Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
324
and choose from a variety of doodads, packing on as many pieces as possible), are
sprinkled throughout the premises.
Disney's Design-A-Tee
(presented by Hanes) lets
guests create their own souvenir T—from sleeve length, to color, to design (there are
hundreds to choose from); it's all up to you. Simply make your selection via touch-screen
and your personalized T will be ready within minutes.
TrenD,
as its name implies, is a
hip and chic urban boutique that features an eclectic mix of Disney-inspired designer
duds from the likes of Roxy, Tarina Tarantino, and Kidada Jones—and a must for the
fashion-conscious Disney diva. Other smaller, but similarly interesting, shops include the
Art of Disney,
where you can buy posters, limited-edition animation cels, and other Disney
collectibles.
Team Mickey's Athletic Club
sells character clothing with a sporty spin.
Hoypoloi
features contemporary glasswork, original sculptures, and an assortment of
distinctive gifts. At
Curl by Sammy Duval,
you can pick up the hottest surf and skate
wear, accessories—even the latest gear. Other notable stores at West Side include
Magic
Masters,
where you can load up on magic tricks for your budding Harry Houdini;
and
Magnetron,
which sells a huge variety of magnets (though, strangely enough, no
Disney ones).
INTERNATIONAL DRIVE AREA
Note:
Locally, this road is almost always referred to
as
I-Drive.
) Extending 8 or so miles northeast of Disney between Hwy. 535 and the
Florida Turnpike, this busy thoroughfare is one of the most popular tourist districts in
the area, in part because it is filled with so many restaurants, shops, hotels, and attrac-
tions. From indoor surfing and glow-in-the-dark golf to dozens of themed restaurants
and shopping spots, this is
the
tourist strip in Central Florida. Its main shopping draw is
the
Orlando Premium Outlets,
just off south I-Drive (see below). Another I-Drive
shopping spot,
Pointe Orlando
(
&
407/248-2838;
www.pointeorlandofl.com), fea-
tures an ever growing collection of upscale restaurants, clubs, and specialty shops in an
inviting outdoor setting. Thanks to extensive renovations, the completely re-created space
now includes winding walkways, shaded courtyards, fountains, and all new lighting.
KISSIMMEE
Skirting the south side of Walt Disney World, Kissimmee centers on
U.S. 192/Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, as archetypal of modern American cities as
Disney's Main Street is of America's yesteryear. U.S. 192 is lined end to end with budget
motels, smaller attractions, and almost every fast-food restaurant known to humankind
(though a handful of good eateries can be found here as well). Kissimmee, however, does
not offer the fabulous array of shopping options found elsewhere in Orlando. The shop-
ping here is notable for the quantity, not necessarily the quality, but it's a good place to
pick up some knickknacks, white elephant gifts, or those seashells I mentioned above.
WINTER PARK
Just north of Downtown Orlando, Winter Park (
&
407/644-8281
)
is the place many of Central Florida's old-money families call home. It began as a haven
for Yankees trying to escape the cold. Today its centerpiece is Park Avenue, which has
quite a collection of upscale retail shops—Ann Taylor, Restoration Hardware, Crabtree
& Evelyn, Williams-Sonoma, and Pottery Barn, among numerous others (including
several locally owned boutiques)—along its cobblestone route. No matter which end of
Park Avenue you start at, there are more shops than most can survive (over 140 in and
around the Park Ave. area), but you're bound to find something here you'll not find
anywhere else. Park Avenue is also home to a handful of unique upscale restaurants, cafes,
and art galleries.
Note:
Leave the kids with a sitter if you plan to shop (or dine) here.
You'll both be happier for it. To get here, take I-4 exit 87, Fairbanks Avenue/Hwy. 426,
east past U.S. 17/92 to Park Avenue and turn left.
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