Shopping in the U.S. had been a popular pastime for Brits for decades. Overall, lower prices and a favourable exchange rate made for real bargains and items we could not get at home. Going to New York for a long weekend shopping trip was a luxury, but more common than you might think, despite the 6-ish-hour flight and the cost of airfare.
Now, airfare costs are sky-high by comparison (pun not actually intended, but I’m leaving it in), the exchange rate is much less advantageous for us here in the U.K., and the price differences are not as marked, especially once you add tax to the ticket prices when you are in America. But nonetheless, shopping is still a must for many travellers to Orlando, even when having a park-based holiday.
The Premium Outlets are very popular, and there are bargains to be had for sure. As these are popular brands and some designer stores, they are a great ground for bargain hunting, or even just things at better prices. There are two of these, one at either end of I-Drive. We’ll cover these another time.
There are several shopping districts and malls in Orlando, some close to the parks and some further out, of course. The Florida Mall is nice – much more ‘everyday’ and also has an M&M store and the Crayola Experience. Disney Springs is great for shopping. But my favourite is Mall at Millenia.
Mall at Millenia is located at 4200 Conroy Rd, Orlando, FL 32839. It is situated near Interstate 4 (exit 78) and International Drive. It is just 10 minutes from Universal Orlando Resort, 15 minutes from SeaWorld, Downtown Orlando, International Drive and Kissimmee, 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport and 30 minutes from Walt Disney World Resort. So it’s very accessible from almost anywhere you are likely to be staying for a parks-based holiday.
The first thing to say is that this is not the place for bargain hunting. There are ‘everyday’ shops and brands such as JD Sports, Footlocker, Lush, and Pandora. Not expensive, but not the cheapest. However, the emphasis is on luxury brands, examples being Versace, Tiffany & Co, TAG Heuer, and Chanel. There are also a few in between these two far ends.
The high-end theme is continued throughout, which makes visiting there a really pleasant and genuinely relaxing experience (although that may depend on who you are shopping with!). The mall is spotless, bright, airy, and the palm tree landscaping is beautiful. Inside, there is a lot of natural light, and at night, it is softly lit to create a comfortable light. There is plenty of free parking, and both inside and outside are very spacious. There is also a large seating area on the ground floor.
The food court is also clean, spacious, and bright. It is called the Orangerie and is located on the top floor. There are some table service restaurants, but the seated table area is in the centre, with the restaurants all around it. There is also a soft-floored playing area for small children (parents, please don’t just dump your kids there – you still need to watch them!). This means everyone can choose a different food choice but still eat together. Choices include Chinatown, Chick-fil-A, and Firehouse Subs. Plus, there are Bistro Sensations, Gourmet Grill, Teriyake Experience for Japanese fare and Tony & Bruno’s Italian cuisine. If you have a sweet tooth, there is Häagen-Dazs, Fruit ‘n Smoothie Sensations for milk shakes and fruit salads, and Mrs Fields for cookies. It is also home to the legendary Cheesecake Factory!
Feeling like you want to soak in a little more of the high-end shopping experience? Mall at Millenia offers:
- Concierge Services
- Millenia Direct – Complimentary Same Day Home Delivery Services (participating retailers)
- Complimentary Personal Styling and Shopping Services
- On-site tailoring and alterations service
- Complimentary Gift Card Packaging (which looks gorgeous!)
- Valet parking ($12)
There are also electric vehicle charging stations available.
You can find out all about the mall at https://www.mallatmillenia.com
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