Just got back from the RPH (1-25-11)

[DisneyFan32WI]

Hi everyone!
We stayed at the RPH 1/21-1/25. It was a very nice resort. We liked Animal Kingdom Lodge better though. We we given a basement room and dogs were barking from every direction. We immediately went upstairs to request a different room. I think its great that Loewe's accommodates animals, but why in the world would they have put us down there with them???? We didn't get a complimentary room upgrade as we were supposed to as Lowe's First members. They said the resort was filled to capacity. The water taxi was a nice way of getting to and from the parks each day. We never waited more than a few minutes. We only ate at Jake's American Grill restaurant. The food wasn't good. We tried to get into Tchoup Choup at 10:00, but it was closing. My husband ate at the breakfast buffet and he loved it. It was $17 though!

We paid $186 a night, and I don't think it was worth that amount. We paid $144 with a pin code at Animal Kingdom on our last trip.
We walked inside the other 2 onsite resorts and we thought Portofino Bay was absolutely beautiful.
No, back to reality as I am staring at snow outside my window. ugh

 

[damo]

The dog floor is not only for dogs. I doubt that they get enough dogs each night to fill the entire floor. You can always request not to be put on the dog floor. Also, upgrades are only given if they are available, they're never guaranteed. Sorry you didn't enjoy Jake's. I haven't eaten there in a very long time. The poolside grill is really yummy, so you would think Jake's would be too. How did you enjoy the other perks of the hotel? Was unlimited express worthwhile? Hope you had a good time otherwise.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I honestly thought the entire basement was for families with dogs after we got down there. Blue tags were on all the rooms around ours with a picture of a dog on it. The barking was incredible-and constant. There was no way we could've stayed down there with that kind of noise. I also didn't like the view from the window. You truly felt like you were shoved into a dark basement room. It was an odd feeling. We were moved up the 6th floor and the view was rather impressive. It had a much more open feel about it.
We loved the water taxi service. It was a great way to travel all week! The rest of the resort was nice, but I don't think we would go back again. We toured Portofino Bay and we fell in love with that place!
The food at Jake's was expensive and the portions were small. The atmosphere was nice, but it was just nothing special.
I guess I'm more of a Disney girl. We were all bored with Universal after 2 days. We did everything we could. If I could do it all over again, I would've stayed at the Animal Kingdom lodge for 3 nights, and then hopped over and stayed at Universal for 1 night. The express pass was a great benefit. There was a ton of brazilion tour groups everywhere.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

We got stuck on the dog floor at Royal Pacific when we stayed for Horror Nights. I figured it was our punishment for getting such a cheap rate on the room. We dealt with it though.

I've never ordered food at Jakes but it's one of my favorite places on property to unwind.

I agree with your husband, the Islands Dining Room buffet is amazing. Even if it is $17.

 

[macraven]

Hi everyone!
We stayed at the RPH 1/21-1/25. It was a very nice resort. We liked Animal Kingdom Lodge better though. We we given a basement room and dogs were barking from every direction. We immediately went upstairs to request a different room. I think its great that Loewe's accommodates animals, but why in the world would they have put us down there with them???? We didn't get a complimentary room upgrade as we were supposed to as Lowe's First members. They said the resort was filled to capacity. The water taxi was a nice way of getting to and from the parks each day. We never waited more than a few minutes. We only ate at Jake's American Grill restaurant. The food wasn't good. We tried to get into Tchoup Choup at 10:00, but it was closing. My husband ate at the breakfast buffet and he loved it. It was $17 though!

only the platinum Loews first members are guaranteed the free upgrade at the time of their booking.
the blue and gold levels are required to wait until they check in for free upgrades.

 

[damo]

only the platinum Loews first members are guaranteed the free upgrade at the time of their booking.
the blue and gold levels are required to wait until they check in for free upgrades.

Even then, if there aren't any suites available, you don't get any upgrade. That's happened to me a few times.

Here is the direct wording from the Loews website:

All upgrades are applicable to certain room and suite types only and subject to availability. Blue members receive a room upgrade, if available, upon arrival. Gold members receive an upgrade to a premium room, if available, guaranteed at time of reservation. Gold members can also enjoy a suite upgrade for only $50 per night, if available upon arrival. Platinum members receive a premium upgrade, if available, guaranteed at time of reservation. Platinum members receive a suite upgrade, if available at time of reservation, at no additional cost.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Thanks for the clarification. I swear that I read something about your first visit having an upgraded room.....

Well, I didn't really NEED an upgraded room, but I certainly didn't want to be fed to the dogs either!

 

[damo]

Thanks for the clarification. I swear that I read something about your first visit having an upgraded room.....

Well, I didn't really NEED an upgraded room, but I certainly didn't want to be fed to the dogs either!

Lol. Next time just let them know that you want to be away from the dog floor. All three hotels have dog floors that you could end up on.

 

[DaniB]

What is the "dog floor"? I have been reading up on RPR today as I'm considering a 1 night stay there this September.

However, I thought I read that RPR has 3 "towers" and that Tower 2 is where they place everyone who brings their dog. Is this not the case then?

 

[damo]

They don't put dogs in the entire tower, just on one floor in one tower.

 

[macraven]

dogs and smokers are allowed in rooms at Tower 2, lower floor.

 

[okiedokieartichoke]

the ''dog floor'' that everyone seems to be referring to is in Tower 2, on the first floor. This is where guests are sent if they brought an animal with them (doesn't HAVE to be a dog, and quite honestly in my experience working at the resort I don't see *that* many dogs). It's just more convenient that way, because the dog park is located right there, and also if someone has a severe allergy to dogs or cats they can request to be elsewhere in the hotel and it's just easier. also, the pet rooms are specially cleaned after an animal has stayed in the room, which is also more convenient to keep it in one spot.

Also just to clarify that the first floor rooms are NOT ''basement'' rooms...they are just on the first floor. This is Florida...no basements.

 

[DaniB]

Got it - thanks!