Just booked Royal Pacific. A few ??? please.

[jacquek95]

Hi! I just booked our 1st stay ever at a US/IOA hotel at the Royal Pacific. We got a rate of $129/night, which I hope is a good rate. I do have a couple of questions though.

1st, we joined the Loew's club (hoping to get a better discount) and saw on their web page that they give you the little free goodies when you get there (we decided to be adventerous and chose the "surprise regional gift") and saw that you get a free upgrade to a premium room if they have one when you arrive. So, we booked a standard. Does this mean that if there's a water view room available when we get there, we can move up? Should we ask about this when we go to check in (I'm not very good at being assertive about asking for anything).

Also, since we're staying on, I'm sure we'll just want to eat on premise. What's the best way to save money on food? We're military, AAA, Florida residents and Annual passholders. Which are the best discounts? Also, I remember a little while back a thread talking about an Orlando radio station web site where you could essentially buy 1/2 price certificates for restaurants at US/IOA. Could anybody out there give me that website again?

Thanks for any help!

 

[cc1954]

You will really enjoy the RP! We just got back from a 3 day stay, and it has really become a favorite - my 11 year old DS adores the pool there, and actually likes it better than the Hard Rock!

Just so you know - there is a thing called the "club level" where you actually stay on the 7th floor at the RP & the HR - I know that Portofino also has a club level, but I have not personally stayed there and so can not say how it operates. But the RP & HR club level rooms include breakfast in the am, beer & wine and appetizers in the evening from 5 to 7 PM, and cookies and desserts from 8 pm until they close at 10 pm. Throughout the day, sodas, snacks and water are available, as well as personal concierge services.

Try calling and lay out all of your available possiblities for discounts, and ask if they could find you a better rate, and what it may cost for club level. Also ask for Entertaiment Book rate (you can buy one from their website for $10 at the current time).

I highly recommend the extra bucks for club level - we find we spend a lot less on food when we stay at club!

 

[d4est]

I think 129/night is a great rate. I would be happy if I got it. Just FYI, depending on how you got your discount, you may not get your free welcome gift or upgrade. Their new policy is that you don't receive one if you booked using certain discounts. I know if you used AAA you are still qualified. BUT, some still get lucky and report receiving their loewsblue freebies even with the discount. I think it all depends upon the mood of the person checking you in.

As far as the discount gift certificates, I don't know the website but, you can do a search or look for a thread for clear channel. That is the radio station that sells them.

HTH

 

[Motherfletcher]

I received the welcome gift and was offer a water view upgrade in June and we had APH rates. Do you want to know what the regoinal surprise is?
Half price certificates:

http://halfprice.ccorlando.com
http://halfprice.wtks.com
http://halfprice.realrock1011.com
http://halfprice.xl1067.com
http://halfprice.cool100fm.com
http://halfprice.magic107.com
http://halfprice.740theteam.com
http://halfprice.540wfla.com

 

[d4est]

i read somewhere that it is hawaiian candy in a shell engraved with RPR...

 

[jacquek95]

Thanks for all the info! And YES, I would love to know what the Regional surprise is (I'm really bad at Surprises!).

Also, Motherfletcher, did you have to ask about the upgrade or did they just automatically give it to you?

Please keep those answers coming (especially any about saving $ at the restaurants!)

 

[d4est]

Sorry Motherfletcher...I guess I need to stop speed reading! I thought you were asking WHAT the regional surprise was. I guess I let the cat out of the bag....

 

[Motherfletcher]

d4est-
No problem here, I already have 2 of those shells and baskets. The candy is inedible.

jacquek95-
I always ask if an upgrade is available. Sometimes they will say Club is available for an extra $xx.xx. They offered an upgrade to a water view last time and instead I requested a 7th Floor Tower 1 room and got #1729. I think it was the best room I've ever had there. The view of the parks was awesome.
I am an early riser so I would go to the fitness center at 6 when they open and use the sauna, steam room and co-ed whirlpool before I took a shower. To save money on food I would go to the McDonalds on Sandlake and bring breakfast back for the family. The smell is a great alarm clock. Breakfast at RPR and the parks can be a little pricey.

 

[Corryn]

I wish I had read about the 7th floor upgrade before we got there (we went in the beginning of July). Perhaps you've seen my post concerning the outrageous price of one bagel at the HRH?

Now I know for next time, Thanks

 

[DISNEMOM]

jacquek95-
do you mind me asking-what days are you staying at rpr for that rate? i am staying there 10/12-14/04, cheapest i could get was 189/night.

 

[cc1954]

Motherfletcher - Boy are you right about the inedible candy! We really liked the shells and the basket - but the candy tastes awful!
And d4st is right - we used the annual pass rate for our last stay, and were barred from the "Lowes First" goodie - but it did apply toward our stays to move up to platinum level.

Do they do the popcorn and an in room movie as one of the choices at the RP? That is one of our favorites as we almost always stay at club level, and get cookies, etc in the evenings.

One thing I did forget to mention - we usually ask for turndown service, and I give the turndown person a few dollars. It is not a big deal to turn down the bed, but you do get some cool souveniers. During our last stay at RP, we got a very nice shell necklace, and at the stay prior to that at the HR, they left a very cute smilie face bracelet. So if you like cute and cool trinkets, ask for the turndown!

 

[tippytoe]

cc1954
Where do you leave the money for the turn down service person? Are you are more likely to get the fun little trinkets if you leave a few bucks? My kids would love that! We are staying HRH club in Sept.

 

[bratray]

hi

we stayed club at RPR and left a tip for turndown- we never got anything
oh well, we had a fantastic time anyhooo

 

[cc1954]

To all about turndown: while the 5 to 7pm appetizers, etc are being served, we are bouncing between the club room and our hotel room. They usually do the turndown around that time - I just keep my eye out for the cart and when I see the worker, give them $2 and ask for turndown in my room, and tell them the room number.

I would bet that they would probably mark your record at checkin or something if you asked - I have just been doing it this way because the first time we stayed, the maid in the hallway asked me, and I have just been watching for them ever since!

Might be a good question for all since this is the only way I have been doing it!

Sorry I can't be more specific - Maybe one of the boards premier info sources can tell us or say more! (Where is Kelly Monahan?)

 

[jacquek95]

Disnemom-
We're going to be staying on August 19 & 20 (Thursday & Friday night). I asked about any and all applicable rates (Florida resident, AAA, Military, Loew's club, Annual Pass, Entertainment book) and they came up with $129 each night (standard room view) with the Annual Pass. The Florida resident rate was the next closest I think, but was about $30 more for the 2nd night. Hope that helped.

Oh, by the way. I would call. When I got on-line I got different rates than when I called and the call rate was better! Good luck!