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SHOPPING
There are so many outlet centres,
malls, arcades and bargain stores in this part of Central Florida,
the temptation is to go way, WAY over your tax allowance for
returning to the UK (not to mention your baggage allowance!). There
are at least seven major malls, three serious discount centres, a
huge flea-market and three purpose-built tourist shopping
'attractions' that you could easily spend a week on retail therapy
alone. Just about everything here offers major savings on similar
items in the UK, while there are major bargains to be had on things
like jeans, trainers, shoes, cosmetics and sports equipment.
We recommend setting aside a full day
to tour the shopping centres, as several are practically tourist
attractions in their own right. Here's a quick look at the main
choice:
Florida Mall:
the biggest and
most comprehensive mall in Central Florida, with 7 major department
stores and some 260 other shops, all under one roof. If you want a
one-stop-shop, this is probably it. Wait for their sales for the
major bargains, though.
 Mall at Millenia: the newest
and most eye-catching mall in Florida, with amazing design and some
of the most up-market shopping in the state (Macy's, Bloomingdales,
Tiffany), plus a magnificent food court and an array of fine
restaurants. Again, there are bargains to be had at their periodic
sales.
Seminole Towne Center: located
near the town of Sanford and therefore handy for anyone going back
from Sanford Airport, this extensive mall has more than 100 shops,
plus department stores (Burdines and JC Penney) and 6 full-service
restaurants.
Orlando Premium Outlets: a huge
hit with British tourists since it opened in 2000, this
village-style centre (with an indoor food court) offers some major
discount shopping with the likes of Timberland, Banana Republic,
adidas and Reebok, plus Hugo Boss, Versace and Lauren. Don't miss
the discount Disney and Universal shops here.
Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores:
another extensive complex devoted to factory outlet shopping,
offering bargains from Gap, Waterford/Wedgwood, Sony and Reebok,
among others, with several excellent one-off stores like the Hard
Rock Outlet and Borders Books Outlet stores. There is also the main
Travel City Direct welcome center (and their valuable
off-airport check-in) here, too.
Prime Outlets: (formerly Belz Factory Outlet World)
at the top of International Drive and so extensive you need to drive
around it all (!), this also houses some great bargains (with shops
for Fossil, Liz Claiborne, Saks 5th Avenue Outlet, Perry Ellis and Samsonite, among many others) but you have
to be prepared to wade through a lot to get them. It is due for a
major makeover in 2006/07 under new owners Prime Outlets.
Festival Bay: the newest
complex in the area, this is as much about entertainment as retail,
with some unique stores (Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Ron Jon's
Surf Shop, Steve and Barry's and Shepler's Western Wear), activities like a
skateboard park, mini-golf and cinema (plus a unique 'surf-park'
later in 2006), and some excellent restaurants, like Dixie
Crossroads, Fuddrucker's and Bergamo's.
The
Pointe Orlando: another
shopping-and-entertainment complex (undergoing a major
reconstruction in 2006), this combines some more one-off
stores (Victoria's Secret, Armani Exchange, Foot Locker), some
elaborate restaurants, cinema multiplex and nightclubs, as well as
the neighbouring WonderWorks interactive fun centre.
The Mercado: currently under
threat of the developer's axe (and largely closed), one of the
older tourist shopping attractions has become something of a ghost
village, although it still boasts the Brit-friendly Cricketers Arms pub (proper beer
and football on Saturdays!), at least until August 2006, when we
believe they will re-locate to Festival Bay.
Old Town: down in Kissimmee is
this mini village of individual shops, bars, restaurants - and
rides. Lots of rides! Try go-karts, coasters, bungee swings and
more, with an area also just for kids. Fans of classic American cars
should not miss the popular weekly Saturday Nite Cruise here.
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2006 
