years ago. “You know what they call it ‘Forty Second street’, that’s how long you stayed there” Hell, I’ve lived here my entire life and the vast majority of the time I’ve spent in the physical area, has been underground, changing between subway lines.

[@liamnoname6662]

Hey Rob. You should do a video on interesting Walt Disney World Resort facts/tidbits.

[@junaid1037]

went to NYC recently, gotta say the area seems to back to pre-2020 levels

[@cnat.travels]

The music choice worked, Rob!

[@jsa8368]

I remember going to an Internet cafe around 2002 in Time Square

[@csmlyly5736]

Maybe one day New York can build its own neighborhoods without needing Disney! I wonder what an urban environment could be like where people lived there and had things to do!

[@MarkTrombly]

I love your videos. Do you do all or your own writing and research or do you have a team?

[@MidwaytoMainStreet]

Thanks! I'm more or less a one person channel. The notable exceptions are that I use a subscription service for background music, I get a lot of non-Disney stock footage from a service, and occasionally (like this week) I'll buy art assets for the thumbnail since my vector art skills are still super novice. All of the research, writing, and editing, I do myself however.

[@peter-mickey-chu198]

In November 2022; Me And My Asian Wife (Maya-Minnie-Chu) Went To New York City’s Time Square For Our Honeymoon!

[@Housewarmin]

How do your make sure thumbnails?

[@Tom5TomEntertainment]

There's not enough lawsuits and cease and desists to call it Disneyfication

[@katherinealvarez9216]

2:41 I got the book! I'm still in the beginning.

[@amandaandherstuffedanimals1308]

I was just wondering do you think you do a video on Disney keys because I seen you confused of why they’re selling them now are used to be an exclusive thing that was special to open at the Disney store and now their selling them which is very weird because it used to be something special and I was at a special anymore so in later later video can you tell me why they’re selling them now

[@Hiphop618]

Lol wasn't Rudy Guiliani involved with the Disneyfication of Times Square too? Or at least, helping to make NYC safer.

[@DKGifford19608]

Yep. By instituting racist police practices that also pushed out artists, musicians, and independent businesses.

[@Hiphop618]

@@DKGifford19608 "Independent businesses," you mean the squeegee men? LMAO

[@twixieshores]

So wait. No comment from Ivywinter, the most famous of the Times Square Disney Store CMs?

[@csmlyly5736]

What is a Disney Store CM?

[@Lafalot54]

@@csmlyly5736 it stands for Cast Member

[@carminecdinoproductions]

A Disneyfied Times Square would be possible with multiple Disney stores, movie theaters, etc.!

[@oliverhorn9951]

Which ship is the model in your Background?

[@AJponyAPschannel]

Disney has taken over!!

[@jakeryan152]

Interesting

[@UmmYeahOk]

Didn’t they have a DisneyQuest, or were going to, there?

[@SaturnTubes]

The only other Disney quest was in Chicago. There was a plan for a New York location though

[@jacobbarrett7313]

3:10 bookmark

[@imakecomments]

ok i'm only 18 so i had no clue times square wasn't like that until the 90s

[@UmmYeahOk]

Give my regards to Broadway! Remember me to Herald Square! Tell all the gang at Forty Second Street That I will soon be there! Whisper of how I'm yearning To mingle with the old time throng! Give my regards to Old Broadway And say that I'll be there, 'ere long! Give my regards to Broadway! Remember me to Herald Square! Tell all the gang at Forty Second Street That I will soon be there! Whisper of how I'm yearning To mingle with the old time throng! Give my regards to Old Broadway And say that I'll be there, 'ere long!

[@SaturnTubes]

I ultimately think it was good for time square in terms of making it cleaner and safer, bad for the traffic and pollution of New York, which has only gotten worse

[@AMagicProduction]

Unpopular to say nowadays, but Rudy Giuliani was key in turning around NYC, truly a great mayor

[@DKGifford19608]

Guilani was a "great mayor" for corporations and rich white people and tourism. He was not a good mayor when it came to supporting artists, creators, people of color, and the majority of NYers. His "broken windows" and "stop and frisk" policies still sow the issues of police brutality and unfair and inconsistant penal actions that create so much distrust and violence in NYC today.

[@TheSongwritingCat]

Any attempt to find a citation for the tax breaks meant to incentivize construction during Ed Koch's term gets muddled with all the results about Trump. But here's the closest thing I could find in a quick search. "New York's tax breaks first took off in the wake of the 1970s fiscal crisis, when business leaders and developers-Trump among them-convinced the architects of the city's recovery that the best way to encourage private investment was with public subsidies." gothamist.com/news/how-a-useless-400-million-tax-break-for-nyc-developers-chugged-along-for-20-years

[@timrattray]

As someone who lives a block and a half from Times Square, "an area where natives try to avoid" could not be more apt. Can't even imagine what it would be like if Disney had a greater presence... but I'm not sure I'd be in favor of it.

[@csmlyly5736]

What does a "Disney DVC property" mean? What is DVC?

[@liamnoname6662]

Disney Vacation Club

[@csmlyly5736]

@@liamnoname6662 Ah gotcha! What exactly is a Disney Vacation Club? How does it differ from just Disneyland?

[@TASGVlogs]

Was it disneyfication? Or was it Giuliani?

[@csmlyly5736]

How is that different? Wasn't that Giuliani's entire point?

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

The Disneyfication was great for Times Sq. I lived 45 mins away from TS back then. I remember walking thru there on a Saturday afternoon in Jan 1993, my friend from Dallas wanted to see what it was like - it was a Ghost Town - 2 PM and you could count the people in the area (the Staten Island Ferry had more people on it)!! When I was there in 1975, the only legit activity was at the TKTS booth. NYE 1985 in Times Sq was the most crowded place I have ever been in - couldn't get my arms up from my side to scratch my nose and got moved by the crowd from the east side of TS to the center of it!! By 12:15 AM, the millions had cleared out!! It was even more crowded that NYE because NJ Transit, Metro North and the LIRR all offered free train and bus service to The City that night. Only problem was that NJT didn't bother to tell anyone their entire transit system shutdown at 1 AM, stranding 10's of thousands of people at the PABT, Penn Stations in NYC & Newark and anywhere else you went to get to back to NJ by Mass Transit!! It was the 1st and last time that free transit to Times Sq for NYE was offered. I got stranded at Newark Penn until 5 AM!!! Needless to say, the Disneyfication of Times Square was for the better. Now all they have to do is get rid of ALL the aggressive fake Disney and other characters who scam folks out of their money to take a picture with them. Many of them make the Character costumes of 1950's Disneyland seem realistic!!!

[@jgatzby4263]

Been several times and honestly Times Square just felt overall overrated. Nice for some pictures and a slice of NYC pizza.

[@Vodhin]

I'd like to hear Mickey say "I saw a poity boid on thoity-thoid and thoid"

[@music_by_carlos]

really awesome vid. never knew TS was a sketchy porn hub at one point. (i guess porn hub can be considered as 2 things) hahaha

[@ROBYNMARKOW]

Was it evah! I have a pic of my dad looking "shocked" at the merch in the window of an "Adult" Shop.😅

[@UmmYeahOk]

I’m sorry, I don’t like the idea of porn shops everywhere either, but it seems to me that they were there first, and if people didn’t want them there, they would go out of business. NYC may be a bit different, but I remember one adult shop a few towns over that was doing fine, until a church decided to move next door. And another adult video store that was all alone on a highway, doing quite well, until a developer started building neighborhoods everywhere and people relocated. Don’t want porn? Don’t shop there. Don’t move there.

[@SaturnTubes]

It’s a bit more than that. 42nd street, as well as most of New York, was extremely dangerous and covered with litter. The excess of porn shops and adult clubs brought a seedier crowd that maintained the crime and filth of the location. The disneyfication of the area made it a soulless, overly commercial tourist trap, but it did clean up and modernize the area. The end result was it brought more traffic to the area and the surrounding areas suffer from the traffic and litter that brings, but the Location itself is not as dangerous as it once was. I think there was probably a better way to clean up the place that could have benefitted everyone, but we are well past that

[@UmmYeahOk]

@@SaturnTubes lol, I can totally imagine Disney creating an animated musical, where within the depths of the trashy litter infested city, people somehow survive on a dangerous life of crime. Sort of a modern Oliver Twist. Only instead of 19th century London, they could base it on modern day New York City. Or well, what was modern before “Disneyfrication.” They could even cast animals like cats and dogs. People love those!

[@SirBlackReeds]

Alternative title: When Disney helped Times Square go through rehab.

[@davidthomas283]

The Mayer Rudy Giuliani was also responsible for cleaning up times square.

[@Taydar]

Basically make better

[@ketch_up]

I thought it was pronounced "Disney-i-fication" (like "gentri-fi-cation")

[@csmlyly5736]

That would make it gentri-i-ification

[@coachken6130]

Ever wonder how 42nd street became "42nd street"? Someone had to grant the permits for the peep shows and strip clubs to open up, right? And it's pretty clear it was a terrible place to be. That's why they cleaned it up, right? Times Square is much better off AFTER Disneyfication

[@P.I.P.E.L.I.N.E_Podcast]

First

[@NerdsTravels]

NYC could use a little more Disneyfication... it’s still mostly a pile of hot garbage. 😂