If you like shopping, then a visit to Orlando, Florida should provide even the most hardened shopper with an opportunity to hunt out bargains and to make the most of a number of good deals which are currently to be had.
Visiting Orlando from the UK, I was already looking forward to making the most of the good sterling to dollar exchange rate. I had thought that I would purchase a number of Disney related products and gifts and, whilst I did do that, the real bargains were to be had at some of Orlando’s fantastic outlet shopping centres and malls.
The most famous shopping attraction in Orlando is probably the Florida Mall, where you will find 270 stores, which are all ready and waiting to welcome you and your wallet through their doors. There are the usual wide ranges of clothes, jewellery, home and entertainment stores here and I found that, in particular, there were good deals to be had in the jewellery stores, where some advertised prices could perhaps be discounted if you asked nicely. In addition, the several department stores in the Mall offered high end perfume sets at good prices. I happened to be visiting close to Mother’s Day and special gift sets were available for purchase at very attractive prices.
The Florida Mall is situated on Orange Blossom Trail and is close to all of the major Disney attractions. For the real bargain hunters, however, it is worthwhile heading to the Prime Outlets Centre on International Drive, where even more fantastic shops offering excellent deals can be found.
Prime Outlets houses stores offering over 175 brands – many of them designer names. I found that generally, prices were heavily discounted and, in some instances, savings could be very high. In particular, designer names, branded leather goods, watches, jewellery and shoes seemed extremely good value. I managed to pick up a designer leather handbag, which I had seen in the UK for £140 (circa $270), for the unbelievable price of $60 (£32). This was by no means the only bargain to be had and similar savings could be made on watches and other high-end goods.
The Prime Outlets Centre, just like the Florida Mall, offers an extremely pleasant shopping environment where the weary shopper can sit down and relax and have a bite to eat and a cool drink, before heading on into the next well stocked and well priced store.
For the more casual shopper who is really only looking for themed gifts to take home to family and friends, then the parks themselves offer a good range of products. That said, the more frugal shopper might wish to look in one of the large supermarket chains, where similar products can often be found at discounted prices. If you are looking for an extra-special memento, look no further than the Animation Courtyard store at Disney Hollywood Studios, where you can pick up a signed, hand-drawn sketch of a Disney character for $35.
Whether you intend to treat yourself to a memento or scour the shops for bargains, then Orlando is the place for you.
Visiting Orlando from the UK, I was already looking forward to making the most of the good sterling to dollar exchange rate. I had thought that I would purchase a number of Disney related products and gifts and, whilst I did do that, the real bargains were to be had at some of Orlando’s fantastic outlet shopping centres and malls.
The most famous shopping attraction in Orlando is probably the Florida Mall, where you will find 270 stores, which are all ready and waiting to welcome you and your wallet through their doors. There are the usual wide ranges of clothes, jewellery, home and entertainment stores here and I found that, in particular, there were good deals to be had in the jewellery stores, where some advertised prices could perhaps be discounted if you asked nicely. In addition, the several department stores in the Mall offered high end perfume sets at good prices. I happened to be visiting close to Mother’s Day and special gift sets were available for purchase at very attractive prices.
The Florida Mall is situated on Orange Blossom Trail and is close to all of the major Disney attractions. For the real bargain hunters, however, it is worthwhile heading to the Prime Outlets Centre on International Drive, where even more fantastic shops offering excellent deals can be found.
Prime Outlets houses stores offering over 175 brands – many of them designer names. I found that generally, prices were heavily discounted and, in some instances, savings could be very high. In particular, designer names, branded leather goods, watches, jewellery and shoes seemed extremely good value. I managed to pick up a designer leather handbag, which I had seen in the UK for £140 (circa $270), for the unbelievable price of $60 (£32). This was by no means the only bargain to be had and similar savings could be made on watches and other high-end goods.
The Prime Outlets Centre, just like the Florida Mall, offers an extremely pleasant shopping environment where the weary shopper can sit down and relax and have a bite to eat and a cool drink, before heading on into the next well stocked and well priced store.
For the more casual shopper who is really only looking for themed gifts to take home to family and friends, then the parks themselves offer a good range of products. That said, the more frugal shopper might wish to look in one of the large supermarket chains, where similar products can often be found at discounted prices. If you are looking for an extra-special memento, look no further than the Animation Courtyard store at Disney Hollywood Studios, where you can pick up a signed, hand-drawn sketch of a Disney character for $35.
Whether you intend to treat yourself to a memento or scour the shops for bargains, then Orlando is the place for you.