[catfish1999]

Instead of a traditional trip report, the following is the text of a letter I sent to Disney following our experience last Sept. at Wilderness Lodge. A CM actually called me to thank me for sending it. (Pardon the length, but when I get going, there's no stopping me!)

Walt Disney World® Resort
Executive Offices
Post Office Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

To Whom It May Concern:

My husband and I are frequent visitors to Walt Disney World. Living in South Florida, it is just a three-hour drive, and we often visit with or without the kids (now 17, 12 and 11). In fact, when planning our wedding in August of 1999, we agreed that there would be no better place to join our families together than the Magic Kingdom, so that is exactly where we were married. At that time we stayed at Dixie Landings and had a truly wonderful time.

As we were discussing plans for our fourth anniversary, we agreed that we would love to stay at Wilderness Lodge. We both love the “great outdoors” and the look of the resort is something that greatly appealed to both of us. We had taken the kids for a summer stay at Port Orleans in July, but were looking forward to getting away alone! Unfortunately, my mother passed away in August and those plans were placed on hold for a while.

In September, we decided to go ahead with our plans to get away and made reservations at Wilderness Lodge. We arrived on Sept. 19 and were immediately assisted at check in by a wonderful cast member named Angela. When we told her that we were celebrating our anniversary, she checked to see if any upgrades were available, and offered us the concierge level at a very reasonable rate. She was so friendly and professional and made us feel welcome at once.

The room that we were given was not only on the concierge level, but was the honeymoon suite! We were so impressed by the room and the wonderful Jacuzzi tub! What a surprise it was too when room service showed up with a delicious chocolate cake and anniversary card! We could have easily skipped the parks and spent our time just enjoying your wonderful resort.

We dined at Artist Point and were very impressed by not only the menu, but also by the service offered by the staff. Our waiter, Andres was training a young man and they both were very gracious. Another night we enjoyed dinner at Whispering Canyon. What a fun place! Although I was enjoying time alone with my husband, I couldn’t help but think what fun the kids would have there. Actually, everyone there was a kid – if not chronologically, than at least at heart.

We took the hotel tour one morning with “Stan the Man”. What a character he is! He is very knowledgeable about the history and the inspiration for the lodge and pointed out several details that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. He truly seems to love his job. We were also impressed with the service at the Mercantile. My husband made a comment that he liked the lobby music that was playing and asked the cast member in the store if she knew what song it was. Without missing a beat (pardon the pun!), she produced a list of all the lobby music that Wilderness Lodge uses.

We were scheduled to stay just two nights, but we were having such a wonderful time, we extended our stay one more night. The concierge staff was very helpful in taking care of all the details for us. Although we did have to change rooms because the honeymoon suite was not available for the last night, there was little we had to do. Bell Service held our luggage while we went to Epcot, and when we returned, our new room was ready.

I wanted to drop a note (whitch has now become an epoch letter!) to commend you on the level of service that your cast members provided during our stay. I have never been disappointed in Disney, but this time I was overwhelmed. I look forward to returning to Wilderness Lodge in the near future and highly recommend the resort to everyone I know.

Warmest regards from a new Wilderness Lodge fan,