Alligators????

[kevind65]

I forgot about the one that hangs out in the canal at BCV...we have seen that one as well..

 

[BrotherBear]

To Veruka

I am from the West also (california). While there are gators in Florida (and WDW) I would not be too concerned about it. It's like someone coming to CA and being worried about earthquakes. More than likely, you will not see one.

Disney is very aware of the issue and takes many steps to ensure they are away from the public. Disney does not want bad PR about gator bites at WDW, that would stop the crowds for sure!

I would just go, have fun, and if you are freaked out stay away from the lake/canal areas.

 

[dreamflight99]

I've SEEN them all over the property. Every body of water (nearly) in Florida contains a Gator (at least treat it as if it does)! They are kind of "shy", a bit curious...but seemingly shy. They are not at ALL territorial like the Croc., and Florida has a few of these too.

We've seen them EVERY summer, all over the Gulf coast. We have seen them on Disney Property each year. The CM's love to tell us about them, where they've seen them...and how large they are. Most are 3-5 footers. Disney sets humane traps with Chicken, to catch and relocate these critters. They are beautiful to behold, as there is something so "wild" and "prehistoric" about them. We enjoy seeing them, and are pleased they have adapted so well to the crunch of suburbia and the steady population increase.

I have a LOT of snaps, all taken on Disney Property...of these lovely lizards. Here's a real sweetie (first pic), taken summer of 2002. A veritable "young" Gator, (his mom was probably not too far away, so I was VERY cautious as I approached the edge of the pond). He was as interested/curious in my presence, as I was in his (or hers). Size? About 5 feet in length.

Enjoy!!

These two snaps were taken last summer. There was a (much) larger gator (At least 10-12 ft sunning on the edge...before he scrambled for the water when he saw me come near the pond) visible in this water hole as well...but he submerged mere seconds before I began snapping the shutter. This fella (about 4-5+ ft) was not as friendly or curious as the one above, but he permitted me to take a couple photos before he slid underneath the verdent cover. I only took a few pictures...and high-tailed it from the "edge" of the water (could feel others watching, nearby...).

TTFN...DF99

 

[dreamflight99]

 

[KathyTX]

Here's a rather homely little fellow we saw near the Liberty Belle Riverboat in the Magic Kingdom last March...

 

[floridafam]

ironz,

Good luck with the triathlon. Where are you staying?

We will be at the WL. I hope we don't see any alligators!!

 

[Efastpitch]

I know that there is a really big alligator in Fantasy Land!

 

[Lady Cluck]

I'll be watching out, too...supposed to be doing that race, depending on how training is going. My strategy will be to be at least faster in the water than one other swimmer!

ROFL - IronZ, That's called the "Buddy System"!

 

[veruka]

Well, it sounds like there's a chance I could see one or two. I'm not that freaked out...it's probably like seeing a rattlesnake in New Mexico....they're there but the chances of them attacking if not provoked are slim. Now I want to see the "VillaGator"!!

Anyone seen a "Polygator" or a "CoronadoGator"?

 

[BambiTamby]

LOL!

Now, you're getting the hang of this, veruka!

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Now I want to see the "VillaGator"!!
Anyone seen a "Polygator" or a "CoronadoGator"?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

magicmouse2 - your post really made me laugh!!!

Gee - I feel left out - we've never seen any alligators at WDW!

 

[Nebsky]

Ive seen one near in the Lake area by Tom Sawyer's island.
This was in Aug 2002
He was actually really close to the wooden bridges/walkways by the parade route. Several people were dropping their turkey legs in the water after they were done..

In Aug 2003 we were there and went looking for him, no luck.

Saw lots of other animals/critters around...

Bus driver took both hands off the wheel and pretended to shoot 3 deer as we were driving back to the hotel.

He missed..

 

[dreamflight99]

We have learned about most of the GATOR locales from the transportation associates at WDW. Last summer, a bus driver quietly informed us of a VERY LARGE Gator sunning him (or her) self alongside the water just past the MK. He told us this Gator is there all the time, and most all the drivers know about him (her). They usually never point it out to folks, as they do not wish to scare/upset them, etc. We were practically alone with this driver, and we were on the subject of Gators (as we love to look for them). They are all over the property & sunshine state.

When we rented the little paddleboats while staying at the old Dixie Landings, we learned of another location and factoid. As we paddled past the old Port Orleans resort towards DTD, a CM came in a motorboat to WARN us NOT to venture into the canals to the LEFT (as you head in that direction). There are funny little signs which have a cute cartoon-looking gator standing, inside a bright red circle w/line across it. She told us there are SEVERAL VERY LARGE and QUITE UNFRIENDLY Gators down the canal. They stay away from the Sassagoula express waterway, as they dislike the traffic and people. The CM's see them all the time, and have had some BAD encounters with these guests. Our DD was beside herself...and just wanted to go back! The brackish looking water is little comfort, and adds to the mystique and fear factor.

Also, DH loves to fish in these canals....alone, late at night. He always catches and releases all fish. One night, late in the am, he was all alone near the edge of the canal. Suddenly, everything seemed to get even more still and quiet. He felt very uneasy, and took his line slowly from the water...taking some steps backwards away from the edge. (This is right next to the bridge to ole' man island near the pool). He saw the water stir...and the shape of a massive lizard....(GATOR) underneath. He then saw the eyes pop above the surface...looking STRAIGHT at HIM. A few seconds earlier...and he may have been fighting this fella in the water. As if this news wasn't enough to scare the bejesus out of me...he told me a maintenance associate riding an electric cart warned him (just moments before this occurred) not to sit so close to the edge of the canal...as there are giant Gators just beneath the surface whom troll around these waters late at night. DH scoffed/laughed at him. Not anymore.

DH still fishes the waters of WDW late in the eves, sometimes early mornings. He's much more cautious (so...he says), and more alert/aware of the surroundings. These critters use AMBUSH tecniques, either from behind....(grabbing and rushing straight into the water with their prey), or from in front...doing the same in reverse. They take their prey to the bottom...death roll...and attempt to drown the prospective food. They lack sharp incisors for cutting, but rely on sheer strength and method. They can be formidable predators, but are usually shy. We have respect for them, without a doubt. Yet, we are never fearful of them while in Florida. It is always a thrill to see them in the wild. No matter how many times we see them, we still consider it exciting. Same goes for the mountain lions here in So. Cali. We saw one about 10 months ago, by the side of I-5, over the pass. It was absolutely breathtaking, and crossed the roadway as soon as our truck passed. It was late in the eve, with very few cars on the road. We've seen them in the mountains on several occasions, and count these sightings as fortunate.

TTFN...DF99

 

[PamNC]

yes you might see an alligator. Most likely he or she will be in the water minding his/her own business. Everyone is right - ignore them and they'll ignore you. We've even canoed at Fort Wilderness and seen one. The gator wasn't the least bit interested in us. It's actually exciting to see them in the wild.

PamNC

 

[floridafam]

Do you think they do anything before an event like a triathlon in the water at FW?

I thought maybe they did something to keep the critters away or is the massive amount of people in the water enough?

 

[airhead]

I don't want to see any reptiles!!! I live in the (very cold right now!) northeast .One of the reasons I like living here,is because
for most of the year,its not warm enough for these creatures!!!
NO GATORS for this northernah!!!


airhead

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Before the triathlon or race they will sweep the area either trap and relocate any gators or lure them to another area, they will also have boats in the water to insure the swimmers safety.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

dreamflight99 -

I know what you mean about wildlife sightings being exciting for your family - here in MO we see red foxes, coyotes and, if we're lucky, bobcat. Of course, deer and turkey are everywhere here, but we still point them out to each other when we catch a glimpse!!

We have tried to see gators during our many FL trips (and Louisiana & Mississippi!) but very rarely have we been fortunate enough to see one - from a distance, I mean! Back in '93 we went to Key West, and I nearly made myself sick looking for 'gators on Alligator Alley!!!

 

[dreamflight99]

k&a&c'smom~~

We drove down to Key West Last summer after our Disney Cruise on the Wonder.

We also have driven across AA...and seen many. Of course, since they widened the roadway, there are LESS to be seen near the Alley. If you take some little "side-roads" off the beaten path...you can see GIANTS laying on the side of the canals.

I have had very "close encounters" with these water lizards onb several occasions. Once, when I was in the Ormond & Daytona vicinity many years ago (Spring break), I had a close call. Five of my girlfriends and I ventured down some narrow dirt roads along very big canals in the midst of "no where" to CRAB together. We took some string, chicken necks, gizards etc., and a BIG net. We stopped near some of the drainage pipes, and began to catch some big blues. Our venture was seemingly successful, and we were very pleased with ourselves. We were oblivious to anything around us, and were completely focused on the CRABS all around the chicken parts tied to the strings.

Two guys from the movie "Deliverance" (LOL) came by (out of nowhere) in a small motor boat to inform my GF's and I of the IMMEDIATE DANGER we were in...crouching down near the water's edge crabbing as we were. They explained how a big gator will come up from behind (We were literally parked on a BERM, surrounded by canals and waterways on either side), and then run towards one of us...grabbing us and carrying us into the water. He would then proceed to drown us, and "stuff us" up into the areas they have carved out along the banks (just above the water level). When we were tenderized (after a few days), we would be consumed. These were their exact words...not for the faint of heart. We were all unsettled by their words.

They told us to "listen" to the "crunching sound, and they sat perfectly still in their watercraft for a moment. We could hear something, but were not experienced in GATOR enough to discern the exact location, etc. These men informed us the sound we could hear, were GATORS eating, chewing bone. They then pulled some large chains from the bottom of the metal boat, attached to oversized treble hooks, and a pistol. They told us they "hunted" gators in these canals, baiting them with whole chickens and goat heads. They assured us the place was infested with them. Mind you...these men looked like America's most wanted! We were definitely more afraid of them than we were of any gators.

Nonetheless...we decided to leave, immediately. As I walked up over a berm to a large lake opening...(to wash my fishy-slimy hands in the water...which seemed more fresh-looking than the canal we were crabbing in...), I turned back to talk to my friends. As I turned back again, towards the lake in front of me...my heart stopped beating and my feet froze. Directly in front of me, about two feet away...were THREE HUGE GATORS. When they saw me (about the same instant I stopped talking to my friends and turned to see them), they ROLLED INTO the WATER with a massive splash! Each was at least 12 feet in length. I peered into their eyes, and saw the lines in their yellow-brown bellies as they turned to FLOP into the lake. In an instant...they resurfaced, silently...as they coasted away from the edge, eyes fixed on ME. I was suddenly struck with the heinous "surrounding" feeling, as if the grass was alive with Gators. I slowly turned, white as a ghost/sheet, and ran back to the van. I shouted to my girlfriends to GET-IN, and off we went with the doors locked and the dust flying! Not a moment too soon. Yes, we had the crab with us...and we used some Crab boil to prepare them later in the eve. But, the close encounter (one of MANY), with these gators had me shaken for many days to come. It would be some time again, before I had the nerve to go into/near the Florida waters.

We also have lots of the wildlife you mentioned here in So. Cal., and love seeing them in their natural habitat. I'm always stretching my neck as we drive through the country...as I LOVE seeing Coyotes and Bobcats, and also the Burrowing owls and Kit fox. We have a lot of great horned owls around us, (adept at silent flight). They are a magnificent sight to see flying above at night, as they SCREECH to scare out prey. Gators are to Florida, what Coyotes are to California~!


TTFN...DF99

 

[k&a&c'smom]

DF99 -

LOL!!!!!



Sounds like the "immediate danger" those guys spoke of was themselves!!!

Your description of feeling like you were being surrounded gave me a chill! DH and I like to look for 'gators, but from the safety of our car!!! DH is convinced that he is marked by foreign wildlife for extermination, and is too chicken to get out of the vehicle!!

Your descriptions of your encounters are very vivid, and great reading!!