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Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is one of the most luxurious hotels on Disney’s Orlando property. This flagship Resort hotel is located in the Magic Kingdom area and is themed after the Victorian era. The Grand Floridian’s appeal continues beyond its elegant decor, modern amenities, and acclaimed dining, however, because before the Resort even opened to Guests in 1988, a major band’s music video was filmed there!
Credit: Disney
So who were the Grand Floridian’s first honorary Guests then? Only the wildly popular American rock band called The Beach Boys! Known for their California beach sound and surfing culture lyrics, The original members of the Beach Boys were brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Some of their most popular songs include “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “Good Vibrations,” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.”
But it wasn’t one of these hit songs they filmed at Walt Disney World. In fact, The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo” wasn’t even a hit at the time, but it certainly gained in popularity since. The “Kokomo” music video is made up of two main elements, The Beach Boys singing to a crowd of beach party-goers in front of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and clips from the 1988 Tom Cruise film Cocktail.
Credit: The Beach Boys, Enhanced Music Videos/ YouTube
Ultimately, the music video was meant to give island vibes and create a tropical essence. The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa served as the inspiration for the fictional Resort depicted in the music video. The filming took place just after the hotel was finished and before Walt Disney World even opened it up for Guests reservations! Not only that, but actor John Stamos also appears in the “Kokomo” music video on the drums, as he played with The Beach Boys on and off.
Check out the full music video here and peep the majestic Grand Floridian in the background!
