Off site shopping without a car

[dancingelkhound]

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are heading to WDW for my first ever WDW trip in October. Husband isn't so keen but is humouring me (he went twice as a child).

He'd like to do some shopping, not Disney souvenirs etc, just general clothes shopping, probably outlet style, as he likes a bargain.

We're staying at Port Orleans French Quarter, and aren't renting a car. (We're British and neither of us has any inclination to drive on the other side of the road!) Other than Downtown Disney, is there anywhere we would be able to get to easily, without a car? We've got a full day for this, so plenty of time, but reading other threads it seems public transport is a nightmare.

We'd be open to taking a taxi if that made life easier, but have no idea how much that would cost.

Any thoughts welcome!

 

[deanaandrich]

There is an outlet mall about 5 minutes from DTD. Taxi shouldn't cost more than 20-25 dollars.

 

[disneygirl76]

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are heading to WDW for my first ever WDW trip in October. Husband isn't so keen but is humouring me (he went twice as a child).

He'd like to do some shopping, not Disney souvenirs etc, just general clothes shopping, probably outlet style, as he likes a bargain.

We're staying at Port Orleans French Quarter, and aren't renting a car. (We're British and neither of us has any inclination to drive on the other side of the road!) Other than Downtown Disney, is there anywhere we would be able to get to easily, without a car? We've got a full day for this, so plenty of time, but reading other threads it seems public transport is a nightmare.

We'd be open to taking a taxi if that made life easier, but have no idea how much that would cost.

Any thoughts welcome!

There are outlets near there. And just take a taxi. That is the easiest thing to do.

 

[G00fyDad]

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are heading to WDW for my first ever WDW trip in October. Husband isn't so keen but is humouring me (he went twice as a child).

He'd like to do some shopping, not Disney souvenirs etc, just general clothes shopping, probably outlet style, as he likes a bargain.

We're staying at Port Orleans French Quarter, and aren't renting a car. (We're British and neither of us has any inclination to drive on the other side of the road!) Other than Downtown Disney, is there anywhere we would be able to get to easily, without a car? We've got a full day for this, so plenty of time, but reading other threads it seems public transport is a nightmare.

We'd be open to taking a taxi if that made life easier, but have no idea how much that would cost.

Any thoughts welcome!

Then don't go to an outlet. I remember when outlet stores saved a person money, but anymore they can be as pricey, or more so than other places.

 

[LucyK]

You could go to the Premium Outlet on Vineland Avenue, it's around $35 each way (tip included). Like a past poster said, prices are jacked up and you're not saving much but it's a one stop for all your shopping needs. Avoid weekends.

There's also a Walmart Superstore near POFQ, 5 minutes tops that will set you back around $30 both ways. They have electronics and if you look hard enough, you can find brand options of thirst and jeans. They also carry lots of Disney merchandise for a good price, I bought many Disney tshirts and others random souvenirs to gift family back home.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Taxi service is a good idea. One year we wanted to go somewhere off site. A CM told us, yeah it's just a 5 minute walk. Well the walk was longer, the heat was beating down and I had to lug the bags back to the resort. It would have been worth paying the taxi fee. If I had only known. But I'm much wiser now.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

A taxi to where you want to go is probably your best bet. There are outlets close by but as people said it isn't always bargains there. There is a Disney Character Warehouse though and it can have some fun stuff. There is a public bus system in Orlando but I've never used it but I think it stops at the Transportation and Ticket Center, perhaps someone more local could help you with that.

 

[luv]

You won't save any money shopping at the "outlet" stores.

There are public busses. Lynx. I think mapquest has a thing to help you get places using public transportation, if the Lynx site can't help. Or you can take a cab.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Get a taxi to any of the shopping malls (not necessarily an outlet). Isn't too expensive, and we have done this in the past. Being a fellow brit who has a DH who loves to drive over there we don't normally have a problem. Also depends on which company you are travelling with. Virgin used to do a day excursion which took in a couple of outlets and malls - it may be worth checking if this still happens if you are travelling with them.

 

[WDW-LUVR]

Every year I make a trip out to http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17, have done it several times from Port Orleans. From the hotel the cab cost $15 each way. Port Orleans resort are only 10-12 minutes from the outlet. This year I have found another outlet mall http://www.lbvfs.com/ that I will be visiting as well and it about the same distance. The very first time I adventured off site I new the name of the outlet(premium )but was unaware there was to well the cabby took full advantage of it and brought me all the way downtown Orlando $50 each way. So my advice to you is research where it is you want to go, mapquest from you hotel if you have GPS on your cell use it so your cabby doese not take advantage of you and enjoy the Outlets they are GREAT.

 

[tare]

There are some nice outlet malls. But you will need to take a taxi. Have fun exploring!!!

 

[dreamfinder]

Keep in mind that most US outlets now sell goods made specifically for the outlet. These tend to be cheaper quality, hence the lower prices. There are stores that do sell seconds, last seasons, etc, but a large amount of what they sell is now first run merch made just for the outlet.

 

[G00fyDad]

Keep in mind that most US outlets now sell goods made specifically for the outlet. These tend to be cheaper quality, hence the lower prices. There are stores that do sell seconds, last seasons, etc, but a large amount of what they sell is now first run merch made just for the outlet.

Cheaper quality, lower prices.... what outlet malls do you have near you? LOL I haven't seen a "cheap" outlet mall in a very long time.

 

[dreamfinder]

Cheaper quality, lower prices.... what outlet malls do you have near you? LOL I haven't seen a "cheap" outlet mall in a very long time.

We have a premium outlets about 30 mins away. Has a mix of cheaper quality (J. Crew, Gap, Banana) all of which are MSRP at about 60-70% of what similar items would cost at their non outlet store, plus whatever "sale" they are offering on top of that, factory seconds (New Balance), and straight up discounted old season merch (Vineyard Vines approx 50% of sticker, plus extra sales). But yes, definitely not what they used to be.

 

[dancingelkhound]

You won't save any money shopping at the "outlet" stores.

I think as Brits we have a general perception that clothes and gadgets are way cheaper in America!

Thanks for all your help everyone, we'll take your advice and get a taxi

 

[wdwmagic]

I think as Brits we have a general perception that clothes and gadgets are way cheaper in America!

Thanks for all your help everyone, we'll take your advice and get a taxi

Clothes and electronics are significantly cheaper in the USA vs UK. Not helped by our 20% tax of course LOL. You will find pricing at a regular US mall to be much better than the UK. If you are looking for nice shopping experience, go to Mall at Millenia.