St. Augustine outlet before or after trip?

[lucifie]

We're driving to WDW from Maryland. We're planning to stay overnight in GA so that we have a shorter drive the day we arrive. I want to stop at the Disney outlet in St. Augustine, but I'm not sure whether to stop on the way down or on the way out. Any advice from veterans?

I'm considering stopping on the way down so maybe we can find some good deals so the kids aren't begging for as much stuff from the gift shops. Also if we go on the way down we could possibly have a second chance at it if we want to wait to see what else is there.

OTOH, I don't want to blow all of our souvenir money before we even arrive. does anyone know if they take Disney GCs? The kids' main spending money will be the GCs, so if the outlet takes them it will be great.

Are the deals really as great as some of the ones I've read about here or are the things people post about only the exceptional deals?

 

[la79al]

I would stop on the way there. I know I went to an outlet in PA last weekend and the only thing I decided that I really needed was a $6 Rapunzel tshirt for DD but if she were to buy a tshirt in the parks, I know it would be Rapunzel and much more expensive. I was on the fence about some of the light up toys they have. I know they were cheaper than they would be in the parks but then I decided that my kids are just as happy with glowsticks from the dollar store so I saved my money. If you have an idea of what your kids might want to buy in the parks, you will save money by shopping at the outlet. If you are going to spend money at the outlet only to turn around and buy totally other stuff at the parks, might make more sense to stop on the way home. Though I have found that after you leave DW, you tend to decide you don't really need the mouse ears or the castle tshirt or the light up wand, etc.

 

[lisajl]

We stopped on our way there a few weeks ago.
We found tshirts, monorail keychain, found a sterling silver Tinkerbell necklace for $17.99. There was quite a bit to choose from.
There were some pins too. They looked to be older but still good.
Bought a Phineas and Ferb one for my great niece for $2.99.
My family were the only ones in the store. On e couple had just left so we had the whole store to ourselves.
Struck up a conversation with the CM and he is originally from Italy.
Very nice man!
Have fun! I love St Augustine!

 

[Granny square]

Can you run in in your way there, show the kids what they have and the prices and stop on your way home? It is right by the interstate so you could do a lunch or gas stop and maybe save money and park time.

 

[needtoplan]

We stopped in on the way down back about a month ago.; It is right off the interstate, and there is a burger king on the exit as well as a small food court in the mall.

We found several items- I got DS a number of T-shirts for $4.99 and a couple of pins for $2.99.

I recommend stopping on the way down. You might pass things up at the parks thinking that well we're going to the outlet on our way out, and then not find anything that you want. By stopping on the way down you can also get t-shirts that you can wear while on your trip.
Have fun!!