Character Warehouse questions

[knlasv]

We are staying at Coronado and my mom really wants to visit one of the Disney outlet stores. I read on The Mouse for Less that there is shuttle service from certain Lake Buena Vista hotels to the Orlando Premium outlets. Any idea what hotels have this service? I know it is most likely off WDW property.
We don't want to spend $20-40 for a taxi or uber if we don't have to.

 

[Anthony1971]

There are no free shuttles from Disney property. From offsite hotels... maybe but also be aware that a lot of hotels charge for the shuttle service call the Hotels you plan to stay at and ask about Shuttle service, where and if there is a fee. Uber is likely your best bet and it should not be expensive but in the range you say above the outlets are fairly close to Disney property. On a side note the store is small and does not have a lot... can you get lucky yes... but unless you are planning on buying a lot for other people and looking for inexpensive (at least compared to Disney prices) the trip may not be worth it.

 

[Barbydoll8]

you may be better off going to the Walmart on I-535 for cheap, yet surprisingly good quality Disney T-shirts and souvenirs. Their stock is extensive and it's closer to Disney Springs so Uber would be an economical way or you can take a Linx bus direct to and from at the end of 535 where Disney Springs ends, close to Saratoga Springs.
I agree w/ Anthony1971. Stock at CW is hit or miss and sometimes not really discounted and sizes are usually limited in Tees. Also check the new store in Disney Springs - Uniqlo. They have Disney shirt VERY inexpensive as part of the Disney Project section in their store. I was very pleasantly surprised by their offerings.

 

[DisneyMom111]

If you look around, you can probably find Uber codes for free rides up to $20. I opened an account not too long ago and found a code. That might help some. We bought probably more than we needed at the Character Warehouse because it was so cheap. I was able to get lots of little souvenirs and stuff for us there. If you can get there cheap, it might be worth it. It was fun to just look around for a while.

 

[iheartglaciers]

From others who have been to both stores... I've heard there is different stuff in each store. Do you think it's worth it to go to both? Or just go to the one closer to WDW?

 

[SPAM]

To piggy bank on this thread does anyone know if character warehouse takes Disney rewards cards?

 

[Barbydoll8]

I have been to both stores on the same day and yes, stock was different. They did have some of the same merch though. One store is larger than the other which could explain part of it.
I have used Disney gift cards at the store before.

 

[jenniy122]

The stores take Disney gift cards and Disney Visa Reward cards, the one on Vineland is bigger and has a better selection, and if you take a cab/Uber from Disney Springs that's the nearest Disney property so that'll make it the cheapest. You can check if the hotels at Springs have a shuttle, or alternatively the hotels adjacent to the outlets have shuttles to Disney, but in my experience you've had to get "tickets" from the offsite hotels front desk to use their shuttles.

 

[gatorlisa]

I've been to both outlets on the same day many times. Usually there are some items that are found in both stores and then some stuff that is totally different between the two stores. Sometimes I go and find little to nothing, sometimes I go and find a lot. If you aren't looking for anything specific, great deals can be found. As far as I know, they accept all forms of payment that the parks accept, including MagicBands if you are staying on site and have enabled charging to the room. If you have your own car and a little bit of time, it's worth visiting both stores. I drive down, so usually hit the outlets on the way out of town. If you don't have a car, then I'd stick to the Vineland one, closest to Disney, and skip the other. If you are concerned about cost, it is possible to take Orlando Lynx (bus service) from Disney Springs to the Vineland outlets. It's cheap, but will take a LOT of time. You may be better off paying for a taxi or Uber.

 

[bugarwitch]

you may be better off going to the Walmart on I-535 for cheap, yet surprisingly good quality Disney T-shirts and souvenirs. Their stock is extensive and it's closer to Disney Springs so Uber would be an economical way or you can take a Linx bus direct to and from at the end of 535 where Disney Springs ends, close to Saratoga Springs.
I agree w/ Anthony1971. Stock at CW is hit or miss and sometimes not really discounted and sizes are usually limited in Tees. Also check the new store in Disney Springs - Uniqlo. They have Disney shirt VERY inexpensive as part of the Disney Project section in their store. I was very pleasantly surprised by their offerings.

I just recently purchased 2 uniqlo shirts online, for an upcoming trip to WDW. I bought men's t-shirts (I am an older plus sized woman) and altered them to fit myself. Good quality, and only around $14. I never can find comfortable plus size women's shirts at WDW.

 

[Oswald4Ever]

I just recently purchased 2 uniqlo shirts online, for an upcoming trip to WDW. I bought men's t-shirts (I am an older plus sized woman) and altered them to fit myself. Good quality, and only around $14. I never can find comfortable plus size women's shirts at WDW.

Agreed. I am about a 16/18 and the Women's XL fit me just fine. I wouldn't dry it, though.

 

[glassslippergirl]

If you have some flexibility, call the outlet and find out what day(s) they get new merchandise. I live by the South Florida location, which gets new merchandise on Thursdays. The selection is noticeably better on Thurs. afternoon or Friday than any other days in the week. Even then, sometimes I walk away with a big bag of stuff, but usually I walk away with nothing. I find with clothes particularly, the sizes are limited. It's what didn't sell in the parks, so you find a lot of clothes in XS, S, and XXL, because the sizes in the middle sold better in parks. This works out great for DH, who is XXL-- he has tons of outlet shirts-- but not as well for me. And I can hardly ever find toddler sizes for DS. I have had luck finding Disney purses that I really like the look of, even Vera Bradley bags. The quality has been hit or miss, though, particularly on a VB crossbody. Just beware that you may put a lot of effort into getting there and have tons of fun shopping or not so much fun.

 

[Justabaseballmom]

What is the address for both outlets? We will have a car while on vacation so would like to goto both locations.

 

[pampam]

It sounds like you will not be driving. If you have a car, you might not need to know what I am telling you. To get to Lake Buena Vista Outlet with out a car, take the bus from your resort to Disney springs. Walk across the road (you will have to go up an elevator, across 2 roads and down an elevator) and go to the Hilton, which is the closest or go to any of the hotels on Hotel Plaza. A free shuttle will pick you up and bring you back at designated times . The outlet store there is not as great as the other Character Outlets, but the shopping makes for an interesting day. I have gotten good deals at this mall, just not at the Disney outlet shop.

http://lbvfs.com/Orlando-Outlet-Free-Shuttle.cfm

For those Character Outlets I suggest you take a bus. You can take a WDW bus to the MK, and then take a monorail or ferry back across Seven Seas Lagoon to the TTC. From there Catch a #50 Lynx bus. Or you can catch a bus to Disney Springs, go over to the Hilton like I suggested before, but stay on the sidewalk and catch the same #50 bus. It costs about $2.00 and transfers are free. Tell the driver you want to go to the Orlando Vineland premium Outlet. He will let you off near Sea World, and you cross the road to transfer to a #8 bus. That bus will let you off across the street from the mall.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/orlando-vineland

Or, if you have the time and wish to go to the Orlando International premium Outlet, let your driver know. He will let you off at the same stop, you likely will stay there and wait for a #8 going the other way. It is a longer drive, but I find the shopping at that end of town better.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/orlando-international