Malls/Outlets

[Natuk75]

Hi

I'm staying at BW Movieland and just wondered if any of the following malls/outlets are covered by I-Trolley/Lynx buses or within walking distance of my hotel? (I've heard americans don't walk along the busy roads to these places):-

Mall at Millenia, Florida Mall, Festival Bay, Orlando Premium Outlets or Winter Park Village.

Also are there any which you would/wouldn't recommend?!!

Thanks,

Evelyn

 

[Lynn Dixon]

Hi

The Iride takes you to Orlando Premium Outlets just take it south. This is a great place for everything

The lynx bus takes you to Florida Mall, the bus number is 42 you can pick this up on the Idrive near Wet and Wild going north, this also goes to Premium Outlets going south.

Mall at millenia you can get to from Belz on the Lynx Bus route 24

Hope this helps

 

[wilma-bride]

You can get to Festival Bay and Belz (both Premium and other outlets) on the I-Ride too (just get on it going North). DH and I weren't that impressed with Festival Bay - it's quite new and there weren't many good shops when we went last year, although I'm not sure if it's improved any in the last 12 months.

Our favourite, by a long way, was Belz.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Cannot advise regarding the transportation but as regards the quality:

Florida Mall - probably the best overall with a good mixture of quality stores and some very good department stores such as Burdines, Dillards, Nordstrom, there are some expensive and some that offer bargains too.

Mall At Millenia - Some very exclusive stores and many only suitable for window shopping and not necessarily for the tourist. However, with Macy's and Bloomingdales here you can find quality at reasonable prices and is a really nice mall just to walk round with an excellent food court too.

Belz - Never really liked it, most of the stores are american brands that we are unfamiliar with, you can find bargains if you are lucky, however it has recently been sold to another buyer and would avoid until it has been re-developed. You could find many posts on this site about Belz and I am sure the majority would be negative.
Not even sure whether it is actually still open anymore?

Orlando Premium Outlets - The best for bargains, especially sportswear, designer labels too. Can be a bit hit and miss like all outlet malls but much better than Belz.

Festival Bay - Still a large number of plots available and a lot of stores not open yet. However, each year we visit FB seems to get better and is definitely worth a visit.

Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores - very similar to Premium Outlets although not as good, stores such as Gap, Fossil etc

Pointe Orlando - Is a shopping/restaurant complex on I-drive, when it first opened it was very good for both shopping and eating! however it's popularity has dwindled and several of the better stores are not there anymore.

There are also at least 3 malls a bit further afield such as West Oaks, Altamonte and Fashion Square but these are not necessarily any better than the one's above.

 

[Natuk75]

Thanks guys! You've helped me plan my shopping days when not at the parks. I'm one of those mad people who likes to plan her journey with military precision so I know exactly where I should be and at what time!! Well, it saves lots of shopping time if you're not wandering around aimlessly trying to work out what bus takes you where......

My main reason for going to Mall at Millenia is that I've heard the Cheesecake Factory is amazing (I have an enormous sweet tooth).

Johnny I see you're heading off in a few days - have a magical trip!!

Anyway, thanks again.

Evelyn

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks guys! You've helped me plan my shopping days when not at the parks. I'm one of those mad people who likes to plan her journey with military precision so I know exactly where I should be and at what time!! Well, it saves lots of shopping time if you're not wandering around aimlessly trying to work out what bus takes you where......

My main reason for going to Mall at Millenia is that I've heard the Cheesecake Factory is amazing (I have an enormous sweet tooth).

Johnny I see you're heading off in a few days - have a magical trip!!

Anyway, thanks again.

Evelyn

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought there was a Cheesecake Factory outlet at DTD. Could have sworn I saw it listed on the restaurants list for DTD yesterday?

 

[Natuk75]

If there is one at DTD then I've even more of a reason to go to DTD as well! This is fun, I can't wait!!! Cheesecake...........mmmmmm

 

[wilma-bride]

If there is one at DTD then I've even more of a reason to go to DTD as well! This is fun, I can't wait!!! Cheesecake...........mmmmmm

Apologies if I got your hopes up Nat, it seems I was wrong Have just checked the list of outlets at DTD and Cheesecake Factory is not listed. Could have sworn I saw it listed somewhere

Oh well, looks like Mall at Millenia is the preferred option. I might even have to schedule in a trip myself as I really like the sound of all those different cheesecakes.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

I think there may be a Cheesecake Factory inside Disney Quest Wilma!!

 

[Natuk75]

You're right Scottish-Maleficent, there's a Cheesecake Factory Express inside Disneyquest!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Johnny I see you're heading off in a few days - have a magical trip!!

Anyway, thanks again.

Evelyn

Thanks Evelyn

 

[richardbay14]

Hi - just got back and can report that Festival Bay is still very empty when compared to the Florida Mall.

Mall at Millenia as stated earlier is full of exclusive shops with sales people ready to pounce. However, The Cheesecake Factory is superb - went twice, and didnt manage to get as far as cheesecake - the portions are enormous - we split starters at our second visit and still couldnt face a dessert (and i can eat !!). DDs did insist on a cheesecake 'to go' though which wasnt a problem. Be careful on when you go though as it does get busy at weekend evenings (they do have a pager system - 60 mins wait for table for 4 on Friday evening).

Have a great time.

Richard

 

[Red-Snapper]

The Cheesecake factory at Winter Park Village is IMHO the best one of the 2 if you can get to it (car only probably). Far less crowded and noisy than the one at mall at Millenia - and you can go for a nice boat cruise while you are there !!!

The village itself is a nice collection of shops/restaurants, pleasant for a stroll around after lunch but not in the same shopping league as the other mentioned above. Winter park itself (about 3 blocks further on from the Village) is also a very nice area for a stroll/browsing.

 

[dc1964]

if you go to a MACYS store at Mall of millenia or Florida Mall foreign tourists get 15% off everything.This is on top of sale item discounts. Just go to customer services/gift wrapping and show some i.d. They will give you a discount card.

 

[Natuk75]

Hopefully I should get to most of the malls by i-ride or lynx. Its been very helpful that some of you have given an idea of what the malls are like as this should help decide which ones to miss out if time doesn't allow.

Thanks again everyone.

Evelyn

 

[wifey]

Just a quick hello to let you know that you can access more info at www.IRideTrolley.com Kids 12 and under travel free when accompanied with an adult, I think you can buy a 7 day pass for $7, main line is red and the green line takes you to other hotels .When we used it in June there were visitor booklets on the trolleys full of discount vouchers for local vendors. staff are very friendly and the service is quick and efficient even in a downpour!!The driver will tell you which stop you are approaching so you don't miss the one you want very important if you don't know the area.There are also maps available on the IRide.Give it a try, it's way easier than getting a cab and quite a good price too. Wifey

 

[Natuk75]

Thanks wifey, will check the site out. It will help me plan out my schedule so I know which bus to get at which stop before I go! Then, I can relax when I get there because everything has already been worked out.

Thanks again.

Evelyn