Where's hot and where's not to shop in Orlando!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! (Shopping in Orlando)

Member Name: marie084

Product:	Shopping in Orlando
Date:	03/06/02 (2052 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You won't have to find out for yourselves, Useful guide to shopping, A must for all shoppaholics

Disadvantages: Only wish I'd been to more malls

Many ops have been written about the Disney Parks, so I decided to write one about where to shop in Orlando. If you are going to Florida for the first time, you will probably spend most of your time visiting the theme parks and attractions, however I advise you to take some time out to shop. If on the other hand you went once and became hooked, you will already have done all the parks several times and won?t want to do them again. This op is designed for all fellow shoppaholics so please read on. You are welcome to print it off and take it with you for reference. Would love to hear from those of you who have already been to any of the following, thoughts, comments etc welcome.

GO SHOPPING AS NEAR TO LABOUR DAY (3rd September 2002, always in the first week in Sept). THE SALES ARE ALL ON AND ARE FANTASTIC. ON THE ACTUAL DAY PRICES ARE SLASHED BY AS MUCH AS 75%.

WHERE TO GO:

BELZ FACTORY OUTLET ? This in my opinion is
definitely the best mall. It is located on International Drive and has 2 main annexes (inside malls), both of which are fantastic. The stores are far more competitive than other malls, selling factory overstock, seconds, etc. Each has a record shop called ?Music for less?, where cds/tapes are much cheaper than other malls, especially when the sales are on. There is also a book store called ?Books a Million? and best of all for holiday pressies, is an official Disney sale store ?Character Warehouse?. There is one in each annex, check them out before spending a fortune at the parks. It has something for everyone.

Best Suited to ? The bargain hunter, who
enjoys rummaging for
bargains.

Least suited to ? The up market / designer
shopper who doesn?t mind
paying loads for stuff.

Time needed ? I spend the entire day, but
you could probably get around
in ab
out 4 hours. The longer,
the better!!!!!!!!!!!!!



COLONIAL DRIVE MALL - This is not as well
publicised as other malls, but is well worth a visit. It is about an hour/ hour ½ from Disney on the I 4 road. Get rough directions before you go. It has something for everyone and has an impressive food court. It consists mainly of clothes stores, but if you like music check out the CD WAREHOUSE right next to it.

Time needed ? Probably half a day. It is a
fair size.




CD WAREHOUSE ? This is about 3 minutes from
the colonial mall, right next to a drive through Mcdonalds. It looks a bit dodgy, but isn?t. It is a must for all fans of cds. Get new and used cds at really good prices. You can even take your old ones and they will part exchange. There is also a branch nearer to Disney on the 192 road, next to ?Splendid China? (look in the brochures). I cannot recommend them enough.



FLORIDA MALL ? This is the one most people
visit, but in my opinion is the worst. It is however worth a visit, especially for those of you who like designer boutiques. It has a vast array of shops and an impressive food court.

Best Suited to ? Designer/ fashion gurus,
serious shoppers wanting
to spend, spend,spend!!

Least Suited to - Bargain Hunters

Time Needed ? At least half a day




LAKELAND SQUARE MALL ? This is very similar
to the Florida Mall, perhaps a bit smaller. It is quite a distance from Disney, but I would highly recommend going to Lakeland. It is a beautiful and picturesque place. Make a day of it taking photos and having a picnic and then wind up at the mall.

Suitable for ? All

Time Needed ? 3 hours




EAGLE RIDGE MALL ? This is very near

Lakeland, so why not visit this mall on the same day as Lakeland Square Mall. I went a couple of years ago when it was quite small. I think it has been expanded, but I wouldn?t make a special trip unless you are staying nearby.

Suitable for ? All

Time needed ? Only 1 or 2 hours




TAMPA MALL ? This is very near to Busch
Gardens, so why not check it out while others in your party go to Busch. Again it does not warrant a special trip if you are staying up by Disney, but is well worth a visit if you are in the vicinity.

Suitable for - Everyone

Time needed ? few hours / half a day




THE MERCADO ? Situated in the heart of
International Drive, it is a very pleasant shopping experience. There are not many shops and those that are there are small. It is well worth a visit if you like shopping, particularly fans of novelty, unique, zany shops. They sell candles, hammocks, tie dyed clothes, jewellery etc. It is an outdoor activity, so cover up else you will burn.

Best Suited to ? Those of you who just love
to shop, perhaps a little
eccentric.

Least Suited to ? Those of you who like big
shopping Malls

Time Needed ? About an hour / hour ½ .
Combine it with something else. The Titanic exhibition, Guiness Book of Records and Wonder Works are all in walking distance from it.



FAO SWARTZ (Toy Shop) ? This is also near
to the Mercado so I suggest you visit this at the same time as the Mercado. It has a big rag doll and Teddy Bear outside, that you can see from the main road. It is a massive toy shop, so prepare to spend if you have kids.
There are other shops on this complex, including designer boutiques, a record store, plus an impressive food court and cinema. It is well worth a look for any one. <
br>
Time Needed ? 1 to 2 hours.



DOWN TOWN DISNEY & VIRGIN MEGASTORE ? This
is a must every time you go to Florida. It has a fabulous atmosphere. If you love Disney merchandise, you are in Heaven!!!!!!!!! Particularly good shops are ?Pooh Corner? and the Christmas shop. There is also an absolutely massive Disney shop. The VIRGIN is also massive. I spend over an hour each time, particularly when sales are on. Neither are to be missed!!!!!!!!!!!!!



FLEA MARKETS ? They are situated all over
Florida and are an interesting shopping experience. They are like marmite, you either love or hate them. I suggest going to one with air conditioning as those without are horrendously sweaty. Some of the stuff is incredibly tacky, but you can get some good stuff.

Heaven for ? Fans of Markets, Carboot sales , bargains

Hell (and I can?t stress this enough) for ? Exclusive serious shoppers who hate anything remotely tacky.

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I ONLY WISH I WAS GOING THIS YEAR. I HOPE MY OP HAS PROVED USEFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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