Do any of you wonder why the Grand Floridian is a Triple A 4 Diamond and not a 5?

Speedo Bob

Speedo Bob

New Member
Original Poster
The answer is right here, let me first provide the background story:

The year was 2001 pre September 11th and the Walt Disney World resort was soaring through the sky. Disney's Flagship Hotel the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa was aiming for the Triple A Five Diamond award, an award that only a few hotels in North America have the honour of having. The Grand Floridian built a brand new upper scale restaurant Citrocos just for the Triple A assesment of the resort. Not only did they build a new restaurant they also had the resort in prestine condition and it looked like the 5 Diamond Award was a giving.

It just so happened that I, Speedo Bob was on vacation at the Grand Floridian during the build up for the Triple A assesment.

I was staying Concierge at the Main Building with my parents during this vist in May of 2001.On May the 15th Mom and Dad decided to take off for the day so I decided that it would be a great day to lounge around the pool. The one thing I love about the GF is that they give you those lovely robes to wear down to the pool, so I just slam on my Speedo and put on the robe and go down to the pool. When I was down at the pool I decided to order a drink for myself, any ways the waiter brought me the drink but by accident triped on a lounge and the drink went all over my robe.I could no longer were the robe and the waiter told me to take it off and he will send it to get washed and they will have a fresh one in my room when I get back."No big deal" I thought to myself, "I will just have to walk through the lobby really quick in my Speedo after I am done swimming and sunning". Anyways the time was about 2:00 pm and I wanted to go up to the concierge lounge and chow down a little bit. So I left the pool and went back to the Main Building, on the way to the pool I accidently dropped my room card into a culvert and I could not get the card back. ( I will continue with this experence when I get back from Mini Putting this afternoon)

Until then you guys predict what might have happended.
 
Speedo Bob

Speedo Bob

New Member
Original Poster
Anyways I am back from Mini Putting, I can see that this thread is not a very popular one so far. Hopefully when I finish the thread the responses will start to come.

Now were was I at, Oh yes I made a little typing glitch on the first thread right at the end. I did not lose my key card going to the pool it was actually on the way back to the main building when I finshed Swimming and Sunning. So here I am with out a bathrobe or a key card. My key card had fell in a culvert and I could not get a single cast member to help me try to get it out. The cast members would walk by and tell me to " just get a new key at the front desk." I will tell all of you that I was not very impressed with the staff or the service at the Grand Floridian. So I was going to have to go to the front desk in my Speedo and likely stand in line at check in for a few minutes." Oh well" I said to myself "I have walked through the lobby in my Speedo at the Four Seasons many times, so it will be no difference here."

Well I walk into the main lobby and I glanced across the large room towards the check in desk and it is just packed with people and the lineup is just huge.So instead of going into the line I decide to just have a seat on one of those nice sofas around the Grand Piano. Any ways I sat on the sofa for a few minutes minding my own bussiness when all of a sudden I see 2 man with 2 big bodyguards having a seat on the sofa right next to me. I did not look for a minute or so but then curiosty got the best of me. So I glance over and low and behold there is Micheal Eisner and Donald Trump sitting together on the sofa.I then turned my head back towards the Grand Piano and I just sat there for a few minutes starering right at the piano. 3 or 4 minutes pass by and then I get a tap on the shoulder. I look over and there is the head honcho Eisner himself, I thought to myself " Just stay cool Speedo Man" Micheal then opens his rich mouth and say's to me " Hi there, what is your name" I reply back " My name is Speedo Bob sir" Eisner responses " Well Speedo Bob are you enjoying yourself here at the Grand Floridian" " I am sir but I have had a few problems so far today" " What sort of problems have you had Speedo Bob." I then explain to Michael about everything that built up to myself sitting on the lobby sofa in my Speedo. While I was explaining my ordeal to Michael, Donald Trump comes walking over and he hears the majority of the story as well. When I finished Donald replied " that is just to bad" and Eisner then states " is there anything we can do to make this up to you." I shrugged my shoulders and said " I don't know". " Well Donald and I saw you stareing at the piano and we are wondering if you play at all." " Yes I do play sir" I said with authority " Mom and Dad made me take leasons from Mrs Pettybone up the street for 40 years." Donald quips " well you must be preaty good if you have been playing for over 40 years. " I then replied " I am a very modest man sir,but I will admit that I am a very good piano player." Michael then says " Well how would you like to play for Donald and I right here in the lobby". " It would be a real honour for me sir." So I jumped up from the sofa and sat right on the piano bench in my Speedo. I then begain to play, I opened up with one of my favorites "Some Where Over the Rainbow" when I finished the song Eisner and Trump looked like they almost had a tear in there eye. They then wanted me to play more, and I played song after song after song for them. A large gathering around the piano begin to build and after an hour or so of playing there was a ton of people swarming around the Grand Piano.I then started to take requests from the people watching, I played many of there requests such as the theme song from " Cheers" and Kool and the Gangs"Celebaration"every one around was singing along and having a grand old time. I then stated to everyone "The next request will be my final song" I heard a faint voice from the right side of the piano "Can we hear Great Balls of Fire" and I instently recoginsed the voice. I look over to my right and there is Michael Jackson with Bubbles the chimp, " Can you please play it for us, it is Bubbles all time favorite song." I then shouted " Anything for Bubbles Michael" and I begain to play. I had the lobby just a rocking and not only was I playing, I was singing as well. I really got into it and I kicked out the Piano Bench and I started playing standing up just like the Big Bobber. I will remind all of you that I am still in my Speedo here. Michael and Bubbles were really into it and they came over by the piano and started dancing. I must admit Bubbles is not a bad dancer at all, especially for a chimp. Anyways this song was my grand finale and every one gave me a standing ovation.I had transformed the lobby from a 1st class hotel to a smelly old piano bar. When I finished I looked over towards Eisner and Trump and they were still clapping. Micheal then says to me " Speedo Bob you are one gifted person." "Thank You Mr Eisner" I responded " I appreciate you letting my play." " No Bob we must thank you" Donald Trump stated" You playing the piano in your Speedo made all of my problems disapear". While we were saying our good byes to one another a Cast Member tapped Micheal Eisner on the shoulder and the Dual ( Eisner and Trump) turned around. The cast member was with a group of 8 people and apparently that group of 8 were from Triple A. ( The group that hands out the 5 diamond awards) It turns out that Eisner and Trump were supposed to meet the group of 8 at Citrocos for afternoon tea at 2:30pm, they were having such a wonderful time listening to me that they forgot all about the meeting. The cast member then said that the Triple A team saw the entire performance of me playing " Great Balls Of Fire" in my Speedo with MJ and Bubbles dancing beside the piano. The Cast Member then informed the dual that the team was not very impressed with my performance and if " fat guys playing the piano in the middle of the lobby in there Speedo is a regular occurance at the Grand Floridian then there is no way that the resort will ever become a 5 diamond." Any ways Eisner and Trump went over to meet the team and I think Eisner tried his best to explain the situation and smooth things over a little.He probebelly told them how I am a hotel guest not an employee and I am not the guy who regularly plays the piano etc etc etc. Any ways Mom and Dad got back from there outing and they actually got to watch me play a few songs in the lobby. They told me that "They have never been so proud to have me for a son" So I was definently on an emotionaly high from the whole thing.

Anyways I was very suprised to learn at the end of the year that the Grand Floridian only received 4 Diamonds from Triple A.I had read that the reason why it did not get 5 is because there is a lack of dress code in the lobby. I got the slight suspicion that it might have had to do with me playing the Piano in my Speedo. What do you guys think?
 
tmp

tmp

Member
Thank you, that was an enjoyable story. It kept my interest the whole time. Do you still play piano in your speedo?
 
Speedo Bob

Speedo Bob

New Member
Original Poster
Originally posted by tmp
Thank you, that was an enjoyable story. It kept my interest the whole time. Do you still play piano in your speedo?
Click to expand...

Well I still take leasons from Mrs Pettybone up the road, and she is practically family now . Mrs Pettybone has two pianos and sometimes when I am bored I go over to her house and we play duets together. On warm summer days I wear my Speedo over to her house and play. At Mom and Dads house the Speedo/ Piano playing ratio is about 95% of the time.
 
miles1

miles1

Active Member
I am starting to put 2 and 2 together here.

Judging by Bob's gift for comedic writing, and his reluctance to post his picture (see the other thread on this), I would bet he is someone we would all recognize.

Drew Carey?
Donald Rumsfeld?
 
Don L Duck

Don L Duck

New Member
Again ..That was you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was this on the same day you went parasailing.?
Because my then Fiancee was late for our date she told me some guy was playing piano in the lobby,and she could'nt take her eyes off that pink speedo.
That's why she laughed so hard when it hit me in the head.


OH THAT'S IT BOB NOW I AM GOING TO BURN THAT DAMN THING.


Say goodbye to your little friend!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:
 
WDW1971

WDW1971

Member
See, this is why I never stay at the GF. They don't allow that kind of riff-raff at "Uncle Joe's Motel and Bait & Tackle Shop"

:lol:
 
Eljay

Eljay

Member
Originally posted by GalacticGobbler
I would like to request a song.
I read your story and only one comes to mind.





The Styx Classic




"To much time on my hands"
Click to expand...

Actually, I was thinking of a Patsy Cline classic..."CRAZY"!
 
Speedo Bob

Speedo Bob

New Member
Original Poster
Originally posted by Don L Duck
Again ..That was you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was this on the same day you went parasailing.?
Because my then Fiancee was late for our date she told me some guy was playing piano in the lobby,and she could'nt take her eyes off that pink speedo.
That's why she laughed so hard when it hit me in the head.


OH THAT'S IT BOB NOW I AM GOING TO BURN THAT DAMN THING.


Say goodbye to your little friend!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:
Click to expand...

Don please do not do it, I have already mailed my demo tape to your house. That Speedo means the World to me, I got Bubbles and Michael to sign the thing.Are the autographs still there?

P.S Hey GallaticGobbler and Eljay, you guys are just jealous that the Speedo Man is so much cooler then you two are combined a million times over. I bet you two have never chumed with the rich and famous like I have.
 
Speedo Bob

Speedo Bob

New Member
Original Poster
Hey Don I am sorry about breaking this to you about your fiancee but I think some one must tell you. I remember your fiancee very well she definently had eyes for the Speedo Man. As soon as she saw me tickling the Ivory's in my Speedo at the Grand Floridian she had to have me. I was all game, but she told me that she was there with her loser boyfriend and she needed to dump him bad. So we developed the plan of me droping my Speedo on you two when you were proposing to her.The plan worked and she had one wild time with the Speedo Man. Because I live in Speedo Land USA we could not work out a long distance relationship and she told me she could never love another man again.Hence her not ever talking to you, and never wanting to get married to you other. Sorry about all of that but I figured someone had to tell you Don.
 
WDW1971

WDW1971

Member
Originally posted by Speedo Bob
That Speedo means the World to me, I got Bubbles and Michael to sign the thing.Are the autographs still there?
Click to expand...

Um...I didn't need to hear that. I can only imagine that you were wearing it when he signed it...right? :hammer:

How old did you say you were...12, right? No wonder MJ signed it! :lol:
 
Speedo Bob

Speedo Bob

New Member
Original Poster
What kinda of losers listen to Styx or Patsy Klein, when there are so many great artists out there like Barry Manilow, John Tesh, Michael Bolten, Kenny G, Tom Jones etc.
 

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