Tigger Woods
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1999
- Messages
- 1,286
I found this review in the newsgroups. It's very interesting and very long. Enjoy ..
On Sunday night, just after exiting IOA at closing time, I paused to
ask the Security Guard stationed next to Margaritaville in CityWalk when the
walkway to the new Royal Pacific hotel would be open. To my astonishment, she
said I could walk over there RIGHT NOW! So, despite a rapidly developing storm,
I wandered over.
Like the path that links the Portofino, you pass under two bridges that
allow one of the key roads that serves the property(in this case, Hollywood
Way) to pass over the canal system. I expected the hotel to be right in front
of me when I got to theother end. BUT NO! The towers loomed above a manmade
mountain, shrouded by foliage, that had been erected like a wall around it.
To add to my disgust, the path made an extreme curve to the left to
avoid a part of the canal that inexplicably made an abrupt dogleg. Why didn't
the path just continue straight? This detour added a couple of minutes to my
walk.
I continued for almost TEN more minutes before the path brought me to
the hotel itself. I found myself approaching the pool area, called Bali Bay. It
seemed that they had bought every palm tree in the state! God, how I hate these
things. At least they seemed in a proper setting. (There should be a rule here
that no palm tree can be used in shopping centers).
The pool area was fenced off, so I headed straight for the hotel itself.
As the rain increased in intensity, I was relieved to see that a huge covered
verandah ran the whole length of the building that faced the pools. To the
right was an enormous convention hall section that looked like the one at WDW's
Coronado. Clearly, convention business will be a primary source of the hotel's
revenues.
Although the resort's overall theme was tropical, it felt large and
imposing, like the Dolphin. It didn't have the cozy, cute feeling you get at
the Poly. Loew's did seem to have invested in some design flourishes on the
buildings, but most of the money seemed spent on the landscaping.
I was becoming aware that I seemed to be ALONE! Was anybody home?
I wondered whether I'd be arrested or something. As I headed left, and passed a
still unopened shop and a game room where- hurray!- people were to be found
playing. They appeared to be ordinary guests. Were they staying there or just
workers on a break?
Further ahead I discovered a large, enclosed dining room, that I later
found was named simply "Island." Built on the ground floor, its huge windows
face the pools. Around the other side I found "Jake's American Bar." I was
amused by the enormous motorized leaf ceiling fans, all of which were flapping.
The bartenders were standing by, even thought the place was empty. This made me
wonder whether the hotel was in a soft opening or what?
Up ahead the verandah ended, and I walked into an open area labelled
"Wantilan." It was a large courtyard filled with tables and chairs. I couldn't
figure out what it was. I returned to the bar and fond that the door were OPEN.
I asked learned a few things from one of the bartenders.
The hotel was being "tested" by Uni and Loew's employees. Real guests
would be checking in this Tuesday, the 18th, when the resort opened. There
would eb two main restaurant: Islands and "Tchoup Chop," the latter operated by
Emeril Lagasse. (This will be his second operation at USO).
I was delighted to learn that Islands will be the first restaurant at Uni
to offer both breakfast and dinner BUFFETS! I can't wait to drop by and see how
it compares to the ones at WDW.
The bartender also explained that the Wantilan will be used for outdoor
luaus. I wondered what they'll do when the weather turns bad. Surely they don't
intend all those people to be left in the open? I assume that tents will soon
be added.
I wanted to see the hotel's lobby. However, after roaming around the
ground floor for an eternity, I almost gave up. I found a room that housed some
elevators. I summoned one, and found a button for the lobby.
A minute later I emerged into one of the most spectacular lobbies I have
ever seen. Only the one at the Grand Floridian tops it. The Royal Pacific was
much darker, and reminded me of an enormous living room, filled with lush
chairs and sofas. Giant windows provided a spectacular view of the pools and
lake beyond.
Though enclosed and air-conditioned, the center of the lobby was an
OUTDOOR garden, with statues and fountains. Stepping outside into the humid
air, I noticed that the roof was done in a distinctly Thai style.
I found that one is meant to enter the lobby via an elevated walkway that
crosses a tropical garden far below in a man-made canyon. Outside, a themed
porte cochere will handle all arrivals. Walking further, I was happy to find
that the hotel's main guest parking lot was NOT in a garage, but on the ground.
Walking back into the lobby, I asked the bored staff a few things about
the hotel. I felt weird, for I was virtually the only non-employee around! I
was given a neat little guide book that featured a map of the complex.
The book reveals that the hotel was built around something that Diz has
used at Pleasure Island and its parks- a BACKSTORY. I'll quote what the
guidebook says...
"Bula (Welcome)! You have arrived on an island paradise treasured by
travelers for over a century. Since the Golden Age of travel, from 1880-1939,
the South Pacific Islands mesmerized each and every adventurer. Whether it be
Tavalu, Figi, Bali, Samoa, Kirabati or any of the breathtakingly beautiful
islands that suround us like a string of beads, all capture the wandering soul
of man. It is the lapping of the sea upon the shore, the sway of the coconut
palms in the breeze, the tranquil sensation that wraps around you as you
realize you are totally removed from the rest of the world. This is why
everyone who comes here, yearns to come back again and again.
"Royal Pacific has a long and legendary history in this part of the
globe. It began with our grand old steamliners, the Royal Pacilic Steamship
Line, which sailed across the seas carrying tea and rubber planters, colonial
high commissioners, spice merchants, writers and adventurous travelers. Then,
as a new age dawned, Royal Pacific procured a fleet of thr most romantic planes
ever built, the Clipper. We were able to transport guests to these glorious
islands aboard a Royal Pacific Airways Clipper in just five days from the
States! So exciting was this excursion that more and more travelers embarked
upon it, suggesting to us it was time to build equally grand resorts. And so
the Royal Pacific Resort was christened. No matter which island you visit, the
exotic charm of a Royal Pacific Resort awaits you. Here you will encounter both
the tranquil serenity and bold heritage that captures the spirit of the
islands. From the aroma of exotic spices or tropical fruits that drift from our
restaurnts, to the lagoon-style swimming pool, to the indigenous islands woods
that grace your guestroom, your journey here is sure to be one that leaves you
longing to return to this jewel of land, sea snd sky again and again.
"We bid you a most restful and enchanting stay at the Royal Pacific
Resort. Or as they say in the islands, Nikmati! (Enjoy!) Dale T. McDaniel,
General Manager."
Oh, brother! What a long winded way of welcoming someone! I had to
copy it all to convey how Uni and Loew's are trying to impress guests with the
resort's theming. Although impressive, I was concerned about how much of the
Outside World you will be able to see in the daytime. After all, the Uni parks
and Citywalk are right across the street on the north side. The resort's east
side faces Uni Blvd and the Twin Dungeons.
Worst of all, the resort's south side faces I-4 and hideous
INTERNATIONAL DRIVE just beyond. Will these intrusions ruin the effects that
the designers have tried so hard to achieve? It was smart to place the
convention halls on the south side. BUT, this plan will do little for guests
staying in the upper floors of the three room towers. Many will no doubt balk
at paying high prices to stare out at all this ugliness. That could be pose a
problem for the resort's sales dept.
While I was talking with the staff in the lobby, a manager appeared
suddenly. He seemed peeved to see a non-employee there. He demanded to know how
I got into the resort. I told him one of the guards let me walk over. This
didn't seem to satisfy him. Explaing that "the resort is closed," he summoned
Security to escort me off the hotel grounds, via the main entrance road.
From his odd response, I got the distinct impression that the manager
thought that I was a spy from Disney, out to inspect the competition. I did
nothing to dispel that assumption. After all, I was roaming around and asking a
lot of questions. So, if that's what he thought, I am flattered.
On Sunday night, just after exiting IOA at closing time, I paused to
ask the Security Guard stationed next to Margaritaville in CityWalk when the
walkway to the new Royal Pacific hotel would be open. To my astonishment, she
said I could walk over there RIGHT NOW! So, despite a rapidly developing storm,
I wandered over.
Like the path that links the Portofino, you pass under two bridges that
allow one of the key roads that serves the property(in this case, Hollywood
Way) to pass over the canal system. I expected the hotel to be right in front
of me when I got to theother end. BUT NO! The towers loomed above a manmade
mountain, shrouded by foliage, that had been erected like a wall around it.
To add to my disgust, the path made an extreme curve to the left to
avoid a part of the canal that inexplicably made an abrupt dogleg. Why didn't
the path just continue straight? This detour added a couple of minutes to my
walk.
I continued for almost TEN more minutes before the path brought me to
the hotel itself. I found myself approaching the pool area, called Bali Bay. It
seemed that they had bought every palm tree in the state! God, how I hate these
things. At least they seemed in a proper setting. (There should be a rule here
that no palm tree can be used in shopping centers).
The pool area was fenced off, so I headed straight for the hotel itself.
As the rain increased in intensity, I was relieved to see that a huge covered
verandah ran the whole length of the building that faced the pools. To the
right was an enormous convention hall section that looked like the one at WDW's
Coronado. Clearly, convention business will be a primary source of the hotel's
revenues.
Although the resort's overall theme was tropical, it felt large and
imposing, like the Dolphin. It didn't have the cozy, cute feeling you get at
the Poly. Loew's did seem to have invested in some design flourishes on the
buildings, but most of the money seemed spent on the landscaping.
I was becoming aware that I seemed to be ALONE! Was anybody home?
I wondered whether I'd be arrested or something. As I headed left, and passed a
still unopened shop and a game room where- hurray!- people were to be found
playing. They appeared to be ordinary guests. Were they staying there or just
workers on a break?
Further ahead I discovered a large, enclosed dining room, that I later
found was named simply "Island." Built on the ground floor, its huge windows
face the pools. Around the other side I found "Jake's American Bar." I was
amused by the enormous motorized leaf ceiling fans, all of which were flapping.
The bartenders were standing by, even thought the place was empty. This made me
wonder whether the hotel was in a soft opening or what?
Up ahead the verandah ended, and I walked into an open area labelled
"Wantilan." It was a large courtyard filled with tables and chairs. I couldn't
figure out what it was. I returned to the bar and fond that the door were OPEN.
I asked learned a few things from one of the bartenders.
The hotel was being "tested" by Uni and Loew's employees. Real guests
would be checking in this Tuesday, the 18th, when the resort opened. There
would eb two main restaurant: Islands and "Tchoup Chop," the latter operated by
Emeril Lagasse. (This will be his second operation at USO).
I was delighted to learn that Islands will be the first restaurant at Uni
to offer both breakfast and dinner BUFFETS! I can't wait to drop by and see how
it compares to the ones at WDW.
The bartender also explained that the Wantilan will be used for outdoor
luaus. I wondered what they'll do when the weather turns bad. Surely they don't
intend all those people to be left in the open? I assume that tents will soon
be added.
I wanted to see the hotel's lobby. However, after roaming around the
ground floor for an eternity, I almost gave up. I found a room that housed some
elevators. I summoned one, and found a button for the lobby.
A minute later I emerged into one of the most spectacular lobbies I have
ever seen. Only the one at the Grand Floridian tops it. The Royal Pacific was
much darker, and reminded me of an enormous living room, filled with lush
chairs and sofas. Giant windows provided a spectacular view of the pools and
lake beyond.
Though enclosed and air-conditioned, the center of the lobby was an
OUTDOOR garden, with statues and fountains. Stepping outside into the humid
air, I noticed that the roof was done in a distinctly Thai style.
I found that one is meant to enter the lobby via an elevated walkway that
crosses a tropical garden far below in a man-made canyon. Outside, a themed
porte cochere will handle all arrivals. Walking further, I was happy to find
that the hotel's main guest parking lot was NOT in a garage, but on the ground.
Walking back into the lobby, I asked the bored staff a few things about
the hotel. I felt weird, for I was virtually the only non-employee around! I
was given a neat little guide book that featured a map of the complex.
The book reveals that the hotel was built around something that Diz has
used at Pleasure Island and its parks- a BACKSTORY. I'll quote what the
guidebook says...
"Bula (Welcome)! You have arrived on an island paradise treasured by
travelers for over a century. Since the Golden Age of travel, from 1880-1939,
the South Pacific Islands mesmerized each and every adventurer. Whether it be
Tavalu, Figi, Bali, Samoa, Kirabati or any of the breathtakingly beautiful
islands that suround us like a string of beads, all capture the wandering soul
of man. It is the lapping of the sea upon the shore, the sway of the coconut
palms in the breeze, the tranquil sensation that wraps around you as you
realize you are totally removed from the rest of the world. This is why
everyone who comes here, yearns to come back again and again.
"Royal Pacific has a long and legendary history in this part of the
globe. It began with our grand old steamliners, the Royal Pacilic Steamship
Line, which sailed across the seas carrying tea and rubber planters, colonial
high commissioners, spice merchants, writers and adventurous travelers. Then,
as a new age dawned, Royal Pacific procured a fleet of thr most romantic planes
ever built, the Clipper. We were able to transport guests to these glorious
islands aboard a Royal Pacific Airways Clipper in just five days from the
States! So exciting was this excursion that more and more travelers embarked
upon it, suggesting to us it was time to build equally grand resorts. And so
the Royal Pacific Resort was christened. No matter which island you visit, the
exotic charm of a Royal Pacific Resort awaits you. Here you will encounter both
the tranquil serenity and bold heritage that captures the spirit of the
islands. From the aroma of exotic spices or tropical fruits that drift from our
restaurnts, to the lagoon-style swimming pool, to the indigenous islands woods
that grace your guestroom, your journey here is sure to be one that leaves you
longing to return to this jewel of land, sea snd sky again and again.
"We bid you a most restful and enchanting stay at the Royal Pacific
Resort. Or as they say in the islands, Nikmati! (Enjoy!) Dale T. McDaniel,
General Manager."
Oh, brother! What a long winded way of welcoming someone! I had to
copy it all to convey how Uni and Loew's are trying to impress guests with the
resort's theming. Although impressive, I was concerned about how much of the
Outside World you will be able to see in the daytime. After all, the Uni parks
and Citywalk are right across the street on the north side. The resort's east
side faces Uni Blvd and the Twin Dungeons.
Worst of all, the resort's south side faces I-4 and hideous
INTERNATIONAL DRIVE just beyond. Will these intrusions ruin the effects that
the designers have tried so hard to achieve? It was smart to place the
convention halls on the south side. BUT, this plan will do little for guests
staying in the upper floors of the three room towers. Many will no doubt balk
at paying high prices to stare out at all this ugliness. That could be pose a
problem for the resort's sales dept.
While I was talking with the staff in the lobby, a manager appeared
suddenly. He seemed peeved to see a non-employee there. He demanded to know how
I got into the resort. I told him one of the guards let me walk over. This
didn't seem to satisfy him. Explaing that "the resort is closed," he summoned
Security to escort me off the hotel grounds, via the main entrance road.
From his odd response, I got the distinct impression that the manager
thought that I was a spy from Disney, out to inspect the competition. I did
nothing to dispel that assumption. After all, I was roaming around and asking a
lot of questions. So, if that's what he thought, I am flattered.
RPH sounds absolutely wonderful to me! I, for one, appreciate every palm I can see and truly feel I am on vacation at the first sight of one...so I am thrilled we will be in such an exotic setting! Sorry to hear of the rain, but wish to thank the author for following their curiosity and being so informative. How nice that we all have yet another beautiful resort to choose from for an Orlando vacation!
Now that they have a South Pacific themed resort I hope that they have at least one coconut palm. Do they? Someday I hope we get to check in out in person. We were very disappointed in the Polynesian at WDW, especially the mildew smell. Unlikely that we would stay there unless they offer kamaaina rates 
! Like Jim, we like HRH! 
