Shopping advice needed.............

[Debs Hill]

I am looking for some advice from my fellow shoppers! Have previously been to Premium Outlets, Millenium Mall and Florida Mall......................has anyone been to Festival Bay Mall, Lake Beuna Vista Factory Stores or Pointe Orlando?
Are they worth the trip? What differences are there? Which would you recommend for a new shopping experience?!!
Debsx

 

[tashasmum]

been to them all. We like shopping

Festival Bay, quite new but there was a lack of shops in there when we visited. Nothing that couldn't be found elsewhere. We normally stopped off after a visit to Belz but spent no more than an hour walking around.

Pointe Orlando, we haven't been since FAO Scharwz left, it had a few designer shops and eating places but once again most of shops are in Florida Mall or Mall at Millenia. I believe they are in the process of upgrading the place. Also from memory you had to park in the multi-storey next door and you needed to purchase something to get your ticket validated, if not you had to pay to park

LBV Factory Stores - we normally go for a quick look around here, a few good outlet stores and some bargains to be had and you can always park there, unlike LBV premium outlets.

We now stick to Florida Mall, Mall of Millenia, LBV Premium Outlets (if we can get in).

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

Hi Debs,

Have been to both Festival Bay and LBV Outlet but not the Pointe Orlando (always mean to go have a look at it but never get it squeezed in )

Festival Bay's is still not full to capacity with shops. It has a huge Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (which I cannot drag DH out of - even after 2 hours ) The Ron Jon Surf shop is very good - they also have a skate park and soon will have a Surf Park (check out www.ronjonsurfpark.com ). There are lots of smaller shops which include swimwear, cowboy boots, shoe shops (including Vans footwear) and a multi-screen cinema. The mall website is www.shopfestivalbaymall.com - really only worth a visit if you are interested in the main stores.

LBV Oulet - my opinion was it wasn't great ie Premium Outlets is better but I did make a few purchases. I think it may be worth an hour or so if any of the stores interest you - will probably call in if passing on our next trip but not high on my to do list.

Don't know if this will help or hinder your decision but it all depends on what you are looking for and what sort of shops you like.

Tracey

 

[Graeme]

You have to go to Outdoor World in Festival bay. Anything you can imagine they sell it in a camouflage pattern.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores have the only outlets in Orlando for Old Navy, Aeropostale and Rawlings Sports. The Vanity Fair/Wrangler outlet is also very good. It's thus worth a look. Stop at the Character Outlet store first and ask for the free coupon booklet.

The old Belz Outlet Mall is now called Prime Outlets and is under a huge renovation. All of the stores have been consolidated into one of the two indoor malls along with the outlying "designer outlet" stores. A Neiman Marcus outlet is coming. The mall office has a free coupon sheet with additional discounts.

No doubt the best of the three outlets is the Orlando Premium Outlets in Lake Buena Vista near Disney. Most of the main brand names have outlet stores here. The booth in the middle of the food court sells their discount book for $5 although you can get it for free if you're a AAA member or with a coupon from your hotel concierge, brochure rack or theme park ticket seller.

Festival Bay is an interesting concept but most of the storefronts remain empty, unfortunately. And it's not an outlet mall although Nine West does have a shoe outlet here. Definitely some unique stores here. It's worth a stroll through though to see if anything catches your eye. The booth near the front entrance has a free discount coupon sheet available.

Florida Mall has a discount booklet at either Customer Service desk. The Mall at Millenia no longer offers a discount coupon booklet. But if you show your out of state ID or passport at the customer service office upstairs at Macy's and Bloomingdales, they'll give you a discount pass for the day.

Happy Shopping! Now, can any of you get me some shopping discounts for when I'm in London later this year??

BobK/Orlando

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Festival Bay still hasn't really fully taken off and there are many empty plots there, however it is worth a visit for the Ron Jon Surf Shop alone.

I actually disagree with the thought that you can buy everything elsewhere, most of the shops at FB we find are pretty unique and certainly differ from a lot of the stores at the Florida Mall.

I would definitely give FB a try.

Pointe Orlando used to be very good, unfortunatley most of the better stores closed down, I understand it is being re-developed and would definitely return if it was worthwhile.

Never rated LBV Factory Stores personally, 'World Of Coffee' is okay for cheap internet access.

 

[NEWEARS2006]

I'm staying at POP. Which mall would be the closest to get to by taxi? I have heard I should go to Downtown Disney and catch a taxi from there? Does anyone have any idea of the taxi fare?

 

[london75]

Happy Shopping! Now, can any of you get me some shopping discounts for when I'm in London later this year??

Ha, why do you think we're all coming over there to shop! You'll be lucky for 5% over here.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Ha, why do you think we're all coming over there to shop! You'll be lucky for 5% over here.

London75, let's see: $2 for £1, outlet malls and outlet mall discount coupons. You call those reasons to go shopping? LOL! But that's not fair if you can only get me 5% over on your side!!

NEWEARS2006, the Orlando Premium Outlets are the closest to Disney World, located near the junction of I-4 and SR 535. The cheapest way indeed would be to take a free Disney bus to Downtown Disney and then take a taxi from there, a distance of only 4-5 miles. I would think the taxi fare would be less than $10 but don't forget we tip taxi drivers over here so if the fare is $8 give him the $10.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Dimplenose]

Some of the stores in London offer tax free shopping for overseas customers. I'm not sure how it works but since our VAT (purchase tax) is 17.5% (and already added into the displayed prices) it would be worth your while asking.

Libby

P.S. I've found these links
http://www.regentstreetonline.com/RegentStreet/VisitorinfoChannel/Tax-Free+Shopping.htm
http://www.premiertaxfree.com/t_pages.php?id=1&PHPSESSID=9acf3ac44a5b34c664a52b52d924930e

 

[sammyteach]

Hi third time to Florida this year and Im finally hoping to do some shopping. I thought about going whilst DD DS and DH are busy as they are not big on shopping. Perhaps whilst they are at Disneyquest.

Anyway can anyone recommend a mall convenient for POP and Downtown disney Im not into designer gear but dont like cheap rubbish either if that makes sense. Mostly looking for clothes shoes books etc.

Also what time do the malls shut do any of you folks go after a day in the park.

Sam
PS We have a car but dont want to drive too far.

 

[MorningGlory]

Some of the stores in London offer tax free shopping for overseas customers. I'm not sure how it works but since our VAT (purchase tax) is 17.5% (and already added into the displayed prices) it would be worth your while asking.

Libby

P.S. I've found these links
http://www.regentstreetonline.com/RegentStreet/VisitorinfoChannel/Tax-Free+Shopping.htm
http://www.premiertaxfree.com/t_pages.php?id=1&PHPSESSID=9acf3ac44a5b34c664a52b52d924930e

Good shout about the tax free shopping

If it's still the same from when I worked in VAT, you must keep all of the relevant receipts etc for your purchases, and also the VAT 407 form that the retailer will give you. You can download the VAT notice 704/1 from HM Revenue & Customs that gives you all of the info on it;

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...ntent&id=HMCE_CL_000159&propertyType=document

One thing to bear in mind. It's not compulsory for retailers to operate the scheme, however if you are making any significant purchases from a retailer that doesn't operate the scheme, you can ask them to contact Customs for a supply of the forms. They might refuse, but you can obviously refuse to give them your business

Hope that helps

 

[Graeme]

Anyway can anyone recommend a mall convenient for POP and Downtown disney

Orlando Premium Outlets is the closest, probably only three or four miles from DTD, and IMO the best. Closes at 9pm I think and has a Starbucks so you can treat yourself!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Premium Outlets hours vary and sometimes they open till 11pm

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/hours.asp?id=17

The majority of the malls open 10am to 9pm, 12 - 6 on Sunday's.

 

[sammyteach]

Thanks very much I'll give that a try the late opening sounds good. I;ll have a little search to see what I can spend my money on

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Thanks everyone for the information about the VAT refund program in the UK. Every little bit helps.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Debs Hill]

Thanks for all the great info! I think we might give Festival Bay a try.........is there a golf shop there, or as part of Bass shop?
How long would it take to drive there from WDW? Is there parking?

On another topic, is there a Toys r us in Orlando........seem to remember seeing one once but can't remember where!!!
Debsx

 

[Graeme]

Thanks for all the great info! I think we might give Festival Bay a try.........is there a golf shop there, or as part of Bass shop?

Debsx

Yes, there's a big golf section in Bass Pro. It's about the same distance from WDW as Universal, just round the corner from there in fact, towards where Belz used to be on I drive. Loads of parking.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

There is a golf section at Bass Pro Shop but it does not stock some of the leading brands. Edwin Watts and Golfsmith are the two leading stores for golf clubs and equipment. Festival Bay is at the north end of International Drive, just before the Prime (formerly Belz) Outlet Mall. Driving time from DTD would be about 20 minutes via I-4 or about 30 minutes if you come up I-Drive.

The closest Toys'R'Us that I can picture is adjacent the Florida Mall on Orange Blossom Trail. It's hard to spot from OBT because of other stores but if you come into the mall parking lot by JC Penny you'll see it. There is also one next to the West Oaks Mall in Ocoee but that's away from the tourist district.

BobK/Orlando

 

[katytrott]

Do any of the malls have a disney outlet shop?