How much time do you spend at the outlets & DTD?

[frannn]

I need a good strategy for our next trip. DH hates shopping, so he usually waits in the car with DD9. He calls my cel every 20 min to see if I am done yet. On the other hand, I LOVE to shop and can spend well over an hour (or more) at each WDW outlet store, and more at the World of Disney... The problem is it takes me a ton of time to navigate the stuff, then go through the tons I picked up. Do you have any special strategies or tips to get through everything quicker, so I get my shopping fix, and DH doesn't get antsy? Me going alone isn't an option- I can get lost if you spin me around, and yes, he takes a portable dvd player and DD has her DS in the car. The WDW outlet stores are the biggest challenge. TIA!

 

[disynut]

What if you took a cab to the outlets and a bus(if you're on property) to DD? Then your DH and DD could do something on their own....or....would they enjoy Disney quest while you shop? DH knows I love to shop and he will make sure I get time to shop because I always make sure he gets time to golf

 

[Mickey527]

DTD is always my son and grandson's time to go to Disneyquest. (We go to WDW once a year together) they get their hours of video games while I go window shopping. I usually only buy a few tiny things but I love to look at everything.
If you have your own car I would suggest driving them to DTD, going over to the FL premier outlets that are closest to DTD and get your fix there too.
They could also go to a park together, or one of the water parks, suggest it to your husband and see what he wants to do. Calll it quality time alone with his daughter, that always seems to work.....lol

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

You do understand that for the most part those outlets shops are rip offs? The prices are usually quite higher than in full price retail shops when sales are in place. The merchandise is shoddy; either made for outlets or abused and tattered from full price retail.

Disney outlets are the exception, but the merchandise there bears careful examination before purchase.

If you don't mind all those factors then have at it, but we've always found far better bargains for higher quality merchandise at shops other than the outlets.

 

[frannn]

You do understand that for the most part those outlets shops are rip offs? The prices are usually quite higher than in full price retail shops when sales are in place. The merchandise is shoddy; either made for outlets or abused and tattered from full price retail.

Disney outlets are the exception, but the merchandise there bears careful examination before purchase.

If you don't mind all those factors then have at it, but we've always found far better bargains for higher quality merchandise at shops other than the outlets.

I usually stick to the Disney outlets, and last year purchased at Dooney. I used to get great deals at the Stride Rite stores there, but not so much last year.

 

[eliza61]

You do understand that for the most part those outlets shops are rip offs? The prices are usually quite higher than in full price retail shops when sales are in place. The merchandise is shoddy; either made for outlets or abused and tattered from full price retail.

Disney outlets are the exception, but the merchandise there bears careful examination before purchase.

If you don't mind all those factors then have at it, but we've always found far better bargains for higher quality merchandise at shops other than the outlets.

+1

We went to the Premium outlet mall right outside of DTD and gotta tell you, known of hte prices were worth the time we spent.

The Saturday after thanksgiving we went to the Premium outlet malls in Limerick PA and once again the bargains were ok but not worth the 70 minute drive it took to get there.

I'm pretty much not impressed anymore.

 

[carebee21]

Maybe you could time shopping around lunch time. They could go have something to eat (the outlets has a food court and in Downtown Disney, maybe T-Rex or Rain Forest Cafe) That way you're occupied and they're occupied.

If that's not an option, I think at some point in time you need to tell DH to knock off the calling and grow up. He knows you take awhile. He knows this is your vacation too. And I really don't see a problem with taking a half day or a day out of a vacation to do something you enjoy. I'm sure you do stuff for him that you'd rather not do and/or don't enjoy. It's just part of marriage.

 

[englishteacha]

He'd rather sit in the car than go stroll around in Downtown Disney? He and your DD could go get an ice cream and go for a walk and see the giant Lego sculptures, or sit on a bench and people watch. I can't imagine choosing sitting in a car in a parking lot over doing something, anything!

In regards to outlets, do you mean just the Disney store outlets, like Character Premiere or whatever it's called? If that's the case, that one store isn't that large, and your family might enjoy the bargain hunt. Like another poster, I've never found great bargains at any of the other outlet stores there, certainly not worth spending hours of my vacation there. I bought a pair of shorts at the Columbia outlet, but that's only because I'd borrowed a pair of shorts from a friend for our trip and wanted to see if I could find a pair for myself. I

Perhaps a compromise: they drop you off at Downtown Disney to do your shopping thing, and then they go do something they want to do, like play mini golf or catch a movie, or go back to the resort for a swim. You call when you're done OR you set a time that you will be done and they should be back to pick you up. I'd skip the "outlet" stores, with the exception of the Disney outlet store, and again have them drop you off and then go get an ice cream or something while you shop. Set a time.

 

[diznee25]

frannn,

Of all the times I've shopped at DTD I'd say morning is my favorite. If I recall correctly, the stores open around 9am or 10am and there will be virtually no crowds to fight thru. This should expedite your shopping spree a bit, so you won't take as long!

diznee25

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I love to shop and go exploring in Celebration, and DH and the kids (now adults) go to the hotel pool or a water park. They usually take a bus to the waterpark (or I drop them off) and I usually pick them up at the end of the day, when I'm all shopped out. If they want to leave earlier than I'm ready to get them, they can just take Disney transportation. Been doing it for years. We just go with the flow.

I can't imagine a 9 yr old being parked in a car for any length of time, waiting. Why doesn't she come shopping with you? Or your DH and DD can spend some quality time together SOMEWHERE in the Orlando area. That way, you could call HIM when you're ready. Or, take transportation back to your hotel.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

And as far as getting lost...I've gotten lost plenty of times in my life, but I'm sitting here at home right now. I've yet to ever NOT find my way eventually. If you're talking about getting lost driving, GPSs are wonderful things.

 

[topolino]

OP, your post sounds so absurd to me I can't help but wonder if you're making it up just to get a reaction. Honestly, he can't think of anything to do at WDW while you are shopping but wait in the car and watch DVDs, which obviously aren't satisfying him, since he's calling you every twenty minutes?

And honestly, you can't figure out some way to get to shopping centers without your husband?

I seriously think people come on here and make up ridiculous scenarios just to bust chops.

 

[RitaE]

I shop as much as I want but I don't insist that those who don't enjoy it must come along to take care of me.

Personally I figure I'll be old and helpless soon enough - no need to rush it.

 

[Planogirl]

Get him to drop you off and then he and DD can go do something else for a while. Either that or turn off your phone.

 

[crashbb]

Couldn't you just take the bus to DTD? Since you are obviously able to navigate DTD alone (since your family is sitting in the car), you'll be fine once you get there. And, with the bus, there is no need for you to navigate getting there.

 

[sk!mom]

I shop as much as I want but I don't insist that those who don't enjoy it must come along to take care of me.

Personally I figure I'll be old and helpless soon enough - no need to rush it.

Love it!!

We all enjoy a stroll around DD one evening or maybe the morning of departure day. I agree with the many others that Outlets aren't worth it to me.

However, we rarely go on a family vacation anywhere that we don't split up for a time. It's everyones vacation so not fair to expect them to sit around and wait on you. They could go to DQ, a movie, a park, hang out at the pool, whatever interests them.

I'm very directionally challenged and live in a small city with very little experience with public transport but DD and I have been striking out alone in NYC since she was 10 and wanted to visit the American Girl store something her 21 year old brother and dad had no interest in. They headed of to a Pub and a matinee of a MOnty Python show (the name has left me) while we spent the day at AG. That same trip we even split up at night so that they could see Avenue Q (wildly inappropriate for a 10 year old) while we saw Hair Spray. We made it back to our hotel just fine. On our last NYC trip, my now teen DD wanted a day of shopping so she and I took the Subway alone and shopped all day while DH and DS had a full day at the Museum of Natural History. I was nervous but just had the Concierge and DH help me carefully map out which trains to get on and figured that if I got overwhelmed we'd hop in a cab and be dropped back at the door.

You can do it!

 

[Missy1961]

If I were traveling with people who didn't like to shop & I did, I'd be the one doing the adjusting.

If you're staying onsite, DTD is easy--just take the bus. That way, your husband & daughter can do something else--be it the pool, a park, or just sitting around doing nothing. Then you hop on the bus and go back when you're done.

If you must do the outlets (and I must agree with those who say outlets are over hyped) either use GPS to get there or maybe even take a taxi. Again, your husband and daughter can do what they want.

 

[februarydisgoer]

Not too be rude, but the problem isn't your indecisive shopping. The problem is your husband's attitude and unwillingness to get out of the car. Also, why is your daughter not coming with you? Why is she not able to enjoy the activities because he wants to pout in the car and harass you every 20 minutes?

I'm sorry, but you need to tell him to get a grip, get your child out of that car and enjoy your vacation without him calling you three times an hour. Quite frankly, I'd stop doing anything he wanted on vacation until he got the message.

I hope you find a solution that works for you and you are able to enjoy your trip and relax.

 

[Missy1961]

Love it!!

We all enjoy a stroll around DD one evening or maybe the morning of departure day. I agree with the many others that Outlets aren't worth it to me.

However, we rarely go on a family vacation anywhere that we don't split up for a time. It's everyones vacation so not fair to expect them to sit around and wait on you. They could go to DQ, a movie, a park, hang out at the pool, whatever interests them.

I'm very directionally challenged and live in a small city with very little experience with public transport but DD and I have been striking out alone in NYC since she was 10 and wanted to visit the American Girl store something her 21 year old brother and dad had no interest in. They headed of to a Pub and a matinee of a MOnty Python show (the name has left me) while we spent the day at AG. That same trip we even split up at night so that they could see Avenue Q (wildly inappropriate for a 10 year old) while we saw Hair Spray. We made it back to our hotel just fine. On our last NYC trip, my now teen DD wanted a day of shopping so she and I took the Subway alone and shopped all day while DH and DS had a full day at the Museum of Natural History. I was nervous but just had the Concierge and DH help me carfully map out which trains to get on and figured that if I got overwhelmed we'd hop in a cab and be dropped back at the door.

You can do it!

Very impressive--there are many NYers who wouldn't do what you did. (I know a few of them, LOL).

 

[mdsoccermom]

I think one of my problems is that you have a 9 year old and she's being forced to sit in the car on vacation. Has anyone even given her a thought, or is this all about Mom's desire to shop?

Frankly, I think there are a lot of strategies. Your husband can suck it up and come with you or, he can drop you off. You can also buy a GPS and drive yourself, or you can take a bus or cab.