Alligators, Amoebas, and a Resuscitated Horse

[DaParkers]

Sherin said exposure to the amoeba can be detected by an MRI and it can be treated with antibiotics if caught early enough, but Sherin said he believes medical personnel are not in the habit of looking for the disease.
From CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/09/18...kes/index.html

One side note that Pete missed. He said that there is no cure. NOT TRUE! In the letter to Lou, YellowMickeyPonchos put a link to a CNN story. In that story, it says that a person can be treated with antibiotics IF CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH! If you know anyone that swam in a lake and starts to feel bad, PLEASE make sure that they are tested for this. It does not have to be a death sentence. Most doctors just don't check for it soon enough. With that being said: Please don't ignore the signs. Stay out of the water!

 

[WebmasterPete]

I haven't listened, and don't plan to - but if someone is making claims that there are no gators on Disney property - well, that would certainly call credibility into question.

It is a gospel truth when you live in Florida : if there's water, there can be gators. They're found in peoples swimming pools all the time. They are found in retention ponds near residential developments every day. Disney has alligators. Disney lakes have alligators. Disney lakes have poisonous snakes (we have video of one from our fishing excursion, where the fishing guide can clearly be heard saying what we were filming was a poisonous snake. I believe she added "it will rock your world".).

If you think I'm the only one saying stay out of the lakes, the Centers for Disease Control agree with me. To quote them:

Naegleria is found in many freshwater lakes and rivers in the United States, particularly in southern tier states. Therefore, it is likely that a low risk of Naegleria infection will always be associated with swimming in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs.

Some measures that may reduce this risk include:
• Avoid swimming or jumping into bodies of warm freshwater, hot springs, and thermally-polluted water such as water around power plants.
• Avoid swimming or jumping into freshwater during periods of high temperature and low water volume.
• Hold the nose shut or use nose clips when jumping or diving into bodies of warm
freshwater such as lakes, rivers, or hot springs.
• Avoid digging in or stirring up the sediment while swimming in shallow, warm freshwater areas.
• Do not swim in areas posted as “no swimming” or in areas warning about an increased risk of Naegleria infections.
​

Add to this the very SIMPLE fact that the SIGN SAYS NO SWIMMING.

Anyone advocating swimming in freshwater lakes in Florida during the summer is, at best, grossly ill informed. At worst, they are being willfully negligent.

Pete

 

[timmac]

Also, in today's show, he and his travel agent guest answered a question about park hopper tickets. The listener was staying for 2 weeks and wanted 14 day park hoppers with water park admission. Instead of telling them they could go to the parks 10 different days and the water parks the remaining 4 days, they told the caller to buy 1 day water park tickets, 10 day + 4 park hoppers, or annual passes.

I was thinking about this one too... assuming they actually planned on visiting parks for more than 10 days (enough that the water park days wouldn't fill up the extra time), my suggestion would have been a 10 day +WPM+PH, and then a 4 day base ticket. You certainly don't need the WPM on the extra ticket, and if you plan just a bit, you can use the base tickets on days when you don't forsee hopping.

I don't think the response was a bad one, but certainly wasn't the only option.

 

[timmac]

Like several others, I heard the show as well, and had a similar surprised reaction. That said, I'd also like to give the benefit of the doubt to everyone involved (although I do have to stretch a bit to do that).

I think a large part of Lou's reactionary response was the nature of the question. I don't think it was wrong to include the fact that it was mentioned on another podcast, though I'm certainly glad he didn't name it (not that it mattered really), since that's what was in the e-mail. I got the sense that his response was mostly in the tone of trying to calm a ridiculous fear. That said, I also got the sense that the original question came from someone not terribly familiar with the DU podcast; again giving benefit of the doubt, I can see how someone not familiar with the beloved "Pete rant" might misinterpret it as salacious journalism.

It was absolutely incorrect to say that there outright aren't gators in the water, and I was really surprised to hear that. The "I promise" comment came across with similar surprise.

As for the amoeba, if you listen carefully towards the end of his response, it was clear he was commenting more towards the sense of over-reaction by the commenter than he was actually talking about the original facts. (let's face it, by the time that person wrote in, they weren't talking about reality anyway) His response was facetious that there is no "loch ness monster" or "brain eating monster" (clearly suggesting he wasn't really in tune to the discussion's factual point, the amoeba)

Anyway, I too, hope he offers a clarification on a future show; I think the e-mail probably would have been much better responded offline, and left out of the show entirely.

 

[jessily]

I was listening to the podcast this morning (downloaded it last night) and it cut off abruptly at about 42 minutes. I didn't hear that question/answer. I'm wondering if that portion of the podcast was removed? (I could have just missed it, I was running and am easily distracted).

 

[aspen37]

I was listening to the podcast this morning (downloaded it last night) and it cut off abruptly at about 42 minutes. I didn't hear that question/answer. I'm wondering if that portion of the podcast was removed? (I could have just missed it, I was running and am easily distracted).

I just checked and he did not remove it. The time stamp is 48:54. When you are on the webpage click listen now. You have to wait for it to buffer before it will play.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I just checked and he did not remove it. The time stamp is 48:54. When you are on the webpage click listen now. You have to wait for it to buffer before it will play.

Hey Aspen - saw your post on his boards - no real replies to it, either. Hmmmm. Thanks for doing that for all of us listeners that aren't on his forums.

 

[jessily]

I just checked and he did not remove it. The time stamp is 48:54. When you are on the webpage click listen now. You have to wait for it to buffer before it will play.

Thanks for the info! I must had an interruption in the download... I'll give it another try tonight and try to catch the rest of the show.

 

[Regina]

I personally pointed out a 4 foot gator to a Cast Member in the canal at the Beach Club Resort. His response "Oh that one's not that big." He then said he'd contact someone to remove it.

Have you ever seen the size of the turtles in that canal? HOLY COW!! If those are snappers, they could do some serioius damage.

 

[aspen37]

Hey Aspen - saw your post on his boards - no real replies to it, either. Hmmmm. Thanks for doing that for all of us listeners that aren't on his forums.

Thanks, That was my first post on his boards. I was shocked that no one cares that the info he gave was wrong.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I may have to post on his fourm, too and put up a copy of the letter I sent him.

Notice, no one seems to be talking about that show.... He only had 6 responses on the show thread yesterday. Compare that to his other show threads....

 

[danv3]

I did think the e-mailer had a good point in noting that if alligators were such a significant concern, Disney probably wouldn't allow waterskiing, boating, etc.

And while Lou was clearly wrong about the bacteria/amoeba issue, in his defense he did say (more than once) that swimming was not allowed in Disney's lakes.

 

[doconeill]

I'll have to re-listen to that section of his podcast when I get a chance, as I was only half-listening to it before (I listen to all the podcasts at work).

Does Disney even state why swimming is not allowed? They have signs up saying it is not allowed, but those signs don't say why, and more often than not they don't advertise their reasons - and they don't have to. So part of the confusion may be that "Disney doesn't allow it - it is not because of gators, amoebas, little green aliens, or killer goldfish, they just don't allow it." And, for all we know, Disney just doesn't want the liability or cost of a lifeguard.

However, there is NO DOUBT that the amoeba infections are an active, live concern in central Florida, documented in plenty of places, including a widely reported death recently. To laugh it off is disappointing at the least.

I don't know about the gator issue. I thought I heard recently that the "gator infestation" was greatly overstated, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. But you simply can't control them at Disney. And there are those who say that a gator won't attack a human unless threatened or incredibly hungry. Yet there are stories of attacks (thankfully not at Disney to this point that I am aware of), and there are ways to unintentionally threaten an animal.

Plus, if the gator population did indeed explode, they'd be competing for the same supply of food, and some are going to get hungry. I'm sure if there was such a problem, Disney would deal with it, so I don't really see this happening.

But at any rate, why even take the chance? Disney provides several wonderful pools at each of the resorts to take advantage of, with no gators to be seen except of the inflated variety.

 

[fav's=mets&mickey]

there was also a email asking if there was a way to find out what is left on your park pass and they reply that they both gave was that the only way you can find out is by going to a kiosk at the park or guest services. DUH....if maybe they did a little research they would have found out that TINKBUTT... found out for us that there is a phone number that can be called to check up to 3 tickets. You gotta love his so called "RESEARCH TRIPS"........he has lost me after this podcast. NEVER AGAIN LOU. and the chuckles while talking about the bacteria and the gators really rubbed me the wrong way. almost like they were saying to the podcast team what a bunch of idiots to think something might KILL YOU at bay lake or any lake in Disney. LOST TOTAL RESPECT AND WILL NOT LISTEN ANYMORE UNLESS HE DOES RETRACT HIS STATEMENTS.

 

[abish19]

I have listened to the other podcast, as well as a few others, and they're just a distant second (in my opinion) to the DISUnplugged. They are all produced by people who love Disney as much as we all do, and I don't think anyone is willfully giving incorrect information.

I also want to give credit to the DIS Podcast crew - if they do make a mistake, they always make sure to make corrections on the podcast or here on the boards.

I live very near Lake Michigan, which is always clean and beautiful and there's nothing in it that will kill you (at least not right by the beach!). That being said, I can't understand why anyone would even WANT to swim in those lakes when there are beautiful, pristine pools available everywhere you go (as a PP mentioned.)

 

[SamIAm21]

I may have to post on his fourm, too and put up a copy of the letter I sent him.

Notice, no one seems to be talking about that show.... He only had 6 responses on the show thread yesterday. Compare that to his other show threads....

That board is much slower moving than this one. The fact that no one is talking about the show isn't unusual. Threads grow with time, they don't usually get responded to immediately, like we do here. Also, his most recent show wasn't as "exciting" as some of his others. This week was a slow news week and his guests were pretty tame. I don't think DIS bombing them with unsolicited information is going to do anything but put them on the defensive. It would be like someone over there coming here and causing a commotion. I also don't think that dragging issues between boards is a great way to foster Disney community spirit.

Given the confusing/sensationalistic nature of the original email question and the off the cuff response, most of the folks over there probably don't comprehend the seriousness of the amoebas or the alligators and haven't thought twice about the segment since listening to the show. Hence, no major feedback.

As full disclosure I do post over there from time to time. Not nearly as much as I am here. It's a friendly board that sees 1/10 the traffic we do on a daily basis.

I have met and chatted with Lou Mongello several times, most recently at Magic Meets this past July. He's an extremely kind and decent person. If he reads your email and looks into the matter, I'm sure he'll make some comment about it on a future show.

 

[abish19]

Sam - Thanks for your post. I agree that it's better to keep good feelings going on this thread!

Still - nobody swim in the lakes!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

That board is much slower moving than this one. The fact that no one is talking about the show isn't unusual. Threads grow with time, they don't usually get responded to immediately, like we do here. Also, his most recent show wasn't as "exciting" as some of his others. This week was a slow news week and his guests were pretty tame. I don't think DIS bombing them with unsolicited information is going to do anything but put them on the defensive. It would be like someone over there coming here and causing a commotion. I also don't think that dragging issues between boards is a great way to foster Disney community spirit.

Given the confusing/sensationalistic nature of the original email question and the off the cuff response, most of the folks over there probably don't comprehend the seriousness of the amoebas or the alligators and haven't thought twice about the segment since listening to the show. Hence, no major feedback.

As full disclosure I do post over there from time to time. Not nearly as much as I am here. It's a friendly board that sees 1/10 the traffic we do on a daily basis.

I have met and chatted with Lou Mongello several times, most recently at Magic Meets this past July. He's an extremely kind and decent person. If he reads your email and looks into the matter, I'm sure he'll make some comment about it on a future show.

I apologize for any possible implication that I wanted to invade their forum (not my intention) and that Lou was a bad guy - he's not - everyone makes mistakes. I was just very surprised that no one had even responded to aspen37's comments about the amoebas at the time I posted. Guess I'm just so used to our forums where we "converse" our posts. There are a couple more good posts up now and one who thought that they were simply laughing at the paranoia of the listener who emailed - which still isn't something you want to do - laugh at your audience...

I do like Lou's show and can see and respect the love and energy he puts into his projects. I just felt that he really came off as over-eager to stop the fear and kind of flippant because he perceived someone damaging the reputation of something he loves.

That being said, I'm used to hearing different podcast's tease each other - I listen to about 10 or so different ones due to Los Angeles Traffic. This didn't sound like that. I'd never heard him "dis" another podcast (and I've listened to his archives), so I think I would have been offended for the one in question, even if it wasn't ours. That kind of stuff just rubs me the wrong way. That's why I took action and wrote him a letter. I didn't just want to be someone who just complained here. I was pretty sure he didn't realize that what he did could be construed as offensive and that he just needed it politely pointed out to him via email.

I agree, the answer is not to shun a podcast or rant and rave. Politely ask the trespassor for a problem to be resolved and continue to support the folks here. And start another thread about cool things we've heard about!

 

[SamIAm21]

That being said, I'm used to hearing different podcast's tease each other - I listen to about 10 or so different ones due to Los Angeles Traffic. This didn't sound like that. I'd never heard him "dis" another podcast (and I've listened to his archives), so I think I would have been offended for the one in question, even if it wasn't ours.

I am going to hazard a guess and say you like to listen to WDW Today. Those guys are a hoot and yes, they love to make fun Loooouuuu. Oh Looouuuu! It's all in good fun though.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I am going to hazard a guess and say you like to listen to WDW Today. Those guys are a hoot and yes, they love to make fun Loooouuuu. Oh Looouuuu! It's all in good fun though.

Yep, them, and Ricky, and Netcot, and I'm trying a few others out, too. There are a couple that just aren't to my taste - too much "free association" and the occasional inappropriate profanity...

All in all, there's something for everyone on the net! Like anything, you have to shop til you find the right style and fit!