Snake in my suitcase at POP Century

[dansdad]

I there a time of year when snakes are more or less active? Are you more apt to see them in the winter (cold) or summer (hot)?

I don't think it matters. I've seen a couple every trip and we've been there in every season.

 

[luv2sleep]

Despite my fears, I agree. It was built on a swamp-what can you do? But I could never, ever, live in Florida for this reason.

Yup or any of the swampy areas. That being said, I live in CA and we have snakes here too. I've only seen one once. Unfortunately my husband had found it in front of our garage. I rarely leave my garage door up for that reason. We live with the back of our house facing a dry bed creek. I swear the fact that there are tons of critters back there that I don't want to see keeps me from spending much time in my own back yard. I hate snakes!

The post that has me the most freaked is the snake on the second floor that had been there long enough to make a nest and lay eggs. Shudder.

After reading this thread I'm always requesting a high floor and never leaving a door or window open.

If that had been me I don't think I could have stayed in that room without someone from the staff inspecting every nook and cranny. Under the bed, in closets, cabinets, the coach, etc. I would have even asked for another room or had to check out and just go home. I really don't know if I could have handled it. Really glad to read this thread. Will keep my eyes open when I'm there from now on. And no reaching into or stepping in bushes!

I loved Blizzard Beach! The fact that there seem to be many sightings there (my assumption given that it was in the top 2 of that snake report) makes my skin crawl! We loved the lazy river!

Why does mousekeeping have to prop doors open?

 

[wdwmom0f3]

OMG, I am officially freaked out. I want to stay ground floor at POR but I'm not so sure now.. AHHH

I always request a bottom floor and all this time I thought I was lucky to get my room request met. I guess the CM was secretly laughing at me!

I saw the pictures of the snake at the CR a few years ago. It made a nest and laid eggs on the top of a curtain rod in a 2nd floor room. It was probably there a while before being noticed. It was one of those black racer snakes.

.

I would have DIED!!!!

I read the post. The mother said it was a cottonmouth which is a highly venomous snake. I believe he may have reached for something at the edge of the sidewalk near the bushes. I can't remember for sure but the mother herself posted on the thread. And he was in the hospital a few days.

I remember reading about that. I was sure to remind my kids when we were there last time to stay in the middle of the path and away from the bushes. We stayed at POR and there was a black racer type snake on the walkway taking his sweet time moving. I thought it was kind of neat tough.

I also saw a bob cat while I was doing laundry. It just walked right by the door.

There was also a large snake by our pool that they had been trying to get for several days without success. I'm not sure if they ever got it.

 

[Maleficent53]

I don't know how many times we've been to WDW maybe 40, but I have NEVER taken a ground floor room for this exact reason! More the lizards, oh and ducks at the BCV, but I don't want ANY wildlife in my room!

All I can hear in my head now is, "There's a snake in my boot."

well. I think WDW should relocate to either northern Alaska or else build a huge dome over the whole thing and eradicate the rodents and bugs and reptiles.

Hey, Minnesota! You know that people would only complain about the polar bears if Disney moved there....

Seriously--if this happened when we were there with my DGS he would have been OVER THE MOON EXCITED!!! He is 6, asked for and got a ball python for his 5th birthday, and tells everyone that he is going to be a "snake expert" when he grows up. Really! I have no idea where this came from because no one else in the family likes snakes. My first concern would have been poisonous or not, because I don't recognize snakes by type, and second concern would be how fast can I get this thing out of my room!

 

[Ruthiesmama]

We've seen a few different creatures at WDW:

--A rat at Pop.
--A snake at Pop.
--A snake in the TL lazy river...the "lazy river" became the "run and scream for your life river"
--Two alligators in the Rivers of America

I would have died to find a snake in my room!

We saw a large rat at POP too, right outside of the doors that are in front of the hippy dippy pool. I called and told them it was out there and they argued with me saying it must be an armadillo, that this was Florida after all. I said, sweety I'm from Texas and see armadillos almost daily- I can assure you this was no armadillo! Then the rest of the night I was jumpy thinking about that rat, ugh. I cannot imagine a snake in my room- I would have been ready to fly home at that point!!! But- I'm a big baby when it comes to stuff like that and it was just me and my daughter so I was the only adult, haha

 

[lmhall2000]

I read the post. The mother said it was a cottonmouth which is a highly venomous snake. I believe he may have reached for something at the edge of the sidewalk near the bushes. I can't remember for sure but the mother herself posted on the thread. And he was in the hospital a few days.

Found this...now, I am fine with snakes, have no problem with them, they are not aggressive *usually unless they feel threatened...just saw a water moccasin yesterday and he politely moved off my path...I will pick up rat snakes/king snakes and move them...they are wonderful predators for the barn mice and rats that I would rather not have to deal with...I just don't want them in my pool...but be prudent and anytime you're near a water source don't go reaching into bushes without checking first...

I want to share what happened to my son on our recent trip to make everyone aware and to be very careful.

At the end of May we were staying at the Caribbean Resort. We had only been there for 2 hours when we headed toward the bus stop to go to dinner. We were walking on the sidewalk when my 7 year old son dropped a toy into the landscaping. The toy landed less than a foot from the sidewalk edge into some very manicured landscaping. He bent down to pick it up, his feet never leaving the sidewalk, when he suddenly said, "Daddy, Daddy, something just bit me!" At first we thought it was just a prickly bush or a lizard until my husband saw the snake. We immediately called for an ambulance and I scooped him up, praying all the while, and headed for the bus stop to wait for the ambulance. The pain was excruciating and his hand began to swell. He kept asking me if he was going to die. Imagine hearing a question like that from your child and not knowing the answer. He was bitten three times on the finger by a water moccasin. We were first taken to Celebration Hospital and then transferred to Florida Children's Hospital. He spent three days in the pediatric intensive care unit and received 12 vials of anitivenim. The swelling reached all the way to his shoulder, but antivenin was administered before it invaded the shoulder joint, or he might have lost his entire arm. Thankfully the antivenin worked, he survived, and was able to keep his arm and finger. For several weeks he was sleeping over 14 hours a day, one of the side effects of the antivenin, and he still has some stiffness in his finger.

I know the chances of getting bitten by a venomous snake at Disney are very rare, but it can and did happen. I just want to make everyone aware. It is a natural wildlife area. Watch your children around the landscaping, keep them from making shortcuts through it. Would our experience keep us from Disney in the future? No, but I would definitely be more cautious. Just be aware of your surroundings.

 

[tinkgirl1984]

I have no idea why I keep reading these threads...

 

[katiee37]

I am soooooo glad that the child at CBR recovered!

After reading the Beach Club notes I actually remembered seeing a fairly large black snake near the lake on the walkway to Epcot. It slithered right down into the lake on the wall, so it was gone by the time it registered to me what it was.

We saw an alligator when we stayed at CBR, and if I remember right an armadillo as well. No snakes from what I saw, but it makes sense that they would be hiding in all of the lush landscaping.

 

[Jennasis]

Snakes keep the vermin population down. Vermin spread disease. Now that isn't to say I want a snake in my room...but they aren't harmful (just heebie jeebie inducing).

In NC, my farm is the home to MANY snakes. Mostly harmless black snakes. I still scream like a little girl when I see one, but have gotten quite good at relocating them. I ALWAYS feel badly when we have to kill one (which we rarely do). We also have the occasional copperhead. We kill them on sight. In 10 years we have only had 1.

Disney is doing a stellar job of snake, vermin and pest control. When you consider how long they've been in operation vs the number of reports/disturbances vs. the number of daily guests.

So sorry you had to go through that OP!

 

[lucas]

I thought those were rat trap boxes...maybe it was snake traps...Ewww !!

Are they really snake traps?

If so, I want some for my yard!!

 

[Lynnilou]

Found this...now, I am fine with snakes, have no problem with them, they are not aggressive *usually unless they feel threatened...just saw a water moccasin yesterday and he politely moved off my path...I will pick up rat snakes/king snakes and move them...they are wonderful predators for the barn mice and rats that I would rather not have to deal with...I just don't want them in my pool...but be prudent and anytime you're near a water source don't go reaching into bushes without checking first...

I want to share what happened to my son on our recent trip to make everyone aware and to be very careful.

At the end of May we were staying at the Caribbean Resort. We had only been there for 2 hours when we headed toward the bus stop to go to dinner. We were walking on the sidewalk when my 7 year old son dropped a toy into the landscaping. The toy landed less than a foot from the sidewalk edge into some very manicured landscaping. He bent down to pick it up, his feet never leaving the sidewalk, when he suddenly said, "Daddy, Daddy, something just bit me!" At first we thought it was just a prickly bush or a lizard until my husband saw the snake. We immediately called for an ambulance and I scooped him up, praying all the while, and headed for the bus stop to wait for the ambulance. The pain was excruciating and his hand began to swell. He kept asking me if he was going to die. Imagine hearing a question like that from your child and not knowing the answer. He was bitten three times on the finger by a water moccasin. We were first taken to Celebration Hospital and then transferred to Florida Children's Hospital. He spent three days in the pediatric intensive care unit and received 12 vials of anitivenim. The swelling reached all the way to his shoulder, but antivenin was administered before it invaded the shoulder joint, or he might have lost his entire arm. Thankfully the antivenin worked, he survived, and was able to keep his arm and finger. For several weeks he was sleeping over 14 hours a day, one of the side effects of the antivenin, and he still has some stiffness in his finger.

I know the chances of getting bitten by a venomous snake at Disney are very rare, but it can and did happen. I just want to make everyone aware. It is a natural wildlife area. Watch your children around the landscaping, keep them from making shortcuts through it. Would our experience keep us from Disney in the future? No, but I would definitely be more cautious. Just be aware of your surroundings.

Holy cow! I am so happy to hear your son is doing better. So sorry he had to go through all that.

Thank you for sharing this.

 

[CNYDisneyFan]

Found this...now, I am fine with snakes, have no problem with them, they are not aggressive *usually unless they feel threatened...just saw a water moccasin yesterday and he politely moved off my path...I will pick up rat snakes/king snakes and move them...they are wonderful predators for the barn mice and rats that I would rather not have to deal with...I just don't want them in my pool...but be prudent and anytime you're near a water source don't go reaching into bushes without checking first...

I want to share what happened to my son on our recent trip to make everyone aware and to be very careful.

At the end of May we were staying at the Caribbean Resort. We had only been there for 2 hours when we headed toward the bus stop to go to dinner. We were walking on the sidewalk when my 7 year old son dropped a toy into the landscaping. The toy landed less than a foot from the sidewalk edge into some very manicured landscaping. He bent down to pick it up, his feet never leaving the sidewalk, when he suddenly said, "Daddy, Daddy, something just bit me!" At first we thought it was just a prickly bush or a lizard until my husband saw the snake. We immediately called for an ambulance and I scooped him up, praying all the while, and headed for the bus stop to wait for the ambulance. The pain was excruciating and his hand began to swell. He kept asking me if he was going to die. Imagine hearing a question like that from your child and not knowing the answer. He was bitten three times on the finger by a water moccasin. We were first taken to Celebration Hospital and then transferred to Florida Children's Hospital. He spent three days in the pediatric intensive care unit and received 12 vials of anitivenim. The swelling reached all the way to his shoulder, but antivenin was administered before it invaded the shoulder joint, or he might have lost his entire arm. Thankfully the antivenin worked, he survived, and was able to keep his arm and finger. For several weeks he was sleeping over 14 hours a day, one of the side effects of the antivenin, and he still has some stiffness in his finger.

I know the chances of getting bitten by a venomous snake at Disney are very rare, but it can and did happen. I just want to make everyone aware. It is a natural wildlife area. Watch your children around the landscaping, keep them from making shortcuts through it. Would our experience keep us from Disney in the future? No, but I would definitely be more cautious. Just be aware of your surroundings.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm glad your son's ok. I despise snakes.

 

[brertoad]

We've lived in Florida 32 years and I've never seen a scorpion...


But, we have seen a water moccasin on the sidewalk at Boardwalk that leads from the parking lot on the right (facing the hotel). It's a small bit of sidewalk that runs between some bushes, to the road, then you cross that road and walk up to the front. We changed direction, walked around through the road. This was a few years ago.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I was going to ask if any of the snakes at WDW were poisonous, but I guess now I know the answer to that!

Planning our first trip to WDW for next summer and I've learned that I should be asking for a room not on ground floor and don't reach in to the bushes. And I've learned from the podcast to stay out of the lakes.

Snakes, alligators, and brain eating amoebas... Disneyland has cats. Oh, and that's not mention the hurricanes, tropical storms, and thunderstorms. Why am I going to WDW? Oh yeah, because I wanted to do something different.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

ironically on our last trip they moved us mid trip from the 3rd floor (where we usually stay / request) to the ground floor. We all thought it was kind of neat to just be able to walk into the room at the end of the day without climbing stairs or walking down to the elevator.

After reading this I can tell you we are going to request the 3rd floor again! I have to believe there's less of a chance of a snake making it up there.

Without a doubt finding a snake in my luggage (or even 'just' the room) would freak me (and DD!!!) out!

 

[luv2sleep]

Was at our local park today and there was a rattler coming out if the bushes right next to the children's play structure. This was at 8pm. Darn thing should have been wherever it should have been at dusk and not there. That's the desert for you. I hate snakes.

 

[LindyWebb]

This thread makes me reconsider my trip! I am completely phobic of snakes. I would not have been able to step foot back into the resort never mind the room. Alaska is looking better and better.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

We saw two on our last trip and both my mom and I were completey terrified (she needed to go back the resort the first sighting). My husband knows to check the room before we'll step inside. Luckily, we don't have mousekeeping coming in. We will absolutely be on the look out during our trip next month.

 

[disney631]

My biggest nightmare. I think I would faint right there. That would scare the living lights out of me.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Found this...now, I am fine with snakes, have no problem with them, they are not aggressive *usually unless they feel threatened...just saw a water moccasin yesterday and he politely moved off my path...I will pick up rat snakes/king snakes and move them...they are wonderful predators for the barn mice and rats that I would rather not have to deal with...I just don't want them in my pool...but be prudent and anytime you're near a water source don't go reaching into bushes without checking first...

I want to share what happened to my son on our recent trip to make everyone aware and to be very careful.

At the end of May we were staying at the Caribbean Resort. We had only been there for 2 hours when we headed toward the bus stop to go to dinner. We were walking on the sidewalk when my 7 year old son dropped a toy into the landscaping. The toy landed less than a foot from the sidewalk edge into some very manicured landscaping. He bent down to pick it up, his feet never leaving the sidewalk, when he suddenly said, "Daddy, Daddy, something just bit me!" At first we thought it was just a prickly bush or a lizard until my husband saw the snake. We immediately called for an ambulance and I scooped him up, praying all the while, and headed for the bus stop to wait for the ambulance. The pain was excruciating and his hand began to swell. He kept asking me if he was going to die. Imagine hearing a question like that from your child and not knowing the answer. He was bitten three times on the finger by a water moccasin. We were first taken to Celebration Hospital and then transferred to Florida Children's Hospital. He spent three days in the pediatric intensive care unit and received 12 vials of anitivenim. The swelling reached all the way to his shoulder, but antivenin was administered before it invaded the shoulder joint, or he might have lost his entire arm. Thankfully the antivenin worked, he survived, and was able to keep his arm and finger. For several weeks he was sleeping over 14 hours a day, one of the side effects of the antivenin, and he still has some stiffness in his finger.

I know the chances of getting bitten by a venomous snake at Disney are very rare, but it can and did happen. I just want to make everyone aware. It is a natural wildlife area. Watch your children around the landscaping, keep them from making shortcuts through it. Would our experience keep us from Disney in the future? No, but I would definitely be more cautious. Just be aware of your surroundings.

Bless your son (and you having to watch him go through that, so scary!) This is the similar situation that occured with a child at BC a few years ago, dropped something near landscape and the snake bit him while reaching in to grab the toy. That child was ok as well, but had to be hospitalized too. So sorry you had to go through this!