Orlando Holiday Shopping Tips to Stuff Your Sleigh

Holiday shopping in Orlando will earn you the title of ‘best gift-giver’ this season.

Now that the holiday shopping season is here, skip the North Pole and come to Orlando for all your gift-buying needs. From enormous malls to theme parks to local neighborhood shopping, there is no end to the treasures you’ll find for family and friends. But don’t let the flurry of the holidays get your tinsel in a twist — use our insider tips to create a shopping game plan and ensure you find something for everyone.

Orlando vacation planning made easy — and free. Make a complimentary appointment with Visit Orlando’s Vacation Planners at a time and date of your choosing for the latest insider advice, special offers and more ahead of your next visit.

Visit Orlando is an official reseller of authorized discounted theme park and attractions tickets — head to Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com to learn more. The money you save on tickets could be reallocated toward your gift-buying budget. Or, if you prefer gifting experiences over physical objects, this could be the only holiday shopping tip you need!

Want to gift more experiences, outside of theme parks & attractions? Lucky for you, Orlando is full of them. Whether it’s tickets to an exciting show at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, a Get Up and Go Kayaking tour through crystal-clear water or a live concert at the Kia Center, you can never go wrong with gifting a one-of-a-kind Orlando experience, within or beyond the parks.

Discover: Events in Orlando

Orlando is renowned for its vast, glamorous malls, which offer hundreds of retailers and millions of square feet. At these sprawling locations, you’ll find options for every budget and style, with perfect gifts for all.

If you’re looking for high-end gifts and a luxury shopping experience, you’ll find both at The Mall at Millenia. Located 15 minutes northeast of Universal Orlando Resort, this complex offers an elegant shopping experience with 150 retailers, service-providers and restaurants. Out of those, 40 shops are exclusive to this mall—you won’t find them anywhere else in the area.

The Florida Mall® is another massive shopping center—in fact, it’s the largest in Orlando. Situated between Universal Orlando and Orlando International Airport, this metropolis of a mall boasts 1.8 million square feet of family-friendly shopping with more than 250 retail dining options. Don’t miss market exclusives, including M&M’s World Store, Crayola Experience, Carlo’s Bakery (from celebrity chef Buddy Valastro) and more.

Save on discount tickets: Crayola Experience

Looking for chic malls without the luxury price tag? There are plenty of options — Orlando offers some of the world’s best-known outlet malls, with heavily-discounted prices. Check out Orlando International Premium Outlets®, Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets® and Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores to find crazy discounts on products from high-end retailers.

All these shopping centers offer ample amenities and convenient parking. As a bonus, our most popular malls are within a 15-mile radius of our theme parks (so write that down for your shopping game plan). You’ll also find plentiful shopping options at major entertainment districts like ICON Park® and Pointe Orlando, both located near the theme parks on International Drive.

Discover: Where to Shop in Orlando

The famous malls and theme parks aren’t the only holiday shopping options in Orlando. You don’t want to miss the local side of the city—where you can find thoughtfully-crafted gifts for anyone and everyone in your life. All minutes from downtown Orlando, these charming neighborhoods and boutiques offer an authentic shopping experience and unique gifts for even the pickiest recipients.

Discover: Orlando Neighborhoods

Visit the East End Market in Audubon Park for local merchants and food artisans, a perfect place to find gifts for the foodie in your life. Peruse the historic streets of Ivanhoe Village for some indie flair, explore arts and culture in Winter Park Village, wander through the stylish shops at Thornton Park and more.

Local shopping is also a great way to find gifts for people with niche interests. Have a groovy friend that loves retro clothes? Check out vintage shops like Etoile Boutique in The Milk District or The Owl’s Attic in Audubon Park. Shopping for a thrifting enthusiast? Hit up Omg! Thrift just east of Winter Park or Out of the Closet in Ivanhoe Village to discover unexpected finds.

Discover: Thrift and Vintage Stores in Orlando

While you’re riding rollercoasters and exploring Orlando’s famous theme parks, don’t miss the Clausome opportunity to find some truly exclusive gifts. The best time to shop for unique collectibles inside the gates is from opening hours until mid-afternoon, which will help you avoid crowds buying souvenirs as they head out for the day.

Save on discount tickets: Orlando Theme Parks

No theme park tickets? No problem. Some of the best theme park shopping can be found outside the parks. Venture into Disney Springs®, which boasts a dazzling array of over 100 retailers with gifts you won’t find elsewhere. And Universal CityWalk has an eclectic lineup of shopping options — you can even gift someone a tattoo while you’re there! Both districts offer free admission, with free parking all day at Disney Springs and free parking after 6 p.m. at Universal CityWalk (excluding special event nights).

Shopping in or around theme parks also presents the opportunity to channel your inner elf and make a gift yourself. In the LEGO® Store at Disney Springs, you can choose from an abundance of customizable options to create your own LEGO® minifigure. Or, you can pop into the Disney Ever After store and personalize a headband with a variety of beloved Disney character plushies. Going above and beyond with these customized, heartfelt gifts will absolutely delight people in your life.

Before all else, make a list — and check it twice. Write down everyone you want to buy for, and everywhere you want to shop, so that you don’t forget anything in the mayhem of your adventure. Also, make sure you leave enough room in your suitcase to bring all your goodies home (or, if you truly plan to shop until you drop, bring an extra suitcase for those treasures).

Plan your route, whether that’s within one of our malls, through a theme park, or between stops. You can find maps on paper from guest services or online. Knowing the physical location of your preferred shopping centers and the geographical routes to get you there will ensure that you save time — which means more time for shopping.

Last but not least, check applicable websites for cost-cutting offers and even printable coupon books before you embark. After all, the more you save, the more you can buy this holiday season in Orlando!

Discover: Orlando Planning Guides