Advice on an important topic...SHOPPING!

[shushh]

I was hoping to get the opinions of our American friends on where we should go outlet shopping! The shopping is so much better in the states compared to Australia.

Our rough plan is to be in Orlando in early December and then we are going to New York/Washington for the next 2 weeks or so before coming back down to catch the PC cruise. We will then have 2 or 3 days in LA before heading home.

THanks in advance!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You would think I would know the outlet malls in Orlando-but sadly I do not.

Potomic mills in the DC metro area is supposed to be nice.

 

[tazcat]

i would recomend a day trip up to rehobth beach delaware for outlet shopping. there is no sale tax there. also it is the home of tanger outlet 130 store to choice, plus the town it self has some fun shops
http://www.tangeroutlet.com/rehobothbeach

 

[Octoberbride03]

i would recomend a day trip up to rehoboth beach delaware for outlet shopping. there is no sale tax there. also it is the home of tanger outlet 130 store to choice, plus the town it self has some fun shops
http://www.tangeroutlet.com/rehobothbeach

I 2nd this 1 if you can get there. My parents and sister live there now so I just love shopping there. Lots of nice stores and tax free to begin with

 

[Mickey4me!]

I was Director of Operations for a major manufacturers outlet stores for 13 years so I'm very familiar with lots of them! Orlando has Prime Outlet Mall which typically has higher end retailer outlets in it and there's also a large Tanger Mall. Tanger has more middle of the road outlets as well as some high end as well as a large variety of stores. If you're in the NY area and don't mind a drive the outlets in Harriman NY are ones of the largest and best. Lots of one-of-a-kind outlets and a huge variety. The Mills projects (Potomac Mills in DC, Discover Mills in Atlanta, Sawgrass Mills Ft. Lauderdale FL plus several mall) have moved to more regular retail than outlets but are huge and great entertainment. Potomac Mills also has a large IKEA store next door which alone is worth a visit.

Have fun shopping!

 

[LindaBabe]

I second the outlets at Harriman, but it is a bit of a drive - you'd kill a day going, shopping and returning. You might not want to take that long out of your vacation time. At least, the outlets in Orlando are convenient to WDW.

Btw, IF you wanted to do some shopping at home for your cruise mates let me give you a subliminal message here . . . Timtams TIM TAMS

 

[Mickey4me!]

One word of warning - most outlet malls have morphed into pretty much regular retail malls with manufacturers producing products just for them. You can usually get just as good a deal in regular shopping malls when they run sales (which is almost always) so I wouldn't go too far out of my way to get to one. True outlets are hard to come by and are usually located in or near the actual factory or distribution center.

FYI anyone near Hagerstown, MD - I haven't been in years, but there used to be a wonderful Ofray/Lion ribbon outlet with true outlet prices.

 

[dcmousefan]

i would recomend a day trip up to rehobth beach delaware for outlet shopping. there is no sale tax there. also it is the home of tanger outlet 130 store to choice, plus the town it self has some fun shops
http://www.tangeroutlet.com/rehobothbeach

I third this suggestion. I was there this past weekend and the no sales tax in Delaware is awesome. It is separated into three malls, all close to each other. It is about 2 1/2 hours from DC though, and not on the way to New York.
There are closer outlets to DC like Potomac Mills (VA), Arundel Mills (MD), Leesburg Premium Outlets (VA) and Prime Outlets in Queenstown, MD. The Queenstown one has about the same stores as The Tanger, but has sales tax and is closer to DC. Hope that helps!

 

[JohnsPrincess]

The Premium Outlets in Orlando (right off of I-4) is my favorite in the area.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

There is a Disney Character Premiere store that has some GREAT deals!!

 

[SharonLowe]

Given the economy and the time you will be here, you are probably just as well off going to the malls and large department stores. Tysons Corner in the DC area is a good one. When in NY, try to go to Top Shop, the first US outlet of that wonderful UK store. H&M also has very trendy clothes at good prices - google them to find their locations. Another good one is Zara; again google them to find locations. Macy's in NY is huge and will likely have great sales. Be warned that it will be a zoo shopping in NY that time of year. If you are into photography, you have to go to B&H in NY - an incredible place to visit even if you don't buy.

Have fun - sounds like a wonderful trip!!

 

[croppincolburn]

Is the World of Disney Store in NY City any different than the one at WDW? If it is then I, Disney fan that I am, would try to visit there.

 

[LindaBabe]

Have they reopened a new world of Disney in NY? I heard the other one was about to close, or has closed.

You know the outlets I like in Florida are the Lake Buena Vista Shops - I always find stuff at Vanity Fair/Lee and there's an SAS shoe outlet. The Florida Mall has a very nice array of shops - I should think you'd find some deals if you wait until after Christmas to shop.

Just as a point of interest, Where are you going to be for Christmas?

 

[SharonLowe]

Have they reopened a new world of Disney in NY? I heard the other one was about to close, or has closed.

You know the outlets I like in Florida are the Lake Buena Vista Shops - I always find stuff at Vanity Fair/Lee and there's an SAS shoe outlet. The Florida Mall has a very nice array of shops - I should think you'd find some deals if you wait until after Christmas to shop.

Just as a point of interest, Where are you going to be for Christmas?

It is closing when its lease expires sometime in 2010. It is definitely worth the visit. They will have special NY merchandise if nothing else.

 

[shushh]

Thank you everyone! Hmmm, alot to think about. Transport will be an issue but we are willing to hire a car for a days shopping if need be. The husbands have agreed to look after the children so the mums can shop! I gather the stuff available will be seasonal so might have to go in Florida as well as when in New/DC...

Btw, IF you wanted to do some shopping at home for your cruise mates let me give you a subliminal message here . . . Timtams TIM TAMS

lol..Not a problem! I didn't think we'd have anything here that you can't get in the states. I only hope the Tim Tams lasts the whole 4 weeks of travel before the cruise. I am partial to them myself!

As for Christmas and New Year, we have no idea really. We're not sure how many days we should spend in DC. At the moment, it looks like Christmas will be in New York. But seeing as we all have young children and will probably not stay up to do the countdown on NYE, we're wondering whether or not its worth staying in NY for this.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I have never done NYC for New Year's Eve, but I know ppl who have. It is beyond insanely crowded especially around Times Square. You Cannot move at all I was told. Of course, being me I don't really understand the attraction of choosing your spot in the morning and camping out all day in the cold and then basically freezing your face off once the sun goes down, cause its always cold then, just to watch a pretty crystal ball drop for a whole minute(or is it 10 seconds). I prefer a nice indoor location somewhere, if not an actual party.

HTH

 

[mmouse37]

It is closing when its lease expires sometime in 2010. It is definitely worth the visit. They will have special NY merchandise if nothing else.

The WOD store on 5th Avenue in NYC will be closing by December 31st of this year.

It is an incredible store and I hate to see it go.....but, a regular Disney Store is due to open on 42nd Street sometime in 2010.

We live only 30 minutes from Woodbury Commons (Harriman, NY) and I, personally, have never found great bargains but many people do. On weekends there are tons of people there and it can be a madhouse. You can easily take a bus from NYC to the outlets....there are tons of buses from NYC there each weekend.

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

I have never done NYC for New Year's Eve, but I know ppl who have. It is beyond insanely crowded especially around Times Square. You Cannot move at all I was told. Of course, being me I don't really understand the attraction of choosing your spot in the morning and camping out all day in the cold and then basically freezing your face off once the sun goes down, cause its always cold then, just to watch a pretty crystal ball drop for a whole minute(or is it 10 seconds). I prefer a nice indoor location somewhere, if not an actual party.

HTH

NYE in NYC is crazy. They corral you in sections and once in the section they do not let you leave. You literally have to stay put all day (people start getting there early in the morning).

Not my cup of tea but millions do it!!

MJ

 

[LindaBabe]

Well, you could stay in NYC on new years eve but I'd rather watch it on TV, inside, where it's warm . . . and there are bathrooms . . . and food and not a million strangers packed in too close.