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In addition to shopping for souvenirs or apparel, a different kind of shopping requires mention as well, especially if you are traveling with children. Many families find themselves in need of groceries, snacks and drinks for the room, baby supplies of every sort, personal care items, photo supplies, even medicines and prescriptions.
The following list of shopping centers and retailers should prove quite helpful for locating such necessities.
Plazas and Shopping Centers
The Cross Roads
Location: I-4 at Exit 68 (S.R. 535),Lake Buena Vista
Here’s another favorite, though for far different reasons. The Cross Roads offers plenty for traveling families. While this is not what I would consider a shoppers’ paradise like the other venues I have mentioned above, this shopping center features some of the more necessary shops that families need, including a rather large Gooding’s Supermarket, the After Hours Pediatrics center, a Footlocker, and more. There’s a lengthy list of restaurants including Chevy’s Mexican Restaurant, Jungle Jim’s, McDonalds, Pebbles, Perkins, Pizzeria Uno, Red Lobster, TGI Friday’s and more. To top off the evening, try your hand at one of the area’s more interesting mini-golf courses, the Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, with two 18-hole courses to choose from. The location can’t be beat as it is directly across from the entrance to Hotel Plaza Boulevard, just off I-4, and so close to the many recommended hotels in the Lake Buena Vista area (many of which are located along Palm Parkway just a very short distance up the road).
Formosa Gardens Village Shopping Center
Location: 7836 U.S. 192, Kissimmee (Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway)
Phone: 407-396-1188
There is an abundance of businesses, shops, and restaurants located here, and all within only a short distance to the many hotels found along U.S. 192. Just a few of the businesses located at the village include the Marketplace Supermarket (407-397-2210), the UPS Store (407-390-1899), a hair and nail salon (Salon Victoria; 407-396-8333), a liquor store, t-shirt shop, the Photo Shop III (407-390-0222), and a luggage store (ACA Luggage; 407-390-9878). Ten restaurants, including the Red Lobster (407-677-0191), Outback Steakhouse (407-396-0017), Giordano’s (407-397-0044), Carrabba’s (407-390- 9600), the Cracker Barrel (407-390-1190), TGI Friday’s (407-397-4300), along with a Subway (407-397-7119), Take Japanese (407-390-0333), Taste of China (407-397-9911), and a Dairy Queen (407-390-8175) are all in the center as well. The All Star Vacation Homes Office is located here as are four other real estate management and sales companies. Just across the street there’s a large Walgreen’s.
The Grocery Stores Gooding’s Supermarkets Web site: www.goodings.com
There are two locations handy for vacationing families, one along International Drive and in Lake Buena Vista. The details are listed below.
Gooding’s Supermarket
Location: 12521 SR 535, Lake Buena Vista (at the Cross Roads mentioned above)
Phone: 407-827-1200
Gooding’s Supermarket
Location: 8255 International Drive, Orlando (near the Crab House)
Orlando
Phone: 407-352-4215
Both have ATM machines, a 1-hour photo lab, a pharmacy, a Western Union, and of course plenty of grocery items. They’re open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you will never have to worry about getting there before they close. A grocery delivery service is available that will service nearby hotels for a delivery charge of $10 and a $50 minimum order.
Deliveries are between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
 A preset grocery list is available online at www.goodings.com, or call 407-827-1200
If you need an item not already on the pre-set list, you can either call 407-827-1200 or email to inquire if the items can be included. If you simply need to add items to your order you can call 407-827-1200 as well.
Grocery lists should be submitted at least 48 hours prior to your desired delivery date. This service, while slightly more expensive than shopping for the items on your own, is extremely convenient especially for those who don’t have a car at their disposal.
Publix Grocery Stores
Web site: www.publix.com
There are several locations throughout the Orlando area, however those especially handy to the tourist districts are as follows:
Publix at the Regency Village Shopping Center (just off of I-Drive located near the
Premium Outlets)
Location: 8145 Vineland Ave, Lake Buena Vista
Phone: 407-238-9924
Publix at the Xentury City Center
Location 2925 International Drive, Kissimmee (the very south end of International Drive
near the intersection of US 192 and behind Logan’s Roadhouse restaurant)
Phone: 407-397-1171
There are also additional locations closer to Universal Orlando area, the most convenient being:
Plaza Venezia
Location: 7640 W. Sand Lake Road
Phone: 407-226-3315
There is also a Marketplace supermarket located in the Formosa Gardens Village along
U.S. 192 (Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway), just down the road from many of the
recommended Kissimmee area hotels. It is located at 7840 Irlo Bronson Memorial
Highway, at the intersection of U.S. 192 and Formosa Gardens Blvd. Just across the
street there is a large Walgreen’s.
Area Pharmacies
Walgreen’s
Web site: www.walgreens.com
There are several Walgreen’s located throughout the Orlando area, including along International Drive, U.S 192 in Kissimmee, and in the Lake Buena Vista area.
Walgreen’s- Kissimmee
Location: 8400 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (between mile markers 3 and 4)
Phone: 407-396-1199
A drive-through is available
Walgreen’s
Location: 7767 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (between mile markers 4 and 5, across from the Formosa Gardens Shopping Center)
Phone: 407-390-9662
Walgreen’s
Location: 5935 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (between mile markers 8 and 9 not far from the intersection of International Drive and U.S. 192 in the Xentury City Plaza)
Phone: 407-396-2002
This location is open 24 hours and features a drive-through.
There is also a CVS between mile markers 10 and 11 at 5308 U.S. 192; 407-390-9431.
Universal Orlando Area
Walgreen’s
Location: 8050 I Drive (corner of Sand Lake Road and International Drive)
Phone: 407-352-6922
A drive-through is available at this location.
Walgreen’s
Locaton: Corner of Sand Lake Road and Dr. Phillips Boulevard
Phone: 407-345-9497
A 24-hour pharmacy is located here.
Walgreen’s
Location: Corner of Kirkman and Vineland Road
Phone: 407-248-0437
A 24-hour pharmacy is located here.
Walgreen’s
Location: 6201 I Drive (across from Wet {ap}n Wild)
Phone: 407-345-8311
Farther south along International Drive there are additional locations:
Walgreen’s
Location: 8959 International Drive (Near Pointe Orlando)
Phone: 407-345-0356
Walgreen’s
Location: 12650 International Drive (Regency Shopping Center, near the Premium Outlets; also nearby is a large Publix grocery store and an Outback Steakhouse)
Phone: 407-238-5344
Lake Buena Vista
Walgreen’s
Location: 12100 Apopka Vineland (just up from the Cross Roads Shopping Center and the entrance to Hotel Plaza Boulevard along S.R. 535)
Phone: 407-238-0400
There’s a drive-through at this location.
There is also an Eckerds on World Center Drive (across from the Caribe Royale and up from the World Center Marriott) at 8242 World Center Drive, 407-239-1442.
There are of course a slew of 7-11’s and gas stations (many with convenience marts) located throughout the area as well.
If you require a more extensive selection of merchandise than is offered at the grocery stores, you’ll find both Wal-Mart and Target stores scattered here and there as well.
Some of the most convenient locations include the following:
Wal-Mart Supercenter
Location: 3250 Vineland Road, Kissimmee
Phone: 407-397-1125
Wal-Mart Supercenter
Location: 4444 West Vine, Kissimmee
Phone: 407-397-2277
Super Target
Location: 4795 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee
Phone: 407-594-0029
There are also 2 locations closer to the northern tourist districts:
Target
Location: 800 Sand Lake Road (near the Florida Mall)
Phone: 407-856-5459
Super Target
Location: 4750 Millenia Plaza Way (near the Mall at Millenia)
Phone: 407-541-0019
There are of course more stores popping up all over the place as the area continues to grow so be sure to check the phone book or guest services guide located in your hotel room, with your hotel concierge or guest services representative, or simply at the front desk to verify which stores are located closest to you.
If you do find that you need to shop while you’re in Florida (and most families with smaller children will) head to the local Wal-Mart, Walgreen’s, Eckerd’s, Rite-Aid, Publix or Gooding’s grocery stores for food items (snacks and drinks), baby-care items (diapers and formula), skin care products (sun block), and photo supplies (film and batteries) -- not your hotel gift-shop or hotel convenience store unless it’s an absolute emergency.
Prices are most often substantially higher for what is often a miniature size version of the very same item.
Baby Care Delivered Right To Your Door:
If by chance you haven’t found what you need for the littlest traveler in your family (one still in diapers that is) there is a diaper/wipe delivery service available to help.
Babies Bottom (www.babiesbottom.com / 877-693-1670) will deliver diapers, wipes, and other infant care items right to your hotel. They offer packages with either a 3-4 or 7-8 day supply of diapers, wipes, plastic bags for disposal, a travel size first aid kit, and hand sanitizer as well as sun and swim supplies and other necessities.
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