ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida shoppers flocked to retailers on what has unofficially been dubbed "Brown Thursday." As more than a dozen major retailers from Target to Toys R Us open on Thanksgiving Day, shoppers across the country got a jump start on holiday shopping.
Juan Carlos Villeda, who is vacationing from Guatemala, was among the hundreds of people who waited in this long line to get inside of the Florida Mall, which opened at 8 p.m. for the first time on Thanksgiving.
"We're so excited," Villeda said.
"We're waiting for PS4 at Gamestop."
Villeda waited for five hours to get into mall only to wait in another line to get into Gamestop, which won't open until midnight.
The Florida Mall wasn't the only place packed Thursday.
Best Buy near the Mall at Millenia opened at 6 p.m. which was earlier than last year.
Many people cut their Thanksgiving meals short, came here and hopped in line in order to get inside.
"We thought we were lucky getting here when we did, because we saw some many people come after and get into the line and we saw it go all the way, across the parking lot," shopper Janna Moses said.
At a nearby Toys R Us a line wrapped around the building when the doors opened at 5 p.m.
Not everyone was there looking for the year's hottest toys.
An expecting couple said they showed up to buy bottles for their child.
"We're getting $250 worth of stuff for $150, so we're saving a hundred bucks," shopper Rick Harris said.
Shoppers say they love the deals, but one said she hates they're being offered on Thanksgiving.
"Sooner or later, Thanksgiving is not going to be Thanksgiving, it's going to be Thanksgiving on the go, you're not going to spend much time with your family," shopper Paula Morales said.
WFTV
