Getting to Florida Mall with Kids

[wendlle]

We aren't hiring a car and don't have any intention to, but I'd love to take my kids to the Florida Mall as I know my eldest would LOVE to go to Build-a-bear and also the Crayola Experience also, plus we would love to have a look at some of the shops and get some stuff while there.
We need two car seats so Uber is out, I've been quoted $80 round trip for a private transfer, just wondering if there is any other way to get there without renting a car?
We have many reasons for not renting a car so please don't suggest one as it isn't in our plans at all.

I wish there was a Build-a-Bear at Disney Springs like the one at Downtown Disney at Disneyland (although I think it has now gone too)

 

[Ohanaof3]

If you go to the T-Rex gift shop in Disney springs, there is a similar experience but the stuffed animals are (obviously ) dinosaurs.

 

[wendlle]

If you go to the T-Rex gift shop in Disney springs, there is a similar experience but the stuffed animals are (obviously ) dinosaurs.

Unfortunately she has zero interest in Dinosaurs.

 

[paisleys]

Have you tried contacting the mall directly to inquire if they offer shuttle service? You never know...I'm sure they would love to get you there to shop!
https://www.simon.com/mall/the-florida-mall

 

[Bella Paige]

Unfortunately she has zero interest in Dinosaurs.

You can order an unstuffed bear on Build a Bear’s website and bring it to the store to stuff I‘m certain that the Disney Springs store would gladly let her stuff her bear.

 

[rg35]

OP - you can take the Lynx bus (public transportation) from East Buena Vista Drive near Disney Springs but it looks like it would be two buses and take 90 minutes. Seems like a lot of time (or money in the case of a private transfer) to do activities that (I assume) you could do closer to home.

You can order an unstuffed bear on Build a Bear’s website and bring it to the store to stuff I‘m certain that the Disney Springs store would gladly let her stuff her bear.

How would you make the determination that they would allow someone to stuff an outside item? There are all kinds of reasons I could see the store (especially a store that is not build a bear) not allowing someone to stuff an item that wasn't purchased there.

 

[wendlle]

Thanks for the reply
We’re from Australia we can’t do any of the things at the Florida mall at home
We don’t have those stores here
We’re from a very small country town of less than 1500 people
All we have is a supermarket and a few small shops

 

[DL1WDW2]

If you go to the Florida Mall be sure to get in the long line at Carlos Bakery aka The Cake Boss Star on TLC network....

 

[DL1WDW2]

Try googling Orlando transportation with car seats.
Also could call Mears Transport Service since they operate the Disney Magic Express and other shuttle options for non Disney guests.
What are the ages/ weight requirements. Can you get by with just a booster?

 

[wendlle]

Try googling Orlando transportation with car seats.
Also could call Mears Transport Service since they operate the Disney Magic Express and other shuttle options for non Disney guests.
What are the ages/ weight requirements. Can you get by with just a booster?

THanks yes done that. We were quoted $80 round trip.
My kids are 3 and 10 months, so both need proper car seats.

 

[NYCgrrl]

THanks yes done that. We were quoted $80 round trip.
My kids are 3 and 10 months, so both need proper car seats.

Ouch! Expensive bears when you factor in the transport cost as well.

Another possibility: check the price of Mears between the mall and MCO instead of your resort; taxi cost should be less expensive. Get the toy(s) either on arrival or departure day whichever is more convenient to your other plans.
You can also take a Lynx bus from MCO to the mall travel 1/2 hour at a cost of $2.00 per adult.

 

[wendlle]

Ouch! Expensive bears when you factor in the transport cost as well.

Another possibility: check the price of Mears between the mall and MCO instead of your resort; taxi cost should be less expensive. Get the toy(s) either on arrival or departure day whichever is more convenient to your other plans.
You can also take a Lynx bus from MCO to the mall travel 1/2 hour at a cost of $2.00 per adult.

Taxi don’t have car seats though and what would we do with all our luggage?

 

[NYCgrrl]

Taxi don’t have car seats though and what would we do with all our luggage?

Oh is Mear charging $ 80.00 basically because you need two car seats no matter the distance?

Hmmm......you have to do a Customs check which somewhat limits the cost effective possibilities. One adult stays at the airport with the luggage and the other goes to the mall with the child/children or some variation thereof.

If this was a major priority for me I'd split up and take the bus or 2 car seat taxi to the mall.
Just a want? Save it for a different year or USA locale.

 

[Mrsb1234567]

Did you try Lanier Transportation? We got a good airport rate from them.

 

[Bella Paige]

How would you make the determination that they would allow someone to stuff an outside item? There are all kinds of reasons I could see the store (especially a store that is not build a bear) not allowing someone to stuff an item that wasn't purchased there.

Build a Dino in Disney Springs is owned and operated by Build a Bear. We have on several occasions brought unstuffed bears (once purchased in Florida and stuffed in Illinois, once purchased online) into stores and they were happy to help us. They know it’s their product and the option on their website to purchase animals unstuffed is for this very purpose.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Build a Dino in Disney Springs is owned and operated by Build a Bear. We have on several occasions brought unstuffed bears (once purchased in Florida and stuffed in Illinois, once purchased online) into stores and they were happy to help us. They know it’s their product and the option on their website to purchase animals unstuffed is for this very purpose.

Good to hear! I assumed Build a Bear stores were a franchise operation. So a bear bought online and then brought to DS store sounds like an excellent idea.

 

[amberpi]

Uber has a car seat option which we’ve used. Only 1 time did they not have 2 seats available. It tends to be minivans.

 

[wendlle]

Uber has a car seat option which we’ve used. Only 1 time did they not have 2 seats available. It tends to be minivans.

Problem with that is, if we are at the mall and there is none available we are stuck there with no way to get home.
I'd rather have it all lined up with an infant I don't want to leave anything to chance.

 

[jlwhitney]

I would skip the mall and just order the bears online and take to build a dino. crayola is fun but 3 is overall pretty young still to fully get much out of it.

 

[wendlle]

thanks guys, I think I'll just wait and see what we want to do when we get there.
It wasn't just the bear stuffing that we wanted, I love the store, I wanted her to pick clothes and shoes etc for the bear.
We can't do that by ordering a bear online and just having it stuffed at the springs dino location.