Anyone gone swimming in Bay Lake?

[floridafam]

Have you ever gone swimming in Bay Lake-possibly for the triathlon that has the swim start at the Contemporary?

DH registered for the Florida Half Ironman in May that will have the swim take off from FW.

Did you get sick after swimming in Bay Lake.

I know that it is usually not allowed. Do you know of anyting WDW does to the water before people are allowed to swim in it.

Any suggestions for what to avoid?

If you live in Florida, is there anything you do as a precaution before swimming in a lake?

Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[LvsTnk]

Don't know if this would qualify, but my three children and I did the water ski, wakeboard, tube thing with Tommy Duvall that takes place on Bay Lake. Happy to report no illness for any of us (out here for about 2hrs. with a great instructor) and we had a blast!!

 

[EpcotBill]

The last time I went swimming in Bay Lake was 1974.

 

[WhispyPixie]

Our kids playing in the water before signs were really posted on the banks....they never got sick.. I thought the warnings were more for lake critters

 

[WhispyPixie]

Our kids playing in the water before signs were really posted on the banks....they never got sick.. I thought the warnings were more for lake critters

 

[vgaskin]

YOu used to be allowed to swim in Bay lake for years. In fact, they even have a water park in bay lake(although closed indefinately last I heard) called River Country. There used to be swimming beaches at Ft. Wilderness, Poly and Contemperary. We swam in the lake every year as kids and never got sick. I am not sure why they stopped it, I have seen tons of rumors but nothing I know for sure. I am sure if it wasn't safe, Disney wouldn't allow you to do it for the marathon. Also, with the parasailing and all the other water sports, there is always the chance you will fall in the water. It may had been because of the number of people or for reasons not related to health at all. I think it will be fine, I wish they would open back up the beaches and River Country.

 

[Cinderella37]

Around the same time that Disney started prohibiting swimming in Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, the results of a study were released that found that bacteria in the lakes could be carcinogenic. I remember reading the articles in the Orlando Sentinel during a WDW vacation. When I was little, I used to swim in the lagoon from the Polynesian beaches all the time. As far as I know, Disney has never come out and said that this is why swimming is not allowed.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

In general, I wouldn't swim in any Florida lake. There are increasing instances where bacteria, amoebas, and other nasty things invade a swimmer's body. A twelve year old boy died last year as a result of an amoeba, picked up from a lake, entering his brain. Absolutely horrifying.

Also, 'gators are always an issue, regardless of whether you're on WDW property or not. And snakes. Poisonous ones.

Nope, I'm not swimming in any lake. Now the ocean, that's a different matter. What's the harm in swimming around with some red tide and a few sharks?

 

[Lewski709]

I have skied and jet skied there, but never swam. I think it is only used to parasail, wakeboard, jet ski and water ski anymore. Those are events that you have to sign a waiver for and I am sure the waiver covers any risk from the water. Do they have to sign a waiver to participate in the Marathon?

I wouldn't let my kids swim there. There are plenty of other places to swim. The rumors about the possibilities are enough to steer me away.

 

[dawgfan]

I do not know if this is an issue but me, my wife, and our two kids were getting off the bus and facing the lagoon in front of MK when we looked down to see a leech crawling toward the bus stop from the lagoon. I assumed at the time that people were allowed to swim in the lake. We said that we would never swim in the lakes due to this. It really freaked my wife out.

 

[colleen costello]

When I was a kid we camped most summers of the glorious '70's at Ft. Wilderness. There was no pool then, and we swam in the lake every day we were there. They had a big, anchored float you could swim to and dive off, and we would jump into the water and get our heads under, etc. Yuk! Now they know that Florida weather is too warm to kill off bacteria that can POSSIBLY be dangerous. Can it hurt you? Theoretically, yes. My Dad often got ear infections after our Florida trips, but the rest of us survived (We also drove around without seatbelts and breathed in second-hand smoke EVERYWHERE). Going in the lake is probably less risky than whatever transportation you take to Orlando!

 

[D&R love Disney]

I remember swimming in Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon back in the 70's. Fort Wilderness didn't even have a pool back then. When they opened River Country the water from the lake was what you swam in except for the pool that was there.

Now I'm always on the look out for gators when I'm in the boats or water mouse boats.

 

[princess angel]

there are Alligators !!!!!!!!! forget about swimming, it is not worth the risk! I have seen gators in both seven seas lagoon/bay lake & crescent lake .

Laura

7 days til WDW!!! YIPEEEEEE!!!

 

[floridafam]

Gators. Yuck.

He has to swim. The swim is in Bay Lake for the triathlon. They do have lifeguards and race personnel on jet skis and in boats. He does have to sign a waiver for every race he is in.

Hopefully, nothing will happen to anyone. He's never encountered a shark in his other races that are in the ocean.

He's hoping he will be able to wear his wet suit for a little added protection from the water but I doubt the water will be very cold the last week of May.

Thanks for all of the information.

 

[Lewski709]

The wet suit will only slow him down. I wouldn't recommend that. The drag from that will be horrendous. I would call the committe with questions about gators and the lake. There has to be someone with info that is involved. Maybe they drag the lake before hand to get possible gators. Ease your concerns and try to get in contact with someone.

It certainly will be warm enough!!!

 

[floridafam]

Lewski709,

Thanks for the info.

I think the only reason he wears his wetsuit is when the water is cold. In some races it is mandatory. In others, it's not allowed at all. I could be mistaken, but I think he actually swims a little faster with his wetsuit on-something about the material it is made of.

They will have a mandatory race meeting the day before and I will make sure he addresses the water concerns.

I'm just so excited. It's going to be so great to be at WL and see all of the other athletes and their families preparing.

Thanks again for all of the information everyone.

 

[HumphreyBear]

I think that the concern with the "ameobas" is if you stir up the mud in the bottom - swimming in the deep water is OK - that is why water skiing etc. is ok.

 

[froglady]

Gators don't like power boats very much, and tend to avoid crowds. If there are boats/jetskis "flanking" the swimmers, I doubt that the gators will come near them.

 

[nasmith]

I swam in the Seven Seas Lagoon (connected to Bay Lake via the boat waterways (ie. same water)) last year for the Danskin Triathalon. Actually that was Sept. 2002. Water was like bath water- so I doubt he'll need his wet suit! No problems with infections, or anyone getting sick as far as I know. Had little bits of seaweed stuck to me inside my suit afterwards, touched a couple fish as I was swimming. Didn't hear of anyone getting any leeches, and Disney would definitely patrol for gators! They had many people out in boats around the swimmers. Disney is hyper about lawsuits- so I definitely think they monitor for bad water before allowing thousands of people to get in it and swim. It was fun! Jill

 

[floridafam]

nasmith,

Glad to hear you didn't have any problems with your swim.

Thanks for the info.