[MissDisney]

I keep seeing posts about splitting vacation into two resorts... usually the resorts are a luxury resort to begin, then moving to an All-Star resort mid-vacation. I have a couple of questions about that. First, tell me about the All-Star resorts -- are they nice, good pools, decent food, comfortable rooms, etc. Also, why do so many folks seem to choose the more-expensive hotel first, then go the the less expensive one for the last part of vacation?
This sounds like it could be a good money-saving idea for us! Try a little Grand Floridian, then save some bucks by going to the other hotel -- we were the last to know!

[crystalrp]

IMHO, if you are going to split between resorts, go to the less expensive one FIRST. We are going to a POFQ first, then switching to AKL. I would think I would hate to do it the other way around. JMO. Sorry I can't give you any info on the value resorts. Everyone really seems to love them! We have two DSs, ages 10 and 13, so we were worried we might be a bit crowded at the All Star resorts since we do try to spend some time at the resort. I am sure someone will be right along to answer all your questions tho!! :)

[karliebug]

I have stayed at all the all-star resorts except the new pop century. we plan on trying that next time. Since my family uses the room mainly as a "crash pad", the perks that the more expensive resorts may offer aren't iimportant to us. The rooms are comfortable for 4, though a bit smaller than the Carribean Beach. The pools are fun, but don't have the waterslides that more expensive resorts offer. the food courts have a lot of different items, including kid-friendly menus. The walk and wait for buses is minimal. We tend to get up early to head for the parks, come back for an afternoon nap or swim and head out again until late. Since time in the room is minimal, why pay more?:) :)

[llbarnes]

Yes, the All Star resorts are the best if you have kids. Movies is what we try to aim for with the big buzz and woody. We have been there 4 times in the recent past. Hightly recommended!

[dznygrl]

I agree with crystal, I think I would like to go to the cheaper resort first and then upgrade to a deluxe.

As for the All-Stars, I stayed at All-Star Movies last September and thought it was wonderful. It adds so much more magic to the vacation to stay on-site, and I loved the fun atmosphere of the All-Star resorts. The rooms were small, yes, but there were 2 of us (college students) and we found it the perfect size. We didn't eat at the food court very much, but what we did eat was decent. I was pleased with the variety of foods.

We stayed in the Fantasia Building 5, which obviously was a lot closer to the main pool and food court than other buildings. If you can specially request one of the closer buildings (as we did), it makes a big difference. Much less walking!!

[MagicalMoments]

I agree! I would do the value resort first, then move to the deluxe. In 2005, we plan to do a value the first few days, then move to the Wilderness Lodge.
I also agree with everything said about the All Star resorts. We just sleep there, and swim a bit. So we figure the amount we save for the room by staying at the value resort allows us more time at WDW and another trip in the near future! One week at a deluxe resort = 2 weeks at a value.
And there is a McDonald's right outside the entrance to the All Star resorts. Came in handy one night that we were so busy, we forgot to eat at the park. Stopped there instead of going to the food court.

[CaribBeachNut]

I don't bother splitting resorts. I stay twice as long at CBR and spend half my time doing nothing! Now that's a vacation IMHO.

[MissDisney]

CaribBeachNut, We stayed only once at CBR, and thought I can't remember the details of how it came to pass, but we ended up with not one but two FABULOUS and HUGE connecting rooms in the Jamaica building... we had the most amazing week, with the kids in one room and us in the other. Amazing! We overlooked the water and we could see the fireworks from the parking lot! Wonderful! I can see why CBR is your favorite!

[Caroline Boyle]

We loved Pop Century, We stayed 6 nights at pop century
then moved to POR and wished we hadn't. The kids to wish we had stayed at PC. Next time PC then maybe a few nights at AKL


Carey

[CaribBeachNut]

MissDisney, Wow! I can only dream of having two rooms like that. One for the kids... Wow. To paraphrase a famous Tiger.. that would be GREAT! Now that's a vacation! I'll bet you didn't want to come home that time!
We loosely plan our vacations and like to be left alone. Some mornings we wake up and decide not to do anything at all, except maybe to get up and eat lunch! At CBR we feel "tucked into" a corner somewhere away from it all, and we relax. Also, we just love palm trees and water. With all those swimming pools, pool football at midnight is always fun too. A few summers ago, my wife and daughter were medically recovering and being away from it all at CBR helped them both a great deal. I am grateful to Disney.

[polyman65]

We used to split resorts not any more,you never feel settled.If you stay at the cheaper resort first is to hard on you to move down.All stars are great resorts on the days you go to the parks.The deluxe resorts are nice on your last days to relax at and enjoy what the resort has to offer.If you stay at All stars stay at movies or music not sports,or try Pop centry

[MickeyMamma]

The All Star resorts are great, especially if you are travelling with kids.

For our upcoming trip, we are splitting our stay since it will be partly DVC. We are starting out at Pop Century (I liked it a little more than the All Stars for us) and then moving to Beach Club.

It seems to be a good way to save some money on your rooms on longer trips. Changing rooms mid-trip can be a pain though.

[eeeee]

We have only stayed at the value resorts. Everything that has been said is true. The value are great for kids as well as those folks who use it as a crash pad. We usually have one day that we see other parts of WDW, play some putt putt, etc. So we didn't mind the value resorts. A word of advise, stay at movies and request either dalmation or toy story, both are just as close as fantasia and you can save yourself 10 a night. If you are checking in really late, you will have slim pickings as to what building you will be in. The early bird catches the worm!:D

[CaribBeachNut]

Originally posted by eeeee
The early bird catches the worm!:D

Yuck! Some incentive.

[Disney6]

We have done both ways and had a good experience both times. The second time was with our kids and they didn't like switching from ASM to the GF. I would say stay at the AS Resort of your choice if it involves kids of ages 2-pre-teens.