Disney Gator

[CPM]

Originally posted by rabyoga
While on the riverboat, we saw a little gator in the water by Tom Sawyer's Island. It was a small one- 4-5feet. He popped up and floated a bit

I've seen him a few times. I'm surprised that they have kept him there. Reason being is I have also seen people feed it, now it won't have fear of man which is not a good thing.
I find it hard to believe that these CM's don't know he's around

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by 8caliace
Prior to the construction at SOG, we would see several gators each morning in the ponds near the driveway. It was tradition that on the morning walk to the Poly to see how many we could find. Sometimes they would even be up on the banks right near the sidewalks. I think the most we saw at one time was 4 or 5. I hope they are still there even after all the SOG construction.

Saw a little one May 1 in the pond on the left as you go up the entrance drive to the hotel....just a little guy watching us as we walked down the sidewalk....he was in the water right at the bridge....didn't see him the rest of the week, though...

 

[Loriws]

During the time I worked at WDW, there were gators all over property - in the lagoons, lakes, and the canals that criss-cross the backstage areas. Animal Control does move them when they get too big or are no longer showing fear of humans.

One of my favorite things about driving in the backstage areas was seeing all the different animals! Besides the gators, I've seen wild cats, rabbits, possums, and LOTS of deer (especially at dusk)!

 

[Tess]

The Riverboat Cruise, near Aunt Polly's on Tom Sawyer Island, at CBR (not the boating lake), YC/BC dock, golf course in front of SoG, and out at FW. Can't stand these creatures--almost as bad as snakes for me! Blech!

 

[shatzjsl]

Interesting. I guess I've never really thought about gators in and around WDW. I'll have to keep my eye out for them. Thanks for letting me know where to look.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

We saw a gator in the water between the CR and MK several times on our trip last October. DH saw it first and didn't think it was really a gator, but then we saw it several other times and it definantly was. It was probably about 4-4 1/2 foot long.

A little OT, but when we were at a Myrtle Beach SC shopping complex (Barefoot Landing), there was a huge gator in the lake there. The funny thing is that a group of older teens had been playing and took someone's shoe and threw it into the water, landing right next to the gator!!! Needless to say, the group was heading for the closest store that sold shoes. It was hillarious to watch!!

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

Actually, cm's do know about the gators, at least the ones the the Rivers of America area. If you pay attention, you'll notice that there's almost ALWAYS a CM on the bridge from Upper Frontierland to Lower Frontierland (the Splash bridge). Those cm's are on gator watch. There's about 3 gators that uaually lives behind Westward Ho, the food cart right there. People foolishly feed them turkey legs from that walkway, despite the signs that say don't feed the critters.

Really sadly, all those cute baby ducks you guys are seeing? a lot of them will end up lunch fro the gators

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I never saw any gators, but I remember when I was little, I saw a bunny hopping around one of the parks. I was so jealous that the bunny got to live at WDW.

 

[Sinclare]

yep, we saw one about the same size right there at the bridge when we were there last year.

 

[WhispyPixie]

Every Disney Trip we give our kids something to hunt for..perhaps talking trash can....talking water fountain..etc.....and whomever finds it gets a prize.....

You have all inspired our next trip item to find.....A GATOR!!! We leave in a week! Thanks guys!

 

[missydisney]

My second visit in 1995 I was in the lazy river at Typhoon Lagoon. Sure enough swimming along the edge beside me was a snake. Not a big one about a foot long. Poor little guy kept trying to get up the edge and coudln't.
We stayed at Fort Wilderness Homes and got to see alot of wildlife. Rabbits, Deer and Armadillos,.
Armadillos also have been know to cross the road and they can be murder on a tire if you hit one. I almost did one night about three years ago.
Nature is a special part of Disney. To have that much wildlife near a developed areais awesome.
Enjoy what you can.

 

[Blueberry]

Years ago we saw a fairly good size gator in the waterway you see behind Adventureland/Frontierland from the train..The engineer commented on it even as he was obviously out there sunbathing, called him Old Pete or Old Sam cannot remember now. We rode the train completely around again so we could see him, and the animal control people were removing him when we came around again...

 

[Baloo]

Oh we saw the cutest little gaggle of baby ducklings around the elephants in JC one summer...little fuzzy wuzzy ones! We see bunnies all the time especially at Epcot.We've seen armadillos and deer while driving towards WL.We also came across a snake slithering across the sidewalk between the Swan and Dolphin...my boys were thrilled....Mom wasn't!!

On our trip 2 weeks ago we hung around the pond in China after the fireworks.DH Joe and DS Erich were on a bullfrog hunt! We could hear at least 3 and finally this HUGE one got up on a lilypad where we could see him.He was a GIANT...the legs on him humungous....Joe was picturing them fried!


We really love spotting RL critters around WDW!

 

[sodaseller]

Originally posted by currycook
We live in Florida. Once you live in Florida for several years gators are not big thing. We usually have one in the lake out in front of our house.

Exactly. They are not really anything to be concerned about, even if you were in the water

 

[flyinglizard]

sodaseller- are you saying that it would be OK to swim in a river where you know there are gators?

Wouldn't it be reasonable for the gator to grab you by the head? Like what happened last week in Florida?

 

[sodaseller]

I would feel safe. Have done it. It's a different matter for dogs, or if the gator has been fed by humans (makes them lose their fear), or if you are the Everglades during mating season.

They are not normally aggressive

 

[Uncle Scar]

On our trip last July we saw a little gator, about 3-4 ft, just off the Polynesian beach. This was just before the Water Parade came by, so it was a big attraction for all the people waiting for the parade.

They posted a lifeguard there to make sure no one did anything they shouldn't. Disney Animal Control was called, but by the time they arrived the gator was gone.

Animal Control was called to make sure the gator and guests kept their distance and everyone was OK. They didn't feel the gator posed a threat. Just precaution.

It was cool to see one up close.

 

[flyinglizard]

Whoa sodaseller- I then admit, you are far braver than I. I would not swim with gators even if I knew their personal history. I understand what you mean about mating season, but I have always maintained a great respect for any animal with large, sharp teeth and powerful jaws. That includes gators, rattle snakes and pit bulls!

If we can agree to STRESS one very important thing to those reading this thread: "PLEASE don't feed the gators!" It is against the law for good reasons, and in the end, you may bring harm to your self, but will certainly bring harm to the alligator.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by rabyoga
While on the riverboat, we saw a little gator in the water by Tom Sawyer's Island. It was a small one- 4-5feet. He popped up and floated a bit (around the white picket fence), a minute or so and then went under water. I asked a few cast members about it- they didn't seem to really know much about it. I talked with the train cast member- he said that Disney has gators in the water. Disney allows the gators to live there-provided they don't get too big or lose their fear of people.
Any one else see the Disney Gator???
It made my trip...

Haven't seen that particular one but I see others all the time. There is always a huge one by the Haunted Mansion. Every time he is sunning himself on the side by the bridge. There are too many gators in Florida for WDW to kid themselves into thinking they are allowing them or not. It would be impossible. A few weeks ago at the Poly a CMcame up the beach on a boat and warned some folks to keep their kids out of the water deeper then their ankle because of frequent gator sightings there.

 

[kdibattista]

DH and I saw one at the Osprey Ridge golf course