Outlet questions

[jasmine206]

Could someone help with a few of my outlet questions?

1. Which is the closest to WDW? (I would rather avoid I-4)
2. Do any of them have a Character Corner?
3. How crazy busy are they on Saturdays? (planning on going our first day as we get in late and don't want to get the girls up early to go to the parks)

I know there are some outlet fans out there that can help me - thanks in advance!

 

[tink2dw]

Here is are the three Outlets.

Belz Factory Outlet World
5401 West Oakridge Road
(I-4 Exit 30A)
Phone: 407-352-9611

Orlando Premium Outlets
Vineland Avenue
Off I-4 near DownTown Disney
Phone: 407-238-7787

Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores
State Road 535
Near Walt Disney World Resort
[just 1 mile from WDW]

 

[GEM]

Both the Premium Outlets and Lake Buena Vista Outlets are really close and easy to get to from WDW, and they both have Disney stores.

 

[jasmine206]

Thank you both! I'm still confused though on the difference between Character Corner and TDS - are they different? If so, are TDS prices really discounted at the outlets? THanks again!

 

[Luv2Roam]

The Character Corner, right outside WDW property, is very much like the Disney outlet near DL. They are both NO FRILLS, very basic racks and bins of merchandise. Nothing fancy about the store at all. But the prices are GOOD. And it's all hit and miss on what is available.
I have bought new items I liked at very good prices. (RnRC sweatshirt $10, new CD, $12, adult t-shirts $5.)
The store is nothing fancy, but it has great prices for budget minded people.
The Belz stores, again are a hit and miss, but had a lot more merchandise and was a much nicer looking store. But we saw no bargains for what we were looking for. Pins were one PENNY cheaper than the original retail price, but at least they were available if anyone wanted them.
I saw a pin bag that was the same price as in the parks.
But some people swear by Belz. So I guess it just depends on what you are shopping for and if you hit it right.
To me, Belz is very out of the way and I wouldn't bother going back. Not unless I just happened to be there anyway.
And my understanding is Character Corner IS NOT Disney. I don't know about Belz Disney outlets.

 

[4407mark]

Jasmine206 - There are two stores at Belz - Character Warehouse and Character Prem"ear". Both stores feature everything from pins to watches to kids toys, kids clothes, and adult clothes. This is our first stop when we get into town each trip - my DW scouts out both stores and has yet to find a good deal on shorts or shirts. On our last trip in June, she found men's shorts in a variety of colors and sizes that had a silouette of Mickey embroidered on the right pocket for $9.99. We have determined that on average we have saved 40-60% on the clothing (I have several wonderfully comfortable golf or polo style shirts with Mickey on them as well).

As Luv2Roam pointed out, it can be a hit or miss depending on the time of year and what day of the week you are there. Remember that Disney utilizes these stores to sell merchandise that is typically either being discontinued, out of season, or that they have an overstock on.

Also, the store at the Orlando Premium Outlet Mall does not have quite the same savings on most items. If I recall, you would do well to save 15-20% off the retail price at this location versus what is typically 40-50% at the Belz Stores. One drawback is that the Belz mall can take a bit to get to from the WDW area. Traffic on International Drive can be horrible (especially leaving the Belz Mall to head back to the WDW area) so just be prepared to wait a little bit. All in all, a stop at the Belz Mall and the two stores there is usually well worth the trip (about 20-25 minutes from Downtown Disney depending on traffic) for any bargain hunter!

 

[jasmine206]

THanks Luv2Roam and 4407mark - appreciate the input. How about the Lake Buena Vista Outlets? I know they're close - are they worth visiting (because I'm really looking for the bargains - don't want to drive off property unless it's really worth it! ) Thanks again!

 

[4407mark]

Not really sure about the Lake Buena Vista Outlet...I don't recall ever being there. There is a store in the same shopping plaza as the Goodings Supermarket just outside of Hotel Row but I don't recall the name. Have been there two or three times but don't believe there was a significant savings over the parks or DTD. Sorry I can't be of more help....

 

[Luv2Roam]

The Character Corner address is 15779 Apopka-Vineland Rd, LBV; 407-238-0011.

This store in an outlet center, but I don't recall the name of the outlet center.
I have heard there is yet another Disney discount store, not as far as the Belz, and not as near as Character Corner. But I have never been there, don't know where it is or what it is called.

 

[tink2dw]

I can only tell you how to get to Lake Buena Vista Outlet from Holiday Inn Family Suites. Leave WDW by passing Mgm and Epcot on the Epcot Road as you go out the WDW gate follow the Disney Downtown signs,you will be on S R 536,follow it passed HIFS,and the Orlando World Center Marriott to the BIG intersection then you need to tave a sharp left turn on to S R 535 past the Echarts Drug, follow to past the boot store,and then the Lake Buena Vista Outlet will be on the right. If you miss it you will see a 7-11 on the right. There was a little store and a big Character Corner store in Mar. 2001. I got a .99 cent leather tooled purse,a .99 cent AK tin with the Mickey and the Gang on it,a $4.99 2001 MK Fireworks shirt with Mickey and the Gang on it[my favorate shirt],$1.99 WDW Trading pins,Hats were $2.99 including one like the one my Dd paid $20. for at WDW,and there were Beanie characters,and costumes,sweat shirts,summer tank shirts for men.
At Belz we found,$4.99 2000 shirts,our favorite Character shirts$9.99-$1.99,Mickey sweat pants $11.99,Mickey earrings $3.99,autograph books for $1.00 each,WDW summer t shirt $4.99and we saved even more with DC card.

 

[Luv2Roam]

tink2dw -- When you give directions, you GIVE directions!

 

[CdnMom2]

We will be arriving Dec. 30 for 10 days for our first trip there. Do you think any Christmas merchandise will be marked down yet at these outlets or at the resorts/theme parks?

 

[4407mark]

CdnMom2 -
Don't know about after Christmas but when we were there last November, the stores at Belz had Christmas merchandise out then (sweatshirts, santa hats with ears, etc.).

 

[206bones]

Has anyone ever had a limo stop at the outlets instead of a grocery store? Always thinking bargains.....

 

[Luv2Roam]

Us with YourRide in May on the way to the resort.
For the October trip, I requested the YourRide driver take us to Character Corner on the way to the airport.

 

[poohsdoodle]

tink2wd...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i think i need you to go shopping for me!! and plan my vacation, plot our course, and anything else i can think of (LOL)!!

those are the best directions i have ever seen!

i'm planning my trip the first week of march '03. it sounds like beltz and the lake buena vista are the best??

 

[Ithastobe]

Any one know if these outlets have Childrens Halloween costumes (disney themed - princess ones). Thanks

 

[idontknow]

We were just at the Premier/Premium (can't remember the name exactily) 2 weeks ago. Definately go if you get the chance. Going south on 535, you turn left onto Vineland and then it seems that you are going along a deserted road. It runs past the big Catholic church that has been talked about on the boards lately. The road opens up to the outdoor mall that has tons of shops in it. Go around to the back of the mall and park by the food court. The Disney outlet is just to the left of the foodcourt, and the Universal outlet is right across from Disney's. (USF outlet is 50% off of EVERYTHING! and there is quite a selection.) They had clothing from the GC, WL and another disney resort. It was still expensive, but it was atleast 40% off. They had a Rockin' Rollercoaster hockey jersey I really wanted. It was only $69 down from $200! I wish I would have gotten it, but I couldn't bring myself to part with that much for something I would only wear for a few months out of the year. I did end up getting a tank top from the Poly for only $8, though. If you can not remember how to get there, eat at Fridays at the Crossroads and ask the bartender for directions. That's how I found it. LOL

 

[plutospup]

DW loves a bargain! (So does my wallet!) As has been mentioned above the bargains are hit and miss. That said last year at Belz (?forget which store) they had Boyds Bear "Santa Piglets" for $9.99. I'm told this was quite the bargain! We've found resort wear, and Disney Cruise Line merchandise, etc.
I think it was the "Lake Buena Vista Outlets" (coming from DTD Hotel Plaza turn right on 535 and proceed for about 3-5 miles(?). The plaza is on the left. In addition to a Disney Outlet store, they often have a "Tent Sale". Not pretty, but great bargains!
Have a great time shopping!

 

[sgtdisney]

We hit every Disney outlet in Orlando on our last visit to Orlando. We went to both outlets at Belz, the Outlet at the Premium Outlets as well as the outlet in Lake Buena Vista Factory shops. I will say we managed to find items at each one and bought things in every store. The store that is located in the LBV Factory stores, is very large, but very sparsely decorated. Concrete walls, floors, etc. They DID NOT take my Disney Credit card there and I was under the impression that while they did sell Disney World Merchandise, the store was not owned by Disney. Both stores at Belz as well as the store in the Premium Outlet mall are owned by Disney and are a little nicer.

In our visits I have found that when all 3 stores had the same merchandise, it was all priced the same. That being said, each store had merchandise that the others didn't have, hence our Marathon Outlet shopping. My best find recently was a Disney World 30th Anniversary Leather Jacket at the store at the Premium Outlets. The coat originally sold for 295.00, I got it for 125.00.

One other thing to consider, all Disney World stores, including the outlets, will ship your items home for you. When you do this, if you live out of state, you pay no sales tax. If you are making a big enough purchase, the tax savings covers the cost of the shipping. This is what we did when we bought the Leather Jacket, along with other things. Not to mention we had already shopped and shopped and filled up a new suitcase we had bought in Orlando and had no space left.

To answer the questions on holiday merchandise, we have been at the outlets both after Halloween as well as after Christmas over the last few years. A couple years back after Halloween they had racks of kids and adult costumes on sale for I think 75% off. We got a Goofy, Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Costume. Also we have been there in early March and they did have Christmas merchandise available. One year they had a Christmas shop set up temporarily at Belz close to the other store. You can find lots of good values at these stores, but as others have said, it is all in the timing and can be very hit or miss.