Transportation to the Character Warehouse locations

[wcduke]

Hello. We just returned from a fabulous Christmas trip and ofcourse we are already thinking about our next trip.

We have decided that we would like to try shopping at either of the offsite Character Warehouse Outlet locations (Vineland Ave and International Drive) on our next trip, instead of our usual shopping day at Downtown Disney.

For every trip we always exclusively use Disney Transportation wherever we go. DME to/from the airport. And then the Disney busses/boats/monorails to get around Disney property. We have never rented a car in Disney.

What is the cheapest and most economical way timewise to do some shopping at the offsite Character Warehouse locations? We want to try and save some money by shopping at these offsite locations, but at the same time, would like to try not to spend all of our shopping savings on the cost of transportation! But, trying this new shopping experience might be fun in of itself!

What has worked for you in getting to these Outlet locations?

 

[Robo]

I think that you may be overestimating
A- the amount of merchandise offered at Character Warehouse
A- the kind of merchandise offered at Character Warehouse
C- the amount of savings offered at Character Warehouse

It may not make the cost involved in getting to and from a Character Warehouse be offset by the money that you might "save."


Just a thought.

 

[minnie mum]

I have to agree with Robo (what else is new?). Really your only choices are taking a taxi or renting a car for a day. Are you going to save more money buying merchandise at that location than you will spend on transportation? Unless you're buying for the home football team, I doubt it.

I suppose you could go online to see if the Lynx bus system has a route that would get you there and back.

 

[skp]

I'm gonna throw my two cents in...

As a local, I visit the Disney Outlets every 2 or 3 months. I usually spend around $100 when I go, and the items end up being either gifts or items I use myself. Here are the things I typically buy:

- Weird Disney shirts (that didnt sell at the park)

- generic Disney shirts

- Jackets/Hoodies - Usually 50-75% off Disneys prices. Every disney hoodie I have is from there and I never paid over $15 for them and I am a ladies XXL.

-Pins - for trading in the parks. They are usually 1-5$

Random Odds and Ends. (pictures frames, jewelry, kids stuff, etc)

In my opinion, if you are a "snobby" Disney shopper, meaning you like the higher end merchandise, and can afford it, Idk that the outlet is for you. I took some family a few years ago and no shirt or hoodie or pin was good enough for them because it was all either generic or not a character they liked.

If you're laid back, love a good deal and just anticipate having to "settle" to get that yearly hoodie/shirt whatever, then you'll do really well and love it.

I see value in going, because I usually get better, rarer merchandise for half price, rather than going to downtown disney or a local disney store, But dont justify the savings to pay for your trip there. Like all outlets, its hit or miss what they will have. Look into which outlet has other stores you would shop at to maybe make the trip worthwhile.

 

[ChristusG]

I would not waste time and money getting to the Character Warehouse. Downtown Disney it is not. Not even close. Warehouse makes it sound large.....it is a small shop in a strip mall. The merchandise is cheap, and I don't just mean the prices but the quality. Uncentered pictures on things, etc. I walked in and walked out. You can't even begin to compare it to Downtown Disney.

 

[ChristusG]

ETA....it is not an outlet that sells Disney merchandise on sale (meaning it doesn't cone from the parks to be clearanced there or anything like that).

 

[Caseheidi]

We have rented a car for the day at fairly reasonable prices. Some of the rental places have pick up locations on Disney property or hotels close by. Our last time doing so my DH took Disney Transportation to DTD and then walked a few minutes down the the hotel he needed to pick it up. I would suggest that you shop around different rental companies. We have really liked AVIS and National ourselves.

I would also suggest if you rent a car, do some other fun things off property to make it worth your while. There are some interesting tourist traps in Kissimmee that we find fun. Or spend a few hours shopping at US City walk ( I know it is the Dark Side, but it is fun too!) or even go to another park. I think one of the best things we have done was to visit the Kennedy Space Center when we had a car. A little bit of a drive, but worth it.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

In August I found the Belle Yellow Disney gown for $32.50 that was the exact same one found in Downtown Disney, resort shops on property and in the parks for $45.00. I also bought a couple of Iphone covers for $15.99 that were around $30.00.
I caught a cab for that trip for about 18.00 (4 of us) and we took advantage of their food court. It was not gourmet food, but a savings from the QS food at Disney. It was nice to also look around and brose in the other stores. Nice break from the parks, and it is certainly not a strip mall. Doors do open to the outside, and it is fashioned like a lot of outlet malls.

I have also taken the public bus from the TTC for less than $2.00 per person. (Bus #51, but it is more of a safe and timel adventure. Just FYI.

 

[daisyduck123]

I would not waste time and money getting to the Character Warehouse. Downtown Disney it is not. Not even close. Warehouse makes it sound large

I second this...and STRONGLY. I would not waste any moments of my precious Disney vacation on this. We did, once in 2004 or 2006. Never again. All I remember are tons of the same t-shirts, coffee mugs, & plush. We walked out only having bought one item....a plush Stitch.

(I am a rather "high-end" WDW souvenir shopper too. This was such a disappointment).

 

[TDC Nala]

ETA....it is not an outlet that sells Disney merchandise on sale (meaning it doesn't cone from the parks to be clearanced there or anything like that).

I have found items from the parks sold at the outlets. Usually dated or discontinued merchandise. And not a whole lot of it. I'm not sure it's worth paying for a taxi or rental car just to go there but it's well worth a trip if you are going to have a car anyway.

 

[wcduke]

I have also taken the public bus from the TTC for less than $2.00 per person. (Bus #51, but it is more of a safe and timel adventure. Just FYI.

Thanks for this info! Is Bus #51 a Lynx bus?

 

[disneyfanlincoln]

Thanks for this info! Is Bus #51 a Lynx bus?

Yes, take the 51 tlynx bus to sea world and transfer to no 8 lynx bus up the drive or I drive trolley. I've done it this way quite a few times, even with baby and stroller.

 

[disneyfanlincoln]

We love the disney outlets and have got many bargains over the years, t shirts, sweatshirts, children's clothes, pins, bags, hats, soft toys.... Sometimes are better than others but we always manage to come back with a bag of bargains. It isn't big, just a shop but its become a tradition to visit once or twice each trip. We used to use the lynx bus service but due to a dodgy knee, we now go via taxi from DTD, taxi fare is slightly cheaper from the location and I get to do DTD as well..