Whether you're looking for mouse ears and souvenirs or the latest and greatest in designer labels, you'll find it in Orlando. Walt Disney World itself is home to an almost endless array of shops spread throughout its parks, resorts, and Downtown Disney. The House of Mouse, however, is not the only game in town. If you venture beyond its boundaries you'll discover first-rate shopping malls, outlet centers, and charming boutiques.
But before you break out your credit cards, do remember to keep your shopping wits about you. The malls and their upscale stores, at times, can charge extremely outrageous prices that you'll easily better at home. And the outlets, which once offered tremendous bargains, now at times discount only marginally. The key to getting the best possible deals is to know what is and isn't a bargain.
And now, a note on souvenir shopping. If, after exercising your credit cards elsewhere, you've still got energy (and money) to burn, the parks and entertainment districts at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld feature some of the most distinctive souvenir shopping you'll find anywhere. Sure, many of the stores are filled with trinkets and T-shirts, but some offer more unique merchandise that you won't be able to find anywhere else -- Orlando or otherwise.
A Disney Bargain? The World's Best-Kept Secret -- From a pink Cadillac to a 4-foot beer stein, tons of wacky treasures are regularly put on the auction block at Walt Disney World.
In addition to castoffs from the theme parks and WDW resorts, there are more routine items available, from over-the-hill lawn maintenance gear to never-been-used stainless-steel pots and pans. If you're looking for a unique piece of Disney, the auctions are held six times a year. Some of the more unusual items sold in the past include furniture from Miss Piggy's dressing room and a motorized surfboard. The auction takes place on Disney's back lots. Call property control (tel. 407/824-6878) for information, dates, and directions.
Bigger yet are trinkets sold by gavel at www.disneyauctions.com (now under the Disney shopping umbrella). Mainstream items, including artwork, figurines, cookie jars, pins, and snow globes (as well as other modest merchandise) are available on a regular basis (and sold at a set price). But sometimes things go big time when movie props, costumes, and theme park artifacts go on the block. A dress Glenn Close wore as Cruella De Vil in 102 Dalmatians sold for $5,000, a Dumbo car from the ride at WDW earned $9,000, and the Porsche from the Disney movie The Kid fetched $77,100.
Homegrown Souvenirs -- Oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits rank high on the list of Florida's top local products. Orange Blossom Indian River Citrus, 5151 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando (tel. 800/624-8835 or 407/855-2837; www.orange-blossom.com), is one of the top sellers during the late-fall-to-late-spring season.
