Any areas allowed for "wading"

[aristocatz]

From the mid to late '70s, I swam in Bay Lake at the Contemporary. The sand was further back and a swimming area was marked with a buoy rope from (I think) the edge of the circle pool to the south. I seem to recall a ladder from the circle pool "deck" into the lake. I can't be sure, but I think there was a lifeguard. I'd dive down and find tiny freshwater clams in the sand. I also seem to remember Goofy would water-ski right onto the beach and then play in the pool.

I don't recall exactly when the WDW ban on swimming came about but it seems likely that the 1980 death of a 11-yo boy who spent the day at River Country had something to do with it. The water there was somewhat separated from the lake water and only partially purified. I seem to recall swimming being allowed at one point if you used a nose plug/clamp.

The chance of contracting it is very low but the survival rate is nearly zero. There's plenty of info here: http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/infection-sources.html

All that aside, I don't think "wading" at the beach areas at WDW, at least during the day, is terribly risky.

Lots of people are near the water on those beaches probably every night the weather's decent. We were in 2010 and there were little kids doing exactly what the previous poster referred to: building sandcastles right at the water's edge.

Given all the beach chairs, cabanas, and movies on the beach - and in the past, canoes, Sunfish and Hobie Cats - along with the history of the swimming ban, I think it's perfectly reasonable for people to think "No Swimming" means exactly that and nothing else. I don't know if it's current practice, but launching a Sunfish or Hobie Cat requires some amount of "wading."

I took this photo that night:

Here's an enlarged and lightened version:

My brother & I swam in Bay Lake during my first few WDW trips. My first trip was in 1979 & I'm not sure when they banned swimming. I also remember the buoys marking off where we were allowed to swim to. Not sure if they still offer water skiing, but I also remember that as a pretty popular activity for guests when we stayed at the Poly. We were too young to do it, but I remember watching others doing it while we played on the beach. & I definitely remember my parents buying us pails & shovels at the hotels & using them to fill water from Bay Lake for our sand castles. & we visited River Country several times, as well as Discovery Island. I am almost positive we swam in the lake at River Country. As a kid, I thought nothing of it. As a grown up, I get grossed out by swampy murky water.

I am from the East Coast & I knew that alligators were in Florida, but honestly, I never knew how prevalent they were in WDW until I joined the Disboards & read/saw pictures that people posted. Not because its "magical WDW" but simply because its a loud and annoying place for animals. I don't know much about alligators, but I guess I assumed they steered clear of the busy & loud shores of WDW. I was floored when I saw a poster post a picture of an alligator in Splash Mountain! I grew up near Cape Cod & was well aware when beaches were closed due to shark sightings. & I now live in a town at the base of a mountain where there are a lot of bears, but they typically steer clear of humans & busy areas & they leave you alone unless provoked. I guess I assumed the same was true for alligators.

I've been having a really hard time with the tragedy of that little boy. I have a 3 year old and an almost 2 year old & I just cannot even fathom what this family is going through.....& is about to go through when they return home

 

[GillianP1301]

These beaches were swimming beaches for a long time. When I was a child some of my favorite memories were of swimming in the lake in the mid 80's with my family at the Poly beach. They had a roped off area with a lifeguard stand and swimming was allowed. I was told in the 70's they even had a wave machine on the island across from the poly beach to throw waves for the swimmers at the beach, but they shut it down because it was washing away the sand. I know it's been off limits for years, but what year did they end swimming in the lakes

Alligators neared extinction in the late 60s, so I suspect the memories of swimming in the 70s was at the beginning of when they became a protected species, low numbers = low risk. I suspect we will see these beach areas go way all together now, in light of this recent tragedy.

As for the signage issue, I'm sorry but No Swimming = stay the *bleep* out of the water. Rather than trying to interpret the meaning or try to rationalize a meaning to fit what you want it to mean, people should just accept the rule at face value and trust that the restriction is there for a reason.

 

[thedonduck]

I agree. We swim in lakes all of the time. And to the poster who said that SSL isn't safe but Bay Lake is. Well how is a tourist supposed to know that? Disney advertises water craft rentals. Why wouldn't one think that all of their water is safe.

Why isnt the amoeba killing the gators?

So far, the amoeba only affects mammals and particularly mice and humans. There are a couple of suspected cases in dogs, but never tested so they aren't sure.

 

[brettb]

Alligators neared extinction in the late 60s, so I suspect the memories of swimming in the 70s was at the beginning of when they became a protected species, low numbers = low risk. I suspect we will see these beach areas go way all together now, in light of this recent tragedy.

As for the signage issue, I'm sorry but No Swimming = stay the *bleep* out of the water. Rather than trying to interpret the meaning or try to rationalize a meaning to fit what you want it to mean, people should just accept the rule at face value and trust that the restriction is there for a reason.

To say that "no swimming" means "no *swimming*" isn't rationalization. It's recognizing the history of the ban relative to the N Fowleri problems and the common, de facto and long-tolerated-by-Disney use of the beaches including play at the water's edge including ankle-deep "wading."

By the late 70's, alligators had recovered significantly. They were downlisted in 1977 in Florida and delisted in nearby states. They were fully delisted in 1987. http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/esa_works/profile_pages/AmericanAlligator.html

I've not seen any evidence that alligators were a dominant factor in the ban on *swimming*.

 

[Shanti]

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 didn't know. I also don't know why anyone would expect all visitors from all around the country and the world to somehow know about the prevelance of one particular wildlife population in central Florida.

I knew alligators are native to the region, but had no idea they were so prevalent in developed areas or that they are on Disney property. I've always stayed out of Disney's lakes, but assumed their rule existed to prevent regular drownings.

 

[scrapquitler]

I know this is semantics but I thought that there were no beach areas of fresh water that allow for wading at WDW. Swimming and wading are I guess two different things. Just trying to clear this up for my non Disney friends who swear there are areas for wading. Maybe I'm wrong and there are bodies of water at WDW that have a beach where you can play in the water. Haven't seen any in over a dozen years of multiple trips so maybe I've missed it.
(And I'm not trying to place blame on those poor parents. My heart is absolutely devastated for them as a mother of 4. Just truly a question)

Given the brain eating ameobas, I wouldn't want to be wading in ANY freshwater lake or canal in Florida. Nevermind the poisonous snakes and anything else there may be.

 

[thedonduck]

I didn't know. I also don't know why anyone would expect all visitors from all around the country and the world to somehow know about the prevelance of one particular wildlife population in central Florida.

I knew alligators are native to the region, but had no idea they were so prevalent in developed areas or that they are on Disney property. I've always stayed out of Disney's lakes, but assumed the rule was to prevent regular drowings.

I think it is one of those, it hasn't been in the news for so long (the death of the boy at River country) that people outside the area don't remember. I am sure when that happened, just like today's talk about alligators and their prevalence in the south. No different than today's youth not understanding how deeply 9-11 affected us that remember that awful day. Once the initial pain and shock wears off and we move on, we start to forget what we learned.

 

[Shanti]

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.

WDW has "lakes" and "lagoons", not swamps. That may help explain the lack of a connection in many visitors' minds.

Please no one respond detailing the area's natural history prior to development. My point is that this developed resort area in a theme park in a major metro area is always described as having "lakes" or "lagoons", not swamps.

People from other regions aren't necessarily going to be thinking, "Wasn't this massive theme park and resort complex all swampland once upon a time, before Disney developed it? I wonder if that indicates that there may be a prevelance of certain aggressive reptiles native to swamps on Disney property?"

Natural history and wildlife dynamics aren't usually the top agenda items on people's minds while they're getting away from it all at WDW.

 

[thedonduck]

WDW has lakes, not swamps. That may help explain the lack of a connection in people's minds.

Please no one respond detailing the area's natural history prior to development. My point is that this developed resort area in a theme park in a city is described as having "lakes", not swamps. People from other regions aren't necessarily going to be thinking, "wasn't this all swampland once upon a time?"

There is plenty of swamp area on WDW property.

 

[Tiggerette]

Whether it's a creek while hiking or near a pool area, I don't consider walking in ankle-deep water to be swimming. In order to swim I need to be immersed enough to potentially perform any of the swim maneuvers: side/back/breast stroke, doggie paddle, float etc. Perhaps I have a strictly literal interpretation of swimming, but I would think that I complied with a "no swimming" sign by not entering the water with enough depth to potentially swim. If a sign said do not enter water, I would be comply by not entering the water whatsoever, wading/walking in a few inches included.

I grew up in SE Louisiana, and while I knew alligators were around, I wouldn't have even had a thought that a gator would be in an area with sufficient noise. Perhaps the WDW-local gators are used to the noise, and clearly my assumption was quite wrong.

Folks have a difference of understanding in what constitutes swimming, and project additional implicit meanings onto "no swimming" signs. I can understand how a family would think they were in compliance by walking, not swimming, in the water. Additionally, if I were aware of the pathogenic amoebas, especially considering the higher density in shallow water, I would prefer "do not enter water" signs for better clarity.

Regardless of definition discussion, the situation is an awful tragedy. I feel for this family, and for all the families affected by the shooting. Big warm hugs to Orlando and beyond.

 

[Shanti]

If I were aware of the pathogenic amoebas, especially considering the higher density in shallow water, I would prefer "do not enter water" signs for better clarity.

The deadly amoebas can only cause harm if they get deeply lodged in the nose. Swimming (or at least head-dunking), is a minimum requirement for infection by those amoeba. They are harmless to anyone who is wading, so no worries on that front at least.

 

[El&Asmom]

Wow, I thought this was going to be a simple ask and answered question. It really hasn't been that long since they have allowed swimming at Bay Lake. I do triathlons, and a couple years back I was looking in to races in FL. I'm fairly certain the half Ironman FL was held from Ft Wilderness with the swim in Bay Lake. I remember thinking there was no way in hell I would swim there.

 

[123SA]

deleted...didn't address the OP question

 

[Walker24]

With so many travelers coming from around the world there really should be a "danger wildlife" sign. It's not like Disney can't afford it. The beaches are inviting to guests with lounge chairs and toys. Being from the city I didn't realize that alligators were wondering around bay lake. It's not like tourists live in Florida and realize how big of a problem the gators are. Truly a tragic event and I can't even imagine what that family is going through.

 

[thedonduck]

With so many travelers coming from around the world there really should be a "danger wildlife" sign. It's not like Disney can't afford it. The beaches are inviting to guests with lounge chairs and toys. Being from the city I didn't realize that alligators were wondering around bay lake. It's not like tourists live in Florida and realize how big of a problem the gators are. Truly a tragic event and I can't even imagine what that family is going through.

But alligators aren't a problem. While this was a HORRIFIC accident, alligators are not a problem. There have been 5 severe injuries or deaths by alligator in the US in the last 10 years. 99.9% of the time, they want absolutely nothing to do with people.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Most of these beaches were built long before there was an issue with alligators (back when they were on the endangered list) and the bacteria wasn't present yet.

Gators have always been in fresh water down here???? They came off endangered list in 87 and the Grand Floridan was built in 88.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

The deadly amoebas can only cause harm if they get deeply lodged in the nose. Swimming (or at least head-dunking), is a minimum requirement for infection by those amoeba. They are harmless to anyone who is wading, so no worries on that front at least.

I thought they can enter through a cut in your blood stream too. Is this not correct?

 

[thedonduck]

Gators have always been in fresh water down here???? They came off endangered list in 87 and the Grand Floridan was built in 88.

I was speaking of the swimming areas and old wave area.

 

[thedonduck]

I thought they can enter through a cut in your blood stream too. Is this not correct?

Less likely to cause an infection, but yes it can enter that way. The girl that survived this (maybe two years ago), got sick from a cut I think in her leg

 

[luvthemouse71]

That water is brown and gross looking (I'm really at a loss for a better word!). I can't imagine wanting to wade in it when you take the time to really look closely. It is stagnant, a breeding ground for amoebas (that are deadly if inhaled into the sinuses/brain) and mosquitoes. At it's worst it is a breeding ground for venomous snakes and larger than 3-4 foot alligators. No do not go wading into any fresh water at Disney.

Stick to the pools and splash pads.

I never understood it either. "Come on kids, let's go play in the swamp water, never mind that perfectly nice pool over there"