Bay Lake & Seven Seas Lagoon Swimming??

[eroller]

It's been quite a few years since I've been to WDW, and I've been reading that swimming is no longer allowed in Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon.

I'm just curious why this is no longer safe, and was it really safe when swimming was allowed? As a child, I loved swimming in the lakes from the beaches of the Contemporary and Polynesian Village hotels. I'm curious just when this was stopped, and for what reason?

Also, is water skiing still allowed, and if so, do you have to wear a wet suit since in essence you will be swimming in the lake?

One last question! Since River Country is really part of Bay Lake, is this the reason it was closed.... due to unsafe swimming conditions in the lake?

Ok... I lied... one more! I remember when fishing was also allowed in Bay Lake from FW. I believe Disney stocked the lakes with fish when they were originally drained, cleaned, and refilled (also making Seven Seas Lagoon in the process out of a swamp). Are there still fish in the lake, and is fishing still allowed (of course I know you always have to throw the fish back.... as least this was the rule in the past)?

Thanks so much for all your help with these questions. I'm really impressed with all the WDW knowledge on this board!

Best regards,
Ernie Roller
Atlanta

 

[NHMickey]

You can still go fishing... I believe you need to rent a boat though. Also swimming is not allowed for a few reasons... One is Gators and Snakes. This is Fla so they have both and both live in those lakes. Also with all the birds the water is not very clean and you could get very sick. As for the water park closing... It closed do to lack of use and was just outdated... The water was taken from the lake but was filtered and chlorinated (SP)

 

[Grumpy92]

Like many Fla lakes due to pollution a nice bacteria has taken over the lake. Unfortunately this makes it unsafe for swimming. I too remember swimming in Bay Lake & 7Cs lagoon in my early years. You can put your feet in but I wouldnt get it in your ears or nose.

Yes you can water ski, parasail & fish. Just call (407) wdw-play
They still stock the lake with bass, as well as some other locations but I beleive it is strictly catch & release.

The official statement about RC is that due to budget constraints it would be closed.

 

[catheren]

Grumpy92 is correct, many lakes in FL have postings not to submerge yourself.

I remember there was a wave machine at the Poly!

 

[Disneydenise]

Why is it that they will let you water ski in the lake but they won't let you swim in it. Maybe I just stink at water skiing. I really do but, Don't you have to get in the water to get your self up to ski. I haven't ever parasailed but don't you get dunked in the drink then too? I am just wondering, I wouldn't want to swim in any lake. I am a Jersey girl, gotta love my ocean.

 

[Thmacs]

Lets just say Disney is very selective about who and when people can swim in the lake. 3 weeks ago I participated in the Danskin Women's Triathalon. We did indeed swim in "the lake". I had heard stories about gators, snakes and bacteria and felt if they were really true they would not have let 1500 women swim there. I can say I did not see any gators or snakes (all right , I wasn't looking) and so far no bubonic plauge from lake bacteria. I can't say it was the best swim I ever had, but the water wasn't as bad as I was anticipating.

 

[eroller]

Originally posted by Disneydenise
Why is it that they will let you water ski in the lake but they won't let you swim in it. .

This is what I was wondering as well. I'm really curious what the true driving force behind this is? I guess it's a combination of many things....... but it still seems like some type of swimming is still allowed, especially after reading the last post (at least in limited capacities).

If bacteria were the main problem, I would think that no one would be allowed to swim in the lake, including water skiers and special events.


Thanks for the responses!
Ernie Roller
Atlanta

 

[Tikiman]

Well Here is my 2 cents and what I have been told by WDW resort Engineers. Gators? Yes there are gators but is not the reason for no swimming. Most of the gators that are in the water stay away from the areas where people are other than an occasional gator coming up on the beach at some of the resorts. Now coming from someone who use to have one as a pet (me) they would not come up on the beach if the beach were crowded with people or swimmers in most cases. Bacteria? I doubt it since as stated they allow water skiing and yes River Country did use the water from the lake and there was nothing to filter it from the lake to the cove where everyone swam (see picture below). I can even remember swimming up to the bridge and seeing that all there was between the lake and the cove was a net.

The reasons I was told swimming was not allowed was because of people getting out to far and being around the boat traffic. They put up the signs on the beach about bacteria because it is true many lakes in Florida have a bacteria problem and they don’t want to take a chance and they knew the signs would keep people from breaking the rules and go swimming when no one is looking, and yes the Polynesian use to have a wave machine off the shores of Beachcombers island but it eroded the beach too bad and was shut down shortly after it started up.

Well that is all I know and believe about the swimming situation.

Aloha

Steve

 

[erikthewise]

Correct me if I'm wrong Steve, but I've read that the wave machine is actually still out there in Seven Seas Lagoon, though it hasn't been used for 30 years.

 

[dsneygirl]

When I was about 7 we stayed at FW and I got really sick from swimming in the lake. I had a bad infection and needed penicillan and a doctor came to our camper.

I think the swimming ban is a combination of all those factors. Also when you are an adult water skiing you are maybe more careful. A small child could be more vulnerablt to bacteria and could drink the lake water (blech)

 

[drusba]

I think the reason for why skiing is allowed and not bathing is fairly simple -- which one do you think they charge a fee for?

 

[NHMickey]

The water from the lake does not flow in to River Country dierctly from the lake it only flows out. At the edge of the swiming hole is a ledge that the water can return to the lake. It is about a 2 foot drop. Also if you do the Skiing and Parasailing you are (or you were) given Ear Plugs to wear. One other factor could be the cost.... You would need a lot of Life Guards for the beaches as well as all the pools and water parks. So I am sure expense has something to do with it. And I too got an ear infection from River Country once. I will have to contact Disney to see if I can get an Offical answer... What a good question.

 

[Poly Pal]

Yes there are gators in the lakes (just like any other body of fresh water in Florida). The gators get "re-located" by Disney at night. (You can see the boats' pilot lights at night from the Polynesian LV).

I think amoeba (amoebi??) in the water can also be a problem. Two kids age 10 - 12 died earlier this year as a result of an amoeba infection after swimming in different Florida lakes. The amoeba most likely entered their bodies through the nose.

My kids still like to play on the sand beach at the Polynesian but swim in the pools!

 

[Tikiman]

erikthewise


The wave machine was still there for many years but for the most part has been removed.

Steve