For the last eight years, me and my family make our annual Christmas shopping trip to the Mall at Millenia in Orlando, less than two hours from our home. We get up early in the morning, go out to breakfast and arrive just after the mall opens. My husband will drop me and my daughter off, and he goes Bass Pro and every golf store in the Orlando area. Then we will meet up for a very late lunch, and finish shopping at the mall together. I cannot begin to say enough about the Mall at Millenia, it has everything, my daughter and I spend about five hours there and love every minute of our time together. The holiday decorations are spectacular and it's just a warm beautiful enviornment for holiday shopping. After shopping, we will go to International Drive and then head to Downtown Disney for all the beautiful decorations that only Disney can do. Though my daughter is now 24, she still loves to go to the Rain Forest Cafe for dinner, not so much for the food as it is just fun and a great place to unwind after a long day of shopping. She feels like a little girl again and for that short time, I do too. After dinner, we will go to Ghirardelli's for a hot chocolate, and stock up on all kinds of chocolate....can we say YUMMY!!! We will then walk around listen to all the Christmas music and just enjoy the rest of the evening. And on our trip home, we just spend that quiet time talking about the day and how God has really blessed us in so many ways, especially to have each other. I'm getting so excited, we are leaving in just a couple of weeks, just hope it is cold out, like it was last year!
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| Cinderella's Castle - just beautiful |
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| Downtown Disney |
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| Downtown Disney - Planet Hollywood |
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| Ghirardelli |
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| International Drive |
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| Rain Forest Cafe |
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| Just love all these planters and fountain at Downtown Disney |
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| Epcot ready for Christmas |
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| Fill em' up!!! |
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| The Mall at Millenia |
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| Disney Chirstmas Store |
Oh, it's so nice to meet another Floridian! We're up on the First Coast (St. Augustine), and I love the Gulf, too.
ReplyDeleteI hate to admit it, but I've never been to the Millineia Mall, but from your post, I'd love to go there. Neat pictures of Orlando. There's always so much to do and to see. We always spend Christmas night at Disney at the Grand Floridian with our godchildren and their family. The kids love the Gingerbread house there.
XO,
Sheila :-)
Love the photos of Orlando. It's hard to believe that this is the sleepy little town we lived in 30+ years ago...My how it's changed!!! I frequently go to Orlando to visit my son and friends...and to shop! Although I like the Millenia Mall, we have the International Mall...similar, but with a HUGE Crate and Barrel. (Have you found the Coldwater Creek outlet store? It's a free standing store in a strip mall on I-drive, not too far from Wet and Wild.)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to meet you...another Floridian.
Jane (Artfully Graced)
LOVE Cinderella's castle!!
ReplyDeleteSheila...always nice to meet another Floridian! St. Augustine is such a beautiful area. You have to find the time while in Orlando to go to the Mall at Millenia, it's so worth it - love at first shop! Disney, no matter our age, is always a magical place, but during Christmas it is just wonderful...have another wonderful Christmas night there this year.
ReplyDeleteJane, you have that right. It has changed so much in just the last several years. But we love going up there a couple times a year, the holidays are our favorite. Are you speaking of the International Mall in Tampa? If so, my daughter and I go there when we shop, that's only about 30 mins. away...love it. And no, I have not seen the Coldwater Creek there, but thanks for the information...I will be going there on our annual trip. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteLaura...isn't it beautiful. I love watching HGTV when they show how they put up all those spectaular lights, it's unreal!
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