Shopping Malls!

[Tamdude]

I have searched through this forum, and have not been able to find a thread about SHOPPING MALLS! If there is one, perhaps you could point me in the right direction?

So, I am hoping to get everyone's advice about the shopping malls in the Orlando area. I'm taking a trip to Disney with my mom in September, and my mom and I don't travel anywhere without hitting the malls!

I have done a google search and checked out a few of the mall websites, but I'm hoping to get some opinions from people who have been there... which malls have you been to and what did you think?

Thanks in advance!

 

[DOOM1001]

Although there are other malls in the area the main ones would have to be the Mall at Millenia just north of the Universal area off I-4 on Conroy.It's the nicest,newest non outlet mall in the area with more upscale stores.Florida mall is a more typical 1970's or 1980's style mall but it is very big with a lot of stores,I think over 250.You also have the Orlando Premium outlets as well as the Prime Outlets Orlando,both on opposite ends of international Drive.

http://www.mallatmillenia.com/experience/experience.htm

http://www.simon.com/mall/directory.aspx?ID=139

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

http://www.primeoutlets.com/locations/orlando.aspx

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

Millenia is the easiest to find, but it's way upscale. Good though if you are just going to walk around or if you need a particular item, but don't expect any discount stores there.

Florida Mall was our favorite, and relatively easy to get to. Take I4 east to Sand Lake Rd east just past OBT. Lots of 'normal' stores there.

 

[Detailor]

There are lot's of shopping opportunities as previously mentioned here.

I agree with the previous posters that if you're looking for a traditional mall experience then you're looking for the Florida Mall. Anchored by a Macy's, a J.C. Penney, a Saks Fifth Avenue, a Sears, a Dillard's and a Nordstrom, this is a really big mall (I'll admit that if not for the signs and my seventeen year-old daughter I'd get lost in there every time because it seems irregularly shaped in there).

Dick Taylor

 

[CheeseburgerParadise]

Have a look at this thread re. the outlet malls:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2079077

 

[inkkognito]

As a local, I avoid Mall of Millenia and the Florida Mall like the plague because they are so crowded...imagine Christmas rush all year long. If you want something more low key (but also smaller), go to the Loop at Osceola Parkway and John Young Parkway. Lots of restaurants (including Abuelos, Mimis, and BJ's Brewhouse...all yummy), Barnies Coffee, movie theaters, a huge Books-A-Million, a spa, and several dept. stores.

 

[Detailor]

go to the Loop at Osceola Parkway and John Young Parkway.

Is that the relatively new shopping plaza/shopping district that's across Osceola Parkway from an also relatively new Olive Garden restaurant?

We found that a year or two ago and thought that the stores were good and not at all busy. Many mall-type stores set up more like a shopping center (meaning separate external entrances for the stores).

Dick Taylor

 

[davidmolliesmum]

my fave is Florida Mall too, but i like Mall at Millenia for the Cheesecake Factory LOL!!!
Festival Bay Mall is close to international drive ...... http://www.shopfestivalbaymall.com/html/mallinfo.asp

 

[inkkognito]

Is that the relatively new shopping plaza/shopping district that's across Osceola Parkway from an also relatively new Olive Garden restaurant?

We found that a year or two ago and thought that the stores were good and not at all busy. Many mall-type stores set up more like a shopping center (meaning separate external entrances for the stores).

Dick Taylor

Yep, that's it. Depending on when you were here last, it might have expanded quite a bit since you were here. There is the Loop West, which is never very busy, and the main section, which is a zoo on the weekends. Across the way is a new Publix and H H Greg, and they also opened a Five Guys Burgers across from Mimi's. I think there is something new every time I go over there.

 

[TinkerbellNYC]

We went to an outlet mall while we were there... I recall driving north on International Drive (past wet-n-wild and all the attractions) and literally ran right into it, international drive dead ended at the mall. Not sure which one that is. maybe somebody knows, but they had great stores there, all the good outlet stuff.

 

[Detailor]

We went to an outlet mall while we were there... I recall driving north on International Drive (past wet-n-wild and all the attractions) and literally ran right into it, international drive dead ended at the mall. Not sure which one that is. maybe somebody knows, but they had great stores there, all the good outlet stuff.

That's the Prime Outlets. http://www.primeoutlets.com/locations/orlando.aspx

Dick Taylor

 

[Detailor]

Yep, that's it. Depending on when you were here last, it might have expanded quite a bit since you were here. There is the Loop West, which is never very busy, and the main section, which is a zoo on the weekends. Across the way is a new Publix and H H Greg, and they also opened a Five Guys Burgers across from Mimi's. I think there is something new every time I go over there.

Thanks, I thought that was probably it.
The last time we were there was probably during our March 2008 trip as I don't think that we made it over in June last year and we didn't drive over during either of our trips this year. Last year it looked like there was going to be a lot of expansion based on the space that was cleared and the store fronts that weren't opened yet. As the women in the family are always looking to shop, now I'll have a newish place to take them.

Dick Taylor

 

[JANNYANS]

Take a drive north on 429to Winter Garden village.Great stores and eating places well worth the trip

http://www.wintergardenvillage.com/

 

[Tamdude]

This is all fantastic advice! Thanks!