Trip Report (and other gossip)

[Deep-Thots]

Well, I have to say that I seriously question Art's "celebrity" status. I mean, I've been posting here for 10 months and lurking here for a year, and I've never heard of him -- not even through all the previous BCV-bashing!!!!

So.... Just who is Art???

 

[Beca]

jekjones1558....thanks!!! I've missed you, too!!! I sure hope we can meet up again!! And, please don't get me wrong...OKW is a BEAUTIFUL resort!! But, when something "tugs" at your heart...well, it is just hard to get around it!!!

DaveT1 - during the day, we saw Art in full uniform...including hat and gloves. At night (around 10), he was no longer working the "greeter" position, but seemed to be "in charge" of the bell staff. He was at the podium checking people in/out for valet, while much younger boys ran to get the car. At that point, he was dressed all in white (with a short-sleeved shirt), but it was DEFINITELY him. I did notice when he bent over, that he bent like my family members who have arthritis in their knees. Who knows....maybe he was just really tired and in pain. I REALLY do hate to speak ill of him...it's just that I saw him being so nice to others, and he was not very friendly to us...it just made me so sad!!

For those of you who do not know "Art", go to dvcmember.com and click on the BCV virtual tour. In the introduction, he is the greeter who salutes. He is supposed to be a "legendary" figure at BCV. He looks SOO sweet in his costume....I really just wanted my picture with him so badly.

All I can say is....if he is feeling poorly...I hope he gets better soon. Long hours would be really hard for someone his age who is having foot or knee problems. I really just wish him the best....and, maybe I'll have better luck next time!!!



Beca

 

[tjkraz]

Art is the greeter at the Beach Club. The Travel Channel runs an episode of Great Hotels featuring the Yacht / Beach Club, and Art is shown in a couple of different segments (the host trades some pins with him.)

Once you know who he is, you start seeing him in several of the Disney promotional videos that have info on the Beach Club.

 

[DVCconvert]

Great report Beca! Thanks!
Gee - you, SueOKW and I were all at OKW at the same time! We could have had a mini-DisCon!

 

[DaveT1]

I saw the person all in white and would have sworn it wasn't Art, but i did do a double take because of similarities. If you're sure i'll take your word for it. Hey feel free to say anything you want. Now if you were you were bad mouthin' Gemma at R/C then you'd have a fight on your hands!

 

[gopherit]

Thanks, Beca, for the report!

From your "closet commentary" -- yes, I agree, BWV does have nice closets! If you like those, you'd like VWL -- I know that the closet in the 2nd br of the 2br we stayed in was a very sizable walk-in, and the master br was nothing to sneeze at either. BWV has a nice one, too. In that same vein, you should know that SSR has not-as-nice closets.... In fact, relative to BWV, they're downright missing! I really like having that entry-way closet at BWV (and VWL and OKW too) -- but we didn't have one in our 1 br at SSR! And the master closet was just not very big-- no way could I sit down and eat chips/dip in there like I could at BWV. At VWL, I think I could have even invited friends in with me!

Help -- I'm becoming a closet snob!

Anyway -- glad you had a great trip! SOrry 'bout Art. We met him in August and he was nothing but exceptionally nice to our kids and me every time we passed him ... I did, however, catch a glimpse of him off-duty and he looked exhausted and less-than-pleasant... maybe his own humanity has caught up with him moreso than "celebrity".

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

Hi Beca, welcome back! (Home away from home away from home)

Thoughts on Art, even tho I've never seen him, or at least been aware that I was seeing him:

If he is older, it might have been that his hearing aid wasn't working properly and he didn't hear you ask.

Whatever the reason, I'd write him a letter...just tell him how you are so excited to be a BC owner and you really wanted a photo last trip and wondered if he didn't do photos anymore or if you had offended him by asking for one. Put the onus of explanation on him.

Let him know that you'll be back and were hoping he might have time for that photo...and was there a special time/place/ way to get one.

.......seems like this would be a good win/win opportunity to clear up hard feelings or expectations, no?

 

[magicalmcwho]

Hi Beca,

Thanks for all the info on your dining experiences and the DDE card.
I will try to book PS tomorrow and call for the DDE card. I didnt plan
any PS this trip yet and was going to try winging it. Would like DD to see
Ariel so may try for lunch at Norway.

Thanks again and glad you had a great trip, Jim.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

So sorry to hear that Art appeared to be feeling out of sorts.
He was so very nice to us during our August 03 stay at BCV. He always had a smile, wave and kind words for our kids. And always shook hands with DH. His first greeting to us was "Welcome Home to the lovely lady and her gentleman." Then every time he saw us after he would comment on "the lady and her gentleman" or "It's nice to see a young couple so in love." That one I guess because we always hold hands or DH has his arm around my waist.

I agree with other posters that it may be age and/or illness is catching up to Art. He was on his feet greeting people every time we walked through the lobby.

Question on the meal at Norway. Has the menu changed? I may need to pop over to the restaurant board! We have eaten there twice and loved it both times.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Enjoyed reading your report!

Welcome Back to the Dis.

 

[DisneyPhD]

When we were at BCV in March Art was his usual wonderful self. I have never seen him any other way and I have never, ever seen him at the bell desk. He has always been just inside the doors, in the lobby greeting every single guest that came and went.

I feel the same way about OKW, BCV and BWV. You and I definately have the same tastes in that regard! Glad you had a great trip.

Same here. We also took a picture with him, but my niece took it and it was blury.

Are you sure it was Art? Did his tag say Art? I never saw him at the bell desk before.

Anyway sorry to hear that, glad you had a good trip. I feel the same way about OKW, nice but not for me I LOVE BCV!!!! (even though we "own" at VWL.)

We are eating lunch at Norway in less then a week, and I am a bit concerned about it, but we must see Areil in that dress!!