Just wondering if any oldtimers remember?

[Pat Marlton NJ]

We made are first visit in January 92 and at that time they had, what I would call, an offical greeter in the Hospitality House area, I believe his name was Bill. He was a really friendly person, talked to everyone as they arrived. I believe he retired from the DVC about 5 or 6 years ago. I was wondering if any "oldtimers" remember him?

 

[DVCFAM]

Yes - we remember Bill. We were trying to make our decision whether or not to buy in February '93. We were at the Conch Flats store and my husband was paying for a pair of Mickey earrings for me. Bill walked over to my husband and asked him if he'd like to try on a dress to match the earrings. We asked Bill if Olivia's was a good place to eat and he escorted us in and started a spontaneous waltz with Wanda. We were all laughing and we knew this was a place we wanted to be a part of.
Do you remember Benji? We still miss him. He'd always remember us and greet us with a hug when we came back to Olivia's.

 

[DisneyMim]

Yes I remember Bill. He always had a smile and kind word for everyone. I remember when he retired. He usually was the first person we would see upon arrival. He really had the perfect Disney personality.

 

[KevinNYC]

Oh yes...we will always remember Bill. He was the official greeter in charge of Conch Flats aka DVC in the early days. You couldn't ask for a kinder gentleman than Bill..He was the first to use the phrase "Welcome Home" upon your arrival and he ran the place. Always dressed in his pure white foreign legion uniform topped but a pure white pith helmet. There was nothing he wouldn't do or arrange to insure you enjoyed your stay. Perhaps to my wife Ginny & I we have additional fond thoughts of Bill. He helped us through a difficult time at Conch Flats one July in 1992. During our stay we received word that Ginny's dad had passed away back in NY. We got the call at 4am and had to make immediate plans to cut our vacation short and return. I called the front desk and within 3 mins Bill was at our door. He took care of everything including helping with calls to Delta Airlines, getting us a car, he drove over to Bonnet Creek and retrieved my golf clubs and he even packed most of our bags, while I was on the phone with Ginny's family . Most importantly, Bill was so understanding and sincere and the way he spoke to my wife during this terrible time demonstrated what a complete gentleman he truly was. When he placed us in the cab I could see the tears in even his eyes. He refused my tip also. Not suprising, when we returned to NY we had a phone call from him asking how Ginny was. You should understand that although all of this turmoil began at 4am, Bill was on site and he wasn't due to start work until 6am that day. He was off duty. That didn't matter to him. You don't find people like that very often but when you do you begin to appreciate special people and Bill was one of them. So to us, that was a great man. I would also mention that many other cast members helped us at that time. One thing I have always treasured about Disney is the calibre of its people. Its a part of what makes DVC such a success. I can't say enought about Bill but I made sure back then that as a shareholder of Disney stock that I made sure that Eisner heard about the way these peole , especially Bill, responded to our crisis. I even got a letter from Eisner's office commenting on the situation. We met Bill again over the following years and he never forgot to ask my wife how she was. No need to say how sorry we were when he retired. He kept in touch with some of the bell hop staff and we always sent him a good word. It was and still is, in my view, people like Bill who make DVC a success. So, when you ask..do you remember Bill?/ I say..Oh Yes..oh Yes!!!!!! There are and were many excellent reasons to get into DVC...Bill certainly was one of them. I also know that when times are tough and the chips are down Disney rises to the occassion.. try and find that level of service at the Hilton or Marriott.

 

[nydizfan]

excellent post kevin. We love dvc and remember bill, he was great. dave

offsite '71 contemporary '72 golf resort '76 village resorts '93 okw '94 okw '95 contemporary '96 okw '97(got married) okw '97 late okw '99 okw '00

 

[dianeschlicht]

Bill sounds like a true Disney person. There are fewer of those these days. Wish we could have known him.

Disneydiane

 

[danny1649]

Yes I do and Bill was a super nice guy and I think I have picture of Bill and I. Now I will have to look in our DVC photo's and find it.

 

[Pat Marlton NJ]

I am glad to see that Bill is still remembered he was a real gentleman, and his peronalilty and charm was a great asset to the early DVC.

 

[Debbie H]

Bill was a great asset back then. So many things have changed. Does anyone remember Cleary's tree?????? Also the peach colored towels and sheets along with the scales in all the bathrooms? Then they had to go change everything including the name! I still have trouble calling it Old Key West!

DVC Member since '92

 

[eva]

There was a gentleman very similar to this at Vero in June of 99. I sure wish that I could remember his name. But he greeted us and talked about a number of things at the resort while we were waiting for check-in.

 

[DisneyMim]

eva, there was a gentleman at Vero last time we stayed (August 2000) in the lobby who sounds like who you're talking about. He is very personalable and was so nice to everyone.

Debbie, I know what you mean, in this house it is still The Vacation Club!!