How to Navigate Toys R Us Times Square at Christmas

What would be more festive than Christmas shopping at Toys R Us in the heart of Times Square? Unfortunately, just about every other person has the exact same idea. If you’re willing to take a deep breath and practice your crowd navigating ability, a Christmas visit to Toys R Us can still be plausible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Accept the fact that it’s going to be crowded. No matter what time of day you go, any time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is going to be an absolute mob scene. Acceptance of this initial fact is key before even venturing into the heart of Times Square at any time of the year, let alone at Christmas. Now that you’ve come to grips with this reality, you can chart your course through the store.
2. Upon entering, you’re most likely going to be attacked by an employee instructing you to get together with your party and smile for a photo. You can do so if you wish, as it’s often hard to get around these persistent photographers, but avoiding eye contact and plunging quickly into the store can work if you don’t want your photo taken. Shopping solo also makes for easy avoidance of entry photos.
3. Get your group together off to the side once you enter and decide upon a meeting point. Determine how long you want to spend in the store and pick somewhere near the exit to regroup at that time should you all get separated. Exchange cell phone numbers with everyone in your party that has one, for easier relocation of lost members. If traveling with young kids that won’t be in a stroller but are not big enough to wander off by themselves and successfully meet up with you later, take their hands and don’t let go for any reason. Investing in a “child leash” might also be an appropriate course of action.
4. Know the layout upon arrival. The floor you come in on generally houses photo opportunities with Geoffrey Giraffe, as well as stuffed animals and quick access to the exit on the opposite side of the store near the photo pickup station. Going down to the bottom level gives you access to board the 60-foot Ferris Wheel equipped with 14 cars featuring a well-known toy icon, allowing riders to take in the sights of the 3-level toy store. The downstairs area also puts you near the “R” Zone, 5,500 square feet of the latest electronic games, DVDs, CDs and videos. Going upstairs to the top floor puts you near Barbie’s life-size 2-floor doll house, as well as Jurassic Park which is guarded by a 5-ton, 20-foot high roaring animatronic T-Rex. On this level you can also take note of the Candy Spot as well as various life-size Lego pieces from a New York Yankees cap to Captain Jack Sparrow.
5. Browsing without a specific gift idea is often hard, given the sheer volume of people in the store. It is usually best to have gift ideas in mind, as well as a basic idea of where these items would be found, for an easier shopping experience. Toys R Us Times Square is not the place to leisurely browse aimlessly during the holidays.
6. Pick a cashier area and get in line once you’ve selected your purchases. Again, there’s no avoiding the fact that you’re going to have to wait in a long line to pay for your items and odds are no cashier is going to have a shorter line then the one nearest you.