A Guide to Shopping in Orlando
Regarded as a shopper’s paradise, Orlando is a treasure trove of retail malls and centres!
Here at Debbie’s Villas, we know that shopping is a unique part of a holiday, so we have created a handy guide which pulls together the most popular shopping destinations.
Included are shops to expect in each area, as well as any additional attractions and food options for when you are feeling peckish.
Our blog features numerous malls, outlets, complexes, neighbourhoods and theme park-based destinations for you to make your selection!
With a vast amount of shopping options, we believe there is a location for everyone to indulge in while staying in Orlando, no matter what you are after!
The Mall at Millenia
One of the most diverse retail centres in the area, the inviting atmosphere of this shopping attraction comes from the massive selection of high and low-end establishments which encourages visitors to come together, regardless of their shopping motivations!
Conveniently located, The Mall at Millenia is about 30-40 minutes away from most of our villas.
Shops
The mall has 150 retail and food establishments in total. The stores range from chic and refined companies such as Chanel and Rolex, to the more high-street brands such as H&M, Abercrombie & Fitch, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.
The construction of the mall itself is grand in appearance, with luxurious looking glass ceilings and includes highlights such as unique art pieces and installations.
Food
The Mall at Millenia is also an excellent destination for an evening out! With so many restaurants and bars to choose from, it is a hub of activity that you will not want to leave. For drinks, the Blue Martini tends to be a popular evening spot amongst the locals.
In terms of restaurants, there is a vast assortment to make your selection, including the American classic and the favourite amongst Debbie’s Villas staff, The Cheesecake Factory. With over 200 items on the menu, the portions are famous for their significant size, so you know you won’t be leaving hungry!
The Florida Mall
Named the largest shopping centre in the state, the Florida Mall is ideally situated along Sand Lake Road and is around 30 to 40 minutes from most of our villas in Orlando. It is a family-friendly shopping location, with more than 250 retail and dining options.
Shops and Attractions
The building has a total of six department stores, including Macy’s, JCPenney and Dilliard’s to name a few, and stretches over an outstanding 1.9 million square feet. With this in mind, it would be hard not to find something to purchase in this hugely expansive construction!
For those who are looking for a holiday bargain, we would recommend the stores H&M, Forever 21 and ZARA which are located close to each other.
A shop which attracts the masses of the crowds is the phenomenal M&M’s World. The store occupies over 16,000sqft with a variety of M&M’s based merchandise; over 7,000 unique items for those who are curious! Make sure to take some holiday snaps with the cheerful M&M’s characters whilst here too!
Another store which also attracts a considerable amount of interest is the Crayola Experience. This interactive shop is a day-out in itself. The 70,000sqft expanse is incredible, with plenty of fun for the kids.
Learn about the production process of Crayola through the magic of technology and get creative at the Crayola Model Magic compound, where you can try your hand at sculpting. With things and items to marvel at in every corner of the store, you can even create your own Crayola crayon and give it a name! And don’t forget to look out for the largest Crayola crayon and take a picture to mark the occasion. We love seeing all your holiday snaps, so share them with us on our social channels.
Food
Whether you need a snack or are ready to eat a meal, the food court here will help to satisfy any food cravings you may have!
For those who have a sweet tooth, Carlo’s bakery is perfect for a cake or two!
The Shake Shack is ideal if you need something quick and easy. For those wanting to eat at a more relaxed pace, try the Hocca Bar for a sit-down meal.
Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets
The Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets is the place to visit if you are keen to find an inexpensive purchase of some high-end brands.
It is the perfect shopping centre for those staying in our villas for rent near Disney World, as it is located just 15 minutes away from many of our Orlando properties and only 5 minutes from the popular Walt Disney World Resort.
You’re never too far away from a bargain in Orlando! There is a second outlet centre further up International Drive, nearer to Universal Orlando, called Orlando International Premium Outlets, which is Orlando’s largest outlet centre.
Being in such an idyllic tourist location, it is not surprising that these outlets have so many visitors each year.
Tip: Orlando’s outlets are all outdoor shopping centres, so it’s not always the best place to go for a rainy day activity.
Big Name Stores
With more than 160 outlet retailers all in one location, this shopping complex features brands including Adidas, Under Armour, Nike, Coach, Lacoste and Calvin Klein. There’s also a Disney outlet here to shop for some discounted souvenirs.
Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets provides exceptional savings of anything between 25% to 65%, making the outlet centre a worthwhile trip for those who love to find bargains from their favourite brands.
Food
There are a total of 22 places to eat and drink at the outlet, so finding a suitable food establishment shouldn’t be a problem when in the area.
Food options are vast; anything from Mexican and Mediterranean to classic American food at Ford’s Garage.
There are lots of places for a quick treat whilst you shop, including Ben and Jerry’s for premium ice cream, Frozeberry for frozen yoghurt and smoothies, or Xurro who make the most delicious made-to-order churros!
Posner Park
Posner Park is an outdoor shopping mall which is ideally situated very close to our villas in Davenport. Located at the junction of the I4 and US27, it is a straightforward destination to reach.
Shops and Attractions
Spanning a total of 80 acres, Posner Park is an inexpensive outdoor shopping experience. It features some top American stores - more like our version of high-street shops - including JCPenney, Best Buy and Ross Dress for Less which offer an array of clothing and shoes at a reduced price.
If you would like to treat yourself, or someone else to a bit of TLC, Elite Nail Spa is ideal for those who want a little pamper while they are on holiday. For the evening, head over to the Cinepolis Movie Theatre IMAX where you can sit back and enjoy a film!
Food
With many food establishments in the vicinity, it is hard to know where to choose! For a larger group of people, we would recommend CiCis Pizza buffet-style restaurant. The service is fast, and the prices are low! Choose from a vast selection of pizza, salad and pasta!
If you want a place that comes with a lively atmosphere, Davenport’s Ale House (sometimes known as Millers by the locals) is one of the first restaurants you will see at the mall. It is the go-to place to watch sports events, including MMA and Boxing Fights. The menu offers everything from burgers to nachos, and wraps to chicken wings! Their beverage menu is just as extensive, consisting of a selection of beer, wine and cocktails!
Tip: Posner Park is large, so you may need to drive from store-to-store, depending on what shops you want to visit.
The Loop
The Loop shopping complex is similar to Posner Park, as it is also an outdoor mall. It is located near to Gatorland, around 10 to 15 minutes from our villas in Kissimmee.
Shops and Attractions
Shops here include Michaels, Ross Dress for Less which offers a 20-60% reduction on department stores prices, Kohl’s (an American department store), American Eagle Outfitters and Polka Dotz (a jewellery store selling Pandora and more).
An exciting attraction at The Loop is the iconic Regal Cinema, which was once part of the Regal Entertainment Group. One of America’s most well-recognised movie theatre chains, these cinemas are an experience in themselves. Most of the establishments keep their original Regal Entertainment Group interior branding on food and drink, offering an air of nostalgia to the cinema experience.
Food
The Loop is a hub for American fast-food chain restaurants. With so many to choose from, prepare for an authentic American dining experience! Classic chain restaurants to expect are Chipotle, Wendy’s and Johnny Rockets. Johnny Rockets is a fun 50’s style diner and provides a twist on the usual eating experience.
Old Town USA
For those who would like to slow down the pace, Old Town USA is a peaceful haven in Orlando’s shopping world! Only two minutes from Disney, this is the perfect place for those who want to immerse themselves in an enchanting recreation of a typical old town in Florida!
Shops and Attractions
This shopping site has seen some impressive improvements in the past year and has been extended in size, offering an extra 12,000sqft of shopping and eating space!
The area offers a wide variety of fashion outlets, from the colourful hippy-inspired attire of the Groovy Store, to the relaxed beach vibe of Saltwater USA. Not forgetting Skully’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Experience, which is a cool store filled with T-shirts of your favourite bands!
For a more detailed overview of the stores at Old Town USA, why not take a look at our blog?
Immerse yourself in exhilarating entertainment and make the most of the live music and performance acts which are on display throughout the streets! Sing the night away and take part in some karaoke too and watch out for film viewings on a big screen!
For a unique experience, make sure you witness America’s longest-running weekly car show!
Next door, you will find central Florida’s single, family-owned theme park, Fun Spot USA, which is free to enter; you can pay per ride or buy a single day pass.
Food
The best places to eat in Old Town USA include Nathan’s Famous, which is the most recent addition! Beef hotdogs are all the rage, as well as a variety of other fast-food staples such as burgers and fries!
El Borrego is another favourite; a divine Mexican-inspired restaurant which will be sure to leave you feeling stuffed!
With so many types of food to choose from, you won’t leave hungry!
Disney Springs
This is a free destination within the Walt Disney World Resort filled with shops and restaurants. An ideal place to socialise while looking for some purchases, Disney Springs is a popular place to visit in the Orlando area.
Shops and Attractions
It is not surprising that Disney Springs is inundated with Disney-themed shops! If you are after merchandise featuring your favourite Disney character, you are more than likely to find it here!
The Art of Disney shop is an interesting store, even if you are just window shopping. Here, you can find some of the most exceptional Disney-inspired art in the form of paintings, sculptures and sketches, which you may want to take home as a memento of your once in a lifetime trip to Orlando!
There’s even somewhere you can buy Christmas souvenirs year-round, at Disney’s Days of Christmas store.
Other favourite shops include the Coca-Cola store where you can take a photo with the Coca-Cola Bear, as well as the fun-filled LEGO store. Marvel at the LEGO sculptures and have fun building your own creations. It is also worth noting that an M&M’s store is due to open here in late 2020!
Never a dull moment, Disney Springs has free family-friendly activities across the area, as well as live music shows for you to enjoy!
Food
This shopping destination offers an incredible variety of diners with a diverse selection of food, inspired from all over the globe.
Sprinkles is a lovely cupcake shop for those who love sweet treats. Thought to have propelled the popularity of the cupcake in Beverly Hills, their shop at Disney Springs offers an unbelievable variety of cakes and will leave you overwhelmed with many flavours to try.
Hopefully, you can now go away knowing the best places to shop in Orlando and know what to expect at each shopping destination we have featured in our blog!
If you are adamant to make the most of every minute during your holiday, why not read up on the Top 10 Ways to Spend Your Evening in Orlando, before your trip? With so much to see and do in the area, we would thoroughly recommend taking the time to plan ahead.
If you are currently in search of accommodation, have you considered staying with Debbie’s Villas? We provide a range of properties in the area and have a reliable 21 years of experience ensuring our guests receive exceptional holidays in Orlando.
Give us a call on 01892 836822 or drop us an email at info@debbiesvillas.co.uk for more information. You can visit our social media channels and learn more about who we are and what we offer.