HUZZAH!!! It has worked!!!
I unzipped this in an external drive originally, so the first thing I did per your suggestion is check to make sure the file is there, and it was! So with confirmation that the file was not missing, the only logical conclusion is what you made out as the ultimate cause behind this: RPGMaker no like deep, dark directories! Instead, I unzipped it in the Downloads directory and it is now working as I'm able to enter the Gallery and go into the Hotel without issue!
Thanks a million and sorry if I missed the resolution to this on earlier forums!