lake at Pop Century resort

[polarbear72834]

Does Disney make sure there are no Gators or snakes in and around the lake at Pop century Resort ? Or should I be worried ??? Would like to take a stroll on the walkway by the lake, but not if there will be gators or snakes..

[Strmchsr]

It is Florida. You can't ever rule out wildlife anywhere. That said, I've run and walked around that lake tons of times and never seen an alligator. Once or twice I've seen a little black racer snake, but those are pretty rare (and harmless). You're much more likely to see ducks, lots of little lizards and rabbits.

[polarbear72834]

Thank you , I just don't get around to good and can't move to fast if I had to get away from a gator or big snake.. Will look it over good when I get there..

[Strmchsr]

You shouldn't have any worries at all. The time I saw the little black racer he did what those snakes do everywhere else i see them (which, living in the FL panhandle I see them all the time) - just quickly crossed the path on his way. The won't bother you at all. So, if on the very small chance you do see one just stay still and it'll be out of the way very quickly. I have seen gators on Disney property, but never at that lake. Given the foot traffic around there I would think they have to keep them clear of that area.

[faline]

I wouldn't worry about running into a snake or an alligator while at Disney World. While both creatures are present on Disney property and an encounter is remotely possible, it is highly unlikely your will need to make a quick getaway from either type of animal. Happy strolling!!

[Butters]

there was a gator a few years back in the rivers of america they had to pull out. Goes to show they could be anywhere, but not worth worrying about since they generally aren't out to attack humans anyway.

[MargaretMessler]

Worst thing you'll see out and about is lizards and frogs, perhaps a small snake.

[joonyer]

The skeeters are a bigger threat than gators or snakes, but not near as thrilling !

[Main Street Jim]

Worst thing you'll see out and about is lizards and frogs, perhaps a small snake.

[QUOTE=Butters;2432573]There was a gator a few years back in the Rivers of America they had to pull out. Goes to show they could be anywhere, but not worth worrying about since they generally aren't out to attack humans anyway.[/QUOTEUhhh....yep. We actually had a position in the Splash rotation called "Gator watch", because it would hang out behind the Turkey Leg wagon and people would feed it. We had to remind folks NOT to feed the gator.

This thing ended up being about ten feet long and about 500 pounds; it was trapped in a reservoir pond behind Splash/Thunder and relocated to another part of Disney property.

Every once in a while you'd see 'em in the ponds along the golf courses.

This week, we've seen a LOT of wild turkeys running alongside World Drive and elsewhere.

[kakn7294]

We never saw any gators in that particular lake during the last week of June. As previously pointed out, you can never rule out the possibility of gators being anywhere on property. I've heard many stories, including how a gator had my friend and her co-workers trapped in the building in which she worked behind the MK. It was hanging out at the door and they couldn't leave until animal control came and captured it.

[GoldenAurora]

I remember the story about the gator in the Rivers of America and being told by CMs that that was the reason Tom Sawyer island was temporarily closed during that one particular trip, but we never saw it or any other gators or snakes in all our time at WDW. Enjoy your trip and don't worry!

[Main Street Jim]

Just *tonight* (9/6/14) at Coronado, we saw a about-4-footer near the bridge by the Dig Site, and a HUGE soft-shell turtle that was bigger 'n the gator....I got pics on FaceBook...

[disney obsessed]

I have seen a gator in the rivers of america. It was about three years ago. Small one, maybe4-5 foot long. Just hanging out by the wooden boardwalk.

[mechanic]

Just *tonight* (9/6/14) at Coronado, we saw a about-4-footer near the bridge by the Dig Site, and a HUGE soft-shell turtle that was bigger 'n the gator....I got pics on FaceBook...

Same place I saw my only disney gator. Little guy about two feet. Cm wastossing marshmallows trying to net it.

[ransam]

I'm much more afraid of snakes than gators.
in 1999 I went with my brother and my GF and we saw a gator on property. My brother was freaking as I was taking pics of it. He told me later I was crazy. My response was that if he wanted me, he would get me, he's faster. Besides I used the old joke that maybe I couldn't out run the gator, but I could outrun either of them so I was safe.

[Katzateer]

We have seen little ones at Flame Tree dining area by the water. Anything native in Florida could show up.

I saw some deer grazing when on monorail to Epcot a few weeks ago. Had to look twice to see if they were animatronics. Lol

[BigRedDad]

First, a rarely known fact about an aligator is that it is about the fastest animal on land for aout 75 feet in a straight line. They have so much power to get to full speed quickly. But, they can't turn. As for snakes, there are only a few that are aggressive and will chase you. The most common there would be the moccosan. The good news is they prefer to stay in the water areas and not be on land. Unless you walk right at the edge of the water, you won't encounter one.

Almost all animals prefer not to have human contact. They will flee to protection first. You probably have a better chance of being attacked by a polar bear than a snake or aligator there.

[ransam]

people say that snakes are more afraid of us than we are of them. In my case that is not true.

[Tigerinvestigator]

We saw a small copperhead on the road inside Fort Wilderness in July. That is the only venomous snake I have seen in WDW and I've spent hundreds and hundreds of days at WDW since 1973. I've seen quite a few gators over the years including a huge one that blocked traffic near the Swan/Dolphin a few years ago. I wouldn't let it keep me from walking or running at Disney. Chances are you will never see one, but if you do they will try to avoid you as much as you do them. I've been a park ranger most of my life and it's just part of life you get used to being in the outdoors. The beauty far outweighs the fear for me.

[1DisneyNut]

We have seen both but it has been a while. We saw an alligator about 4ft swimming in one of the lakes. I think it was when we were staying at Saratoga and was walking the path back from Downtown but I can't remember for sure. I didn't worry about it too much......it is Florida and gators are everywhere. We saw a snake crossing one of the sidewalks at one of the resorts once. I think that may have been Port Orleans. It went into the brush before I got a good look so I am not sure what kind.

Anyway, being from the South, snakes are just a part of life so I don't concern myself with them too much. We live out in the country and rarely encounter them. They are everywhere but do a good job of avoiding us so we rarely see them. Most are only dangerous and strike if you surprise them/catch them off guard or get close to their eggs.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. You never hear about people having encounters with them at WDW and if it was happening it would be all over social media.