Beach swimming at resorts??

[cinlee3]

I tried to post this question a while back but couldn't.

I was looking through some of my sister's photos of WDW and noticed in her pics of the Poly lagoon that there were lots of people swimming there??? Were you able to swim in that water at some point. They stayed there twice about 5-6 years ago and both times she said people were swimming in the lake water every day they were there. She also said she didn't recall any signs saying no swimming (but then she never recalls details)

I personally don't like swimming in lakes period!- Just curious about this.

 

[drusba]

Swimming was allowed until about 5 years ago and has been banned since.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I think the bacteria levels in the lake water are too high for humans to safely swim.

Also, alligators are an issue in Florida freshwater. They are in WDW.

 

[dbail2]

snapping turtles I heard...

 

[dumboroo]

Originally posted by JerseyJanice
Also, alligators are an issue in Florida freshwater. They are in WDW.

I highly doubt WDW has an infestation of alligators in their lakes. Since alligators do go on to land we would see them on the banks of the lakes. All the lakes in WDW are man made so, the alligators would have to be placed in there; and even if they were not I am sure Disney checks for them frequently to make sure all their gusts are safe.

 

[Threehearts]

We were just at the Poly from 4/27-5/1 and my husband and I were astounded at the number of people swimming in the lagoon behind the Hawaii area. MANY of these toddlers were getting mouthfuls of this not so great water and the parents didn't seem to read the signs. People were swimming about 5 feet out and my daughter remarked, "why do those kids swim where the water is rusty(brown)?" Yuck!! We have not seen this on our previous Poly stays. Anyone else? Threehearts

 

[drusba]

As to an alligator problem, note that they do show up occassionally in those man made lakes as the lakes have channels running from them to various places including natural ponds and swamp areas. They are usually removed when found.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I saw an alligator in the lake at Coronado Springs.

A CM there told us when they reach a certain length (I think it's 4 feet), they are trapped and moved elsewhere.

 

[tampafan]

The water is brown due to tannen, which is an acid that comes from oaks. I do not think that it will hurt you, but it will stain. I would heed the signs and not swim, there is probably a VERY good reason.

 

[SAKPEG99OKW]

I don't know if it's true or not but a good friend was a CM at MGM. She told us that if a CM falls into any of the waterways during working hours they are sent first to get tetnus(sorry for the spelling) shots and then sent home for three days.

The brown coloring in the water is from the surounding trees, not bacteria. I would stay out of the lakes at WDW, just because of the possible bacteria. I would think that you could get the revenge.

Scott, Peg and Tyler

 

[cinlee3]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I had heard of people occassionally swimming in the lakes but when I saw my sis's pictures there were so many people swimming, I was just curious.

I saw some boys splashing in the water at CBR and I cringed - the water is really gross.

 

[Grumpy92]

Until the last few years swimming was allowed in the wdw lakes. Like many Florida lakes polution has resulted in Warning signs being posted about the hazardous bacteria. Believe me if I had children there is no way I would let them swim in those lakes. Alligators do occasionally find their way into WDW lakes & canals but WDW tries to relocate these critters to their nearby wilderness preserve.

 

[married2grumpy]

We're just back from a stay at the Poly 4/21-4/29 and there were no swimming signs posted. I saw mostly adults and kids with their feet in the water but some kids were in deeper. I did let my kids play in the sand at the beach and put their feet in the water but that was it. With the beautiful pools these resorts offer why would anyone want to swim in the lagoon. Yuck!

 

[disneydawn6]

Don't they have water skiing and parasailing in Bay Lake?? If the water is so bad why would they let you water ski?