Anyone else notice bird problem at WDW??

[kaabost]

LOL guys! I admit, I am a bit eccentric where my views on birds are concerned. When DH and I went a couple of years ago, he got bombed by a seagull. He get a little annoyed and mentioned that he thought that he left home to get away from the bird s*** (we have a conure......who is now potty trained BTW). Since then, I have acquired a macaw of whom is in the process of becoming potty trained. What a wonderful DH, he now puts up with an occasional SPLAT on a more regular basis. While he doesn't like it, he can see that the macaw is learning where the appropriate places to "poopie" are. Maybe Disney can potty train their birds.

At any rate, I guess I'll be in heaven in 12 days while visiting Disney surrounded by all of the birds

 

[kaabost]

OK, I was telling DH about this thread and he said that he had something to add......the rest of this post is directly from him.....enjoy

As I type this, the conure is on my shoulder eating its food. As it does this, it is making a big, big, mess in my apartment. There is nothing as Kaabost's "husband" that I can do about this. I live everyday with birdsh!@. It's on my clothes, on her clothes. on the floor, and in the bathroom. It's even in my bed because that's where the birds sleep. WITH US? Who sleeps with a large parrot? KAABOST DOES! That is how bad she is. My point is, don't bother arguing with this person. "Birdies" can do no wrong as far as she is concerned. That is the price I pay for loving her

 

[Dianna S]

A few weeks ago at San Angel Cafe in Epcot (Mexican walk-up) my husband was walking to the table with a taco salad when a sea gull swooped in and drug the whole thing off the tray. It was bedlam! birds came from everywhere.

Thankfully it was replaced at no charge and nobody got crapped on, but it surely did nothing to quiet my deep and burning loathing for winged rodents.

We saw more than a handful of muggings, mostly kids. Can you say "birth of a phobia?"

I suppose all Disney can do is try to inspire cast members to speak up to people who feed the birds, maybe include an insert in the park maps with a warning to guests.

 

[Ted and Holly]

I saw a man who had purchased a big box of popcorn and was purposefully baiting birds to come to him. He thought it was great and tried to get them to eat out of his hand and such.

Guilty as charged! Well, not in THIS incident. But I have fed the birds next to the popcorn carts in MK.

A co-worker just returned from WDW. His fiance has a pretty bad phobia of birds, gulls in particular. He mentioned a coulpe instances where they were a problem for them.

One was near Pirates where two young boys were fighting over a bag of popcorn. They were playing tug-o-war with it when they both lost. The bag broke and all the popcorn went flying. My co-worker had to grab his fiance and run her out of there. I guess it was a gull frenzy.

I guess I will see first-hand in a few weeks exactly how bad it has gotten. There isn't a whole lot that Disney can do about this. Sure they can remove the fish/duck feed dispensors, but there is a lot more food available from us messy humans than that.

Ted

 

[SamR]

Well, if you want a very current report: Several members of my family were "bombed" (that is, pooped on) over by the TTA when we were in the MK two days ago. However, the place I really noticed them was around World Showcase yesterday. I picked up some fries from the stand over near Canada, and then walked over to where my family was waiting for Off-Kilter to start playing. On my way, several birds made very close passes prompting me to walk with one hand supporting the tray, and my other arm thrown across it! Later in the day, as we sat on a bench to eat funnel cake, several landed at our feet waiting to snatch up any crumb that fell. (At least they were waiting instead of helping themselves!)

Of course, earlier in the day, I had noticed a parent and child mutually scattering popcorn to a flock of birds. Sigh...

 

[madcoco]

Another "hangout" is by the MickeyDees fries cart behind Pecos Bills. We have lost a few fries right out of the box while walking.

 

[skoba-nelson]

On our 02-02 trip I was "bombed" on top of my head in Frontierland. It was fun trying to wash my hair in the small sink with the sensor that turns on when it wants to. Other men in the restroom were sympathetic and said how bad the problem was/is. While on the same trip waiting for CBJ (inside) looking out the windows I noticed people carrying umbrellas, souvineer bags, anything over their heads. I saw families running pushing strollings. Flocks (pun) of cheerleaders screaming, running through the area obviously trying to avoid the bombing.

On our trip we just returned from, we tried to see CBJ, the Riverboat, or even my first trip on BTMRR, but the birds kept us away from the whole area. I was uneasy about after my being "hit" and DW was concerned about DS (5 months). We cut through the restroom between Frontierland/Adventureland and just skipped that whole section.

DW thinks I should e-mail Disney. I probably will.

 

[grinningghost]

I never noticed a big birdie poop problem in the summer. I did notice lots of birds flying around the Plaza Pavillion in Tomorrowland though. Not causing any problems that I could see.

 

[AmyA]

I have to agree with the bird migration theory that has been proposed. When DH and I went in September, we rarely saw any birds except some ducks that would waddle up from Bay Lake to the sliding glass doors of the CR NGW. Well, I just spent 5 days in WDW w/ my girlfriends, and wow--what a difference winter makes. All 7 of us were freaked out to walk through Frontierland (near Pecos Bill's and Country Bears) because the birds we so overwhelming both in volume and aggression. One of our friends got pooped on not once, but twice during one pass through there. I don't dislike birds, but it was pretty freaky and something that I will definitely write to WDW about.

 

[Simba's Mom]

In answer to a previous poster, yes those 25 cent machines are meant to feed the fish. But the reality is that the birds come swooping in and catch the food even before it reaches the water. Then, before you know it, there are all kinds of birds hovering around, ready to pounce (or rather, swoop) on the food as soon as it leaves your hand. I say-take them out, Disney!

 

[Ted and Holly]

How much of a difference will that make with all of the other sources of food?

This problem has already been firmly established. I am not sure if there is a really easy way out of it.

Ted

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

Originally posted by Ted and Holly
This problem has already been firmly established. I am not sure if there is a really easy way out of it.

I don't think there is an easy way out of it but some first steps are to discourage people from feeding birds or any type of non-pet animal. Make sure people bus their tables and put trash were it belongs or have CMs do it. In some areas (outdoor restaurants) you could also put up netting if not there already to discourage them. Even a netting overhang (rather than totally enclosed) might thwart some would be divebombers! Over time it might discourage enough birds to seek alternative food sources that the problem would lessen some.

PS - this was also a problem at the Grand Canyon but substitute squirrels for birds (and no pooping on anyone ) but we were told by a ranger that the most common injuries reported involve getting bit or scratched by squirrels. The bird problem at WDW could become a very serious health issue.

 

[Gone Disney]

we've been going to WDW religiously for 4 years now. We've been there countless times and I am glad to report that although we are aware of the birds we have never had them poop on us, steal anything from us or swoop down at us. Knock on wood - Thank God!

I agree that the number of birds there is concerning and I can not even think of eating outside most of the time. It completely disgusts me, those tables outside at some restaurants.

I do recall one time when we were at Epcot and sat outside at the Electric Umbrella to eat. There was this awful bird around some where just sqwaking and annoying me. A CM came by and asked if we found the bird yet and kinda smiled and walked off. I thought that was strange, but after a few minutes we finally realized it was a noise box. What idiots! Right? There were no birds around to bother us and the tables were clean. Now I don't know the whole story here. Maybe it was a test or something. But if it works to keep the birds away why don't they use them around all the parks? Just a thought.

BTW I really like the rabbits in MK? My daughter gets a kick out of seeing one every time.

 

[Lucky4me]

Someone in my group got pooped on a few days ago in Frontierland. We would have ate outdoors but were grossed out. People were feeding the birds and there were a lot swarming around.

I struck up a conversation with a CM working near the Fish and Chips place in the WS. He invited me and my group to come back and watch Illuminations in the preferred area there. It was a great view, but there was so much bird poop on the wall we had to stand a few feet away from it.

They need full time bird shooers. Also CMs to tell people to stop feeding them..

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by kaabost
OK, I was telling DH about this thread and he said that he had something to add......the rest of this post is directly from him.....enjoy

As I type this, the conure is on my shoulder eating its food. As it does this, it is making a big, big, mess in my apartment. There is nothing as Kaabost's "husband" that I can do about this. I live everyday with birdsh!@. It's on my clothes, on her clothes. on the floor, and in the bathroom. It's even in my bed because that's where the birds sleep. WITH US? Who sleeps with a large parrot? KAABOST DOES! That is how bad she is. My point is, don't bother arguing with this person. "Birdies" can do no wrong as far as she is concerned. That is the price I pay for loving her

I have no problem with kaabost liking birds to the point of letting them poop around your apartment. If she loves birds and is willing to put up with that (as are you) then more power to her. Part of the problem we are talking about is primarily aggressive birds in the parks. If your Macaw started attacking you or your houseguests over the food you were eating, I think (I would hope) that you might have a different opinion of having the birds free reign around the house.

I like birds too, but not when they are stealing food and scaring guests.

 

[Jen4974]

Okay, Im am truly not trying to trivialize anyones experience, I have to tell you I am ROTFLMBO!! Some of the visuals all of you have given me have me laughing so hard!!!

We are going Feb 21 - 28, and you can bet I am packing some ponchos or something. So if you see a woman tearing through Frontierland with a big 'ol bright poncho, its probably me!!!

 

[kaabost]

I have no problem with kaabost liking birds to the point of letting them poop around your apartment. If she loves birds and is willing to put up with that (as are you) then more power to her. Part of the problem we are talking about is primarily aggressive birds in the parks. If your Macaw started attacking you or your houseguests over the food you were eating, I think (I would hope) that you might have a different opinion of having the birds free reign around the house.

OK, OK, I know I know. I agree that the high avian population in WDW may be quite a problem especially for those who happen to not like birds. I understand. I'm just saying, I feel more sorry for the birds than I do for the people. I'm not saying that a problem does not exist. Take it from the bird point of view. They are aggressive because they can't "buy" lunch. They have to earn it....and they have very fast metabolisms=they starve quickly . A previous poster mentioned that a bird flew into them and scared them alot. Well, just think about how much it freaked the bird out. I just like to remember that any time we (people) step outside, whether it be WDW or a national park, we are just another animal sharing the same environment.

BTW, my DH likes to make fun of my stronger than normal attachment to my birds but what he didn't mention is that he is almost as crazy about them as I am. Also, we don't actually have a "poopie" problem in the apartment as they are pretty much potty trained (they poop on command in the trash can).

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by kaabost
Take it from the bird point of view. They are aggressive because they can't "buy" lunch. They have to earn it....and they have very fast metabolisms=they starve quickly

On this we agree totally. Us humans have created the problem by feeding them indescriminately. I wish Disney would take a more PRO-active approach - even as far as going and putting a notice on the guide maps - DO NOT FEED THE BIRDS. I would think that if even half of the feeding would stop, the problem would resolve itself - the birds would go looking elsewhere for food.

If they can have signs up in my local park about not feeding the ducks, you would think Disney could come up with some 'Disney-fied' sign they could have up.

Ok, I'm getting off my box now....

 

[chrisn]

This it hilarious! I know that it is a SERIOUS problem but this is too funny. I am trying to keep a straight face at work and my boss keeps looking over. We have experienced what we now refer to as the "Wicked Evil Birds". I agree that they are bad at MK. My DH got poopeed on. I think the worst we have experience though has got to be at Sea World feeding fish to the seals and dolphins. OMG, those birds are awful. DD had every single fish out of two trays stolen. On the other hand my DS-4 at the time did not lose a single fish. There was no way he was going to let the bad birds take away his fun. He had a death grip on those fish like no other. Too funny!

 

[kbkids]

We just got back from Disney yesterday, and I had ignored this thread until now - but holy cow!! You guys aren't kidding. We went last year at this time, and it wasn't near as bad as it was this year. Our first day there was the worst. We were sitting in Fantasyland trying to each lunch on one of the benches and finally gave up after getting pooped on and squawked at because we wouldn't "share" our food. Then later that afternoon, my husband and I were walking down Main Street with some fries for the family. This seagull swoops down, knocks one of the $2 boxes of fries off the tray onto the ground. Instantly we were surrounded by birds - and my husband lost it - this part was kinda funny. He was so mad that even though we weren't going to eat the fries now, he was determined they weren't either! So he starts yelling at them, picks up the fries and throws them away. The worst part though - and this really made me mad. My 5 year old daughter was eating popcorn in Tomorrowland. Just as she picked up a piece out of the box, a bird swooped down and picked it out of her finger, biting her in the process. Her finger started bleeding, she was screaming - a CM was standing right there talking to me when it happened and did nothing to help. I walked to a nearby store to try and find a band-aid - it was bleeding pretty steadily - and they had the nerve to charge me $2 for a 2 band-aids and a tiny bit of ointment. I understand there's little they can do to stop the birds, but they could be a bit more compassionate when something like this happens. Had she been trying to feed the birds, I could understand - but she wasn't. My husband swears we're taking slingshots with us next time - just kidding - I think.