Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort Near Walt Disney World Celebrates 40th Anniversary and the 14 Employees Since Day 1. What a celebration it was, with His Honor Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Central Florida Lodging Association President and CEO Robert Agrusa, and 14 employees who have been at the resort since day 1.
We had the honor of joining in during the festivities and learned about the great history of the resort, which deserves its own article that we are working on now. Even amazing restaurants like the Four Flamingos a Richard Blair Florida Kitchen deserve their own article.
There is just so much to say about this resort, from Michael Eisner staying at the property, to the old green trolley system that used to roam the resort. To the amazing history like in 1983 tennis great Martina Navratilova won her 90th victory. She also went on to win the 1985 Chrysler Tournament of Champions held on the clay courts at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.
Furthermore here and in 1993 Jimmy Johnson was fired by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, in the lobby of the resort, after winning the Super Bowl.
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort celebrated its 40th anniversary Thursday during an evening event that included Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Central Florida Lodging Association (CFHLA) President and CEO Robert Argusa, and the guests of honor, 14 employees who have worked at the hotel for 40 years.
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The 14 employees honored for their 40 years of service were:
- Annette Dennard, Security
- Binh Nguyen, Culinary
- Chau Nguyen, Cafeteria
- David Osborn, Four Flamingos
- Jean Weliver, Four Flamingos
- Kip Conway, Event Services
- Linda Reed, Security
- Mike Wainwright, Four Flamingos
- Million Ketema, Event Services
- Robert Platz, Culinary
- Robert Torres, Guest Services
- Sherman Smith, Event Set up
- Steve Click, Guest Services
- Thac Pham, Stewarding
The employees were honored during a ceremony in which General Manager Paul Joseph announced the dedication of an island at the resort to the group, naming it Ruby Island after the 40th “ruby” anniversary and announcing plans for a special bench to be installed in their honor.
During the ceremony, Mayor Demings proclaimed Feb. 1, 2024, as Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Day. In 1984, the hotel opened as one of Orlando’s first major resort properties and helped pave the way for the area’s tourism boom.
Through the decades, the resort has continued to maintain its prominence as one of the area’s signature accommodations, earning recognition in 2023 as a top Orlando resort by readers of Conde Nast Traveler and earning the Orlando Sentinel’s Top Places to Work award.
“Forty years is a special achievement and everything we’ve accomplished over that time is thanks to our incredible team,” said Joseph. “What better way to celebrate this milestone than by honoring these talented and dedicated staff.”
To learn more about the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, visit HyattRegencyGrandCypress.com.
