The owners of
Orlando’s two Premium Outlet malls have converted hundreds of parking into “premium” paid parking spots, creating even more competition for free parking.
The owners of Orlando’s two Premium Outlet malls have converted hundreds of parking into “premium” paid parking spots, creating even more competition for free parking.
Simon Properties has roped off a few hundred spots at its Orlando International Premium Outlets mall exclusively for those who pay $10 for “premium parking.” At the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets near Walt Disney World, the parking garage is now reserved for $10 paid parking too.
It’s left cars circling the parking lots looking for spots, while frazzled customers gaze into a near empty parking lot that can only be accessed by paying. Meanwhile, the premium paid parking lot is nearly empty.
And as Central Florida reaches peak tourist season, it’s only bound to get worse.
The Premium Outlet malls have been experimenting with valet parking for years and in March announced a partnership with mobile app MyPark for premium parking at the two malls. But the mall said fewer than 30 spots at each mall would be reserved for MyPark.
Using the mobile app, customers can reserve a spot for $3 for a two-hour window.
“This decision was made to ease the overall shopping and parking experience while creating accessibility to our shopping center for all our visitors,” said a statement from a Simon spokeswoman. “Our properties see over 17 million visitors annually. By maximizing the location and management of our free and paid parking areas, we hope to ease congestion and decrease the time visitors wait for parking.”
After the change, each outlet mall still has about 1,500 free parking spots, a spokeswoman for the mall said.
Outlet shopper Scott Royer was frustrated when he showed up to the Orlando International Premium Outlets on a rainy day and found a huge portion of the parking lot reserved for paying customers, while lines of cars drove row to row looking for an unpaid space.
“I think it’s absurd,” said Royer, who was buying work boots and said he was only at the mall for a few minutes. “I ended up pulling into the ‘premium’ parking since it was right in front of the store I was trying to go into. I just got out of my truck and threw the money on the hood in the rain and ran to the store.”
Royer, who lives in Haines City and travels to Orlando for work, said he won’t visit the malls as often.
“Now they’re taking half the spaces and charging?” he said. “Nah, I’ll just go back to online shopping.”
Emma Cochrane, of St. Petersburg, said she visits the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets frequently because she is a Disney World annual passholder. Usually, she parks in the garage, but on a recent trip, she found it reserved for those willing to pay $10.
“Honestly, we haven’t been back since they started doing paid parking, and when we went last time and saw that it was paid parking, we turned around and left,” she said. “We’re going to Orlando this weekend, and the mall isn’t in our plans this time sadly.”
Simon’s outlet mall in downtown Las Vegas also recently started $5 for parking across its entire lot. However, Nevada residents are still allowed to park for free.
The Orlando Premium Outlets offers free valet parking for Florida residents between 10 and 11 a.m.
“Honestly, we haven’t been back since they started doing paid parking, and when we went last time and saw that it was paid parking, we turned around and left. Emma Cochrane, of St. Petersburg