request for shopping recommendations

[disneyholic family]

ok...so i usually ignore these threads, since i do all my shopping when i'm in the states in suburban detroit (a surprisingly fantastic place to shop if you're ever in the detroit area)...

however, DD is going to the states (in less than 4 weeks from now), with only 2 stops, NYC for 3 days, then 2 weeks in WDW...
and since her friend has never ever been to america, not surprisingly her friend wants to do some shop till you drop kind of shopping when they're there (i'm amazed that DD is up for this - she HATES to shop)..

anyway, DD said they'll shop when they're in WDW (rather than NYC)...
since she won't be renting a car, she'll be dependent on taxis and public transportation to get around...

i suggested that she go to that mall that's not far from DTD - right next to where the dolly parton stampede used to be....

i figured she could get a taxi there and back for not too much money..

i think it's called premium outlets....does anyone have experience with it? is it a good place to shop?....

are there any other malls that she should go to?

the florida mall is out as when she and i went there a few years ago, we both hated it...
but we've never been to any of the outlet malls....

i should add that her friend is also a girl...they're both 23, so i guess the malls should have shops that 23 year old young women would like....

 

[jackieleanne]

Mall of Millenia is good to try. I cant believe their will be no shopping in NYC.

 

[disneyholic family]

Mall of Millenia is good to try. I cant believe their will be no shopping in NYC.

well...you're right...i'm sure they'll end up doing some shopping..

how could they not...

but even though i lived in manhattan for 3 years, i'm totally clueless about where to shop there....

so i can't give her any advice regarding new york shopping or eating or anything else for that matter.....she's staying in the hosteling international hostel there, so maybe she'll get some ideas from other guests....

if anyone on the board has any NYC shopping suggestions, i'm sure she'd love to hear them as well..

 

[shellbell]

We like the Mall at Milenia! We didn't find that much at premium outlets on our recent visit. We do like the Florida Mall though.

 

[disneyholic family]

that's two votes for the mall at millenia....
hmmm...
i wonder if they have a website....i'll go check them out....

 

[orangetiggs]

mall at millenia and orlando premuim outlets! we love those ones and get loads of bargins

 

[disneyholic family]

mall at millenia and orlando premuim outlets! we love those ones and get loads of bargins

thanks!

 

[disneyholic family]

according to their website, the women's apparel shops at the mall at millenia:

WOMEN'S APPAREL
A Pea in the Pod
Abercrombie & Fitch
AG Jeans
American Eagle Outfitters
Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor Loft
Anthropologie
Arden B
BCBG Maxazria
Banana Republic
Bebe
BEBE Sport
Betsey Johnson
Burberry
Cache
Cache Luxe
Chanel
Chico's
Dior
Everything But Water
Express
Forever 21
Gap
GapBody
Guess
Hollister Co.
Intermix
J. Crew
J. Jill
Juicy Couture
Kenneth Cole
Lacoste
Lucky Brand Blue Jeans
Marciano
Max Studio.com
Motherhood Maternity
PacSun
Quiksilver Boardriders Club
Salvatore Ferragamo
St. John
Talbots
Talbots Woman
Tommy Bahama's
Urban Outfitters
Vans
Victoria's Secret
White House/Black Market
Zara

that should keep them happy for a while

plus an Apple store - what more could they want???

oh- and department stores:
Bloomingdale's
Macy's
Neiman Marcus

that should keep them happy for sure...

 

[jackieleanne]

My fave when I last went to Mall of Millenia was American Eagle Outfitters i love that shop.

 

[wicket2005]

The men in my family love the Mall of Millenia and the Florida Mall because of the Hollister and Abercrombie and Fitch shops. My eldest son is 19, nearly 20, so perhaps your daughter may be interested in these shops. Personally, I am more into electronics than clothes, a rarity in a woman but I am a gadget freak. I was dismayed this year not to get into the Apple store because it was only open to those purchasing the new Apple 3G Ipod Phone.

 

[disneyholic family]

they're definitely going to want to visit the apple store...either in NYC or Orlando...that's a must stop for them...

i was just looking at the Prime outlet (what used to be Belz)....anyone shop there since it was redone?

 

[wicket2005]

Hi, we went last year when the majority of shops were just opening. It is a bit like the Premium Outlets with each store being individual and to reach each you go outside. Whereas the Mall of Millenia and Florida Mall are inside totally which could be a factor to take into account on a rainy day.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Mall At Millenia is definitely the nicest, though many of the stores perhaps more suited to window shopping.
There are some excellent department stores there and a good food court..plus best of all Tommy Bahama

Florida Mall is a good all-rounder with something for everyone, but does get much busier than MAM.

Premium Outlets is great for bargains, especially sportswear but like all discount stores can be hit and miss.

Prime Outlets - never been since the renovation, but has to be better than the old Belz.

Festival Bay - still not taken off fully, many plots remain untaken, however always worth a visit as there are many stores here that are unique and not at the other malls.

Just one thing - MAM is a fair way down the I4 and wouldn't be the easiest option if you don't have a car, Florida Mall would be my choice in your circumstances.

 

[disneyholic family]

Mall At Millenia is definitely the nicest, though many of the stores perhaps more suited to window shopping.
There are some excellent department stores there and a good food court..plus best of all Tommy Bahama

Florida Mall is a good all-rounder with something for everyone, but does get much busier than MAM.

Premium Outlets is great for bargains, especially sportswear but like all discount stores can be hit and miss.

Prime Outlets - never been since the renovation, but has to be better than the old Belz.

Festival Bay - still not taken off fully, many plots remain untaken, however always worth a visit as there are many stores here that are unique and not at the other malls.

Just one thing - MAM is a fair way down the I4 and wouldn't be the easiest option if you don't have a car, Florida Mall would be my choice in your circumstances.

thanks Johnny!
i went onto the mears taxi site - to their fare estimator - MAM is definitely very expensive to get to....$40 each way...
but strangely (given where it's located) the florida mall was also $35....
premium was less than $20 each way......so maybe that will be enough for them........
i guess i'll just give her the list of places with the website links, and the two of them can choose...

it probably would be easiest for them to rent - i wonder what the upcharge is for under 25 ...although she's said she didn't think she'd be comfortable driving in the orlando area....although if she had a car, she'd be able to get to her favorite restaurant - sweet tomatoes...

maybe they could rent for a few days and concentrate all their offsite adventures in a short time - universal, wonderworks, MAM/florida mall/premium (whichever they choose), sweet tomatoes.....that actually makes a lot of sense to me....

i think i'll go check how much it costs to rent a car if you're under 25.....

 

[disneyholic family]

this is interesting..
when i looked at the website of the Mall at Millenia, it reminded me so much of my favorite mall in suburban detroit - Somerset, that i finally couldn't resist and looked up the ownership....

indeed they are run by the same company (forbes, www.theforbescompany.com )...

if MAM is even half as nice as somerset, it's certainly worth a visit...

 

[MandyJ72]

Vote here for Premium Outlets definately!! Adidas, Sketchers, Levi's, Papaya (daughters fav shop now!), etc etc - fantastic!

Because they are all outlet shops I find the stuff sooooo cheap - Sketchers & Adidas in particular (2 pairs Adidas trainers last year for $40 as they are usually on BOGOF or BOGO 1/2 price and same in Sketchers - we now have Sketchers outlet shop near us and was in the other day - still £40 per pair!!)

Mall at Millenia is lovely (Cheesecake Factory yummy heaven, and yes, they do take out!) but not a retail outlet place so can be a lot more expensive so we like it to go wander round and have something to eat but not a "main" shop til you drop place.

Didn't know Beltz had been refurbed so thanks for info - will look it up later on today foir next years trip!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

thanks Johnny!
i went onto the mears taxi site - to their fare estimator - MAM is definitely very expensive to get to....$40 each way...
but strangely (given where it's located) the florida mall was also $35....
premium was less than $20 each way......so maybe that will be enough for them........
i guess i'll just give her the list of places with the website links, and the two of them can choose...

it probably would be easiest for them to rent - i wonder what the upcharge is for under 25 ...although she's said she didn't think she'd be comfortable driving in the orlando area....although if she had a car, she'd be able to get to her favorite restaurant - sweet tomatoes...

maybe they could rent for a few days and concentrate all their offsite adventures in a short time - universal, wonderworks, MAM/florida mall/premium (whichever they choose), sweet tomatoes.....that actually makes a lot of sense to me....

i think i'll go check how much it costs to rent a car if you're under 25.....

Hi Beth,

Going off http://www.usrentacar.co.uk/ site where we will soon book our rental car for next year, the price for over 25 is the same as under 25.
You have to specify age when retreiving the prices.

eg
we are looking for a minivan for 14 nights, 7th/21st April, price is £310 inclusive of all taxes.
Price is the same for under 25.

I realise your daughter may not choose the same number of days but at least it shows the price should be the same.

 

[UKDEB]

Didn't know Beltz had been refurbed so thanks for info - will look it up later on today foir next years trip!!

It's actually been completely demolished. The new Prime Outlets bear no resemblance to the old Belz malls.

i went onto the mears taxi site - to their fare estimator - MAM is definitely very expensive to get to....$40 each way...
but strangely (given where it's located) the florida mall was also $35....
premium was less than $20 each way......so maybe that will be enough for them........

Mall at Millenia and the Florida Mall are virtually equidistant from Disney. For what it's worth, MaM is by far and away my favourite shopping destination in Orlando. It has a great mix of designer and regular shops as well as the three department stores and an excellent choice of eating options.

 

[wideeyes]

Mall@Millenia is fantastic! well worth the $80 taxi fairs, I saved loads compared to what a smillar shopping trip to the trafford centre would of cost. Even though the stuff is full retail price will still save on the exchange rate and also the American branded stuff is more expensive here anyway. (Pair of designer Jeans at Trafford centre £245, at M@M $195, not just in designer shops ether, Gap is much cheaper there too.)

 

[MandyJ72]

Just looked at Prime Outlets online - ooooohhhhhhh - Another place for my Dad to spend a fortune!!!!

Thanks for the info about it being demolished - it was kinda grubby last time we were there which must have been just before it closed I reckon as there were lots of empty shops (not like the 2yrs before that when it was full!)

Can't remember the name of the fabby shop in Florida Mall that had good Boys clothes for Michael to see if they are there - will need to hunt about maps and store directories later on - boys stuff is so hard to get - especially when he's a fusspot!