Snakes and gators in the park

[TexansInNY]

On our November trip we were looking down at the rabbits in WL courtyard and saw a large snake stealthing up on them. Called the front desk - someone came out and approached the area we were pointing to and promptly booked it Some "experts" came out and bagged the critter up - he was a good 5-6 feet. Forget the type as I am not an "expert" but they said not poisonous - kids loved it, rabbits - prolly not so much.

[ransam]

Dude, totally with you. But even hearing these stories are making me scared. I'm writing a check list:

1. No water park ever.
2. Never going back to FW
3. Stay indoors at the Poly with lots of Lapu Lapu (Snakes hate drunk people.)

Why can't someone come on this thread and be like no no snakes at WDW. They have special snake repelling electric fences that don't let snakes near people.

But yeah I'd totally want to see a gator.

I've seen Armadillos, bunnies, big ole spiders, the little lizards and deer. No snakes. Heaven help me if I did.

that's funny you say that. i was making my own list of places to avoid. LOL

[AuntLaura]

Once in the MK, in Frontierland, not far from where the bathrooms are by the walk through to Adventureland, a 12 inch snake was slithering along. A cast member with broom and "dustpan" was encouraging it to go back towards the water around Tom Sawyer Island. I admit that sitting near the bushes there for parades kind of creeps me out. Have seen snakes only twice at FW over the past 20 years.

[Ed]

- probably a regular as folks were feeding him.

On our trip last month, we saw a gator twice - once one swam by by waterway (We were at the Beach Club) behind the bus stop and another day we saw - probably the same one - in a different area of the waterway over by the Beach Club building.

I've seen a good sized one in the water at Beach Club several times.

When I worked at Splash in 2003-4, we actually had a "Gator Watch" position. Why? Because guests couldn't stop feeding the gators

Oh my, that's bad. You should never, never feed an alligator. Not only is it illegal, it makes them lose their fear of man and thus makes them a danger.

Yes, it is illegal in Florida to feed alligators. In many cases, gators that have lost that fear of humans become aggressive and have to be killed when they are caught. Not a very nice fate for a majestic animal whose ancestors were in the state long before humans.

Oh, and by the way - - This picture was taken by a WDW custodian who was cleaning a restroom in MK around 3am one morning about 4 years ago.

[HackLaSalle]

See that gator looks cute and happy like it could use that toilet like it thinks it's a people!

[Wolf]

I've seen a good sized one in the water at Beach Club several times.





Yes, it is illegal in Florida to feed alligators. In many cases, gators that have lost that fear of humans become aggressive and have to be killed when they are caught. Not a very nice fate for a majestic animal whose ancestors were in the state long before humans.

Oh, and by the way - - This picture was taken by a WDW custodian who was cleaning a restroom in MK around 3am one morning about 4 years ago.

HOW CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ransam]

I've seen a good sized one in the water at Beach Club several times.





Yes, it is illegal in Florida to feed alligators. In many cases, gators that have lost that fear of humans become aggressive and have to be killed when they are caught. Not a very nice fate for a majestic animal whose ancestors were in the state long before humans.

Oh, and by the way - - This picture was taken by a WDW custodian who was cleaning a restroom in MK around 3am one morning about 4 years ago.

if i saw that on my way to the bathroom, i think the purpose of my visit would have taken place right there and no need to use the toilet, but a trip back to the hotel might be necessary..

[NewDVCowner]

When I was preparing for my first trip to WDW I had a guidebook that said that the imagineers need to regularly go out and repaint a gator that can be seen when you take the railroad around the park near the River of America because frequently real gators see it and try to fight with it for the territory.

[TexansInNY]

Maybe they could teach the alligator some manners

[Kaps]

A few years back we saw animal control trying to get an alligator (about 6 footer) under control on the road to the Magic Kingdom. They had about 4 guys. It was real close to the contemporary. Also saw another one in Animal Kingdom right by the wild bird show only about 2 feet long.

[Pooh Fan]

We saw a small gator once sunning at the edge of a litte pond (or maybe a water hazard for the golf course) at OKW.

[Mickeydream]

In 2009 (our last trip to WDW) we were the happy recipients of a free fireworks cruise on the lake. We just happened to be at WL when someone cancelled out on their cruise and we were at the right place at the right time. My daughter and 2 granddaughters and I were at the pier when the captain asked if we were interested...of course we said YES!
Well, just as we were settling in to watch the fireworks the captain spotted a gator a few feet from our boat. The youngest seemed more interested in the fact that an alligator was so close than the fireworks themselves. My daughter and I were thrilled with our good fortune and the show was spectacular...even with a gator so near.

[Joannelet]

When I worked at Animal Kingdom backstage another cast member spotted a snake. I quickly saw the stripes and knew it was a coral snake. I called animal control and they came and got him. I have never seen a gator. My family has but not me. I remember there is a video of a baby alligator in the splash mountain water on YouTube. I am guessing the video is still up if you search for it. I watched it on YouTube years ago.

[LudwigVonDrake]

I've seen a gator in the waters by Frontierland. As long as he stays in the water, I'm good

[MattHolst]

Although I've never seen any in the park, I'm sure they pop up from time to time. We stay at Hilton Head every year as well where there are many gators. Being from Tennessee, I also know a lot about our venomous snakes. The thing to remember is to give them room and if they accidentally get near, they will do their best to get away. Water Moccasins are not the monsters people make them out to be. I've had many encounters with them in the wild and as a police officer. They are very shy and will do everything they can to get away. They do not like being near people. Gators aren't shy but will leave you alone as well as long as you don't try to pet them. Just like any wild animal, look but don't touch.

[NJGIRL]

On more than one visit I have seen gators in the water that surrounds Tom Sawyer Island. cast members were looking into the water so I stopped to see what was going on. They told me that they are always in there.

[mickeys_princess_mom]

I have just been fascinated at the number of encounters and the variety of locations! Sat here just for fun now and tallied them up! Unbelievable! I will no longer just saunter around oblivious to my surroundings, assuming all is well! LOL Not concerned so much about the gators, but I am terrified of snakes!

[Wolf]

Although I've never seen any in the park, I'm sure they pop up from time to time. We stay at Hilton Head every year as well where there are many gators. Being from Tennessee, I also know a lot about our venomous snakes. The thing to remember is to give them room and if they accidentally get near, they will do their best to get away. Water Moccasins are not the monsters people make them out to be. I've had many encounters with them in the wild and as a police officer. They are very shy and will do everything they can to get away. They do not like being near people. Gators aren't shy but will leave you alone as well as long as you don't try to pet them. Just like any wild animal, look but don't touch.

Small world!!! We always did HHI when I was young, we saw TONS of gators there, sometimes big ones too! One time we were taking a bike path to the beach and a BIGGGG gator was across the path lol it was big enough to scare me bad and I love all things scaley!!

[ransam]

i live in the midwest, there are snakes, but not a lot. but during the winter they all hibernate to get away from the snow and winter.
since there is no snow or cold in florida, do snakes hibernate there as well? Just curious.

thanks.

[Main Street Jim]

When I was preparing for my first trip to WDW I had a guidebook that said that the imagineers need to regularly go out and repaint a gator that can be seen when you take the railroad around the park near the River of America because frequently real gators see it and try to fight with it for the territory.

Actually, these are no where near the Rivers of America - and never have been They're more towards the ToonTown/new Fantasyland train station, just before the underpass. They're on the bank of a *canal* that runs along the back side of Magic Kingdom, but on the opposite side of the park from Rivers of America Oh - and, yes, I have seen gators in that canal as well (while Conductor/Engineer on the trains).