You’ll find hundreds of brand name stores at Orlando’s megamall complexes and a variety of beautiful boutiques and gift shops downtown. However, Orlando is also home to some of the country’s largest outlet mall centers, so you can always find a great bargain on designer brands. The Chelsea Premium Outlets in Kissimmee, the Prime Outlets on International Drive, and the Factory Outlet Mall in Lake Buena Vista are just a few of the top outlet shopping spots around Orlando. Here are some shopping tips to help you tackle each one and make the most of your visit:
1. Shop thePrime Outletsearly in the morning. The Prime Outlets are located right on international Drive, just minutes away from SeaWorld and Universal Studios. This outlet mall gets very crowded by mid-afternoon throughout the week, and reaches near-full capacity on weekends when visitors are done exploring the theme parks. Skip the crowds and avoid traffic jams down International Drive by heading here first thing in the morning. Most stores open at 10 a.m., and you can take a trolley across the center if you want to cover the grounds in a few hours.
2. Skip the restaurant lines. Pack your own lunch and you’ll save almost an hour of standing in lines or waiting for a table at the shopping center’s restaurants. These plazas fill up quickly by lunch hour, and you can waste valuable shopping hours when you get caught in the lunch rush. Avoid this time-waster completely by packing a lunch and continuing on your route.
3. Wear plenty of sunscreen!All of the outlet centers are open air malls, which means you’ll be spending a lot of time in the hot Florida sun. Make sure you’re well-protected against harmful UV rays with extra sunscreen; wear light, loose-fitting clothing to avoid overheating and carry a bottle of water to keep yourself in good shape for your shopping adventure.
4. Pick up a savings booklet. The Prime Outlets and the Factory Outlet Mall offer free savings booklets and coupons for shoppers throughout the year. Just head to the information kiosk to pick up your booklet of freebies and discounts. These are especially valuable if you plan on making large purchases from just one store, and savings can be up to 50% regular prices.
5. Enjoy the free entertainment. The Chelsea Premium Outlets and other venues host live music performances, concerts and other acts throughout the year. Just call the venue ahead of time to find out what may be happening during your visit; this is a great way to take a break and recharge during your shopping excursion.
6. Enjoy late-night shopping experience. One of the biggest benefits of outlet shopping in Orlando is the extended shopping hours. Stores can stay open until midnight during the holiday season, and will open at midnight for Black Friday. Most outlet stores remain open until 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 p.m. on Sundays; you’ll always have time for that shopping fix.
