Diehl trip report(6/18-6/26)-Days 1 & 2-Royal Plaza upgrade

[Mary Diehl]

Diehl family- DH (46), me(42), DS(18), DS(15), and DS(12).
We started by driving from Pennsylvania at 3:45am and stopped in Pooler, Georgia by 5:45pm where we stayed at a Hawthorn Suite. It was a nice hotel and the room was very big and spacious. Paid $130. We ate at a Red Lobster for dinner. In the morning we had a free hot continental breakfast and left for Orlando around 10:30. We arrived at the Hotel Royal Plaza around 3:45. We were upgraded to a premium room. I guess the only difference from what we had originally reserved was that there was a jacuzzi tub in our bathroom. We asked for a view of DTD which they did not have at the time. I think this is why they upgraded us. We headed out to walk around DTD and ate at the Rainforest Cafe-was able to get 10% with my AP. We also ate at Ghiradelli's later that evening. When returning to our room, we noticed our ceiling vent was leaking all over the carpet. We inquired at the front desk and was immediately moved to the same type of room but this time with a view of DTD. You could also see the castle, Expedition Everest, Disney studios etc. at a distance from our window. What a neat change. My opinion of the Royal Plaza is that I feel many areas of the hotel seemed to be neglected. It still looked worn and should have been refurbished a little better. Doors in the hallways were handing off their hinges, carpets stained and all the hinges on our doors were rusty. Handles on the sink kept falling off. Other than that, the staff was real nice and friendly. Tomorrow---AKL!! Stayed tuned for days 3 & 4....

 

[pumba]

wow what a start to your trip........I am glad that you got the view you wanted too......anxious for akl too

 

[Minniespal]

Excellent start

 

[TLinden16]

Ghiardelli's. Yum. Great sundaes there.

That's too bad that the Royal Plaza is getting run down. Isn't that the hotel that got severely damaged in the hurricanes two years ago? If memory serves me correctly, they had to close it to do the repairs.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Mary Diehl]

We were very anxious to stay here because we heard so many positive things. So, I guess my expectations were high. I was told they did a total refurbishment. I just was not impressed with the interior. You could tell they had neglected many areas and our room, that was supposedly redone, still had things in it that were old and should have been replaced. On another note too, they built up this hype about their free HOT continental breakfast. The only hot thing they had were eggs, grits and bacon(I think) and all of it was cold. There really wasn't a whole lot to choose from. But like I said, the staff was very nice. I just wouldn't stay here again.

 

[DisTeach1]

How did your boys like the trip? You hear so much about teenage boys not wanting to go on vacation and such. Just curious how they liked Disney?

 

[Mary Diehl]

All of my boys have been to Disney 4 times now. My oldest came with ,I think, just for the food. My other two always enjoy it. My oldest also spent alot of time back in the room---sleeping!!! He had his favorite rides and could not get the full concept of needing to get to the parks early to ride them if he didn't want to wait 60-90min. He wanted to start his day at 1:00. So, after eating lunch with us, he'd normally go back to the room and vege out. Sometimes he'd do the evening EMH which worked if the rest of us didn't need to get up early again the next morning. I know this is the last year for him. They all also enjoyed swimming and relaxing in the afternoon. We did not do any character meals because they just rollled their eyes when suggesting it. I'm glad we all got to do another family vacation for I'm sure it's the last since my oldest has other interests and plans for next year.

 

[OhMari]

You should post links on your original thread so it stays together (your trip report). We had our last family vacation when our oldest son was 18. I'm glad he went.