Premium Outlets v Buena Vista Factory Outlets

[2Tiggies]

Has anyone on here been to the Factory Outlets in Lake Buena Vista? Just wondering if it is worth a visit, how it compares to Premium Mall and how difficult it is to get there.

We typically just do one full on shopping day per trip so wondered if it is worth trying the factory stores. No car, so would be a taxi fare to and from. Any input would be great.

 

[Cyrano]

From memory I think Premium and Prime outlets were both better than LBV.
We had a car so can't help regarding taxis

 

[wayneg]

BV is the worst of the 3 IMO. We are not into shopping so not 100% sure but I don't think there is any shop unique to BV outlet they are all at the other 2 +more.
Can't help with transport to any, we always have a car.

 

[2Tiggies]

That's helpful. I don't like to take multiple shopping trips - much as I lurve shopping .... So I prefer to dedicate one day and do it properly . I quite like Premium and may do Prime otherwise but don't want to spend hours going somewhere and feeling it is a waste.

Oh thanks Wayne. Your thread was posted while I was typing. That settles it then. I will rather spend any extra free time exploring I Drive or something interesting.

 

[DCLMan]

LBV is a bit grim! It's very run down compared to the other 2.

The Orlando Mall is worth a visit too.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Premium Outlets is in a different league in my opinion.
However, LBV has a very good internet cafe 'World Of Coffee' which I can highly recommend if you are staying locally and you need to access the internet for anything. There also used to be a good 'Fossil' outlet there but not sure if it is still open.
Other than that we rarely visit, or haven't for a few years.

 

[barnaby1]

We usually do days of shopping and if we are staying at WDW we do usually have a day at LBV as it is smaller and to be honest it reminds me a bit of Belz so I fondly walk around it remembering things before all the malls turned into exact copies of each other.
I also recomend the world of coffee for lunch as well, steer well clear of the food court - it is dire.

 

[luke]

Factory Outlets are awful in my opinion.

My parents stayed at the Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa (nice) which is on the same site as the Factory Outlets so we popped over. Stayed for about 5 minutes!
Absolutely no shops we had any interest in at all!!

We love the Premium Outlets on the other hand and always make a few stops there buying plenty of stuff

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Another vote for premium outlets here. Can't think of anything at LBV that you couldn't get there. This year I hope to do premium and festival bay only, I like getting the stuff but hate taking the time to do it!!!

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks all of you. I will definitely not bother - save my taxi fare for a trip elsewhere. I will do Premium anyhow as I really like it there.

I only asked about it because Virgin Holidays have always advertised it as one of the "great places to shop" in their brochure (don't have the latest one so maybe they got wise). Clearly it is not nearly as great as they wanted us to think it was

I agree with Howlongtilsummer- taking the time out is another factor. I don't mind doing one day of good solid shopping (I love shopping) but there are other things I want to be doing so we just make a one trip, spend the day out, come back laden and go for dinner on property somewhere.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think what you also have to remember though is just because the majority (me included) don't rate LBV, it doesn't mean there are not stores on there that appeal to others.
Sometimes you just have to go yourself and make your own mind up.

For example as I said earlier we much prefer Premium Outlets, however if you want internet access then the 'World Of Coffee' really is ideal and much cheaper that access at WDW resorts.
I also got a couple of bargain watches on there, I admit many years ago, but you never know there may be a store or two on there that you like.

 

[mikki.young]

Virgin used to have a welcome meeting at LBV outlets. It has a few nice shops but if you want the most variety that now has to be Prime. They are quite huge!

 

[dazza5931]

Premium is best for me normally do walmart Lbv and premium in 1 day full on shopping walmart is just across road from lbv and a cab to premium is about 10 to 15 dollars find that a couple of hours in lbv is enough and an hour or 2 walmart and the rest of the day at premium job done just loads of bags to carry enjoy as I always do

 

[2Tiggies]

Premium is best for me normally do walmart Lbv and premium in 1 day full on shopping walmart is just across road from lbv and a cab to premium is about 10 to 15 dollars find that a couple of hours in lbv is enough and an hour or 2 walmart and the rest of the day at premium job done just loads of bags to carry enjoy as I always do

How did you get to LBV and how much did it cost you? If I understand you correctly, that is your first stop. Can you walk across to walmart from there? I ask because you get roads ...... and then you get roads! Not all are safely "crossable" on foot IYKWIM.

 

[T16GEM]

We usually do all of our shopping in one day too and just pop back for the odd thing here and there. We LOVE Premium Outlets, and Mall at Millenia. LBV is run down and IMO there isn't much there that is of interest, Having said that we do say nearby usually and just HAVE to pop in to see if there is anything anygood!

 

[2Tiggies]

We usually do all of our shopping in one day too and just pop back for the odd thing here and there. We LOVE Premium Outlets, and Mall at Millenia. LBV is run down and IMO there isn't much there that is of interest, Having said that we do say nearby usually and just HAVE to pop in to see if there is anything anygood!

Rummaging for a bargain is not beneath me .....

 

[luke]

How did you get to LBV and how much did it cost you? If I understand you correctly, that is your first stop. Can you walk across to walmart from there? I ask because you get roads ...... and then you get roads! Not all are safely "crossable" on foot IYKWIM.

I **THINK** the road is walkable, it's SR535, quite a big road but I think there's a sidewalk and crossings.
Go on google or bing maps, follow the 535 a bit down from Downtown Disney and you should see the walmart on the left and the factory outlets a bit further up on the right

 

[2Tiggies]

I **THINK** the road is walkable, it's SR535, quite a big road but I think there's a sidewalk and crossings.
Go on google or bing maps, follow the 535 a bit down from Downtown Disney and you should see the walmart on the left and the factory outlets a bit further up on the right

You're going to allow me to handle a map? You would never do it if you were driving. I'm fine if I'm going north. As soon as I turn a corner I'm upside down

 

[2Tiggies]

Okay I can't see any traffic lights/pedestrian crossing, but I can tell you now you won't find me attempting to cross that road - it's a double lane dual carriageway. I seriously don't think it's worth paying for a cab to take me to the other side of the road

 

[2Tiggies]

Okay, found this on their website. Free shuttles from selected hotels. Do you think you would have to show proof that you were staying at one of those hotels to make use of the service? Just a thought.

http://www.lbvfs.com/Orlando-Outlet-Free-Shuttle.cfm