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MickeyFan4Ever
05-07-2007, 10:06 AM
Normally when I visit Disneyland, I spent every minute either in the park, but this time, I will have a care and some spare time. Can anyone suggest a good place to go shopping (other than DTD)? Is there an outlet mall in the area? Thank you for your advice and suggestions!:p

simnia
05-07-2007, 10:24 AM
I don't know of any good malls very near Disneyland. There's the Brea Mall on the 57, several miles north. Does The City mall around Orange still exist? There's a marginal mall on Tustin Avenue a few miles north of Katella Avenue. Anaheim Plaza on Euclid Avenue is awful, now that they renovated it and took out the interior walkway. La Habra Marketplace isn't much better than it used to be, which was not very good. There are a lot of interesting antique shops around the traffic circle in Orange. South Coast Plaza is quite a ways south, around Costa Mesa.

Bytebear
05-07-2007, 11:12 AM
It depends on what kind of shopping you want to do.

No really good or nice shopping centers are super close, but within 30 minutes are:

Fashion Island, Newport Beach
Irvine Spectrum, Irvine
The Block at Orange, Orange
South Coast Plaza, Santa Ana

I personally like the Spectrum best, and South Coast Plaza is my second choice.

For antiquing and a quaint city center, go for Old Town Orange. Think the square in "Ghost Whisperer". They also have a 1950s style drug store complete with soda fountain and small diner.

Outlet centers:

Ontario Mills seems to be the most recommended. (I was not impressed.)
The Citadel is a bit further, and not as good (from what I hear)
Cabazon is my favorite but it is practically in Palm Springs.

pisces
05-07-2007, 01:16 PM
There's the Brea Mall on the 57, several miles north. Does The City mall around Orange still exist?

No, not the way it used to be. I loved the City with the hardwood floors, and charming background music. All of that's gone. They've destroyed it.

I never bother going to Brea Mall either since they took out the ice skating rink.

South Coast Plaza still has a charming ambience, although it's not the same as it was either.

simnia
05-07-2007, 02:21 PM
No, not the way it used to be. I loved the City with the hardwood floors, and charming background music. All of that's gone. They've destroyed it.

Aw, darn. I don't remember the parts you do, but I remember the movie theater and indoor trees.


I never bother going to Brea Mall either since they took out the ice skating rink.

I don't remember the ice skating rink, but I remember the convenient theater, also removed. Now the closest theaters to Brea Mall are off of Brea Boulevard. I went there only once after finding out the Brea Mall theater was gone, and found the traffic and parking to be so insane at the new theater complex that I will never even try to drive into that area again.

Fullerton used to have a lot of interesting shops: 2 pawn shops, several bookstores, a movie memorabilia store, a seashell shop, a music store, offbeat places like a taxidermy store and porn store, plus a lot of quaint restaurants. The cute restaurants and music store are still around but the rest are all gone, I believe.

mikotorocks714
05-07-2007, 02:40 PM
Wow, you guys are old school! The City mall is now The Block; it's kind of like the Irvine Spectrum, but I also preffer Irvine Spectrum.

avalosn
05-07-2007, 04:04 PM
For antiquing and a quaint city center, go for Old Town Orange. Think the square in "Ghost Whisperer". They also have a 1950s style drug store complete with soda fountain and small diner.

If you do decide to hit up Old Town Orange, go to Rutabegorz!!!!! It's sooooo good!!!:D

adriennek
05-07-2007, 04:19 PM
No really good or nice shopping centers are super close, but within 30 minutes are:

Fashion Island, Newport Beach
Irvine Spectrum, Irvine
The Block at Orange, Orange
South Coast Plaza, Santa Ana

Main Place at Santa Ana is a few exits down the 5. I like South Coast Plaza better and Fashion Island, Irvine Spectrum and The Block are more "destination-y" shopping, but Main Place is close and has a Nordstroms, at least.


For antiquing and a quaint city center, go for Old Town Orange. Think the square in "Ghost Whisperer". They also have a 1950s style drug store complete with soda fountain and small diner.

Yes, and it was part of the Tom Hanks movie "That thing you do" (they have memorabilia all over the walls) but it's pricey.

Go south on Glassell a block and a half, have a tasty savory pastry or sandwich at Blue Frog Bakery and then go drool over the merchandise at The Charming Shoppe (http://www.charmingshoppe.com). (Plus the antique stores and the other stuff around there... ;) )


Outlet centers:

Ontario Mills seems to be the most recommended. (I was not impressed.)
The Citadel is a bit further, and not as good (from what I hear)
Cabazon is my favorite but it is practically in Palm Springs.

Ontario Mills is close and indoors and air-conditioned. These are big advantages for an outlet center. It also has some stores in it that are on my list of top places to hit. I do like Cabazon but, yeah, it's a bit further out.

Adrienne

AVP
05-07-2007, 04:55 PM
For antiquing and a quaint city center, go for Old Town Orange. Think the square in "Ghost Whisperer". They also have a 1950s style drug store complete with soda fountain and small diner.Were you using that as a random example, or did you know that they filmed episodes there? I get calls whenever that episode airs - "Why can't I see your store in the background?!?" (Because we hadn't moved in yet...)

AVP

Bytebear
05-07-2007, 04:59 PM
Were you using that as a random example, or did you know that they filmed episodes there? I get calls whenever that episode airs - "Why can't I see your store in the background?!?" (Because we hadn't moved in yet...)

I did know they filmed "Ghost Whisperer" there, at least they used to. I recognized it right away. Lately though, I think they are filming more on a backlot because things aren't quite right. Probably because they have to rebuild the center hub with the war memorial each time (the Orange hub is a fountain), and it is easier to do on a backlot. It might be the "Back to the Future" backlot. They use that a lot for just about every "small town" scene.

dehnehsu
05-07-2007, 11:13 PM
If you are interested in collectibles, There are 4 cool shops on the corner of Beach and Ball (Easy to remember, Think BeachBall) They have lots of older stuff to current. Lots of Disneyana. It's fun just to go in and look at the stuff on display. Prices aren't bad either. You'll be amazed at how many times you point at something and say, "I used to have that" or "I remember those"

There are 2 shops on each side of Ball street. "Phat Collectibles" and another store ( I don't know the name) on one side. More Transformers, Star Wars stuff.

On the other side of Ball are "Kelly's Toys" and "Gotta Have It Collectables" We stop by very trip, Rarely buy stuff, but really enjoy looking at the stuff from our youth and some cool Disneyana stuff. (Probably a lot of Disney Cast Members selling their stuff)

potzbie
05-08-2007, 07:49 AM
The physically closest block(s) which contain(s) a very, very full complement of big stores and big malls is just about two blocks south of Disneyland on HARBOR BLVD. Everything is there.

The shopping mall which contains the Disney Character Outlet store is north of Disneyland, accessible from HARBOR BLVD. (See "Orangefair Marketplace".) but perpendicular (i.e., east-west oriented) to Harbor Bl., not "on" Harbor Bl. Technically, this mall lies in Fullerton, not Anaheim.

MickeyFan4Ever
05-08-2007, 07:50 AM
Thank you for all of your responses, advice and helpful hints. I really appreciate it. Can't wait!

spectromen
05-08-2007, 08:07 AM
No, not the way it used to be. I loved the City with the hardwood floors, and charming background music. All of that's gone. They've destroyed it.

I never bother going to Brea Mall either since they took out the ice skating rink.

South Coast Plaza still has a charming ambience, although it's not the same as it was either.

Pisces! LOL....I love it. Time to start another retail reminiscing thread in the Lounge, don't you think? ;)

adriennek
05-09-2007, 09:13 PM
For antiquing and a quaint city center, go for Old Town Orange. Think the square in "Ghost Whisperer". They also have a 1950s style drug store complete with soda fountain and small diner.


Yes, and it was part of the Tom Hanks movie "That thing you do" (they have memorabilia all over the walls) but it's pricey.

Go south on Glassell a block and a half, have a tasty savory pastry or sandwich at Blue Frog Bakery and then go drool over the merchandise at The Charming Shoppe (http://www.charmingshoppe.com). (Plus the antique stores and the other stuff around there... ;) )

Ok, I have to revise my recommendation....

Go about 2 blocks South of the Orange Circle on Glassell. There will be a restaurant called Mustard Cafe (http://www.mustardcafe.com/) Each lunch there.

Walk 1/2 block north to CharmingShoppe (http://www.charmingshoppe.com) Shop. Shop. Shop.

Walk 2 stores north to Blue Frog Bakery and enjoy a little dessert.

Adrienne
who ate dinner at Mustard, shopped at CS, and ate dessert from Blue Frog tonight and is quite satisfied.

Bytebear
05-09-2007, 09:23 PM
Ok, I have to revise my recommendation....

Go about 2 blocks South of the Orange Circle on Glassell. There will be a restaurant called Mustard Cafe (http://www.mustardcafe.com/) Each lunch there.

Walk 1/2 block north to CharmingShoppe (http://www.charmingshoppe.com) Shop. Shop. Shop.

Walk 2 stores north to Blue Frog Bakery and enjoy a little dessert.

Adrienne
who ate dinner at Mustard, shopped at CS, and ate dessert from Blue Frog tonight and is quite satisfied.

Not to contradict Adrienne, but I really love PJs Abbey (http://www.pjsabbey.com/). A restaurant in an old abbey church. Wonderful and unique dining experience.

adriennek
05-09-2007, 09:28 PM
Not to contradict Adrienne, but I really love PJs Abbey (http://www.pjsabbey.com/). A restaurant in an old abbey church. Wonderful and unique dining experience.

Not at all. There's a lot of good little restaurants in the area. I also like The Filling Station (http://www.fillingstationcafe.com/) on North Glassell.

They've had a Hawaiian Monte Cristo as the special of the day before. Oh that was good. They have good breakfast, too.

Adrienne

Koukla
05-09-2007, 09:47 PM
Not at all. There's a lot of good little restaurants in the area. I also like The Filling Station (http://www.fillingstationcafe.com/) on North Glassell.
They've had a Hawaiian Monte Cristo as the special of the day before. Oh that was good. They have good breakfast, too.

Ohhhhhh I saw "They have good breakfast, too," and I just had to look! This looks like my kinda joint. And you say it's worth the drive in to OC, eh? I may just have to take my mom next week, when she returns from her travels, for a belated Mother's Day breakfast. Already know what I'm going to order! :D Thanks for the recommendation!

adriennek
05-09-2007, 09:51 PM
Ohhhhhh I saw "They have good breakfast, too," and I just had to look! This looks like my kinda joint. And you say it's worth the drive in to OC, eh? I may just have to take my mom next week, when she returns from her travels, for a belated Mother's Day breakfast. Already know what I'm going to order! :D Thanks for the recommendation!

Well, I know the owner won't be at her store next week, but IF you go, you MUST visit Charming Shoppe while you're there...

Actually, if you're seriously a breakfast person, I know two restaurants about 20 minutes from your place that you need to try. You might even be able to hook up with some locals who would meet you there for a meal. ;)

(Seriously.)

Adrienne

Koukla
05-09-2007, 10:05 PM
Well, I know the owner won't be at her store next week, but IF you go, you MUST visit Charming Shoppe while you're there...

Hee hee. I was just on CS' Web site, and the other site, too. I'm not one for collectibles (of the dust collecting variety, anyway), but there's a Tigger lover in my life, my best g/f of the last 18 or so years, and I just picked out her next b-day present. ;)


Actually, if you're seriously a breakfast person, I know two restaurants about 20 minutes from your place that you need to try. You might even be able to hook up with some locals who would meet you there for a meal. ;)

Oh I yam, I yam! Give me a coffee shop where I can order breakfast food in the middle of the night and I'm as happy as a kitten in a sardine factory.:D And yea, hook me up girl! Where are these restaurants of which you speak? (And will the bald astronaut be there? I'm a sucka for a bald guy.:eek: :D And a bald guy in uniform just makes my little heart go a thumpity-thump.)

<<end derail. . . sorry!>>