Character outlets near disney

[scrappinmom]

So, for the first time ever we will have a car at Disney.....I looked up the Character outlets....there are 4!!! Which one would you guys recommend? I don't really want to spend a lot of time driving around.....but i'd like to visit one...

 

[mom of princessx2]

What is a Character Outlet? It might be something I want to do!!

 

[scrappinmom]

Well, I'm no expert as I've never been...but I've seen the info on another board and here. It's a Disney outlet store...where they sell discontinued and older merchandise at a discount (personally where I think they should sell all the YOMD MUGS, so we could get new ones)...but I've heard people say they've bought pins, shirts & other basic WDW stuff there for up to 50% off the park prices? Like I said, I've never had a car so I've not bothered to look into going....but this time it might be a fun side trip...

 

[mom of princessx2]

Gotcha!! We are thinking of going as well just to see what they have. I did find this link that may help.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2016707

 

[newtodis]

Here are my outlet buys from our Sept trip last year:


We went to the one closest to Disney while we were there. I talked to another DISer while we were in the parks (we had planned to meet up while there) and she'd been to both that were near the parks and said they had similar things and to just go to the closest one so that's what we did. I'd go back again but you really have to have some time to look through the store to check things out. There was very little organization so you really kind of had to be up for anything but I found some really great stuff!

 

[scrappinmom]

Here are my outlet buys from our Sept trip last year:]

ok, that's some COOL stuff! Was it cheaper than in the parks??? By a lot or a little????

 

[scrappinmom]

Gotcha!! We are thinking of going as well just to see what they have. I did find this link that may help.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2016707

you must have the "magic search" tool...because when I did a search I didn't get that thread!!!!

So it sounds like planning to stop there maybe at the beginning of the trip might be a good idea.....I'd love to find some shirts. sweatshirts, & hats!

 

[newtodis]

ok, that's some COOL stuff! Was it cheaper than in the parks??? By a lot or a little????

It was WAYYYYYYY cheaper than the parks for sure!

The Disney platters were only $10 each and I never saw those in the parks ever. The Nemo shirt was like $2 and the jacket was like $3. The big bad wolf/soccer shirt was like $5. The stockings were like $4 or 5 each the game was like under $10 for sure. I've got the receipts at home that I can dig out if you'd like more exact prices. I also got a really cool calendar type thing that you put pictures in and a really cool book all about Disney with TONS of pictures that my boys keep dragging out and looking at. I only spent about $100 there (maybe $120 with taxes - I can't remember now...) and got all that stuff!

We went at the end of our trip (on our drive home) and it was great! I might go at the beginning of our trip next time just to have a better idea of what's there and know if I need to buy something while in the parks. In December there were so many deals in the parks (and we ran out of time) that we didn't stop at the outlets

 

[scrappinmom]

It was WAYYYYYYY cheaper than the parks for sure!

The
We went at the end of our trip (on our drive home) and it was great! I might go at the beginning of our trip next time just to have a better idea of what's there and know if I need to buy something while in the parks. In December there were so many deals in the parks (and we ran out of time) that we didn't stop at the outlets

ok that's CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!! nah I don't need exacts..thanks though

that's what I was thinking.....if we went at the beginning, I'd have a better idea of what I "needed" to buy at the parks....ok so maybe it's not a need! hahahahah

 

[Mickey527]

I love the one near Disney at Florida Premier outlets, but the one at the end of International Drive at the Belz outlet seems to have a bigger selection. It is a bigger store too and much more space. Prices are the same at both.
the one in St Augustine is the best for bargains though. Things I bought at the Belz outlet were at St Augustine for a large amount less. Like a pair of PJ's I found for $21 at the outlet were $15 at St Augustine.
When I drive to FL I always make sure to plan my drive home so I can stop at the ST Augustine outlet and check what they have too.

 

[pampam]

This trip I plan on going to Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. They have free shuttle from Buena Vista Palace, across the street from Downtown Disney. There are about 55 stores in this outlet mall, including Character Outlet, featuring Disney merchandise, and I discovered if you go to their site there is a coupon you can print for $5 off $40 or more. If I knew how to post a link I would. I don't hink I have been there before, but last trip I went to 2 other outlet malls and was disapointed with them. This time I don't have to catch the lynx or transfer. I can just take the bus from my resort to Downtown Disney.

 

[lisajl]

When you go, check out what is in the glass case. We were wandering around looking at t-shirts, gifts, etc. when a woman walked in and went right to the glass case. She bought two watches, just like that. I ran over to see what else was in there, but it was nothing like what she had bought.
The watches were over $100 in the park and she bought both for $45.

We found lots of things we liked for under $10. We are going in October and I plan to stop there first! Looks like we may have to stop in St Augustine, too.

 

[pampam]

This trip I plan on going to Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. They have free shuttle from Buena Vista Palace, across the street from Downtown Disney. There are about 55 stores in this outlet mall, including Character Outlet, featuring Disney merchandise, and I discovered if you go to their site there is a coupon you can print for $5 off $40 or more. If I knew how to post a link I would. I don't hink I have been there before, but last trip I went to 2 other outlet malls and was disapointed with them. This time I don't have to catch the lynx or transfer. I can just take the bus from my resort to Downtown Disney.

We did this and it worked out great. We took the bus to Downtown disney, and walked to the hotel across the street. We went to guest services and they gave us some very good coupons for the stores, a schedule for times for pick up and return, and told us where to go to catch the shuttle, just outside the front doors. We waited about 10 minutes. The free shuttle picked us up, and we enjoyed a day there.

 

[pixieprincessmom]

I used this link to get directions last year. The link to the coupon is there.
http://willcad.org/disney_outlets.shtml

 

[mrsklamc]

Prime and Premium outlets both have stores that carry park merchandise. I have not personally been to Lake Buena Vista factory stores, so this is just what I read here on the dis, but someone said that they do not carry park merchandise and that the quality is not as good.