thanks for everyone's help. i will talk to my sister in law and figure out what to do. we've got nothing to do that day since my brother will be running the marathon. going to one of the parks is a no-no. if we go without him, he'd throw a tantrum. i thought only my nephew would do that. guess not.

thanks for all your help mary. i've seen you on the boards and have helped other people immensely. i know how it is to help others on boards and many people feel thankful when helped.

My pleasure to help. Just ask away if you need any more info.

BTW - I've seen info on the I-Drive shuttle on Expedia under the "activities" tab for Orlando. From what I read, it runs only on I-Drive.

And I-Drive is not walkable from DD.

Seriously. Rent a car. Disney has a car rental agency onsite (National?) and I believe they will deliver it to your resort.

It is indeed National (location ORLR02) but last I heard they have a complimentary shuttle to the Car Care center but no delivery.

Actually, it's no longer National but Alamo, although they are in fact the same company. But Alamo does not offer the drop off service. On the other hand, getting the shuttle to the Car Care Center is easy. There is also an outlet (may be National) at the Swan or the Dolphin, forget which.

ok so i called to see if there are any shuttles that go anywhere. there is a lack of guest services answering any calls!

question regarding the hilton shuttles. will they take people who don't have a room there?

i think the best solution might be getting a taxi. or just not going at all.

Sorry for my lack in responding to posts - been busy sightseeing and shopping in Orlando without the need to hire a car.

Prime Outlets - now probably the biggest outlet retail park in Orlando. It's a big change from a year ago when we last visited and is still under construction. Be aware, if you catch the I-Ride or Lynx to Prime, the stops are in the same place but the only store near the stops is the Niemann Marcus Last Stop. To get to the other Prime stores, use the free Prime trolley to get around as it's a 10 minute walk from Niemann Marcus to the other stores. Buying luggage? Travelpro and Tumi spring to mind at Prime.

I-Ride Trolley - main line runs from Prime at the north end of I-Drive to Premium at the south end of I-Drive. Green line runs from close to Universal Studios to Premium. Single ride costs $1 irrespective of distance. A seven day pass costs $9 for unlimited rides in the week. Passes not available on board, need to be bought in advance.

Lynx - fare increase as of January 6 to $1.75 per journey. Transfers still free (if used within 90 minutes). Main routes:

8 - downtown Orlando to Premium via I-Drive
24 - Prime to Mall At Millenia
38 - rotary to/from downtown serving I-Drive northbound only between Convention Centre and Wet 'n' Wild
42 - east/west service between Premium and MCO via I-Drive and The Florida Mall
50 - downtown Orlando to Disney - if you are staying at any property on/close to I-Drive get the 8 to Sea Harbor Drive (Seaworld) and then transfer to the 50. The service drops at the Transportation/Ticket Centre (not Downtown Disney if I recall correctly - will be able to tell you for sure tomorrow) and you can use the Disney Transportation system to get anywhere. So if you are at a Disney property and want to shop:

Free service to TTC (think the Polynesian is the nearest hotel to TTC)
50 service to Sea Harbor Drive
Lynx or I-Ride to Prime, Premium, Millenia or Florida Mall

Malls - all pretty much the same stores except Millenia is more high end than The Florida Mall and has a new shiny IKEA behind it (a walk over the road from Bloomingdales). The Florida Mall is also close to other retail stores such as CompUSA and Bath Bed & Beyond. There's also Festival Bay at the north end of I-Drive. Be aware not all units are open at Festival Bay but it's always quiet and easy to walk around without getting barged by tourists and strollers. There are still two sites for Prime (the new one and the designer outlet) - behing the designer outlet are a few stores including Old Navy and TJ Maxx. Also various outlet stores in various strip malls up and down I-Drive.

Theme Parks - get your Universal Tickets from the Official Visitors Centre on I-Drive (stop 20 on the I-Ride) - we paid $92 each for a 7-day multi pass which included access to CityWalk by night. We also splashed out on 2-year Platinum Passports to access all Seaworld/Busch Gardens parks which will include Aquatica and Adventure Island this summer. Using EZpay it cost us $17 each to sign up for the 2-year passport (and pay $17 monthly) and was a good save for us considering we do Florida twice a year. One off cost of the 2-year passport is about $400 each. Disney is still expensive, always has been, always will be. The top ticket is a 10-day, park hopping, water park, no expiration extravaganza for $500.

Car hire - I come on holiday to enjoy myself, not drive around. The public transport system suffices and is cheaper than car hire. Do as the locals do!

Any questions I can help with, PM me or post here.

PS It is me or am I finding that speaking Spanish is becoming more of an advantage in Orlando? And am I the only one who finds it rude and "not sporting etiquette" to move out of someone's way if you are causing the obstruction? I put up for example sidestepping someone walking towards you on a collision course carrying multiple bags from stores in malls. Are tourists just rude? And is there any need to walk five-abreast and not give way to anything animal, vegetable or mineral in your quest to dominate the aisles when shopping? And cutting lines is generally frowned upon ... <rant mode off>

Great response. Thank you so much.

Couple of questions.. but let me tell you how I think it is to get to Prime outlets. I may be wrong, I"m trying to read up as much as I can.

We're staying at the Carribbean resort at Disney World. So I figure to take the bus or whatever disney gives to polynesian resort. which is where the ttc is? just a bit confused as to where the ttc is. mary2e mentioned to go there, didn't know why but i think i do now.

ok so i am supposing i am buying my tickets at the TTC for lynx and Iride. see what i'm confused about is i read to take the 50 (lynx) to seaworld and then catching a ride on the IRide. but i don't know which way to go. i know the bus sigfn is yellow and maroon. i saw it on the iride website. am i wrong?

ok wait i think i'm correct. i just read the little part you wrote about how to get to the malls. thanks for helping!!

ok a real question since you answered my questiona lready. and i hope you get to answer this before friday because i'm leaving saturday morning. have you seen a lynx bus that has gone straight to prime outlet? i read somewhere that therei s one in the morning.

thanks again.

The TTC is essentially the Magic Kingdom parking lot and off-property bus hub.

It is next to the Polynesian but there is no direct bus service to either place from the CBR. You can take a bus to the MK then take a monorail to the TTC.

With a shopping-mad wife, I have been to pretty much all of the malls in Central Florida. Personally I prefer Premium Outlets is a better set-up than Prime Outlets plus it's closer to Disney. One way to get there is to take the Disney bus to Downtown Disney and then just cab over there. There's a taxi stand near the Nike outlet for the ride back.

BTW, Millenia Mall is very, very nice.

For anyone who plans on doing this here's some information:

You can take the shuttle from the resort to Magic Kingdom. Then take the Ferry or the Monorail to the TTC. The ferry entrance is the first green canopy area that you see. There's a sign, you have to turn around to see the sign.

Also there is a bus that goes from Animal Kingdom to TTC. It's in Area A.

I didn't get to go. We got to the TTC but then it downpoured. We were soaked and went back to the hotel.

BTW, the Carribbean Beach Resort is horrible. Don't go there.

Another thing for the bus. Bring change. it's 1.75 now. When you get to where the buses are, it's all the way on the left. There's a little sign, it's near some picnic tables.

that's all i've got. Thank you for eveyrone's help again. I will go again when I have my own children. Though I doubt I'll have the option to take public transporation. Children get bored easily lol.

I live in Orlando and LOVE shopping here.

Prime Outlets- XLNT choice of all sorts of brand. Favorite stores are Last Call~ Neiman Marcus and Off 5th~ Saks Fifth Avenue.

Premium Outlets- Hard to get in and out of but if you are in to Designer brands (Armani, Dior, Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Boss, St. John ...) then Premium is the place to be.

Millenium- Site to Central Florida's first IKEA. The mall caters to high-end customers on one side (Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Gucci, Ferragmo, Tiffany...) and regulars on the other side (Macy's).

Florida Mall- HUGE!!! Sears, JC Penney, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Macy's are the anchor stores with the Florida Mall hotel in the middle and a gazillion stores.

Of course, I did not mention the hundreds of other "outlet like" stores all over Orlando.

It's SHOP till you DROP at unbelievable prices and selections. Trust me, I have shopped all over the world and Orlando is TOTALLY awesome when it comes to shopping. Happy Shopping!