Orlando International • Disney, Dior and Discounts Galore

If you have any dollars left by the time you reach Orlando International Airport (unlikely we know), you’ll be glad to know there are plenty of shops here where you can spend them. Most of them are landside though, so don’t expect any bargains here compared to downtown.

Still if little Johnny is still whining that you didn’t by him a toy ‘Shamu’ or you’ve decided that you really should have bought that skimpy Minnie Mouse t-shirt after all, fret not. You’ll find Seaworld, Magic of Disney, Universal Studio, and Kennedy Space Centre Stores all in the Main Terminal • along with a pretty good choice of other retail stores, all surrounding a central food court. They include Bijoux Terner (where everything • jewellery, watches, bags, accessories - is based on one cheap and cheerful price), Guess, l’Occitane, Oakley, Swatch and a must visit Harley Davidson outlet.

It’s actually pretty user friendly here and well laid out with typical US style and razamatazz, but, understandably, can get very busy at times. If you do want anything specific outside traditional duty and tax free goods, you’re best off to buy it here because there are no stand-alone stores like these once you get to the Airside areas.
From the main terminal you’ll go to one of four Airside Areas • most likely Four, served by airlines including BA, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Air Jamaica, TAM and Aeromexico; or One, served by Aer Lingus, Air Canada (30% of traffic is Canadian), Transat, Continental, Air Bahamas, American, and Midwest.

Dominating both Airside One and Four is the Alpha Duty Free Store, the biggest being in Four which has improved greatly since a massive expansion in 2007 from 900sq ft to 5,000 sq ft. The store in Airside One was also increased from 1,000 sq ft to 3,000 sq ft. Both are easily spotted by their distinctive pink colour.

Now in 2010, Orlando International Airport enjoyed its fourth busiest year ever. In 2008 the USA was as cheap as chips for Brits with the dollar: pound exchange rate reaching almost 2:1 and the Canadian dollar also strong. Alas this is no longer the case and the significantly weaker pound means that duty and tax free savings in the shops here (and at any retail outlet of course) are not as bargain basement as they were.

Nevertheless, the choice here is above average and Alpha works very hard to keep the prices low, particularly for liquor and tobacco. So look out for special price offers and promotions on your favourite brands • or perhaps use it as an opportunity to try something new. Since the expansion, there is a much improved cosmetics and fragrances offer with a great selection of Clinique products (very popular with UK passengers) and a treatment area. There’s also a pretty good choice of non-core items such as watches, jewellery, designer sunglasses and confectionery, including US favourites like Hershey as well as more international brands such as Godiva.

The Airside One store (which you’ll probably be using if you’re Irish or Canadian) is also vastly improved and again offers brands that are favoured in those countries.

Don’t forget though that you will not be able to take your purchases with you; you’ll be given a ticket with a number on which you give in at the Gate as you board the plane to collect your goods.
Outside the Alpha store, the shopping choices at Airside Four are limited • Sunglass International, Taxco Sterling (silver), In-Motion (cds/dvds), Blu Wire (high tech accessories) and Stellar News and Gifts being just about it. Airside One is even more limited, with just one other gift shop.

With security and immigration, getting in and out of US Airports is never a particularly pleasant experience, but at least the shopping choice at Orlando International • duty free or otherwise • makes leaving more bearable than at some.

Orlando International fact file

International passengers 2.7m
Total passengers 35.7m
Passenger profile: 50% UK, 30% Canadian, remainder mostly Irish, German, Latin American
Destinations serviced: 19 non stop international
Terminals. One, divided into two sides • A&B • determined by which airline you are flying

Orlando Sandford Airport

Alpha also operates the duty free store at Orlando Sandford’s international terminal A.

Orlando Sandford caters almost exclusively to British charter passengers along with various scheduled European destinations going with Icelandair via Reykjavik. There are a couple of shops here apart from the Alpha Store • Reel Stuff and Travel Pursuits • but nothing very exciting.

On experience, getting into and out of Orlando Sandford can be much quicker than International, but it’s such a long haul into Orlando itself, you wonder if it’s worth it (especially if you are paying for a cab).

For information on US Customs rules please see our quick guide: United States Customs Allowance and Exemptions