request for shopping recommendations

[Stefy]

We went to Orlando Premium Outlets and there were bargains to be had. This year we are going to try Prime and MaM. Hoping to get most of what I want from MaM e.g. Rock and Republic and Juicy.

Quick question, I know MaM is a mall and not outlet prices, but are they still relatively cheap compared to UK prices?

 

[wicket2005]

Unfortunately, I spent quite a bit of time at the Mall of Millenia whilst the hubbie and my two sons bought out the Hollister and Abercrombie and Fitch shops. What they found was you paid in dollars what you would pay in pounds over here, so yes definitely cheaper, about half the price.

 

[Stefy]

Oh yay, I am so excited as MaM has everything that I want to buy when we go.

What are the prices like in Tiffany's?

 

[disneyholic family]

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


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.

i think they'll definitely go to mall at millenia - especially since DD's friend has never been in america and has most definitely never been to a mall like that....so it seems to be a must if only for window shopping (and the apple store)...

as for outlet malls, Deb, which do you prefer? Prime or Premium? Or do you not have an opinion...

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.)

clearly MAM will be on their to do list

 

[disneyholic family]

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.

thanks for the tip - i'm heading to the site now to see what the rate would be!

 

[disneyholic family]

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.

now i see what you mean about specifying the age when you retrieve the price...
it's really cheap on that website....
thanks for the link!!

 

[disneyholic family]

we just received DF's 14 day ultimate ticket and it included a discount coupon for the M&M store in the florida mall..
i didn't know there's an M&M store in the florida mall..

this changes everything....DF ADORES peanut butter m&ms....so i guess the florida mall is going to be a must see...

 

[disneyholic family]

or maybe not...i checked and there's an M&M store in new york too..
so maybe they'll get to that store and then go to the mall @ millenia in orlando...

 

[Tialuccy]

Premium outlets, Prime outlets, Florida Mall, Mall at Millenia even Wal-mart, love them all... oh and Walgreens, Target etc.

 

[wideeyes]

Oh yay, I am so excited as MaM has everything that I want to buy when we go.

What are the prices like in Tiffany's?

I think they start from $200 for a small neckless, however I have seen stuff cost over $20,000.

 

[MandyJ72]

There is a HUGE M&Ms store in Florida Mall - or at least it was there last year - it's fabby - kids love all their t-shirts and because they are sponsors of a race car team you get all the themed stuff for that as well

Last year they gave out little bags of the new dark chocolate M&Ms with every purchase!

Got to love Dylan's candy store at FM for sweets tho!!!!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I posted this a few days ago on Cruise Critic so have copied and pasted it for your information:

ORLANDO PREMIUM OUTLETS: Located in Lake Buena Vista just 5 minutes drive from your hotel but too far to walk. Located on Vineland Road near the junction of I-4 and State Road 535. There are many famous outlets here including Puma, Nike, Diesel, Miss Sixty/Energie, Guess, Coach, FCUK and many more. You can purchase a Discount Booklet at the Concierge Desk in the restaurant for $5.00 however your hotel might have a free voucher and then the Discount Booklet is free. For Americans and Canadians, your AAA/CAA membership card gets you the booklet for free. Or if you join their website, I believe there is a voucher on there for a free discount booklet.

PRIME OUTLETS INTERNATIONAL: Prior visitors to Orlando will remember the Belz Outlet Mall at the far north end of International Drive in Orlando. That has been demolished and the new Prime Outlets is now open. Brand new, very impressive. Many different stores than Orlando Premium Outlets including SaksOff5th, Victoria's Secret, Nordstrom Rack, Seven For All Mankind, ALDO, etc. There is a free Discount Sheet available at the kiosk near the entrance.

If you have more time, do visit the MALL AT MILLENIA as DolphinFan mentioned. It is not an outlet mall but a regular mall with an excellent selection of stores including Macy's, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, etc. No discount book but there are always big sales. Visitors can visit the Customer Service office at Macy's and Bloomingdales and receive an 11% discount card. Located at junction I-4 and Conroy Road in Orlando.

FLORIDA MALL is located on US 441 (Orange Blossom Trail) about a mile north of the OBT junction with Florida's Turnpike and TOLL 528 Beachline Expressway. This is Florida's largest mall and this too is a regular shopping mall, not an outlet mall. Department stores include Nordstrom, Macy's (not as large as Millenia), Saks 5th Avenue, JC Penney and Sears. It is the only mall in town that has Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie, Hollister, Aeropostale and American Eagle all in one mall. It is the rumored destination of Florida's first H&M. Free discount booklet at the two concierge desks.

BobK/Orlando

 

[disneyholic family]

I posted this a few days ago on Cruise Critic so have copied and pasted it for your information:

ORLANDO PREMIUM OUTLETS: Located in Lake Buena Vista just 5 minutes drive from your hotel but too far to walk. Located on Vineland Road near the junction of I-4 and State Road 535. There are many famous outlets here including Puma, Nike, Diesel, Miss Sixty/Energie, Guess, Coach, FCUK and many more. You can purchase a Discount Booklet at the Concierge Desk in the restaurant for $5.00 however your hotel might have a free voucher and then the Discount Booklet is free. For Americans and Canadians, your AAA/CAA membership card gets you the booklet for free. Or if you join their website, I believe there is a voucher on there for a free discount booklet.

PRIME OUTLETS INTERNATIONAL: Prior visitors to Orlando will remember the Belz Outlet Mall at the far north end of International Drive in Orlando. That has been demolished and the new Prime Outlets is now open. Brand new, very impressive. Many different stores than Orlando Premium Outlets including SaksOff5th, Victoria's Secret, Nordstrom Rack, Seven For All Mankind, ALDO, etc. There is a free Discount Sheet available at the kiosk near the entrance.

If you have more time, do visit the MALL AT MILLENIA as DolphinFan mentioned. It is not an outlet mall but a regular mall with an excellent selection of stores including Macy's, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, etc. No discount book but there are always big sales. Visitors can visit the Customer Service office at Macy's and Bloomingdales and receive an 11% discount card. Located at junction I-4 and Conroy Road in Orlando.

FLORIDA MALL is located on US 441 (Orange Blossom Trail) about a mile north of the OBT junction with Florida's Turnpike and TOLL 528 Beachline Expressway. This is Florida's largest mall and this too is a regular shopping mall, not an outlet mall. Department stores include Nordstrom, Macy's (not as large as Millenia), Saks 5th Avenue, JC Penney and Sears. It is the only mall in town that has Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie, Hollister, Aeropostale and American Eagle all in one mall. It is the rumored destination of Florida's first H&M. Free discount booklet at the two concierge desks.

BobK/Orlando

thanks for that explanation Bob! very very helpful

i didn't realize prime has nordstrom rack.....that's where i always go for shoes when i'm in detroit...they always have an amazing selection at really low prices....i even manage to get DH beautiful shoes in size 14 (ecco and rockport)!!

i wonder if the one at the prime outlet is as good....if it is, it's worth a visit...

 

[Stefy]

I think they start from $200 for a small neckless, however I have seen stuff cost over $20,000.

Cool thanx for that

The M&M store sounds cool.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

i didn't realize prime has nordstrom rack.

I'm so sorry, but that was an error. What they have is a Neiman Marcus Last Call, not a Nordstrom Rack.

 

[disneyholic family]

I'm so sorry, but that was an error. What they have is a Neiman Marcus Last Call, not a Nordstrom Rack.

get me all excited....
oh well....
if you're ever near one, they are well worth a visit just for the shoe bargains...

 

[Graeme]

Prime Outlets are fantastic now. They are run on the same pattern as Premium outlets but as they are on a bigger site, there's more shops. I would say that almost all the shops in Premium are at Prime, with a load more on top.
Parking isn't an issue, unlike at Premium, although that wont be an issue if they get taxis of course. The layout means you have to be careful you don't miss anything as it's in blocks, not built around a circuit like Premium or MoM. We managed to spend about five hours there the first time we went this May, and all the shops weren't open then!