teens and tweens - Florida mall or Premium Outlets?

[waltdisneymama]

Hello,
My kids (aged 15, 12 and 9) want to shop in a mall while we're in Florida. Would you have a recommendation for us - Florida Mall or Orlando Premium Outlets or a different mall? Their idea of a great shopping experience here at home is West Edmonton Mall (but, of course, part of the attraction there is the waterpark and Galaxyland, etc.) Are they both about the same distance from the All Star resorts?
Thanks!!

 

[Charleyann]

The outlets are best for great bargains!!!!!

Charleyann

 

[CanadianGuy]

Yeah.. the outlets are good for 'bargains'

But for example, I really enjoyed the Florida Mall and shopped heavily at Abercrombie rip-off "Hollister" where I felt that they had some great deals for not a lot of cash.

Florida Mall is 'decent.'

Knox

 

[Momto4boys]

The outlets are really nice. The stores face in and you walk down streets/corridors. I had never been to an outlet mall like that and loved the feel of it as opposed to strip mall outlets. The Florida Mall was soooooo busy when we went that I just felt stressed out. There were tons of teens though so they may enjoy it. The outlets have a Disney character outlet and the bargain are fantastic! Great place to get souvenirs.

 

[Babyjustrun]

Didn't care for the mall.
The outlets make me happy =)

 

[sapper1]

Millenia Mall, Exit 78 off the I-4 at Conroy Road. Bloomingdales, Macys, Neiman Marcus, Ann Taylor, Jimmy Choo etc. Also, a great Cheesecake Factory!!!! Macy's doesn't advetise this but if you go up to Customer Service and show your Canadian Passport, they will give you a card that will give you a 10 or 11% discount on everything you buy. It is good for three months.

 

[calgarygary]

I would only suggest Mall at Millenia if your shopping budget is huge! To me, it's a toss up between Premium Outlets and the Florida Mall. Savings are good at both places. Last year, we spent a night at the Florida Mall Hotel ($80/night) and it made dropping off packages very convenient.

 

[Ham Ham]

Premium Outlets so close to WDW.
My daughters 13 & 9 love the outlets.
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

Mall at Millenia
As Homer Simpson would say "the rich peoples mall"
http://www.mallatmillenia.com/luxurious/luxurious.htm


Florida Mall
http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=139

Only thing the Outlets doesn't have that the other two malls have is Apple stores.

 

[damo]

We never seem to find anything at the Premium Outlet Mall and believe me, we try!

 

[calgarygary]

We never seem to find anything at the Premium Outlet Mall and believe me, we try!

OT - just wanted to mention that I miss the KP pic that you used to have and all the confusion it caused.

 

[wee-haggis]

The best factory outlet stores is at Lake Buena Vista Outlets

 

[damo]

OT - just wanted to mention that I miss the KP pic that you used to have and all the confusion it caused.

bwahahahaha

Ya. Too many people thought that was me!

 

[waltdisneymama]

Thank you very much everyone for all of your responses - I will share them with my kids and make a decision!

 

[LoveDopey]

I'm throwing in my 2 cents. My teen (15) prefers shopping at WEM when we're at home. She likes stores like Hollister that are only at WEM. When we go to Orlando her favorite place is the Florida Mall. We usually hit both the Florida Mall and Premium Outlets. I can honestly say I don't think we've ever bought anything at the Outlets other than at the character outlet store.

 

[waltdisneymama]

Thank you LoveDopey,
I'm thinking that my kids will probably choose Florida Mall. My kids love Hollister, etc., too. Do you find that prices are similar to here (or cheaper or more expensive?) Also, do you find that selection is similar, or do fashions come out a little earlier in the States? I'm pretty sure that fashions were available a little sooner in the States when I was a teenager.
Thanks!

 

[LoveDopey]

Sorry, I had to check with the boss before I answered. She says the selection is different and that there is much more to choose from. As for price, she said it's usually cheaper but I would question that. I don't think she understands exchange and mom still pays!!! I have to tell you I don't usually go in the store with her anymore, I just stand outside until it's time to pay.

We usually go on a trip at spring break and she'll get her spring and summer clothes then. Purses and shoes are big hits -- take an extra suitcase.

 

[calgarygary]

Premium Outlets so close to WDW.
My daughters 13 & 9 love the outlets.
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

Mall at Millenia
As Homer Simpson would say "the rich peoples mall"
http://www.mallatmillenia.com/luxurious/luxurious.htm


Florida Mall
http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=139

Only thing the Outlets doesn't have that the other two malls have is Apple stores.

When my girls were your daughters' ages, they found very little at the outlet malls other than at character shops. The combination of the shops like Hollister, Abercrombie, etc. with the department stores, means that the Florida Mall has much more selection than any of the outlet stores. Believe me, with 4 daughters, every trip to Orlando gets me into all the shopping venues.

When shopping for me, I've always liked Off Fifth!

 

[Disney Ontario]

Hi. DD15 and DD19 also love shopping at Rosses(spelling)?. It is like our Winners. DD19 went last week then headed for the Disney Cruise, I have to ask her opinion of the shopping when she gets home tomorrow night.

 

[LoveDopey]

We always go to Ross and TJ Maxx first, then to Florida Mall. Sometimes you can get some really good deals.

 

[Lynda Silk]

Hi,
Has anyone gone to the Florida Mall from the CBR by taxi? I'm just trying to figure out how much to budget for the taxi fare. My DD13 loves American Eagle and Hollister so I thought that the Florida Mall would be the better choice judging by the previous threads.