Are the prime outlet malls still there?

[goofygal]

I remember we went to some prime malls I think they were called which were better than the premium outlet mall. Are they still there and good?

[BigThunder]

Tink will be able to answer this but there is a whole newly rebuilt outlet mall area on I-Drive that has some really pricey & frou-frou stores in it. I can't remember what it is called now tho.

[Johnie]

I get so confused when things change their names

Premium Outlets are the ones closest to Disney.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

Prime Outlets is the one at the end of I Drive and used to be called Belz.

http://www.primeoutlets.com/location...l-orlando.aspx

It is MUCH nicer since they changed it.

[Tink]

There is also one, Lake Buena Vista Outlets on 535. It's a hit or miss proposition there.

Prime Outlets are mostly high end shops. Brooks Brothers had a blazer I loved until I saw the $500 price tag!

Premium is the one closest to DTD/WDW. It's on the same road as Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine.

The Shrine is a nice place to stop by itself. It's incredibly peaceful and has a lovely shop. Granted it's nearly all religious in nature (in the shop) but it's still very pretty. I'm fascinated by the place as it was built completely with tourist dollars. Quite an accomplishment, I'd say.

[Johnie]

The "outlets" aren't quite the deal they used to be, are they?

[Tink]

Not at all. I've never been a huge fan of Premium, and Prime is just wicked expensive. The Lake Buena Vista one is so hit or miss, I can't tell you the last time we were there.

Is there any such thing as a true outlet mall any more at all?

[Johnie]

I don't think so. You used to be able to get amazing deals but now it's just a small discount (if that) on what you'd get at the regular store or online. Now the Disney outlets have some great deals. I have seen things in the outlet for half price that are still in the parks for full price. I also got the Epcot/F&WF cookbook for $11 last weekend.

The Betsey Johnson store does have some amazing deals. Alysia LOVES that place. She was able to get 2 dresses for the price of one. Of course, I have found that Ebay is my friend with BJ stuff.

We've been to the one on 535 a couple of times but nothing is there so we don't even bother to stop anymore.

[Tink]

I used to LOVE Betsey Johnson! When she first started she was so radical, and different. It was pure irreverence just to wear her clothes. I could actually afford them back then too. Krizia too.

Auld lang syne.

[BigThunder]

Now the Disney outlets have some great deals. I have seen things in the outlet for half price that are still in the parks for full price. I also got the Epcot/F&WF cookbook for $11 last weekend.

.

Awww, I missed getting to stop at that one this past trip. We hit the WDW outlet at the St. Augustine mall & I got some good stuff but we were going to hit the I-Drive one on our way out of town but with Paige sick we couldn't do that to her & stop. I would have bought that cookbook even tho I don't cook!

[Johnie]

I don't cook much either but I love cookbooks!