Orlando is not just about theme parks, Mickey Mouse, and roller coasters! This city has established itself as an ideal destination for shopping enthusiasts, offering great prices on clothing, sneakers, technology, and more at outlets, malls, and shopping centers!
In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know to make the most of your trip and optimize your shopping time! I’ve created a ranking based on my experience visiting Orlando every year from 2010 to 2024. The reality is that sometimes you’ll find better promotions at different outlets since it’s not linear and depends on the season, the brands you’re interested in, and many other factors!
Also, keep in mind that there are special discount days, such as February 19 (President’s Day), May 27 (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), September 2 (Labor Day), and Black Friday or Cyber Monday (usually at the end of November), as well as Christmas, etc. It’s important to pay attention to the calendar and plan your shopping day around these special dates! We once went on July 4 and saw items with 80% and 70% discounts, only to return the next day to find the same items had dropped to a mere 20% off.
Some people say that Premium Outlets are no longer cheap, but keep in mind that they are still cheaper than prices in Argentina. Additionally, if you consider several of the tips I’ll provide, you can find some excellent deals!
The 5 Best Outlets in Orlando:
1. Orlando Vineland Premium Outlet:
Personally, this is my favorite outlet for several reasons. Although it’s a bit smaller than the Orlando International Premium Outlet, it has the stores I love the most, and I always seem to find better discounts!
At this outlet, you’ll find sports and outdoor brands like NIKE, Adidas, Puma, Asics, Under Armour, The North Face, Columbia, New Balance, Oakley, Hurley, Reebok, and more. For clothing, there are brands like Armani, Boss, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Forever 21, Gap, GUCCI, GUESS, Lacoste, Levi’s, Polo Ralph Lauren, PRADA, Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, and many others. For shoes and sneakers, you’ll find Aldo, Crocs, Journeys, Vans, Converse, among others, as well as children’s brands like Carter’s, OshKosh, and Gap Kids, along with hundreds of other brands.
This outlet is part of the Simon chain, which offers significant discounts on various brands. To access these discounts, you need to download the app and register! Here’s the link: Simon Orlando Vineland Premium Outlet
Location: 8200 Vineland Ave, Orlando, FL 32821, Estados Unidos
General schedules: 10 AM to 9 PM (On Sundays, hours may vary and close at 7 PM during the low season).
web: Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets
Important Tips:
- Most stores offer you the option to sign up for their newsletter, providing discounts of up to an additional 10%. They usually just ask for your email or phone number. What I do is accept it and use different email addresses if I return to the same store to make another purchase.
- There are stores like The North Face, Gap, Forever 21, and more that are located in a different area, requiring you to cross a road to get to them! Many people don’t know this and miss out on the fantastic discounts from these big brands.
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2. Orlando Outlet Marketplace.
This is definitely the outlet where I’ve consistently found the best discounts! While there are only a few brands, the discounts are unbeatable. Here, you’ll find stores like NIKE, Adidas, Under Armour, Puma, Calvin Klein, Guess, New Balance, Carter’s, and a few others.
It has several advantages: it’s small, there aren’t usually many people, there’s plenty of parking, the stores are quite spacious (except for Nike), it often has the best discounts, and it’s super close to the Orlando International Premium outlets. I recommend starting here and then crossing over to the International to do both in one day.
Location: 5269 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, Estados Unidos
Schedules: 10 AM to 9 PM (Sundays until 7 PM). Hours may vary depending on the season.
Web: https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/orlando-outlet-marketplace
Tips for Orlando Outlet Marketplace:
- Start your shopping day at this outlet and then head to the Orlando International Premium Outlets, which is very close by.
- You’ll probably buy a lot and need to leave your bags in the car. While it usually doesn’t happen, a couple of friends had all their bags filled with purchases stolen from their car because they left them in plain sight! So, just like you would in your Latin American country, don’t take chances—make sure to hide your belongings in the trunk before moving your car to the other outlet.
3. Orlando International Premium Outlet:
It’s the largest outlet in Orlando, with countless brands, and it often gets crowded due to its popularity! You’ll find the most significant brands here. There’s even a small Disney outlet store where you can find some items—not a lot, but at much better prices compared to the parks.
You’ll come across sports and outdoor brands like NIKE, Adidas, Puma, Asics, Fila, Under Armour, The North Face, Columbia, New Balance, Oakley, Quiksilver, Hurley, Volcom, Reebok, and more. For clothing, you’ll find brands such as H&M, Armani, Boss, Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret, Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, DKNY, Forever 21, Gap, GUESS, Lacoste, Levi’s, Polo Ralph Lauren, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, and many others. For shoes and sneakers, there are Aldo, Crocs, Champion, Journeys, Vans, Converse, Skechers, among others, and for kids, you’ll find Carter’s, OshKosh, and Gap Kids, along with hundreds of other brands.
Location: 4951 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, Estados Unidos
Schedule: 10 AM to 9 PM (Sundays until 7 PM). Hours may vary depending on the season.
Web: https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/orlando-international
Tips for International Premium Outlet:
- Just like at the Vineland outlet, download the Simon app to access discounts, check your receipts as they always include additional discounts, and register with your email at the stores to gain access to extra savings.
- Try to go early to secure parking and have a more relaxed shopping experience, especially during peak season.
- If you know you’re going to go crazy with shopping (like everyone does), bring a wheeled suitcase to make it easier to carry everything; otherwise, it can be impossible to walk around with so many bags! If you need to buy a suitcase, they sell them there, but they’re not usually cheap—except at the Samsonite store. You can find great prices at Ross, Marshall’s, or Walmart and take it with you that day! You’ll remember this tip the day you go and forget to bring a suitcase! hahaha
- Keep in mind that you’ll leave this outlet absolutely exhausted, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking, it can get very hot, and you’ll spend a lot of time standing around. Plan to return to your hotel for a bit to drop off your bags and rest before doing anything else.
4. The Florida Mall:
Location: 8001 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32809, Estados Unidos
Schedule: 10 AM to 9 PM (Sundays from 11 AM to 7 PM). Hours may vary depending on the season.
Web: https://www.simon.com/mall/the-florida-mall
5. Ross, Marshalls, Burlington:
You can’t go to Orlando without visiting these stores countless times! There are several, spread across various locations, and they offer the best prices. These stores buy surplus clothing from major brands and resell it at a lower price. They don’t just have clothing; you’ll also find footwear, luggage, home goods, toys, and a variety of other items!
Many people feel overwhelmed upon entering, as there are long racks filled with clothes, and it’s hard to know where to start. But those who look will find treasures! The good thing is that, although it may not seem like it, everything is organized by size and type of clothing. The key is to search thoroughly. You can find beautiful items from big brands at ridiculous prices!
Location: Several! Just search for any of these names on Google, and you’ll find smaller shopping centers with at least two of these brands.
Tips for Ross, Marshall y Burlington:
- Check, check, and check again! There are many hidden gems among those racks! You just need to take the time to look carefully!
- Look for tables with additional discounts and check for special deals!
- The lines at the checkout can be long, so plan your timing well. You might encounter very long lines when you go to pay!
Other malls that aren’t outlets but are definitely worth a visit!
Disney Springs:
It’s located in Disney and is a charming outdoor shopping center with plenty of restaurants, clothing stores, live shows, the largest Disney store, and much more.
Disney Springs is a must-visit if you’re going to Disney! Personally, I love this place, and it’s essential to go at night because there are always live music shows at various spots, the new drone show, and the atmosphere is always at Disney standards.
You’ll find clothing stores like ZARA, Uniqlo, Under Armour, Ron Jon, Columbia, Sephora, Anthropologie, Lacoste, MAC, Harley Davidson, Volcom, and many more! There are also must-visit stores such as: The LEGO store and World of Disney the largest gift shop in Disney, where you’ll find absolutely everything, from keychains, sweets, plush toys, and clothing to home goods and much more—all Disney-themed!
Restaurants: There are many options, and if you have a Disney dining plan, you can use it here as well! In fact, the food is infinitely better than at the hotels or parks! The last time we went, we had the Quick Service Dining Plan and took advantage of it by dining here every night! My recommendation is the restaurant The Polite Pig! The portions are huge, and it was some of the best food we had! (They accept the Quick Service Dining Plan.) There are many other restaurants, such as Planet Hollywood, Rain Forest Café, T-Rex Café, The Boathouse, D-Lux Burger (also highly recommended for their giant, delicious burgers that accept the Quick Service Dining Plan), Blaze Pizza (also accepts the Quick Service Dining Plan), and many more!
You can’t leave without trying the best cookies you’ll ever have at Gideon’s Bakehouse
Tips for Disney Springs:
- Go at sunset; it’s the best time! You can enjoy the live music shows, the beautiful lights and decorations, and find a good spot to watch the drone show!
- If you’re going by car, Uber, or any transportation that isn’t Disney, you’ll go through the same security checks and scanners as in the parks! Try not to bring a backpack or anything that might slow you down during the check! Selfie sticks, magnets, and thermoses are often flagged for a manual inspection!
- Parking is free! The Lime Parking Garage is the closest to the clothing stores and World of Disney, but you can also opt for the Orange Garage, which drops you off nearby. I don’t recommend the Grapefruit Garage because it requires more walking!
Universal CityWalk Orlando
It is located at the entrance to Universal and Islands of Adventure, and it’s very beautiful!
I also recommend going at sunset and staying for dinner at one of the restaurants, catching a live music show, and exploring the area!
Highly recommended to go to The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast.
I’ll leave you the photo because it’s hard to explain, but it’s a giant chocolate factory in the style of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and you can obviously sit down to eat or have an afternoon snack, buy different chocolates, etc.! The decor is spectacular, and even the waiters and staff are super well-dressed!
You can also find Hard Rock Café, where you can sit down to eat, shop at the store, or catch a live show!
Summary:
In conclusion, Disney has the best outlets, malls, and shopping centers, making it an excellent place to shop. Every time we go, we end up returning with two large suitcases each, plus a carry-on, a backpack, and bags in our hands! It’s unavoidable because you’ll find that buying a t-shirt, a sweater, or even a pair of shoes is cheaper than getting a hamburger!
I can recommend my sister, who is a Disney and Universal Agent, to help you navigate your trip, find promotions, and organize your itinerary for this amazing journey!
Instagram: @esdisneytime
And from my side, I can tell you that since 2010 until today (2024), I have been going to Disney every year (except for 2020 due to the pandemic), and in the last two years, I’ve gone four times. I can only say that not renting a car is the worst decision you can make! The convenience of renting a car, which is not expensive at all, is undeniable! Yes, I also use Disney transportation, but as I explain in this post, Orlando is more than just theme parks, and taking UBER for shopping is impossible, not to mention that you end up spending more. You will completely regret not having rented a car in advance!
Renting a car with Rentennials is the best option to enjoy Disney as you deserve! You will find plenty of options, from cheap cars to luxury ones, with unlimited tolls, without tolls, whatever you want! Highly recommended!
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