AKV Bugs

[KristiKelly]

Animals draw bugs, bitting bugs of all kind. Your body heat then draws them to you.

I have also heard that WDW does not spray as much @ AKL for bugs due to the Animals on property. Could be another reason for the no seeums, I've never had the problem anywhere other than AKL. I don't know if this is true but just what I've heard.

 

[JodyTG]

Don't let the bugs stop you from buying where you want to stay. Like someone else said, Skin So Soft by Avon is WONDERFUL. I am a bug magnet too and this stuff keeps them away. I have the pink bottle (can't remember the fragrance) and I love it. The bath oil is better than the lotion for keeping the bugs away but you don't have to use too much.

 

[mamaprincess]

I've never been bitten there. We visit AKL to eat very often and to see the animals on the savannah and to just hang out. I didn't notice a bug issue, but I'm sure there are those that have been bitten there as well as other places on property. It's Florida. I would just take the neccesary precautions if you have concerns or have experienced being bitten there.

 

[greenban]

So, whats Black and White and Red all Over?


Right, A DVC AKV ZEBRA with Disney Rash (no seeum bites) all over!

As to animal costs, if Renters would stop feeding their babies to the Dingos while waiting for bellservices, we could save a lot of costs! (Hairballs, stuck binkies, receving blankets, or the diaper stuck in the poor Dingo's throat)

If you bring along a frog (hint, hint) he or she will happily devoure those no seeums that are devouring you!

-Tony

 

[Inkmahm]

I've never had the "Disney Rash", but have known quite a few people who have had it. It is a rash of what looks like small bites on the lower part of the legs. Some folks look completely red from the knees down with it.

Odd, I had that after last December's trip. I think I got the bites on the cruise though. Maybe at Castaway Cay?

 

[JCW]

The OP is not alone. My legs were bitten rather badly during our stay at AKL a few years ago. Of course, it was the first time I didn't pack any Skin-so-soft or bug spray because "I never have bug bite problems at WDW, so why bring it?" Go figure. Live and learn.

But my bites were larger, more like green-head fly type bites. And boy did they itch like crazy

Whatever they are, it won't keep me from staying there again (and hopefully owning there). I will just make sure to pack the bug spray.

 

[CarolA]

I have also heard that WDW does not spray as much @ AKL for bugs due to the Animals on property. Could be another reason for the no seeums, I've never had the problem anywhere other than AKL. I don't know if this is true but just what I've heard.

When I took the gardening tour at Epcot several years ago the horticulture guy actually told us that Disney does VERY little spraying etc in ANY guest areas. According to him Disney management won't let them due to concerns about guests etc. He spent a lot of time discussing how they do deal with bugs etc.

Spraying is allowed in areas where there aren't guests for things like mosquitos, but in the hotel and park areas it's a no no. (At least according to this guy who seemed to know what he was talking about. He was the head landscape guy for AK!)

 

[KristiKelly]

When I took the gardening tour at Epcot several years ago the horticulture guy actually told us that Disney does VERY little spraying etc in ANY guest areas. According to him Disney management won't let them due to concerns about guests etc. He spent a lot of time discussing how they do deal with bugs etc.

Spraying is allowed in areas where there aren't guests for things like mosquitos, but in the hotel and park areas it's a no no. (At least according to this guy who seemed to know what he was talking about. He was the head landscape guy for AK!)

Whatever they use to deal with bugs must be really good. The only time I have ever been bitten, that I recall, was at AKL. Very impressive considering it's Florida.

 

[3DisneyKids]

We have stayed at AKL and never had a bug problem while out on the balcony.

 

[JimC]

I agree with those who suggested No-see-ums. They have a nasty bite and are common in Florida. The link will give you more information. Part of the problem is that they are small enough to pass through common size screens.

 

[BraveMom3]

Although this has nothing to do with the original topic, if the OP is referring to a firey red rash on the lower legs, I have noticed this on several people while at WDW. I think it is a reaction to the heat generated from hours of walking on HOT cement. Some people are more sensitive to it than others.

 

[Figment56]

Although this has nothing to do with the original topic, if the OP is referring to a firey red rash on the lower legs, I have noticed this on several people while at WDW. I think it is a reaction to the heat generated from hours of walking on HOT cement. Some people are more sensitive to it than others.

I agree with you! I get it everytime I go to WDW. It is from the heat reflecting off the pavement. I get red from the knees down in the back of my legs that looks like a terrible rash and it itches like crazy! It's not from any bites of bugs!

 

[wildernessDad]

It is called bed bugs and they seem to be DVC specific. Never had them at the deluxe resorts at WDW or the mods.

Could be the lack of daily housekeeping??????


ETA: I'm joking...... I've nevr been bitten by bed bugs at DVC or any other hotel for that matter. Figured it might stir it up a little.

I'll say that you did! Let's hope that it was not bed bugs! They ARE making a comeback.

 

[Debbie H]

We stayed at the AKL, Savanah view & it was truly am amazing expirience, we loved every mnute of it. Not only did we love it, but the bugs loved me! I looked like I had quite a rash by the end of our stay. Has anyone else heard about this happening to someone else? What to do to prevent it? I would like to buy an add on at AKV, but the whole rash thing has me concerned.

They are called no seeums because you can't see them and they really bite and itch. Just use some anti itching gel. It takes awhile to go away. I did talk to a person one day in the village who's whole family got bit by bed bugs at Pop Century. She was quite a mess. To check for bed bugs, look at the sides of the mattress where the seam is. If anything brown is there, call housekeeping immediately.

 

[Barbruka]

I have been bit by No See Ums many times while at WDW. I got bit at AS and OKW and AKL. You don't even know they are biting you till later when you have so many bites it looks like a rash all over your legs. They itch like crazy! One trip down I was bit so bad I had a huge lump develop on my back calf that got hard as a rock and I had to go to the emergency room. It is not from the sun. It is No See Ums. And yes some people do tend to get bit more than others.

 

[NemoMOm]

We are bringing Clorox Anywhere Spray and dousing every surface possible,


I have always done this, first with Lysol and now with Clorox. DH used to think I was nuts until he saw 20/20. Even 5 star hotels have disgusting stuff. I mean when is the last time you walked by housekeeping and they were changing the bedspread or shower curtain?

 

[graygables]

Although this has nothing to do with the original topic, if the OP is referring to a firey red rash on the lower legs, I have noticed this on several people while at WDW. I think it is a reaction to the heat generated from hours of walking on HOT cement. Some people are more sensitive to it than others.

I've gotten the notorious "Disney Rash" every trip. I go to the first aid stations several times throughout for some cool compresses and caladryl. I was told that it was the reflection of the sun from the pavement rupturing capillaries in the lower legs. If it were bugs, seems like DH and DDs would have some evidence, too, but it is just me. There's also been some speculation by the nursing staff that it could be my having a reaction to something used to wash the bedsheets, which, our last trip to SSR, I did take my own sheets and had much fewer problems. The night we moved to WL (and I didn't put on sheets), the rash was back. This next trip, I'm going to try using my own sheets again and see what happens.

It itches like MAD, so I now pack caladryl for the hotel room. I also am very grateful for the fridge, b/c I keep a wet washcloth in their for a cold compress to help with the itching. I have to take benadryl to sleep at night after I get it, too.