Pointe Orlando

We have not been to Pointe Orlando yet and intend to go there for a night out this Spring visit. I keep hearing reports that there is good night-life there and yet, I have not seen any threads on these forums. If any of you have been to PO recently, please let us know if there is anything special.

We have visited PO many times but just for shopping there are a lot of bars and restaurants and even a cinema. Have fun
Sue

We've not been there for a couple of years, but I can remember that most of the shops seem to be sell novelty items (there were about three selling different lights, plamsa globes etc) with a few sunglasses, swimwear outlets thrown in too.

There are a lot of bars and restaurants, and it really comes to life at night.

However, the best thing was the large FAO Schwartz toy shop on the corner.....it had just about every toy you could ever imagine !

But now, their website shows places like Matrix (teens disco???), Metropolis (a more grown-ups night-spot, maybe) and something called XS Orlando that seems promising.

Pointe Orlando is always woth a look. Apart from the excellent toy shop, there's a Gap and a Disneyport. Designer shops, Express which my daughter loves,swimwear, Victoria's Secret, perfume, bookstore, coffee shops.

Upstairs there are several eateries-including a Hooters-and the cinema.

It also stays open till 11pm-so you can pop in later in the evening-without giving up one of your park days.

We used to go there more before we had our home when we we used to stay on International drive . Our six year old loves the toyshop and there are some restaurants, bars and a cinema

We always stay in the Rosen Plaza Hotel, which is directly opposite The Pointe Orlando.

We have visited it so many times over the last 8 years, that we are now very friendly with several of the Store Managers / Staff and they always welcome us back with open arms :)

During the day The Pointe is a pleasant enough shopping / Leisure facility, with FAO Schwartz being the main shop. Others include various gift shops etc, there are also main stream stores such as Gap / Disney Worldport / Tommy Hilfiger / Armarni Exchange / Foot Locker etc.

At night the place comes to life with lots of restaurants such as XS, which is a "posh" pizza place downstairs and then a virtual reality games centre upstairs, there is also Dan Marinos Town Tavern and Johnny Rockets, to name but a few

For night life there are at least 2 Nightclubs and a Muvico Multi Screen Cinema, all in all well worth a visit.

Following on from earlier comments and a previous thread from "Tinkerbell" in another part of the Forums, it has been reported in the USA Press that FAO Schwartz are closing all but a couple of their stores.

As yet, a new buyer has not been found for the remaining stores / business which it would appear includes the one on The Pointe.

For those of us who know the store, we will no doubt be saddened by the news, as there has been many a happy hour spent wondering around the store for young and old alike.

Hopefully a buyer / new operator can be found, as it would be a shame to loose the photo opportunities of the Big Bear and the Rag Doll.

As yet, it is still unknown if the store will be remodelled and opened again as a large store or if this end of the Centre will be redeveloped taking in a number of the adjacent vacant units.

In addition, my contact on site tells me that apparently there are a number of other stores, including a major brand name, rumoured to be closing.

Sounds like there maybe a few closing down sales happening in the near future.

Such a shame. I'm not a big PO fan., but it's part of the scenery of I-drive!

I always found Schwartz much more expensive for toys compared to the likes of Walmart, Target, K Mart and Toys R Us. Not surprised they're closing.

I dont think that we ever actually bought anything from FAO Schwarz, or compared prices, its more the huge array of toys (I couldn't believe the collectable Barbie section), the actual style/size of the shop and the fun of being able to try out anyting that they were selling.

If the Pointe Orlando store does close, it will be sadly missed.

I agree, it was more of a tourist attraction in my opinion rather than a shop to buy things in! that's how most people saw it I think, which I imagine would be why it's closing! So it's our fault!

This is my first post since coming back, so apologies for not posting for a while. We hadn't heard the news about FAO Schwartz when we were over there until we decided to call in to PO on the day my Mum left to come home (I will really need to do a trip report, and despite the fact that Aileen and I love my Mum, sharing our holiday with another DID have an affect on it).

Anyway, we had already bought a few toys at Walmart for the holiday. We tend to leave some in the villa we rent for other guests and for future holidays, and also bring a few home. Walmart had a Lincoln Log set that we had to get (at $15 dollars it was a bargain, apologies to the US posters for the current exchange rate). I love the Lincoln Logs stuff, and can't wait till Nathan appreciates building it as well as knocking it down!!

My Mum was with us from the 27th Dec to the 5th Jan and the obvious focus was WDW so that she could enjoy her grandchildren's reactions. At the end of that time, though, we were so Disney'd out it was unbelievable. I think another factor was that we have previously enjoyed the parks during low atendance times, and enduring them when they are busy with two young kids is no fun.

I will save more details for a trip report.

ANYWAY,.... (I always have a problem staying with my own thread!) ....

We went to Pointe Orlando and couldn't believe our luck!! Sorry for FAO Shwarz, etc., but with the exchange rate and with some 40 - 60 % discounts there were some great bargains to be had. The staff seemed happy and motivated, which was a little odd for somewhere closing, so I am not sure what is happening there. Best bargain was getting Playmobil stuff for Nathan. We spent $90 on stuff for him, as I had considered this as a Christmas present for him, but ruled it out due to cost. After getting back to the villa I priced it up on the web against UK retail - we saved over £150!!!

Now that is a bargain.

I don't know about all the politics of a store closing and I am watching the exchange rate closely, but we were just thankful to be able to get such a bargain by being at the right place at the right time.

I am sadden by the news that FAO is closing.Being a Barbie Collector for many years .I love my trips to FAO for my exclusive FAO barbies.