Ventured over to the outlets this trip-kinda long

[PB'sMOM]

Thought I would post about my trip over to the outlet malls. On my checkout day at POFQ my MIL, DD baby and I took a taxi from POFQ to Orlando Premium outlet. First off-I went to Bell Services and they called for a taxi-I read on another board that when Bell Services does it they are faster to respond. Maybe waited 4 minutes. Driver was very nice and informed me where they pickup at the outlet and to be sure they are either a yellow/checker cab or if they are not to agree on a price/fare with the driver BEFORE entering the cab. Since fares are not regulated in the State of Florida. I told him that is what I had heard and that is why I used his company. The fare one way to Orlando Prem. was 13.00 +tip. Went to the Disney(it's another name) outlet store and they had a lot of stuff for a fraction of the cost. It was well organized and there was plenty of cast members around. I bought my DD a lanyard with the metal figurine(Sally) on it for $2.99. Bought my other DD baby a rain coat for next year for $8.99 regularly $30.00. Has Pooh and flowers on it-very cute and very durable. Strolled around other parts of the mall(by the way-this is an outside mall-but it is covered in many parts). This mall seems to be a newer mall and had some upscale stores(many to rich for me), but it was fun to look. Did buy some rich fudge from the Fudgery-mmmm.
Still had 4 hours to shop, so we decided to take the I-ride trolley to the other outlet malls-Belz. Found where the trolley pickup area was and waited about 10 mins. Cost to ride is .75 and .25 for a senior-kids under a certain age is free. Took an hour to get there because it makes stops along the way-although I enjoyed seeing I-Drive.
Found both Disney(another name)stores and they had a pretty good selection of stuff. Most stuff was repetitive and I saw it in the other stores-but I did find a wood Mickey tea light candle holder stands about 5 inches tall for $1.49-regularly $10.00.
Bought my DD a Test Track license plate for $3.99-reg. $8.99.
I looked at the id badges at all 3 stores and they were identical to the ones the disney cast members where-so I am going to asume they(stores) are all owned by Disney. I was impressed with all 3 Disney stores-although I have read where people thought some were disorganized-I give all 3 a big thumbs up.
To add-Belz seems to be an older mall(malls-there are 2 enclosed buildings)-but there were a lot of stores, inc. a Hard Rock Cafe outlet store-Great deals! Went to the Oshkosh store-lots of deals-found a pair of jeans for DD baby for $5.00.
All in all I felt it was worth a trip. By the way-I called the transportation(Murray Hill) we were using to get back to the airport and asked if they could pick us up at the mall instead of the hotel(more time to shop and save the cab fare back to the hotel) and they said sure-just give us your location.
Hope this helps.

Cindy

 

[plutospup]

DW loves the Disney outlets...I love the savings. Twice she took the Lynx bus from TTC to Belz. Cheap transportation, but a long trip. Since then we have been renting a car. We figure the cost of the car for a week is off set by eating offsite, Disney outlet bargains, and no extra transportation cost between airport and resort.

 

[smt218]

Hi,
Where is the Belz outlet that has the Hard Rock outlet? Going in a few weeks and would be interested in checking that out.

Thanks

 

[babslittleones]

Visiting the Disney Outlet stores is a must for my family for each of our trips. My husband gets just as excited as I do about going to them.

I do have to say it is a hit and miss type of thing. One year we found a ton of deals on golf shirts for my hubby. That same year we found quite a few other goodies at a bargain. Now the following year we went, we didn't find much at all. I think we got one shirt and that was about it.

We hit it good again during our trip of September 2003. We got sweatpants for $10.00, a couple of shirts for about $15.00 a piece. I got the kids each a t-shirt for about $5 or $6 each.

Our next trip is December 9 to the 13th. Here is hoping we hit the bargins again at the outlet stores. We can't wait.

We always rent a car so transportation to the outlets isn't a problem.

Beth

 

[swilshire]

Originally posted by smt218
Where is the Belz outlet that has the Hard Rock outlet?

It's in the Belz Mall at the very end of International Drive. The store is just across from the Disney store, so my sons always drag me in there. They do have good deals on pins and t-shirts. The sizes and selections are always a bit iffy, but there are definitely bargains to be found.

Sheila

 

[CarolA]

All three of the stores are owned by Disney.

(I am confused, did you take your luggage to the outlets?)

 

[rapriebe]

PB'sMOM,
Did you by any chance see any Disney pins in the Disney outlet stores. I have heard mixed stories on whether they even still sell them at the outlet store or not. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[PB'sMOM]

CarolA- We only had carry-on. My DH drove so he had all the luggage-lucky him.

rapriebe- I did see pins-some were discounted and some were not. The cast members do wear lanyards and they do trade.

 

[cdntourguide]

I just got home from the World. I visited the Character Corner store at the Premium outlet mall and they did have pins. The pins were $2.99 (the same pins were being sold at the parks for $6.50, yes the same pins): however there is a limit of 24 pins per day per person at this price (depending of coarse on whether the store has any discounted pins). Also the store sells regular priced pins so you do need to be careful: if the pins are behind the cash register they are full price, if the pins are in one of the counters throughout the store, they are discounted. Shop wisely, shop well, but definitely shop here.
thank you for the information pertaining to transit between the Premium mall and the Betz mall: I have tried many times to get info, but have not been able to. I am always amazed at the value and type of the information available on the boards.