When I told my grandmother that I had to take her into Toys R Us she though I was nuts, but just stepping into the store converted her. This is a Toys R Us unlike anything before, a child’s paradise. The store can only be described as a cross between Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, Disneyland, and Santa’s Work Shop.

Once inside the doors employees will ask if you want a commemorative picture taken, but they are almost invisible amongst the colors, sounds, and the ferris wheel that is staring at you. This store houses a three-story ferris wheel that is decorated each car with a different theme such as My Little Ponies, Toy Story characters, and Scooby Doo.
The Lego section of the store makes larger than life replicas of dinosaurs, Captain Jack Sparrow, and my personal favorite King Kong climbing the empire state building. In the action figure section Superman is holding back a truck that has crashed though the ceiling and thereby saving all of the shoppers below. There is even a GI Joe or two parachuting from the ceiling as well. Barbie fans won't be disappointed either. There is a two-story, walk-in Barbie dollhouse where everything and anything Barbie can be had.

I also found toys here that aren’t anywhere else such as dolls with the NYC logo on them, but the best was the Mr. Potato head, where for $18 his box can be stuffed with all accessories you can fit into it. The attachments aren’t the usual sort either. They range from Star Wars paraphernalia to Statue of Liberty Hats.

However, the best section is where all of the candy is. The area is decorated with life-sized Candy land characters and oversized gumdrops. There is an area where you can mix and match your own colorful bag of M&M’s. Upon leaving the store my grandmother was converted to a believer and keep on remarking about how there were more people in there taking pictures than actually shopping.

Yes this is the largest Toys R Us in the world...large enough to have an indoor ferris wheel...the store has all of the toys that Toys are Us market and in addition there are many very cool displays...there is a huge tyrannosaurus rex and a Lego Empire State building (yes even with King Kong climbing the side) and a Barbie house and the displays go on and on...it is well worth the $4 ride on the Ferris Wheel...yes that price is per person...and the wait depending upon the time of day can be 1/4-3/4 hour...but they want to get you on and off so you can purchase so they do their best to keep the ride moving!!!! It really is worth seeing and what child isn’t entertained in three stories of Toy store...what adult for that matter!!!!

Having a little down time before our noon lunch reservation at Carmine’s, we decided to visit the Toys "R" Us located on the corner of 44th and 45th, right in the middle of Times Square.

This is one of my favorite places to visit while in NYC. For anyone who is a kid or a kid at heart, this is the place to go. As soon as you walk thru the rotating doors you are presented with the three-story-high ferris wheel INSIDE the building. In the center is the famous reverse "R" logo and all the cars are replicas based on known children’s themes. They have Dumbo, Bob the Builder, Barbie, etc…

The main entrance of this wonderland is located on the second floor. Here Geoffrey, the Toys "R" Us giraffe mascot, can usually be found walking around greeting visitors and posing for photos. This floor also has the stuffed animal section, which will lead you to the escalators or elevator for access to the first or third floors. Of the three floors, the third is my personal favorite. Here the escalator will drop you off right in the middle of Lego Land. Intricate structures made entirely of Legos such as airplanes and the Empire State Building can be found and marveled at. Make a right turn off of the escalator and this will lead you into Jurassic Park. Here you will be greeted by a huge lifelike Tyrannosaurus Rex that growls, roars, and moves his arms and legs threateningly the entire time the store is open. He looks like he will step off his perch and gobble you whole at any minute. So cool!!

Walking past Jurassic Park will take you past the latest selection for Star Wars-themed toys, including light sabers, spaceships, and even Mr. Potato Head dressed as Darth Vader--I kid you not. These people think of everything.

Continuing in a clockwise manner you will run into Candy Land. Here you have your pick of almost any kind of candy that you can think of. Purchases are made by the pound in most cases and the variety ranges from gummy bears to jaw breakers to chocolate covered potato chips. There is even a separate display just for M&Ms. Each color has it’s own canister so you can pick and choose which you would like to take home. One color or mix and match, it’s up to you. I never leave this selection without my own supply of chocolate covered jelly rings. MmmmMmmmm!

After you are done on the third floor, the first floor has its own surprises. Here you can find your educational toys and books and the "R" Zone, which has all the latest electronic doodads you could ever need. The first floor is also how you would enter for a ride on the ferris wheel.

Even if you are not carting wee ones with you, you will still want to make a stop at the Toys "R" Us, located in Times Square. You can’t miss its larger-than-life neon sign outside.

Once inside, you will have to pick your jaw up off the ground. This place is HUGE! It is the largest of the toy giant’s stores. It covers three levels. I came in here mainly just to pick up something for my nephews. Once inside, I was so enthralled that I almost forgot what I came for.

It has a 60-foot Ferris wheel located inside. Yes, even adults can ride. You can have your picture on the ride. The net proceeds for the ride go to children’s charities across the country.

Kids of all ages (including adult kids) will wow at the 5-ton, 20-foot-high, 34-foot-long animatronic T-Rex that stands guard over Jurassic Park. Be prepared for its extremely loud roar! And Barbie fans should not miss the two-story Barbie house. Everyone in your party will love Candy Land. You have never seen so much candy. You can stroll through "Gumball Pass" or see Princess Lolly, whose 5-foot skirt is made entirely of gumdrops. There are bins of new candy and long-time favorites. Adults will love taking home candy they had when they were children. We took home $20 worth! Gamers will want to check out Rzone for the latest in video games and equipment. You can take a stroll though their store online at .

The Toys R Us in Times Square is a must-see when visiting the Big Apple. The 110,000-square-foot, multilevel flagship store is fun for all ages. The store boasts a working 60-foot Ferris wheel with themed cars to make everyone happy: Toy Story, Barbie, Lego, Cabbage Patch Kids, My Little Pony and so on. There is also a two-story Barbie doll house and a 5-ton, 20-foot-high, 34-foot-long animatronic T-Rex dinosaur. Don't miss the Candyland candy store on the third level.

The bottom floor is electronics (gamers) and race cars (Matchbox). You enter on the second level, where they will take your photo for purchase later. Ensure that there is a background behind you (otherwise it looks like nothing). You stop by the computer on your way out to see the photo. You can also stop by and get your photo with Geoffrey, the Toy R US giraffe.

There weren’t any good sales that I could find, but just getting a little something made the kids happy.

Another bonus to stopping into the store is the clean restrooms (in Times Square!).