Most of the tourists who flock to Florida for the usual attractions such as the Disney Parks also come to make the most of the shopping opportunities.
For UK guests the exchange rate in recent times has made shopping even more attractive. Of course this means that at busy times of the year when Orlando is packed with tourists the well known shopping malls in the tourist areas are very busy. In fact, judging by all the British accents you could be in a mall back home - it's only the prices that are different!
We have been visiting Florida for several years, but still enjoy the shopping a much now as we did when we holidayed there for the first time.
What we like to do now though is to find other places to shop!
For those visitors staying along the western end of the Highway 192 or on the Highway 27 we have found the ideal place:
West Oaks Mall.
This mall is situated on the Highway 50, the actual address is:
9401 West Colonial Drive.
A very easy way to direct you to it is to take the new (recently opened) road, SR429 which runs northwards from the H192. This is a toll road so you will need a few dollars handy. It is about a 15 minute drive up to the Highway 50 (West Colonial Drive) and when you exit you need to turn right. Within 5 minutes you will see the electronics store Best Buy on your left. West Oaks Mall is situated behind Best Buy. I'm ashamed to admit that having visited best Buy several time I hadn't noticed the mall.......unlike me not to sniff out a good shopping venue!
The mall is family friendly with a soft play area and carousel for the younger members of the family and also a 'Family Preferred' parking area.
The shops - the big department store names are there:
Sears
JC Penney
Dillards
Belk
There are also many smaller stores - all with familiar names.
Mall opening hours are as follows:
Monday to Thursday: 10am to 9pm
Friday: 10am to 10pm
Saturday: 8am to 10pm
Sunday: 11am to 6pm
Having had your fill of shopping, if you drive back along the Highway 50 towards Clermont you will see many of the restaurants and diners that you will be familiar with so why not stop and try one of them. Again - you will be surprised at the lack of tourists .......well at least that is until everyone reads this!
For UK guests the exchange rate in recent times has made shopping even more attractive. Of course this means that at busy times of the year when Orlando is packed with tourists the well known shopping malls in the tourist areas are very busy. In fact, judging by all the British accents you could be in a mall back home - it's only the prices that are different!
We have been visiting Florida for several years, but still enjoy the shopping a much now as we did when we holidayed there for the first time.
What we like to do now though is to find other places to shop!
For those visitors staying along the western end of the Highway 192 or on the Highway 27 we have found the ideal place:
West Oaks Mall.
This mall is situated on the Highway 50, the actual address is:
9401 West Colonial Drive.
A very easy way to direct you to it is to take the new (recently opened) road, SR429 which runs northwards from the H192. This is a toll road so you will need a few dollars handy. It is about a 15 minute drive up to the Highway 50 (West Colonial Drive) and when you exit you need to turn right. Within 5 minutes you will see the electronics store Best Buy on your left. West Oaks Mall is situated behind Best Buy. I'm ashamed to admit that having visited best Buy several time I hadn't noticed the mall.......unlike me not to sniff out a good shopping venue!
The mall is family friendly with a soft play area and carousel for the younger members of the family and also a 'Family Preferred' parking area.
The shops - the big department store names are there:
Sears
JC Penney
Dillards
Belk
There are also many smaller stores - all with familiar names.
Mall opening hours are as follows:
Monday to Thursday: 10am to 9pm
Friday: 10am to 10pm
Saturday: 8am to 10pm
Sunday: 11am to 6pm
Having had your fill of shopping, if you drive back along the Highway 50 towards Clermont you will see many of the restaurants and diners that you will be familiar with so why not stop and try one of them. Again - you will be surprised at the lack of tourists .......well at least that is until everyone reads this!