shopping

[luvtinkerbell]

we want to do some shopping which shopping mall is best to go too we went to the belz outlet last time is there a better one. jillxx

 

[jockey]

Jill - I like the following malls

Mall at millenia - a few designer stores - tiffanys, coach and chanel but lots of choice
Florida Mall - good variety of stores
Premium outlet mall - outlets for all the big names - coach,dkny,timberland and french connection!

 

[Goofyish]

I'm a big fan of the Florida Mall. For variety and quantity of shops it can't be beaten, although there aren't as many of the designer outlets you find at Premium Outlets Mall and Belz.
There are a number of large department stores there that sell almost everything and a great food court too.

 

[Miffy2003]

I would say the Florida Mall (though that's probably not the best place for "designer" bargains); there's a huge choice of shops, as Tim says.

This page tells you the shops, opening hours, directions etc.

Have fun!

 

[daywalker]

Mall @ Millenia & Premium Outlets are our favourites by a long way.

 

[KayleeUK]

I like the Florida Mall - but I hope to try and visit some of the others too

 

[AndRu]

We're hitting the Mall at Millenia, Florida Mall and Festival Bay (just for Vans, Steve & Barry's and Ron Jon) this time around.

 

[KayleeUK]

AndRu

Where is Festival Bay located?

 

[AndRu]

Near Belz (I think its an affiliate of the Belz organisation) at the north end of International Drive.

It had just opened in Summer '03 and lots of the shops were still being fitted out. But the Vans shop was superb, a shop at the front and a huge indoor skate/blade/BMX park at the back. My boys loved it, especially when some American skater dudes got them into the park and showed them how to ride a board!

 

[KayleeUK]

Thank you

 

[tartangirl]

Festival Bay has a good cinema but Premium Outlet Mall has to be the one for me.

 

[vernon]

I was very impressed with the FLorida Mall on my last visit, I thought it had a really dodgy period about 4-5 years ago but seems to be back on track.

I tend to use the Premium Outlet mall for clothes, the Reebok shop in Buena Vista Mall as it has Greg Norman golf stuff at a good price and sometimes Belz. Belz has a good selection of stuff, but you often have to drive from one shop to the next as it is so spread out.

For window shopping or if you're looking for something REALLY special/expensive then the Mall at the Millenium is a great choice. The Cheesecake factory restaurant there is worth a visit on it's own LOL

 

[badger1518]

The florida mall for us but also there were some nice shops at Old Town in kissemee

 

[jjpenguin]

I like the Premium Outlets, some great bargains on clothes/shoes to be had. And close to WDW

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Think overall the Florida Mall is best as there are shops to suit every taste and the food court is good.
Mall At Millenia is much more upmarket, but still worth a visit - although if you walk in some of the expensive stores I reckon you will get pounced on pretty quick by the sales assistants. Window shopping recommended for some of them.

Belz has fallen well behind in our ratings and we tend not to visit anymore.
Premium Outlets is the best for bargains but can be a bit hit and miss - cannot remember ever buying anything there.

Festival Bay worth a visit for the Ron Jon Surf Shop but a bit empty otherwise, most of the plots still untaken last time we were there.

 

[luvtinkerbell]

thanks everyone for some great tips

 

[SimonV]

One other thing worth bearing in mind, is if you get the Orlando Sentinel most days of the week but especiallay on Sunday, trhere are some great shopping supplements that give you all the lowdown on the localsales and special deals. The Florida Mall is the biggest in the area but can be pricey compared to the others - unless there is a sale. Belz has huge amounts of rubbish to wade through to get to the real bargains, and is horribly spread out. Orlando Premium Outlets has a good variety at good prices, and is probably the easiest to get around. Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores is similar, and Festival Bay is just fun to visit for some really different stores (and entertainment, as mentioned, with Van's skatepark, the multiplex cinema and the Putting Edge indoor mini-golf, plus several good restaurants). Both the Mercado and The Pointe are having some real difficulties with their sales and marketing, hence there are empty units (especially at the Mercado) which don't look too good. But there remain the big supermarket super-stores of Wal-mart and Super Target which sell just about everything, and cheaper than a lot of the malls. The Sentinel can really help chase down those bargains!