Is it worth it?

[disney_for_life]

I have a question so I thought that I would turn to the Disboard to look for the answer. As I was planning my Disney vacation I came across two outlet malls that are in the Orlando area (Belz outlet mall and Premium oulet mall). Anyway since I will be at the mercy of Disney transportation I was wondering would it be worth taking a cab from the Pop to these outlet malls? I heard that these outlet malls have Disney merchandise cheeper then what they are at the parks. Is this true? Has anyone visited these outlet malls before? Is it really worth the trip? Thank you in advance for all your help and advice. Oh BTW I am staying for 10 days and have planned one day just for shopping. Thanks again

 

[fac]

If you were to spend one day just for shopping. I suggest you to rent a car.

But just my opinion
I read about the outlets from this board and went there more than a year ago, I forgot the specifics, but my recollection is that the disney merchandise wasn't worth going, hence I have never gone back to look for disney stuff.

 

[jctwizzer]

Very generally, the outlets have a wide variety of Disney clothing at about half price. Jewelry, watches, etc. are marked down considerably as are other souvenir items, including some high end statuary, etc.....mostly it depends on what you're looking for, or what you consider a bargain. And it's totally pot luck as to whether or not they'll have things you want. If you have a extensive list, I think I'd rent a car for the day, and cover both locations. If you're only looking a a few routine sourvenirs, skip it. JMHO

 

[loveswdw]

Having gone to both, I can say that unless we are planning to rent a car for the week we skip the outlets. Not to say we haven't found some great deals in the past. But unless you can find a really cheap car rental for the day I'd skip it. I've checked on 1 day rentals for our family just last week. A full size is between $80-$100 for 1 day! You may not need that large of a car but just a heads up. One day rentals usually aren't too cheap. But dig around and see what you can find.

Best deal we've found at one of the Disney outlets: My DH wanted an ESPN Baseball Tonight jersey. Team Mickey in DTD had them for $45. Not paying that. Went to the Disney outlet and they had the EXACT same jersey for $12.99!! Woo hoo! But those finds are usually few and far between.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you're taking a cab, you're MUCH better off choosing the Premium Outlet Mall. It's only about a couple of miles from Downtown Disney (other end of Hotel Plaza Boulevard, then right, then under I-4, I think).

 

[Skroops]

I have taken the resort bus to DTD, and then taken a taxi from there to the Premium Outlet mall. If you wanted to walk, it isn't too far of a walk from DTD, maybe two miles. The taxi ride was only about $10 from DTD. Then you can take a taxi back to DTD and catch your resort bus from there. It will save you some taxi fare that way. IMO, you do not need to rent a car!

The Character Premiere store is great (I think that is the name of it) and you can do a on-line search to get all of the store listings to know if you want to go that outlet mall. At the Character Premiere store I have found lots of great deals. I am a bargain shopper and I can't stomach full price for WDW t-shirts. The majority of the best deals are out of season merchandise. (For us, who cares! ) I found a spring break tinkerbell sleep t-shirt for under $10 (in October), and I found a rhinestone Mickey Mouse t-shirt for half price (it was originally $49). I have gotten lots of pens and little items at a great discount as well. To me, well worth a trip.

Good luck! Have fun!