Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores & Premium Outlet Mall

[imatoad]

We're staying offsite the day before we check into Poly, and the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, and Orlando Premium Outlet Mall are very close to our hotel. We thought we'd check them out for something to do that night, are they worth the time? Is one better than the other?

 

[GoldenOldie]

They are two very different places. LBV is a mall with discount outlets for many of the usual brands (Reebok, Carter, Big Dogs, etc). It has a great jeans outlet there too (VF Outlet). http://www.lbvfs.com/

Orlando POM is more high scale outlets (DKNY, Armani, Tommy Hilfilger, etc). This mall does have a very nice Character Premiere store though. http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

 

[gjw007]

They are two very different places. LBV is a mall with discount outlets for many of the usual brands (Reebok, Carter, Big Dogs, etc). It has a great jeans outlet there too (VF Outlet). http://www.lbvfs.com/

Orlando POM is more high scale outlets (DKNY, Armani, Tommy Hilfilger, etc). This mall does have a very nice Character Premiere store though. http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

The character store is worth looking at for discounted items. Across from it is a smaller Universal store as well.

 

['Canes Fan]

love the premium outlets, but the only reason we go to LBV is the old navy outlet store.

 

[PortieOwner]

I think they are both worth a visit. I also stayed down the street from Premium Outlets and LBV Outlets at the Fairfield at Marriot Village. I didn't see a Disney store at the Premium Outlet but I did see one at the LBV Outlet (called a Character Warehouse or something). I found Orlando driving to be pretty easy (compared to Washington DC) and I could even see hitting the Florida Mall and the Belz (now Prime) Factory Outlets.

Portie

 

[spiceycat]

the reason I love LBV outlet mall over Premium is the driving factor. at premium you park your car and walk. Mother can't walk - so right now that place is not happening.

at LBV I can drive her to most of the stores.

I always buy my new balance shoes here and last time the Disney Character shop was having a great sale.

there already 50 to 60% off - was further off 20%. didn't have enough spending money (I have already gotten my shoes) so I could only afford a couple of things.

 

[ttfn3]

Love them both! And have been many times to both. If you have a AAA card, make sure you stop at the Customer Service desk in the food court at the premium outlet mall. They will give you a coupon book. I often find great sales here on shoes and clothes. Check out the clearance racks! Oh - and they have a Starbucks in the food court. It's open earlier than the shopping center. We often stay near this mall - so I stop in just for coffee (I know - I'm addicted!)

LBV outlet stores also distributes a coupon book. Look for a coupon in one of those little Orlando coupon books. Sometimes they also have some great sales. My DH likes the Big Dog store. Big Dog also has a shop at the Premium Outlet center.

 

[talicskai]

We always stay at Vistana so for us they are both close by. I prefer LBV because I love Vanity Fair! WE don't have those in Canada so I always buy tons of kids clothes, underwear, mens jeans etc. there. The Healthtex line for kids is excellent and such a good deal there. Character Corner is great and the Carter's outlet is a must too!
Premiere is okay but I don't shop at Tommy etc. due to the prices so I prefer the other one.
Have fun~ Teresa

 

[gjw007]

I think they are both worth a visit. I also stayed down the street from Premium Outlets and LBV Outlets at the Fairfield at Marriot Village. I didn't see a Disney store at the Premium Outlet but I did see one at the LBV Outlet (called a Character Warehouse or something). I found Orlando driving to be pretty easy (compared to Washington DC) and I could even see hitting the Florida Mall and the Belz (now Prime) Factory Outlets.

Portie

The first time I went to Premium Outlet, I found the Character Store by mistake. The second time, I went looking for the Character Store and completely missed it but it is there as I eventually found it. I want to say that it is on the side that is nearest Hilton's Grand Vacation Club but others may know more specifically.

I would say that Orlando is easier to drive than DC than again, most cities don't have their roads form a spoke with all the spokes leading to the downtown area. I quickly learned to take the Metro and go on weekends.

 

[horseshowmom]

Prime has an Optical Outlet (I think that's right). We found it by accident the last time we were there. DH had just gotten a new prescription for his glasses and had it with him. He saved at least $200 over what they would have cost at home at Wal-Mart.

I think they have a 5 day turn around time (from order to pick up in the store). We actually found the store the day before we were leaving, so he had them mail them to him (he charged them on his Visa, so he had a form of recourse if he had a problem and couldn't get it resolved). They were very particular about taking the correct measurements. The glasses have been great - absolutely no problems (had them since June).

 

[brer rabbit 28]

is there a skechers at LBV?i went to an outlet last year and got an extra pair for half price-excellent discount as they are so expensive in U.K. :thewave:

 

[ttfn3]

Here's a link to the premium outlet mall in lake buena vista. It lists a skechers shoe store.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores website is:
http://www.lbvfs.com/
They even have coupons on the website. Check it out.

 

[Jason71]

Premium definitely sets the standard for outlet malls in Orlando, but the LBV Factory Stores are worth a look, too. More "down-to-earth" stores (places you'd find in a typical suburban mall), very easy to get around (it's laid out like a shopping center). They also have a Hard Rock Outlet store, which I haven't seen elsewhere. The two are not that far apart, either.

My advice is to spend the bulk of your time at Premium, drive around LBVFS and stop anywhere that catches your eye, and just skip Prime (formerly Belz) Outlets.

 

[dennise]

Jason71


Why the comment on skipping Prime(Belz)? We always shop there, but noticed last year that there were fewer stores. Are they downsizing? It is out of the way if you are staying near DW, but we ususally stay at the Sheraton Studio our last few days so that we can to Belz and Outdoor world. Maybe it won't be worth it anymore. What are your thoughts?

 

[Jason71]

Belz just sold it to Prime, who are supposedly gearing up to renovate it. Conventional wisdom is that they lost a lot of business to the Premium Outlets, and let's face it, the northern section of I-Drive is in a downward spiral. We'll see if anything comes of the new ownership.

That said, the last few times I've been there, a fair number of closed stores, and a lot of off-brand knock-off stores. What decent stores there are can also be found at either Premium or LBVFS, without the hassle of going so far up I-Drive.

Festival Bay is a bit different. The mall itself is gorgeous, and they certainly do have some unique, amazing anchor stores--unfortunetly, there's not much else. (The vacancy rate in the little shops is easily 50%, I wouldn't be shocked to hear 75%.) If Outdoor World or RonJon really interests you, it might be worth the drive, but otherwise I'd skip it.

Just my thoughts, hope this helps.