Orlando Malls - Which One?

[FreddyBeach]

While we are in Orlando / Kissimmee, my wife is going to want to do some shopping. I need to know from all the big brains out there, which mall or outlet place would be the be best for us to go to?

I'm sure we'll get to downtown disney regardless, I'm talking about the other places like the Florida Mall, Chelsea Premuim outlets, Millenium Mall... places like that.

Thanks,

Mike in the Maritimes.

 

[ducklite]

Florida Mall is very large, and IMHO generic. It's the same stores that are in every mall in the country--just lots of them.

Mall at Millenia isn't as large, it's more upscale but certainly not ultra high-end. It's not even Short Hills or Town Center at Boca Raton. You won't find Old Navy, but you will find FYE and the Picture People sandwiched in with Louis Vitton.

The Outlets are OK, but I usually do just as well if not better with the sale racks at the department stores.

Anne

 

[calgarygary]

If there was only one outlet store that I was goint to visit in Orlando it would be Off 5th - the Sak's outlet. There is usually some very good quality at some great discounts there.

 

[utahkennedys]

We enjoyed the Premium Outlet Mall right there in Lake Buena Vista and also the Florida Mall. But, I LOVE going to new malls almost anywhere, which DH finds hillarious, so maybe I'm not the best person to ask.

 

[Tinkerboy00]

Florida Mall is very large, and IMHO generic. It's the same stores that are in every mall in the country--just lots of them.

Mall at Millenia isn't as large, it's more upscale but certainly not ultra high-end. It's not even Short Hills or Town Center at Boca Raton. You won't find Old Navy, but you will find FYE and the Picture People sandwiched in with Louis Vitton.

The Outlets are OK, but I usually do just as well if not better with the sale racks at the department stores.

Anne

Perfect description.

I find the Fl. Mall to have become even a little ghetto, especially on the weekends. But its got probably every store you need there. But its the same as every other mall in America really. I wish they'd do away with all of the carts in the middle...that has alot to do with the traffic there.

Millenia is more upscale with shops like Tiffany's, Gucci, Chanel, Hugo Boss, Ferragammo. so there for its got less traffic.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I love Mall at Millennia - it's a bit more upscale than I usually shop at, but it's so easy to get to once you get on I-4 (just don't go at rush hour!). There's also a nice big discount shoe store along the same road to the Mall.

However, Florida Mall has a lot of other stores nearby (Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us - those kind of mall outlying stores), so if you were getting a taxi and wanted the most bang for your buck, or only wanted one shopping afternoon and wanted to save on a lot of driving around, the Florida Mall location is ideal for that. But, it's not one direct highway route to get there like with M at M - there are traffic lights etc. that do slow you down.

Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores and Premium Outlet Mall (Chelsea) are closer to Disney and much easier to get to, but they are limited in the stores that are there. You don't get all the ordinary mall stores there. It really depends on what you're looking to buy.

I suspect I'll be visiting all the shopping centres - coming from a small island state, shopping is as big a priority as the Disney parks!!!

 

[Evil Princess]

I usually went to Millenia, but I have an obsession with all things that come in little blue boxes Plus the Cheesecake Factory is there.

Orlando Premium Outlets is very close to Disney, and it's got some great stores. Depending on what your wifes taste is, she can make out very well there. I've gotten some great deals in Coach, Dior, Gap, and Barneys.

 

[caribear]

I prefer the Florida Mall.....only because they have every store imaginable. I will not go on the weekends though......only during the week. I do not usually shop at the higher end boutique stores so I rarely visit Millenia....although I do like their array of restaurants.

 

[damo]

On the same street as Mall at Millenia there is a large group of stores that consists of Target, a Marshall's, a huge factory shoe store, a Pier 1, Old Navy, Golfsmith, Off Broadway Shoes and a Home Depot. There is also an electronics store right beside the mall but I can't remember which one.

 

[U2_rocks!]

On the same street as Mall at Millenia there is a large group of stores that consists of Target, a Marshall's, a huge factory shoe store, a Pier 1, Old Navy, Golfsmith, Off Broadway Shoes and a Home Depot. There is also an electronics store right beside the mall but I can't remember which one.

Interesting! I never made it that far!

 

[ducklite]

Perfect description.

I find the Fl. Mall to have become even a little ghetto, especially on the weekends. But its got probably every store you need there. But its the same as every other mall in America really. I wish they'd do away with all of the carts in the middle...that has alot to do with the traffic there.

I didn't want to say it...

I HATE those annoying people at the kiosks. SHUT UP! If your product is good it will sell itself without you hounding people. And keep that disgusting scalp massager that you just used on five other people away from my head!!

Millenia is more upscale with shops like Tiffany's, Gucci, Chanel, Hugo Boss, Ferragammo. so there for its got less traffic.

For every more upscale (hugo boss upscale? ) store there are two or three "normal ones." Again, you won't find Old Navy, but it's not all that upscale IMHO.

Anne

 

[Mari annie]

We have been going to MCO for years and we just went to all the Malls last Month!
We were actually looking for M & M' World, it's in the FL Mall, both offer quite a bit!
FLorida Mall is your "A typical Mall with some not so typical stores" and Mall of Milenia is an upscale Mall.

Going to both would be great!

Lots to see

4/10 cannot come soon enough........

 

[sue Z]

mostly go to the florida mall so my mom can go to Dillards and I walk over to the Terrace at the Florida Mall to go to the Avenue

 

[Amity 3]

we go to the Florida Mall a few times a year and I don't understand the ghetto references, I don't see it. Millenia is a carbon copy of a mall we have in Tampa, so we skip it. the same thing with the Premium outlets, we go to Ellenton on the way to Sarasota for the same stores and better selections.

 

[ducklite]

we go to the Florida Mall a few times a year and I don't understand the ghetto references, I don't see it. Millenia is a carbon copy of a mall we have in Tampa, so we skip it. the same thing with the Premium outlets, we go to Ellenton on the way to Sarasota for the same stores and better selections.

You obviously haven't been thre on a Saturday night lately.

Anne

 

[Amity 3]

You obviously haven't been thre on a Saturday night lately.

Anne

no, I haven't. that sucks if that's what's happening... we love the Florida Mall. we don't have a Pottery Barn here, and Dylan's Candy Bar is always fun to visit. before they closed, Love From Florida always had great, tacky gifts we could send to friends up north.

(get that guy from Hinder out of your signature, they're a horrible band)

 

[leanan]

Florida Mall has a Lush which if you are not flying in will make you squee. If you are flying then skip Florida mall and go to the lush in the airport before you check your baggage in. The Millenia Mall is more unique. For outlets only the premium outlet near the buena vista area is worth going to. The really old one is being completely redone. The other one is completely dead. I would just completely skip the malls unless you desperately want to see the hoity toity joy of Millenia or you have no outlets near you at home.

I go to Florida Mall get my lush products and get out. The food court has even gone down hill which makes me sad. They used to have the best mall food court in the south east. Now like everyone else it is mostly meat and sauce stands.

 

[DOOM1001]

I would go to The Mall at Millenia for the regular mall and Orlando Premium Outlets for the outlet mall.

 

[ducklite]

no, I haven't. that sucks if that's what's happening... we love the Florida Mall. we don't have a Pottery Barn here, and Dylan's Candy Bar is always fun to visit. before they closed, Love From Florida always had great, tacky gifts we could send to friends up north.

Love Form FLorida just closed as well.

(get that guy from Hinder out of your signature, they're a horrible band)

Have to agree, but it was a request. I find them more tolerable than A7X--at least the guys that I've spoken with in Hinder were very nice and pretty open in the interview, the A7X guys were hungover, immature jerks. Look for Godsmack and Disturbed later in the week--I"m not going to be able to stand looking at the photo's that are up now for more than a few more days.

Anne

 

[FreddyBeach]

Perfect description.

I find the Fl. Mall to have become even a little ghetto, especially on the weekends.

I'm sorry, what is meant by this statement?

Mike in the Maritimes.