shopping

[saorise82]

i love beltz and florida mall but ive never been to lake buena vista factory stores can anyone tell me whats stores are there and are they worth a visit and any ideas on any other places to go shop

[wrtinch]

I'm afraid I give the LBV mall a thumbs down. The best outlet mall is the Premium Outlet off junction 68 on I4. To my mind it is better than Beltz. For upmarket shopping, the Millenia Mall, not far from Beltz is far newer than the Florida Mall and, while it has fewer stores than the Florida Mall, is much quieter with some pretty exclusive stores and makes for a very pleasant shopping/dining experience

[Goofy Girl]

I agree with wrtinch - I think Premium Outlets was the best of the lot.

Happy spending! :wink:

[clio]

I agree the Premium Outlets is the best. Belz used to be very popular but a lot of the stores there are closing. In my opinion the only reason to go to the LBV mall is the Old Navy outlet. I haven't seen one anywhere else.

[wrtinch]

Just on a point of interest, Armani Exchange have now opened an outlet at Premium Malls and Calvin Klein is re-opening (may have by now).
I find Beltz a bit grubbier and not so convenient as Premium and it is divided into several malls that you have to drive between. But Beltz still has more outlets to offer. The Saks store, especially, can be worth a visit.
A plus for me is that Premium is at the right end of I Drive for WDW while Beltz is at the opposite end. This month, Premium was open until 11pm which I think is much later than Beltz and makes for a nice, but expensive, after dinner stroll. It also has a Starbucks!! If you are a shopaholic like me and can spare the time, do both Beltz and Premium.

[Kitten]

Pointe orlando and festival bay have some great shops, and Festival Bay has a Hottopic store yay... and ron johns surf shop...........

[saorise82]

oh thanks guys

is millenia mall and the premium outlets on the i ride trolley or how would i get there im not driving

i have never heard of festival bay where is that and how do i get there

thanks

[Keith]

I never bother with premium outlet mall, really don't like it. Loads of designer outlet stores with nothing else, really not my idea of fun :) but I do go to the florida mall and mall at millenia every time. We get taxis... from downtown disney to the premium outlet mall will cost very little, it's very close indeed.

DTD to florida mall probably $35 ish each way.... roughly the same to the mall at millenia.

The mall at millenia is my choice for a good shopping experience. The place feels upmarket and has a nice variety of stores. The Florida mall though more dated feels even more varied and the last few times we've ended up going to the mall at millenia once but then back a few more times to the Florida mall.

[clio]

You can get to Festival Bay and the Premium Outlets on the trolley. Premium Outlets is at the South end of I Drive past SeaWorld and Festival Bay is near Belz.

[wrtinch]

I agree with Keith that the Millenia Mall is the best shopping experience It also has a number of very fine restaurants. The Forida Mall has more stores and, unfortunately people. I would say that the Florida Mall is to the Millenia Mall as Beltz is to the Premium. The latter in each case is just that bit more upmarket and cleaner. The I Ride trolley runs between Beltz and the Premium Outlet but does not go down as far as the Millenia and if you don't have a car then a taxi or limo is the only way. While Keith may not be into the designer bargains at Premium, it is interesting to visit Hugo Boss, Burberry, Neiman Marcus et al at the Millenia and then compare prices at the Premium. You won't find an Armani suit at the Millenia for under $500!! You may, however, find designer clothes even cheaper off the bargain rails at Macy's in the Millenia or Burdines at the Florida Mall. (actually Burdines and Macy's have merged this year).

[Keith]

I think my problem with the premium mall is it was... hmmm how to say this :) pitched at me :) it feels so "uk visitor to disney" oriented and there were people running round with boxes of trainers and things like they were going out of fashion. I know that sounds annoying <G> but it was last years stuff at OK but not great prices IMHO.

I truly agree with the Macy's & Burdines suggestion though. Does Macy's EVER not have a sale?? :) actually I get nervous shopping at macys. I try and take the clothes to the till and then every single time the shop assistant will say "where's your coupon book" ermmm???? then they all hustle round to show me all the latest deals and coupons etc :). I NEVER EVER know what price I'm going to pay at Macys, all I ever know is it'll be a lot less than on the label (which in turn will be less than the UK). They're always really helpful and nice too.

[wrtinch]

You are so right, Keith. All that glitters at the discount malls is not necessarily a bargain and yes, it does tend to be out of date fashion. Also, I have grave suspicions that some of the stores are producing goods especially for their outlets. Goods that have never seen, or been intended to see, the inside of a retail store. A certain company not unknown to us as the sweet with the hole in the centre is one which springs to mind and I am sure that there are others. But there are bargains to be had and being a Scotsman, I must find them. Florida just isn't considered a success unless I feel I have saved my airfare on bargain purchases (there's convoluted logic for you).
Again you are right about the Macy's staff. Not quite sure why they just don't give us the stuff for nothing and save themselves and us time and bother.

[JuniorMickey]

Also, I have grave suspicions that some of the stores are producing goods especially for their outlets. Goods that have never seen, or been intended to see, the inside of a retail store.
I know that the Old Navy Outlet carries stuff from the Old Navy store as well as the Old Navy Outlet brand. Those that have never seen the inside of a regular Old Navy store have a different tag on the inside of the clothes you can tell the difference.

[discominnie]

I'd give the LBV factory stores a miss, unless you've got nothing else to do. We got a taxi there from DTD, walked around, noticed they are opening a new disney outlet then rang for a cab to take us to premium outlet. PO was much better, some nice stores here, DH loved the tommy hilfiger store (big fan of their polo shirts) i found a couple of tops. I also liked the .... cole (can't remember the first name) got a nice watch and a bracelet I'd seen in Macy's and had regretted not getting, at great prices. The cosmetics company has some great bargains on make up and clinique.

We spent a day at the Florida mall, we got a cab from our hotel (POFQ) and it was $60 round trip. You can get a mears transfer for $14 pp but they only go sun and thurs. I liked it here (I was in need of retail therapy!!) there are lots of department stores inc nordstrom/lord and taylor and my all time favourite Burdines-Macey's.... if you go to guest services and show you're from out of town you get a discount voucher for 13%, yay! we didn't get to Millenia, just didn't have time, will have to wait till the next trip:D . If you are travelling near an American holiday (ie labour day) then they usually have fab sales.

I didn't like pointe orlando for shops as there weren't very many, but it did have Johnny Rockets (try the mocha fudge shake) Yum!!!

[PaulaK]

I was very disappointed with Pointe Orlando. My favourite kids clothes shop had gone, as had FAO Shwarz and several others. I recently read Gap had closed there too? It was sad to see it looking so empty being in a prime location :( We had lunch at Johnny Rockets (a delicious tuna melt!) before going to the airport.

[wrtinch]

Sounds like you do as we do, PaulaK. Last minute fix of shopping therapy between checking out and heading for the airport on the last day. I always feel that it is as essential as standing outside MCO greedily puffing that last cigarette before the famine of what is to come. FAO's was the highlight of Pointe Orlando, I found the area grubby with the other shops pretty disappointing and just repeats of what you can find everywhere else. Now its off my list of shopping sites. Being so near the Conference Centre, I would have thought that FAO's would have been a success but maybe most people did as I did and treated it as an attraction. Loved looking but never bought that much!

[JuniorMickey]

FAO has closed nationwide - not just Orlando

[raven]

So what is actually there (PO) now? I looked at their website the other day and it still looked as though there was plenty.....

Johnny Rockets - mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... :D

[saorise82]

fao is gone ...............oh i was looking fordward to it to

has the ragady ann doll gone and the big teddy and stuff too from outside or are they still there

?????????????????????

[wrtinch]

+It was open when I was across in April. Unfortunately, the only things being sold were the shop fittings - all the toys had gone.
The outside features were still in position earlier this month though if I've understood the post in the Orlando Sentinel they are not going to be there much longer.

[saorise82]

gee thats so sad i loved it there and i love the big doll and stuff gereat photo opportunities such a pity isnt it

[Sonick]

Got to agree about orlando Premium outlets being great

Belz was great but has gone down hill rapidly

What is the Festival Bay centre like now?

Last year i went there and there was only about 8 stores open in there and it a big place

[ruby tuesday]

Does the old navy outlet have kids clothes?

[AlecK]

Hi Ruby,

Yes, old navy has kids clothes.