Any areas allowed for "wading"

[mjkacmom]

"Swimming" is also probably the kind of word many with limited English would understand. I know the word for swimming in a few languages, but only know "wading" in English. Sometimes simplicity is key in international venues...

That's why I posted the sign - I've seen similar signs places, notice the pictures.

 

[mjkacmom]

The "no swimming" signs are clearly vague to some people. WDW needs to provide better signage stating no walking in the lake, no touching lake water, no getting near the lake water; and add detailed pictures of an alligator with its mouth open and large teeth exposed. Perhaps maybe then guests will get the message to "stay out of the damn lakes."

I don't know if you are being snarky, but many people have admitted to not being aware of not being allowed to wade, and not knowing there are alligators in the lake. Whether or not you think they should know these things doesn't really matter, WDW needs to be more proactive. I get it, alligators, snakes and brain eating water are "unpleasant," not very magical, and not something Disney wants to mention.

 

[peteykirch]

I don't know, I always took NO SWIMMING = DO NOT ENTER WATER

 

[ImDMous]

I can honestly say with zero sense of sarcasm or snark that today is the first day it ever became known to me that people DIDN'T know that alligators are literally everywhere in central Florida.

I agree. Until this morning I thought this was firmly in the common sense realm. There are snakes in the desert, bears in the woods and alligators in swamps.

I've only been to WDW 3 times, but I've seen alligators every time on Disney property. They are on the side of the road as you're driving, we saw one near one of the mini-golf courses, wherever there's water, they are there. I am always on the lookout for wildlife, even in my suburban neighborhood, because I know it's out there and I like seeing it (from a distance). I guess many people just don't pay attention to their surroundings.

 

[opal]

The first year we went to WDW (1990, I think), there was no signage about not swimming. The signs appeared by our 2nd trip. When we asked about it, cast members told us it was due to the bacteria level in the water. No mention of the wildlife. Our kids went out in the "water mice" alone once they met the age requirements. No one ever mentioned....."oh, by the way, look out for alligators". If these waters are dangerous, then perhaps Disney should stop making them an attractive nuisance by renting watercraft to use on these waters, placing lounge chairs and hammocks on the water's edge, selling sand toys in their gift shops and holding movie nights on the "beach". I have seen countless kids playing at the water's edge and have never seen a cast member ask to stop. It remains to be seen if Disney is at fault in the tragic event, but in no way do I think this was the fault of this poor child's parents.

 

[MissPrincessKendall]

I feel terrible for the parents of this child. I feel terrible for the sister of this child. With that said, I have always been a firm believer in rules and signs are up for a reason everywhere. If a sign says " line cutters will be ejected" and we need to leave the line for the restroom we enter the line again from the end, if the sign says " no swimming" we do not touch the water, go by the water, or swim in the water and I believe even putting my feet in counts as swimming. I also thought Disney had multiple pools for that reason so that if you wanted a lifeguard loud pool or a quiet swim at own risk pool you always had options if you wanted to get wet so that people wouldn't consider the lakes for anything but scenery.

 

[MouseTeens]

Obviously there will be new signage and quite soon I predict.

What I wonder about is whether or not these inviting beaches are transitioned to landscaped areas that will make the waters edge less accessible. It would be unfortunate but it would not surprise me.

 

[Purplestorm]

I have been told that there are lots of gators in Florida. I have seen pictures of a gator on a golf course, parking lot or in a "pond". No swimming, to me, means don't swim but if you need water for your sand castle building, here you go! I honestly would not think gators would be there!!!! When on the ferry, I have eagerly looked at the waters edge for a gator (never really expecting to see one but thinking how "cool" it would be to see!!!!). At this beach, with inviting lounge chairs, shallow entry, fun sand... well, it makes me think it is meant to relax at.... maybe even sit at edge near the water while I build castles with my kid???? Go ahead and laugh, but I thought that there was a net or something under the water that kept gators from that safe beach area! All other naturally occurring water areas are gator zones.... but this beach was clearly made to relax at meaning it should be safe (except for water safety which is even around a bathtub ).

 

[kittyab]

I am originally from Virginia, even there I would not go into fresh water. Water snakes

 

[mmouse1239]

I remember swimming at Water Country with my kids. Shortly after we were there, we read that it had closed. Always thought that it was because of that horrible amoeba that exits in fresh water and kills people. Now I wonder if it had anything to do with alligators. It would be almost impossible to monitor them in that kind of venue. I'm so sorry for this family. We never ventured on to the beaches there when our kids were small. We just were too busy, but this kind of thing can happen to anyone. Just so terribly sorry

 

[mmouse1239]

Correction, I believe it was called River Country.

 

[disneydreamer781]

The only place I would stick my feet in WDW is the jacuzzi in my villa or the pools, after I checked them out, of course.

 

[minniemous]

How many other words do they need? For you, "no wading" would do it". But what if a kid didn't want to wade, but splash? OK, now we have "no swimming, no wading, no splashing". What about "rinsing off hands"? OK, add that. Oh, "rinsing off feet" after a long day? Sounds nice and refreshing. Add that. Soon enough we have a sign longer than ANYONE is ever going to read, and the whole thing is useless.

I've always gotten the concept that "no swimming" means "we have good reasons to not want you in our water, so stay out". I mean, "we don't swim in your toilet please don't pee in our pool" doesn't specify "don't go #2", but most of us get that we aren't supposed to do THAT, either.

How about simply a sign alerting that there are dangerous wildlife in lake? That is what this is about. Letting people know that there are dangerous alligators or whatever in there. It is not about what you do in he water it is about what is in the water. No need to go into a giant list. Alligator and other will suffice for most people to understand what the danger is.

 

[Jason2015]

To be honest the "no swimming" sign doesn't to me read that one can't wade. I see it more as we don't have a life guard here and don't want people swimming. And no you don't need a sign with "No Swimming, No Wading, No Diving, No splashing, etc.". How about a simple sign that just says "Stay out of the water"

Also, lots and lots of people who don't live in FL won't understand that there are gators in all fresh water. Yes if fan boating in the Everglades but not in the lake in the middle of the city. Just not something they live with. It is like when a FL resident comes to CO and sees an elk in the middle of a 100000 person city. They expect the elk in the forest not in the downtown park.

 

[vicb]

I remember sitting in beach chairs at the Poly beach our first trip 17 years ago with our then 3 and 6 year olds. They played in the sand with buckets we bought at the tiki bar but for the life of me I can't remember if we let them wade. I must say I am horrified at this story and just feel devastated for this family, how do you recover?

 

[HopperFan]

I always thought the no swimming was because of the issue of the amoebas that are found in warm fresh water. I assumed wading was safe. The other near by resorts with the picture of the alligator under the no swimming make the message much clearer.

I have been told that there are lots of gators in Florida. I have seen pictures of a gator on a golf course, parking lot or in a "pond". No swimming, to me, means don't swim but if you need water for your sand castle building, here you go! I honestly would not think gators would be there!!!! When on the ferry, I have eagerly looked at the waters edge for a gator (never really expecting to see one but thinking how "cool" it would be to see!!!!). At this beach, with inviting lounge chairs, shallow entry, fun sand... well, it makes me think it is meant to relax at.... maybe even sit at edge near the water while I build castles with my kid???? Go ahead and laugh, but I thought that there was a net or something under the water that kept gators from that safe beach area! All other naturally occurring water areas are gator zones.... but this beach was clearly made to relax at meaning it should be safe (except for water safety which is even around a bathtub ).

No and No.

The amoebas are most prevalent at the very edges of the lake. The warmer and more shallow the better. Wading in the shallow water by a short little one, splashing or kicking the water, getting buckets of water and playing with your hands ..... all could lead to the water and amoebas entering your nose. Splashed water, rubbing your face with wet hands .... all potential hazards. The very best option is DO NOT TOUCH the shoreline water. Period. I think someone posted statistics that number of amoeba cases are double the number of gator attacks.

 

[dawn8179]

I have always felt no swimming meant don't get in the water. I also always felt that it was common knowledge that Florida has gators everywhere. I learn something new everyday. I live in the metro Atlanta area in Georgia and regularly see venomous snakes and spiders near my home, and also have seen coyotes walking down the street. I'm always looking for dangerous wildlife, we've heavily encroached on their territory.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The signs should have been clearer IMO.
Maybe WDW could learn something from their offsite neighbors.

Hyatt Grand Cypress

 

[sunshine1]

I always thought the no swimming was because of the issue of the amoebas that are found in warm fresh water. I assumed wading was safe. The other near by resorts with the picture of the alligator under the no swimming make the message much clearer.

 

[sunshine1]

Wading?

Have you lost your mind?

Stay out of the lakes in WDW. Only use pools.

You 'wade' into a lake, get bit by a gator, then gators are killed.

Stay awake from the lakes!