Orlando-area shoppers lined up early outside big-box stores early Friday morning to take advantage of exclusive deals, follow tradition and experience Black Friday.

The Bass Pro Shop on International Drive had a long line by 4:30 a.m. Clark Crates and his family came down from Destin in the Panhandle to go to Universal for Thanksgiving. They were hoping to be among the first 250 people in line who participate in a random drawing for a gift card with a value of up to $500 when the store opened at 5 a.m.

The family also hoped to get some clothes and preferred to come in person.

“We’re going to Universal today. We didn’t get all the stuff we needed,” he said. “It’s hard to get stuff online because you can’t try it on first, and sometimes it’s hard to order [just] to get the wrong size.”

It was the first time Christian Guzman, who was also in line at Bass Pro Shop prior to opening, shopped on Black Friday morning. It usually is impossible because he works in retail and has had the overnight shift on Black Friday for the past five years. He said he’s been looking forward to experiencing it.

“I feel it’s the point, of fun, to go to Black Friday. Last year was not too much people, because they were kind of like, scared to get COVID,” he said. “But I feel that this year is gonna be different … people are eager to go back to the way it was.”

J.P. and Beau, who came from Tampa, were shopping at Target near the Mall at Millenia shortly after it opened at 6 a.m. They agreed that Black Friday is about the experience and said you have to go in person.

“We kind of just want to see the crazy. I just wanted to see all the people, and then see the excitement,” J.P. said. “I want to go to the mall, I want to see all the decorations and I want to see Macy’s.”

Others waited outside in the cold for more practical reasons.

A man named Carlito was in line with his girlfriend outside the Best Buy near the Mall at Millenia shortly before it opened at 6 a.m. He said he had been waiting for three months for Black Friday just to get a good deal on a new TV.

Reed Andary, who is engaged and has a new home, was also in line at Best Buy before it opened hoping to find deals for a long list of appliances not available online, including a Samsung-frame TV, air fryer, Internet router and modem.

He says he was apprehensive about fights after seeing videos of Black Friday fights online for years but felt optimistic about his day.

“What I’ve expected in the past is people fighting each other and breaking stuff when they run inside,” Andary said. “I think it’s gonna be pretty relaxed out here. The line isn’t too long.”

However, he was concerned about something else: inflation.

“I think that’s the reason, not specifically the reason, but one of the reasons why I’m out here,” he said. “If I can save, in total, $300 to $500, that’d be awesome.”

Some were hoping for a spectacle.

Benjamin Gibson and his girlfriend were in line at Target shortly after opening. Gibson said he had never gone Black Friday shopping before, but his girlfriend convinced him to go. While he was looking for a new computer monitor, his girlfriend was looking for something else.

“I want to see the fights,” she said.

Orlando’s malls drew traffic very early as well.

“The Mall at Millenia started off the morning very strong. We opened earlier this year, and the crowds were ready,” said Kevin Cedik, the mall’s general manager in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel. “Traffic continues to build, and we are expecting it will continue throughout the day.”

By noon, the Orlando International Premium Outlets on International Drive were flooded with people. Traffic was backed up on nearby roads, and the main intersection leading into the mall on Oak Ridge Road had so many cars that the intersection was completely blocked, causing a torrent of honks from frustrated drivers.