Plans for my wifes birthday, day.....

[rhysd2]

Greetings all. As some of you already know we're off to florida on the 30th of oct. we're staying at the crowne plaza which is just off the sandlake/I-drive intersection and just off universal blvd.

we're there for my wifes bday on november the 2nd and i originally had some plans set out. due to some recent things i've read on the boards i think im in need of some advice.

Basically the plans for the day are as follows and are based on a nice sunny day.

1. get up semi early and catch the free bus from the hotel to disney. spend morning in typhoon lagoon(wife says she wants to be able to lie on a beach for her bday, and TL has a nice sandy shore, nice wave pool, and great salt water pool to snorkle in)

2. catch a taxi back. shower up and head down to pointe orlando for the shops but mainly the victoria secrets shop(my wife is american and this is her all time favourite shop)

3. hand her a wad of cash as a birthday present and tell her to go nuts.

4. head to either premium outlets or belz festival/outlet malls(or both if we find ourselves making quick progress)

5. head back to the hotel via taxi or I-Ride

6. taxi to universal. meal and drinking in jimmy buffests(wifes a major magerita fan so i figure the volcano bar would be a good spot to stake out)

7. spend the night there. maybe move onto a club then sleep off the alchy in the hotel.


Now theres a few problems with this. back when i was last there in '02 belz and pointe orlando had a good variety of shops and the quality was good. and the florida mall had poor quality and was a let down.

from recent posts on the boards i've been hearing things are now the opposite. can anyone please give me some feedback?

one thing that is set in stone is that no matter what happens that day we MUST visit a victoria secrets heh.

 

[allie5]

The Pointe is undergoing some "rejuventation" at the moment. Witht the closure of the big toy store, FAO Schwarz, the complex hasnt been doing well. They are apparently going to be putting some new things in soon, but as it stands we wont be visiting this year.

We always do the Belz, but over the years have felt the quality and range of both stores and products has got worse. There are one or two stores that seem consistantly good, but many others arent even worth visiting now. I think the Premium Outlets offer the best overall shopping experience in Orlando at present.

Florida Mall is also hit and miss. Last year I got TONS of bargains there (but it was sale season) but other years I havent been so lucky. I know you dont have a car so travelling to others will be awkward, but both the Altamonte Springs mall and the Seminole Towne Center (up by Sanford airport) are much better and less "touristy". Much more bargains to be had!

Hope that helps a bit and that your wife has a great birthday!!

Allie

 

[rhysd2]

thanks for the advice ok so both FL mall and pointe are a bit of a bad choice but we have to go to one because they are the only places in the local area with a victoria secrets. so which would you pick?

or is there somewhere else close by with one?

 

[allie5]

Oh, Florida Mall without a doubt! I always enjoy it here even if there are no bargains! Dont forget in the big "Burdines" dept store you can pick up a visitors discount card and get at least 10% off your purchases.

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Rhys

I would be in shopping heaven if DH did this for me on my birthday!!

I like the Florida Mall myself though I think I may be in a minority here. Also Premium Outlets are gd

 

[juliebro]

I'm with Miffy2003 on this. Florida Mall and Premium Outlets are our faves.

Julie

 

[rhysd2]

sounds like a plan guys thanks for the input. taxi to FL mall then one to premium outlets

many thanks for the input and dont spill the beans to her if we make it to the meet up in october LOL