Hi Gang!
We just got back yesterday from our 4 night stay with our DGD 3 1/2y/o. We were so blessed to stay in a Theme Park view CL room in the Main Building. Here's my take:
We landed at MCO at 1:30pm; directly to ME lines (which were pretty busy). Finally onto bus and rolling to stops at Ft Wilderness, Poly then GF. I had done Online Check-in earlier in week and received a text while on ME that "Your room #is 4408 but is not ready at this time. You will receive another text when it is ready." This was at 2:20pm.
This was our first time staying CL, so I had no previous experience with checking in, but I was kinda expecting something a little more "special" than what we got (I guess because in the past I've seen CL employees greeting guest off of the ME and taking them for tours, upstairs check-in etc but that didn't happen for us). We went into lobby and there was quite a line at check-in, so I asked an employee standing at entrance if we could go upstairs to wait on our room and maybe find some snacks. He advised me that I couldn't go upstairs until I had "checked in". I told him I had done Online check in. He was very kind but basically said, "Go to Gasparillas to find something to eat and kill some time then come back and get into regular Check In Line". So that's what we did. We never received another text about room but at 3:45pm when we returned to lobby, the registration line was empty so I went to front desk. They told me I was all good to go and to head upstairs to our room.???? Anyway, it was kinda a lackluster start to an otherwise amazing stay. Just wanted to share in case others experience this too. Not sure if ours was a fluke, bad luck, or the norm.
Our room was #4408, which is the 2nd room after the Octagonal left turn of the hallway on the 4th floor. We had an amazing view of the marina and the castle. The room was very clean and exactly as expected. My hubby took lots of pics and I will post our views later.
When we arrived, the CL cast members were cleaning up from Tea Time, (and we had eaten at Gaspy's) so we waited until 5pm Twilight Treats (or whatever it's called). I was a little hesitant at first of the layout because no one had explained it to us, but I quickly figured it out. The GF orchestra was playing and in a few minutes I was nibbling on Mandarin Orange Pork Belly bites, shrimp with avacado, and sipping champagne. The RPC employees were all very approachable, friendly and helpful. They were so friendly and interactive with our DGD (who wanted to go to the lounge to watch TV and sit at the kids tables all the time). The selections were amazing and so much more varied than I expected. Valentines Day was especially delicious with so many special sweets and the orchestra playing all of the Disney love songs and many renditions of "My Funny Valentine" with special dedications to couples in the lobby.
This was the first time we've gone to WDW in February and here are my thought on that: The weather was simply the best of any visit we've ever had. Literally, there was never a moment that I thought, "Man, I wish it was warmer, or I'm hot and wish it would cool off". The first night was chilly (we wore jackets to MK) but it was so sunny and windy and very low humidity for the rest of the stay. Long sleeves or t-shirts, shorts or jeans, really anything you chose to wear was fine. My hubby said. "If I knew it would always be like this in Feb, we'd always come then." I realize that Florida weather is temperamental, and can change on a dime, but it was wonderful while we were there. The crowds were high to me (we usually go in August/Sept) and I believe it was the most crowded I've ever seen. This may have had something to do with President's Day weekend (which I didn't even realize when I booked). However, it didn't bother us, as we were primarily there for Small World, to meet Mickey, and Happily Every After with DGD. The upside of the crowds was that the big theater shows were alot more fun with a full crowd (I don't think I've ever been to Carousel of Progress with more than 12 people in the audience over the years). Also, not sure if it was a holiday weekend thing, or just a general WDW trend, but the amount of large groups (families/friends, not tour groups) was amazing. I mean like groups of 12, 16, 9, 20, everywhere. Didn't matter, but just of note.
Thoughts on RPC: Simply lovely service. Well worth it in my opinion if you plan on spending some time at resort. If you're a Park open-closer, then might not be worth the money because you'll miss most of the offerings. The employees were outstanding without exception in my experience. Our housekeeping was amazing. Theme park view was lovely, especially for watching HEA from our balcony with the music piped in. I'm not sure if I would spring for it again for just DH and I, but with our DGD, it was a must. Yes, the TPV rooms are further from the lounge, but very easy access to the back elevator that goes to pool, Gaspy's which was very convenient. All in all, it will be hard to return to an outbuilding, reg room after being spoiled.
Summary: If you've always dreamed of springing for RPC, just do it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
That's all I can remember for now, gotta get back to playing catch up around here. I'll try to come back and post some pics later.
I'll be there in March so will have a chance to check it out for myself.
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Happy Planning!
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