One of the highlights of our Orlando vacation is shopping! Designer Malls, Walmart, Publix, small exclusive boutiques or specialist craft shops, Orlando has it all! Best of all, in our view, is outlet shopping. For the uninitiated, outlets are stores which sell goods at discounted prices, sometimes with as much as 70% off the original selling price, and with other offers such as buy one get one free or buy one and get a second item half price. These are often goods which may be the end of season, end of line or limited edition merchandise.
Outlets can be found dotted up and down the 192 and International Drive, but for the serious shopper the only real option is the outlet malls with numerous stores all in one place and all selling deeply discounted goods.
The Factory Stores at Lake Buena Vista (situated on the 535 close to Walt Disney World’s Maingate East and right across from the Walmart superstore) has fewer stores than for example Premium or Prime Outlets, but the charm is in it’s size and it is a great place to visit for just a couple of hours shopping, especially in the evening after a day spent relaxing by the pool. You do need to be aware that this outlet’s opening hours are more limited than those of the larger malls, opening, Mon – Sat 10am – 9. 30 pm and on Sundays 10am – 7pm.
The stores are situated around a large central car park making it easy to return to your car with your bargains before your arms become too tired from all the bags you are carrying!
There is a small food court with an outside deck area overlooking fountains and a playground to help keep the children amused.
There are restrooms in two locations, one inside the food court and the other along a passage way adjacent to Old Navy.
Many of the stores can be found in both Prime and Premium Outlets but do not always carry the same merchandise and for us the highlights of this particular mall are Old Navy ( not located at either of the other big outlets) Nine West and a fairly new branch of Tommy Hilfiger.
Behind the mall is a block of condominiums at the base of which, you will find an Irish pub. The pub serves food and shows many of the big sporting events, a perfect place to leave your partner if they do not like shopping, it allows you to browse the shops feeling guilt free……. That is, of course, unless you are spending too much! !
Outlets can be found dotted up and down the 192 and International Drive, but for the serious shopper the only real option is the outlet malls with numerous stores all in one place and all selling deeply discounted goods.
The Factory Stores at Lake Buena Vista (situated on the 535 close to Walt Disney World’s Maingate East and right across from the Walmart superstore) has fewer stores than for example Premium or Prime Outlets, but the charm is in it’s size and it is a great place to visit for just a couple of hours shopping, especially in the evening after a day spent relaxing by the pool. You do need to be aware that this outlet’s opening hours are more limited than those of the larger malls, opening, Mon – Sat 10am – 9. 30 pm and on Sundays 10am – 7pm.
The stores are situated around a large central car park making it easy to return to your car with your bargains before your arms become too tired from all the bags you are carrying!
There is a small food court with an outside deck area overlooking fountains and a playground to help keep the children amused.
There are restrooms in two locations, one inside the food court and the other along a passage way adjacent to Old Navy.
Many of the stores can be found in both Prime and Premium Outlets but do not always carry the same merchandise and for us the highlights of this particular mall are Old Navy ( not located at either of the other big outlets) Nine West and a fairly new branch of Tommy Hilfiger.
Behind the mall is a block of condominiums at the base of which, you will find an Irish pub. The pub serves food and shows many of the big sporting events, a perfect place to leave your partner if they do not like shopping, it allows you to browse the shops feeling guilt free……. That is, of course, unless you are spending too much! !