Best places to shop?

[pooky_uk]

Hi All

I know I have said a tons of times already - but we are having our first trip to WDW in Feb 05.

I have tried looking for some info on shopping on this site and can't find anthing......

IN the books and travel brochures they mention loads of shopping malls and outlets in the ID area (we are staying at all star movies and looking like we will hire a car)

Can you guys recommend where to go? I am not looking for anything particualr, nor deisgner labels - I just want to get bargain clothes for our holiday (and a some semi formal clothes for myself, hubby & DD (7) for the cruise). I am thinking that buying our holiday clothes out there will be cheaper than me buying it here in the UK!
SWimmers, shorts, t shirts, trainers etc.....

Are there are weblinks so I can check out whats what before I get there (sorry, but I hate strolling around clothes shops!! would rather know where I have to go - go there - shop - leave!!)

Thanks



Laura

 

[JohnnySharp]

Laura , there are several shopping options and I guess it depends on what you are looking for.

There are 2 major malls, the Florida Mall on Orange Blossom Trail -
off Sand Lake Road and the Mall At Millenia off Conroy Road just off the I4.
FM is very good with clothing etc to suit every budget, MAM is a bit more upscale with several designer stores.

There are other ones a bit further afield such as Altamonte, West Oaks but neither are worth the visit.

As for discount stores you have Belz on International Drive, Festival Bay which is right opposite, Premium Outlets at the south end of ID and Lake Buena Vista Factory - just off Vineland Road on the 192 nr Kisimmee.

Belz we have never really rated, mostly stores you will not have heard of selling rubbish - sorry for being so blunt. FB has an excellent Ron Jon's Surf Shop and worth the visit however most of the plots are still vacant.
PO - is probably the best with the likes of Ralph Lauren, Nike, Adidas etc but can be a bit hit and miss, remember all the outlet shops are stocking items that have not sold in the major stores.
Ths sports shops though are your best chance to pick up bargains.
LBVF - not much there really, cannot recommend it.

Overall the Florida Mall wins hands down for us.

 

[Miffy2003]

Another Florida Mall fan here

 

[pooky_uk]

Thanks

I really appreciate this - I just want to hit 1 mall - shop and then enjoy the rest of WDW....I seriously do not want to spend a day "mall hopping"!!

 

[Camac]

We were there at Christmas last year and went to all the malls. IMHO the best was Orlando Premium Outlets - a good range of shops - formal, informal, sports, toy, Disney, Universal, leather goods, sweets, good food court and spotlessley clean with easy parking. Not worth trecking all the way up ID to Belz.

They do have a website from which you can download discount vouchers. Try www.orlandopremiumoutlets.com (if this is the wrong address some good sole on these boards will put me right!)

Camac

 

[Miffy2003]

Hiya,

I think the address is here

Cheers

Karen

 

[nattyk]

another vote for Florida Mall - everything you need under one roof - ohhh I miss that place

Nat
X

 

[Camac]

I knew someone would have the right address! Thanks Karen I have added it to my favourites ready for my next trip.

Camac

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Camac,

I've never been to the Premium Outlets before, but I am definitely going to visit this time any hints on good shops??

Cheers

Karen

 

[eyoreaud]

Hi Laura

My favourite is Premium Outlets, i get most of the familys cloths here(cant get DH out of the Nike store Ha Ha), plus it is one of the nearest to WDW.

Luv Audrey

 

[tracyjane]

another BIG vote for orlando premium outlets . tbh i found the belz outlets crap to be blunt.

 

[pooky_uk]

Premium Outlets is looking a good bet

What is Lake Buena Vista Mall like??

Thanks

 

[JohnnySharp]

Lake Buena vista is similar to Premium Outlets, it is not really a mall as such.

There is a GAP there and a Fossil shop also - watches/bags etc -but otherwise mostly US labels we are not familiar with, do not really recommend it.

 

[vernon]

My favourite to (buy) shop at is the Premium outlets, Window shopping is the Mall at the Millenium.

After much slagging off of the Florida mall after a few dodgy years I have to eat my words and say they have doen a good job of clearing out much of the dross and it's really picked itself up now. I'd rank it 2 behind Premium to visit if you're buying. It is also a benefit to be under one roof.

Lake Buenna Vista Mall is, IMHO, worth a visit if you're staying on the 192 or on Disney, it's only a couple of minutes and does have a couple of shops that can be useful. I shop at the Reebok there not just for sports shoes and equipment but they have some good deals on Greg Norman Polo shirts which I like (and a couple of other brands). Jana likes to visit the Liz Claibourne as they also have some great deals at times.

 

[uktigger]

i'm getting a bit confused is the premium outlet (the one by crossroads)different to lake buena vista?

thanks eve

 

[tartangirl]

Premium outlets and Lake Buena Vista are 2 seperate malls.

Premium Outlets is the best IMHO but Lake Buena Vista stores has a few good shops Gap, Reebok and VF outlet is good for trousers. Premium Outlets is the one you can see from the I4.

No-one mentions Wal-Mart but you do get cheap clothes there.

I think people are unfair on Belz - it has its share of rubbish but we've had great deals at Timberland, Nike and Vans so if you're looking for shoes I dont think you'll do much better.

Belz also has the Designer Mall with Off 5th being reasonable. Ross is also nearby on International drive. We have only been to the Ross in the Osceola mall on the 192 (and what a bad mall that is) - Ross did have a good selection and was cheap so may be worth a visit if up at the Belz designer mall.

 

[uktigger]

thank you for explaining

eve

 

[JohnnySharp]

Think you probably just need to visit them and make your own mind up - it depends at the end of the day what you are looking for.

We tend to buy labels like Oakley, DKNY and Tommy Bahama so the Florida Mall suits us best, labels like O'Neill and Quiksilver also appeal to us - hence we do not tend to bother with the outlet malls.
Having said that I bought 2 Fossil watches from the LBV store a few years ago and saved about $300 so I cannot complain.

As I said earlier all the discount stores basically sell stuff that hasn't sold in the larger stores - at full price - so it can depend on when you go and how lucky you are - I still say that sportswear is your best bet if you are looking for bargains, so the Adidas and Nike stores at PO could be a good bet.

 

[Beejayjay]

Orlando Premium Outlets followed by the Florida Mall are my favourites.

Then I'd suggest Lake Buena Factory Outlet Centre, and Belz on I-Drive.

 

[maureen4200040]

Hi ya,

The best places to shop for me are at the Florida & The Milliena Mall both have different shops, with a excellent variety of goods on sale. You can buy everything and anything in
Florida at a fraction of the price you pay here in the uk.

Happy shopping - and I hope everything goes well for you on your first trip.


Maureen4200040