Just heard Christopher left Hilton Head

[WDWNewbie]

I am so sad! I just read in another thread that Christopher the Naturalist just had his last week at Disney HH. I think I'll need a box of kleenex for her when I break this news to my daughter! (Of course I am so happy for him if he has a great opportunity to go to).

Has anyone met the new Naturalist yet? Hopefully they will have as much enthusiasm and dedication as Christopher. He was such a special CM!!

 

[Disneyaholic]

I'm not sure they have a new naturalist yet. But I will arrive at the resort on Saturday, so I'll check it out!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, please do post here as to whether they have a new naturalist. When we were there a few weeks ago, they didn't know yet. Christopher said he has a job in California at a zoo (he used to work in AK doing Backstage Tours-apparently that's his specific area of expertise)-San Diego? He sounded pretty excited!

 

[vanstoj]

I am so sad! My family loved Christopher so much. His programs were always entertaining.

 

[WDWNewbie]

Did you get the impression they didn't know *when* they would replace him, or *whether* they would?
Thx!

 

[Disneyaholic]

Did you get the impression they didn't know *when* they would replace him, or *whether* they would?
Thx!

I talked with the new head of the HH recreation department for a while yesterday. They definitely are planning to replace Christopher -- but it may take a while to find the right person. I got the impression that he would like to find a new naturalist before the summer season, but that he wants to make sure he does a thorough "search" first.

 

[Simba's Mom]

When we were there a few weeks ago, it seemed like they weren't sure when they were going to replace him. I was surprised to learn (at a separate time) that Gordon, whom I only thought of as "Chef Gordon" has given resort tours as well as doing his fantastic cooking. Now some one posted that Chef Gordon won't be doing APA anymore. Coincidence? Perhaps (only my guessing, here) Hilton Head is looking to him and Connie (who also does recreation tours) to pick up the slack until they find a replacement. Really, I think the position is so critical to the resort's success, the whole nature theme, that Disney wouldn't dare be so dumb as to not replace Christopher. I got the impression (although I don't want to think anything else) that it was more a matter of WHEN they'll find a suitable replacement for Christopher. Any nature trained people here?
I just remembered-when I was talking with Connie about Christopher leaving, she said that in her time there (well, it must be 9 yrs or less), they've had 4 different naturalists, and for some reason, no one seems to stay for more than a couple years. The fact that Disney has always replaced the position bodes well for wondering what they're going to do now.

 

[dobelover]

Drat! We will arrive on 4/30 for the week. I was really looking forward to the programs Christopher led. No Marsh Walk

 

[WDWNewbie]

If there's any chance at all that DVC would consider not replacing Christopher, I think I'll write and let them know how important the Naturalist has been to our family. Just a nice, upbeat note to say I heard Christopher has left and what he and his position meant to us.

The Naturalist activities are the biggest draw for us at DVC Hilton Head.

Last fall while we were at DVC HH, a CM gave me a card with an email address on it, and said if we ever had anything to say--these folks really listen!

Walt Disney World
Guest Communications
P.O Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[GoofyDisney]

Christopher was AWESOME!!! Sad to see him go.

We will definitely be writing! Having the tours that Christopher took us on was one of the high points of going to HH and one of the main reasons to go back! We will voice our opinion and make sure they know we loved that part of HH!!!

THanks for letting us all know about Christopher and the address.

 

[WDWNewbie]

Here's a copy of the email I sent last night. I received an auto-acknowledgement today. Hope it helps! (I don't think it can hurt!)
*********************************************


Hello!

I just wanted to drop a quick note to say how much our family loves Disney Vacation Club, Hilton Head!

Two of the most wonderful aspects of this resort for us have been Christopher, the Resort Naturalist and B'Lou Crabbe the fantastic entertainer!

I have just learned that Christopher has left DVC Hilton Head, so I wanted to be sure to let you know how much his position has meant to our family.

The resort Naturalist is the biggest draw at DVC Hilton Head in our opinion. The programs Christopher offered were fantastic, and it's Christopher's programs that have made DVC Hilton Head our daughter's 'favorite place in the world' to go!!

If you are at all evaluating the value of a resort Naturalist at this time, I just want to say the value to every family I have ever met who has been to DVC Hilton Head is enormous, and I hope to meet a new Naturalist when we return to this location in October of this year.

Thank you and best regards,

 

[WDWNewbie]

I just re-read this thread and somehow had missed Disneyaholic's message saying that Christopher will definitely be replaced. Thanks so much for asking and letting us know.

That's great news!

I'm still glad I wrote though--it must cost a lot to have a Naturalist and it doesn't hurt for Disney to know how much it's appreciated!