What's Florida Mall like?

[Scottish_Maleficent]

We've never been before, but decided this trip to definitely go - when the DH's and DS's go off to watch baseball in Tampa.

What kind of shops......what kind of eating places.......what are prices like......any recommendations...
How big is it...?

Ta

Cath

 

[JANNYANS]

A good -place to spend your time great food hall.Try this link and see what you thinkhttp://www.florida-mall-fl.com/smt/servlet/SMTMall?mid=139&pn=ENTRY&rs=0

 

[#1MMFan]

I'm not sure what kind of shopping experience you prefer, but Florida Mall is our favourite shopping place. It is NOT a discount mall but it has some large department stores, notably, JCPenney, Sears, Dillards, Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, Saks, Burdines. It also has tons of other shops and you will have a hard time going through it all in one day. I'm not sure what part of Scotland you are from, but in comparison to Glasgow, the department stores are each smaller than our John Lewis or Debenhams, but are comparable with M&S on Argyll St. The mall is way larger than St Enoch Centre and Buchanan Galleries and is still bigger than Braehead quite substantially.

This is our number one shopping preference. We don't like the discount malls, except for perhaps LBV, but Florida Mall ranks way above them all. We even turned down going to the new Mall at Millennia for a return trip to FL mall.

As for eating places, there is a massive food court with Chinese, Deli, Corndog, A&W, Sbarro, multiple asian eateries, Nature's Table serving healthy options, Chick Filla (?sp), Steak sandwiches, the Olive Garden, Burger Delite and Barnie's Coffee. There are also some eating places in the newer loop section of the mall (difficult to explain if you haven't been before!)

#1MMFan

 

[Hilary]

Great food court! We thought it was worth a visit to the Mall for lunch alone

We weren't bowled over by the shopping part of it but, as #1MMFan says, it depends on what kind of shopping you enjoy.

 

[JANNYANS]

If you go to Burdines in the Mall then they have a passport for international shoppers that will give you discount about 10% if I remember properly.Once you get to the Burdines store go to the CustomerService area. (Located with Gift Wrap)
Present your passport and they will issue you a passport for your shopping

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Florida Mall is certainly my favourite. Belz doesn't really do it for me anymore , but then FM is a regular mall and Belz is an outlet center.

I love the dept stores in FM apart from Saks (way to intimidating, felt really uncomfortable in there). I love Burdines, JC Penny and Dillards

and for those who may be more than the average size my favourite store for "fluffy" women is Lane Bryant and I spend hours in here, way better than Evans IMHO

If you go to the food court they have an "express Olive garden" which I love and also one of the "Eastern" counters offers Coca-cola chicken and it's divine

 

[UKANGEL]

another big vote for the Florida Mall here!

As Sam says Lane Bryant is wonderful, and depending on what your taste is they have a wonderful Hot Topic shop which I and my DD love! (very alternative clothes!)

The food courst is amazingas well as all the other eateries here We easily spend a day here

 

[#1MMFan]

That's interesting about the Lane Bryant shop. My mum likes the mall for its offerings for the larger woman, and she tends to shop in the women's sections of JCPenney, Dillards and Sears. She managed to buy something (make that quite a lot!) in every one of the dept stores barring (funnily enough) Saks which we also find intimidating and plain boring.

#1MMFan

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Thanks guys, want to go even more now!!!

I like all shopping........not really fussy aboiut where I spend my (and DH's....lol) money . ALthough I wasn't very impressed by Belz last trip.

A 'regular American' Mall sounds good....the food court sounds even better..


Cath

 

[vernon]

Slight dissenting voice here. I thought the FM historically has been a good place to visit with some good stores. IMHO on the last couple of trips it's looking a little tired and the quality of the other stores ( outside of the main department stores) had slipped and was, at times, bordering on tacky souvenir shops.

IMHO it pales in comparisom to the new Mall at the Millenium on I4 just north of Universal and Belz. The quality of the shops and whole "feel" of the place makes it, to me, the better choice of the two. I think the FM is going to find itself in a difficult position sandwiched between the lower costs available at Belz/the other outlet malls and the higher quality ( higher cost as well ) of the Mall at the Millenium. JMHO, particularly if you're without a car, but if you're wanting to go shopping to buy (i.e. the best prices and a wide range) , I'd pick the Premium Outlet Mall just south of Seaworld on I-drive and if you want to go window shopping or are looking for that something really special I'd opt for the Mall at the Millenium.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

PS - #1MM Fan, we live in Lanarkshire...so I know all the places you mentioned very well........Thanks for the info!!!!


Cath

 

[BevS97]

I think it depends on your budget Vernon - I haven't been to the Mall of the Millenia, but everything I've read makes me thing expensive and upmarket, and frankly I can't afford that.
On the other hand, I never find anything I want at the Premium Outlet - i think part of that is being a 'fluffy' size

I love Florida Mall, and also Altamonte Mall (which is slightly further north). it has normal everyday shops which sell an large variety of things in my size, not something that can be said in the UK - but to be honest, I'd be quite happy just to visit Lane Bryant for the afternoon - it's worth a trip for that one shop alone!

Bev

 

[#1MMFan]

Whereabouts in FM is the Lane Bryant store? I know my mum would like to have a look in the near future - whenever we get back!

#1MMFan

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

The Florida Mall is well worth a visit if you haven't been before. The food court has excellent choice, but can be VERY busy. It has a lot of seating but I've seen our group of 2-3 struggle to find a table - this is in mid-July. When my mum and I have a 'ladies only' day we always go to Barney's for coffee. I like to sit upstairs as it's quieter.

I haven't been to the new Millenia Mall yet but I hear it's expensive. The FM is good but has become rather touristy more recently in my opinion. The Altamonte Mall, north Orlando is great, as is the Sanford Mall near the airport. It's huge and quiet. I like to make an annual visit to a mall in downtown Orlando called Orlando Fashion Square. It's not as big as the FM but I like the shops and it's not as busy - very few tourists.

Louise

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I went to Premium Outlet Center on my last trip and I thought it was great for buying stuff for my DBF - Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger had some great savings but nothing else there for me. Like Bev said Premium isn't good for "fluffies".

To be honest I'll only go to a mall if it has a Lane Bryant.

John I think your mum will find Lane Bryant in the stretch of shops just before Dillard's on the left as you're walking towards there.

The other thing I like about FM is that it's doable in a cab for non-drivers from both I-Drive or WDW or you can get the bus there from I-Drive I've done that before too but it takes a bit longer.

 

[#1MMFan]

I too have done the Lynx bus from I-drive, but it takes you through Orange Blossom Trail which I've heard is not such a good area. Still survived though, but I would take a taxi from I-drive in the future. Obviously needs a taxi from WDW - no obvious Lynx buses there expect at TTC I think. Yes, I once made the mistake of trying to get a Lynx bus to WDW! A CM finally managed to get us on the right bus!

John