Post #3617 by Kailuageoff on Thu, Jul 11, 2002 12:41 PM

Went to the news conference opening the new Royal Pacific Hotel at Universal Studio Orlando yesterday (I mistakenly called it the South Seas in an earlier post). This is the hotel some of us were speculating about some months ago. Unfortunately, it is a very odd mish-mash of architectural influences -- mostly southeastern pacific, especially Indonesian, and no tikis. The best things about it are the Tahitain drummers and dancers that meet you at the entrance, the Orchid Court which features (you guessed it) lots of orchids, and the Macaws and other tropical birds inside (sorry no monkeys). They are offering a luau as well, but didn't spy the location for that. Oh yes, Emirel Lagasse Corp. is opening a Chinese place at the hotel. All in all, Disney's Polynesian Resort is a much more satisfying experience. Here is a quote about the hotel and the Lagasse Corp. restaurant that sums it up. Too bad they didn't hire a few of us as consultants for this project.
"The menu at Tchoup-Chop focuses on the islands of the Pacific with an Asian and European flavor."
"Hand-carved stone elephants and South Pacific maidens inhabit the entryway to the hotel."
Hmmm....