Alligators at the Fort

[abbdrey]

Hi All - I have been reading alot of the posts, but did not have much to say until now. We went out to the Fort last weekend to visit my sister who was camping for a short weekend. We drove the golf cart over to the area where groups camp - I cannot remember the loop name or number, but it is directly across the little bridge behind the 900 loop. Anyway, we saw three small alligators in the water over by the parking area. They were only about 3 or 4 feet long, but I could not believe they were there. I have read other posts about alligators, but never saw any. My girls love to play down by the water when we stay in the 800 loop and we are always close by, but seeing the alligators really made me nervous. I am sure the Mommy and Daddy alligators have long since been removed (or so I hope!!!).

Anyway, just thought I would pass that on.

 

[ynottony99]

Being a Kansas boy myself, it took me a while to get use to seeing gators. This is a good reminder that even at WDW, you are in Florida, and if there is water, there may well be gators.

 

[des1954]

It's a good idea to keep small children and pets away from any body of water in Fla. Gators have been protected for so long that they have come back in vast numbers. It's been only in the past 5-6 years (IIRC) that the state has issued hunting permits to hunt gators. Even then, they are limited to 4700 permits. I do believe WDW is a no kill zone - well... except for killing budgets!!

 

[Goingtoseethemouse]

I heard that once they get to a certain size the Fort has them removed. They don't need anyone getting eaten on their turf.......CHOMP!
Where we live they are everywhere! WE hear of lots of dogs getting attacked. Best way to fight a gator is to sock em' in the eyes!

 

[2goofycampers]

everytime we check in they also remind us not to let the dogs swim in the canals.

 

[auntie]

I heard that once they get to a certain size the Fort has them removed. They don't need anyone getting eaten on their turf.......CHOMP!
Where we live they are everywhere! WE hear of lots of dogs getting attacked. Best way to fight a gator is to sock em' in the eyes!

Sock em in the eyes!

 

[cruising spud]

When we go to FW and plan to go to the parks for the day, we get up early. And, it is dark out when I walk the dog. I am always worried about alligators.
Should I be? Do alligators leave the the water for any great distances? Should I really punch an alligator in the eye with my flashlight?

Note-I am not kidding-I know nothing about alligators.

 

[Donald's Fan in PHX!]

I heard that once they get to a certain size the Fort has them removed. They don't need anyone getting eaten on their turf.......CHOMP!
Where we live they are everywhere! WE hear of lots of dogs getting attacked. Best way to fight a gator is to sock em' in the eyes!

Sock them in the eyes!?! lol I'm not going to be that close to any gators, but if I am, I'll remember to pull some 3 Stooges on them and run.

 

[2goofycampers]

I lived in Florida as a teen for many years. Often we swam in lakes with gators,,all the rivers have gators and we use to swim and ski in the rivers. Now I wouldn't advise mess'n round with any gators, especially if there are babies around. But really,,how often has anyone heard of a gator attack on humans in Florida unless they were provoked ? ? ?

Just curious.
Frank

 

[ntsammy5]

Use a bang stick -- long stick, nail, shot gun shell (prefferably 12 guage) and duct tape. It works wonders. Make sure to get them in the head, you can't eat that part anyhow. Mmmmmm, Delicious!

 

[Disney Campers]

Where's Gatordad when you need him

 

[BigDaddyRog]

The Fort does indeed have plenty of gators...its part of the wilderness in FL, and they have their place. 2goofs is correct...they arent troube starters! They are there because the climate favors them, and their are plenty of fish in the area for them to stay full on.Ive seen some large gators on the banks of the lake, but the gators in the canals are usually very small, and basicly harmless...unless you're a chihuahua (maybe I'll bring my wife's dog on our next trip!!) Abbdrey....Im pretty sure Disney is removing any of the 4footers that are within the canals as soon as they are informed about them, and believe me...they HEAR ABOUT THEM CONSTANTLY!!!! People who arent from the south see a gator, and freak out!!! So Im sure that the Fort staff gets PLENTY of updates on the gator sightings hourly!! A 3ft gator is nothing but a big lizard, and will certainly run before a confrontation could ever take place(and are less dangerous than a 3ft Iguana, and many people have those running around in their homes).
Gators are pretty lazy...and dont often get very far away from the banks of a canal or whatever body of water they reside in. As far as walking a dog along the banks of one of the canals before daylight...well, I would certainly use extra caution, especially in exceptionally high grassy areas...but common sense should tell you when and where they could be hidden for a nap. They are, after all, reptiles....not exactly the smartest critters on the planet, certainly not smart enough to plot out a plan to overtake an unsuspecting bypasser. They dont hide in the grass hoping some helpless victim comes by for them to pounce on!!!!

 

[abbdrey]

Hi BDR - I would say they were about 3 feet (large lizards). It was pretty shocking to see them at Disney though. We see alot of gators - You just have to cross the 417 bridge going to Lake Mary and you can see as many 12 footers as you want!! Anyway, glad to see everyone is still hanging around the forum. Talk to you soon.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Hi BDR - I would say they were about 3 feet (large lizards). It was pretty shocking to see them at Disney though. We see alot of gators - You just have to cross the 417 bridge going to Lake Mary and you can see as many 12 footers as you want!! Anyway, glad to see everyone is still hanging around the forum. Talk to you soon.

12 footers???? Wow....now THATS a GATOR!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cruising spud]

Okay, so now I know the truth-gators are not lurking in the marsh grass waiting for me.

Gator rules-

avoid scary, gator-like places in the shadows of the early morning and late evening

if I see a gator-don't hit it with my flashlight; instead, drop the dog's leash and run (hope the dog can keep up)

or, probably the best thought-let my husband walk the dog

 

[LarryJ]

everytime we check in they also remind us not to let the dogs swim in the canals.

I've spent many, many hours along the canals fishing over the last almost 25 years and have never seen an alligator, but the canals do have large snapping turtles and while I can't prove it since I've never been able to catch one I believe aligator gars which in water are just as dangerous to smaller prey.

Larry

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I've spent many, many hours along the canals fishing over the last almost 25 years and have never seen an alligator, ...

Larry

This was taken at the canal next to the group camping area...this little guy was probably just under 3 foot...

There were several in that particular area....most were very young, 18-24" or so.

 

[Disney Campers]

I thought the gators by the group camping area were animatronic

 

[AuburnJen92]

When we go to FW and plan to go to the parks for the day, we get up early. And, it is dark out when I walk the dog. I am always worried about alligators.
Should I be? Do alligators leave the the water for any great distances? Should I really punch an alligator in the eye with my flashlight?

Note-I am not kidding-I know nothing about alligators.

As long as you stay on paths and away from the canal banks, you won't temp any reptile to use your pooch for lunch. Before the gators can become large enough to cause serious damage to persons and property (sorry, under the law, pooches are that), they are relocated elsewhere off property away from human types.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Sock them in the eyes!?! lol I'm not going to be that close to any gators, but if I am, I'll remember to pull some 3 Stooges on them and run.

I am sorry to tell you, but they can run faster than you. Best to sock them in the eyes. That is their soft spot. You will break your hand hitting them anywhere else!