I'll see if my DW would be so kind as to post the picture we have with Art, but, I'll at least contribute some back story. First of all, I believe that Art's been the greeter at the Beach Club since it first opened. I remember having taken several trips where I've stayed there and without a doubt, I would say that I've not really "stayed" at Beach Club until I've had the pleasure of seeing Art. Still, moving on to the particular story:
My wife & I were there in October 2006 for our hunnymoon and after having pin traded a few times (including once with a very sweet young boy who asked her on the boat to MGM "Do you trade?" in the sweetest voice possible), my wife had a pin of a dog who both she & I vaguely recognized, but couldn't for the life of us really figure out who it was, or even from which Disney movie he was from. We were certain it was an "official" pin (had the right stamps on the back, etc), but we couldn't figure out WHO IT WAS A PIN OF!
We were staying at the Beach Club and, having a bit of extra time available that I, I suggested that we ask Art (also gave me a chance to introduce my bride to one of the nicest gentlemen I've ever met) as he is full of information. After chatting with him for a few minutes, we did ask him, showing him the pin. He was completely stumped. But, as anyone who's reading and contributing to this thread knows, that will NOT stop Art from getting the answer!
Art proceeded to ask first a couple of people at the Front Desk who he thought would know; no luck. Then he went and brought out Hurley from Guest Services who knows quite a lot about the pins. Hurley looked at the pin, stared at it, knew he'd seen the character, but was as stumpted as we were. So, then between Hurley & Art, they enlisted half of the people who were working in the Beach Club to help figure out who that little dog was!
Ultimately, they brought out Jaime who, without a moment of hesitation, told us that it was Dodger from Oliver & Company. In a sense, it figured... after all, it was the Artful Dodger in the non-Disney version, & who did we ask to help track down the answer, but none other than Art himself!
In any event, Art, as always, was absolutely wonderful. So were Hurley & Jaime of course, too. So, what did we do? We went over to Guest Services at one of the parks & wrote up all three of them (individually) for recognition by Disney for their EXCEPTIONAL service. Also, & please feel free to use this, anyone & everyone, we recommended that Art be given a special title, as befits his station, & personality.
We've named Art to be the Grand Admiral of the Beach Club. Without a doubt, he's one of the nicest, & most magical, people around, & he is what makes the Beach Club our first choice resort.
). When we we got back from our trip, DS told me that he liked Art better than any of the characters he'd met!
