Child Friendly Malls of Orlando

Malls are a great place to take your child in Florida. Indoor malls are great for rainy days, hot days, and when Mommy wants to get some shopping done too. There are several malls that are kid friendly in the Orlando Area. The following malls are ranked according to recommendation.

1. Altamonte Mall 451 East Altamonte Drive Altamonte Springs, FL 32701. Phone: (407) 215-5100

The Altamonte Mall is located in Altamonte Springs, FL. A fifteen minute drive east from downtown Orlando. It may be a little drive for some, but it is definitely worth the drive if you have children.

There is something for everyone at this mall. In the past few years, this mall has been revamped with new and trendy stores for women apparel such as: Cache, Guess, H & M, Forever 21, Buckle, The Limited, Francesca’s, Bebe, and the list goes on. In addition, they have the best variety of different types of foods in their food court that also includes exotic dishes from Japan, China, Indian, and the Middle East, amongst the regular stands like Sbarro, Taco Bell, etc.

There is also a Barnes and Noble bookstore located on the second floor if you would like to check out magazines or books. They also have a great children section. If you have older children, a Game Stop store will keep them entertained by trying out video games. This store is located on the second floor by the food court.

One of the perks of this mall are some children stores are close to proximity to one another and near the play area. Gymboree and The Children’s Place are near the Build-A-Bear store. These stores are located right by the play area which is located on the lower floor by Sears.

Along with department stores that carry children apparel, there are other children’s stores available at this mall too: babyGap, GapKids, Justice, and a children’s section at H & M. There is also a pet store, Best Friends Puppy Boutique, that carries a variety of little puppies. The store often has puppies on the floor in a pen for the children to see.

The best feature about this mall is the the children’s Marionette Puppet Theatre. It is located right next to the play area and only costs $6.00. Children ages two and under are free. They have different shows every few weeks and it will keep all age groups entertained including babies. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.pinocchios.net/index.html. Showtimes are: Wednesdays-Fridays: 10:30am, 1:30pm, 4:30pm. Saturdays & Sundays: 12:30pm, 2:45pm, 5pm.

Lastly, although there isn’t a movie theater inside the mall, there is one right next to it. It is only a short walk or drive away. For more information, please check out their website at http://www.amctheatres.com/

2. The Florida Mall 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, FL 32809. Phone: (407) 851-7234

This mall is the largest one in central Florida. Its family-friendly facilities include the possibility to rent strollers, diaper changing stations in the private rest rooms, and a very nice children’s play area located by Macy’s. They also offer free Wi-Fi.

This mall also has approximately 270 stores. Almost every store you can imagine. Children would be sure to enjoy the Disney store and Build-a-Bear. However, there is a downside to this mall. It is very crowded and usually filled with tons of tourists.

 

3. West Oaks Mall 9401 West Colonial Drive #728 Ocoee, FL 34761. Phone: (407) 294-6033

This is a smaller, quieter mall. They have a Merry-Go-Round in their food court as well as a play area in front of Sears. There is also a movie theater located right inside the mall. It is a great place to catch something to eat, ride the Merry-Go-Round, have your child play at the play area, and then finish your day with a movie.

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4. Orlando Premium Outlets
8200 Vineland Avenue
Orlando, FL 32821
(407) 238-7787

4951 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 352-9600

If you are traveling to Orlando and staying near the attractions, these outlet malls are a great place to check out. The Premium Outlet malls are outdoor. A great place for children to walk around while enjoying the Florida sun.

There are two premium outlet locations. The one nearest to the Disney attractions is located on Vineland Ave. There are 150 stores located at this mall. There is a small outdoor playground on the backside of the mall near the parking lot. This mall also has various coin rides for children, so be sure to bring quarters.

The second outlet mall is a few minutes drive down 1-4 interstate going east. It is located on International Drive. There are 180 stores located at this Premium Outlet. There is no outdoor playground area for kids to play however, they do feature a jumping trampoline for kids and they have a train ride available for a small fee. There are various coin operated rides.

 

5. Millenia Mall 4200 Conroy Road Orlando, FL 32839. Phone: (407) 363-3555

This is one of the more upscale malls of central Florida. Unfortunately, it is not child friendly. However, it is one of the best malls for purchasing things for children. It offers an array of children’s stores such as: Baby Gap, Gymboree, Janie and Jack, Pottery Barn for Kids, etc.

This mall does not have a designated play area. There are a few lobbies located in the mall that many parents allow their children to run around to expend their energy. The main lobby (located under the food court and in front of Victoria Secret) has several high-tech screens that display various images. It is quite appealing to watch. There is also a beautiful fountain by the Cheesecake Factory entrance to view.

This mall also has one of the best food courts in town. If you prefer to eat at a restaurant there are plenty to choose from, such as: Brio, California Kitchen, Panera, P.F. Chang’s, and the Cheesecake Factory. Johnny Rockets (located in the food court) is an entertaining place to eat with your child that features burgers, fries, handmade shakes, and juke boxes. You might get lucky and have the staff sing and dance for you during your meal.

 

6. Seminole Towne Center Mall 200 Towne Center Circle Sanford, FL 32771. Phone: (407) 323-1843

This mall is the farthest and is one of the smaller malls from the Orlando area. The Seminole Mall offers train rides around the mall for approximately $3.00 a ride. There are also coin operated rides. There is a movie theater located in the mall.

 

7. Fashion Square Mall East Colonial Drive and Maguire Orlando, FL 32803. Phone: 407-896-1131

The Fashion Square Mall only offers coin operated rides. The best thing about this mall, it has less crowds. It also has a movie theater.