First Floor Critters Concern?

[ClarkDis7]

I've always heard that it is best to request a room higher than the first/ground floor at resorts in order to avoid any of the unwanted critters, reptiles, and various native FL wildlife from being guests in your resort room. However, with COVID, a ground floor room seems appealing for being able to avoid elevators and easy room access without going through the lobby (especially with a double stroller). So my question is for anyone that has stayed in a ground floor room, is there really a high chance of unwanted visitors if we are vigilant about keeping room and patio doors closed. Staying at BWV if it makes a difference in your opinion. Thanks!

 

[JM23457]

I've always heard that it is best to request a room higher than the first/ground floor at resorts in order to avoid any of the unwanted critters, reptiles, and various native FL wildlife from being guests in your resort room. However, with COVID, a ground floor room seems appealing for being able to avoid elevators and easy room access without going through the lobby (especially with a double stroller). So my question is for anyone that has stayed in a ground floor room, is there really a high chance of unwanted visitors if we are vigilant about keeping room and patio doors closed. Staying at BWV if it makes a difference in your opinion. Thanks!

I've stayed at ground floor rooms in Polynesian villas (summer), Contemporary garden wing (winter), and Yacht Club (summer), and have never seen anything in our room.

We've had about a dozen WDW resort stays over the past 10 years (every deluxe resort, Pop Century & Ft. Wilderness), and have never seen any bug or reptile in any of our rooms at all. Even when we tent camped at Fort Wilderness, we didn't have a bug or reptile problem.

Pest control is something Disney has a good lock on.

 

[Marionnette]

I've always heard that it is best to request a room higher than the first/ground floor at resorts in order to avoid any of the unwanted critters, reptiles, and various native FL wildlife from being guests in your resort room. However, with COVID, a ground floor room seems appealing for being able to avoid elevators and easy room access without going through the lobby (especially with a double stroller). So my question is for anyone that has stayed in a ground floor room, is there really a high chance of unwanted visitors if we are vigilant about keeping room and patio doors closed. Staying at BWV if it makes a difference in your opinion. Thanks!

The BWV ground floor rooms are on the first level. The lobby is on level 2. If you have a standard or pool/garden view, you will have a patio on the ground floor. If you have a BW view, you will have a balcony.

If you keep your patio door shut, then the chance of any wildlife or creepy crawly slithering beast getting into your room are pretty low.

 

[Alice Sr.]

You can do a search to see some of the bizarre cases/pics. I used to always request 1st floor but because I keep the patio door open after seeing some of the pics I now request not to be on the 1st floor. I am still cautious about leaving it open if there are trees in close proximity. Also I did see a healthy sized black snake slide across the grass to the bushes out side a room facing the quiet pool at BWV. The chances are slim that you would find one in the bushes outside your patio door but.... it is possible.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

it's Florida, you're going to see critters... it was their home first. don't panic, none of it can hurt you really. don't go swimming in the water features, you'll be fine

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

It really doesn't matter what floor you are on, you can get our critters on all floors. Just don't leave your outside door open.

 

[Marthasor]

As long as you keep the doors closed, you should be fine. We've stayed on the ground floor at Poly and BW and have seen ducks and snakes while walking on the paths, but nothing ever got inside our room.

 

[LimeGreenEd]

Have only seen snakes along the paths late at night, none near the rooms. Did however have a nosy duck that wanted to get into the room almost everytime we opened the door.

 

[Stratman50th]

As others have said, it's Florida. Anything that can get to your first floor room can also climb, crawl, fly, or slither to an upper floor. Disney has a very robust pest control program including bat houses to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Just remember to always check your peep-hole before opening the door. Some of our local critters are sneaky.

 

[disneyseniors]

We have been to WDW many times and always stay on the first floor, which is easier due to mobility reasons.
We have never, never seen any critters in our room. That would totally freak me out!
Maybe we've just been lucky, and I've just cursed us

 

[WEDWDW]

Anything that can get to your first floor room can also climb, crawl, fly, or slither to an upper floor.

True,but I think the higher you go the lower the odds.

This little guy was staking out first floor rooms at All-Star Music one year waiting for irresponsible Guests to place their food trays with scraps on them outside their doors for Housekeeping to pick up.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Unfortunately the current Mobile Order at Resort and take back to your room to eat ... is increasing trash outside the guest room doors . Definitely going to create a increase in bugs and mice, etc.
Enjoy or be polite and take trash to nearby trash can. Please.

 

[WEDWDW]

Unfortunately the current Mobile Order at Resort and take back to your room to eat ... is increasing trash outside the guest room doors .

And by the elevators and everywhere else you can think of!lol

 

[Deb & Bill]

Bugs and snakes will climb or fly if they want to get in. Same with rodents. Just don't leave the doors standing open or propped open.

 

[Carol_]

We had a 1st floor CCV studio in the spring right before the start of Armageddon, and we had no problems.

 

[Disneylover99]

Always more of a risk of critters if you’re leaving doors propped opened on the ground floor.

 

[soniam]

As others have said, it's Florida. Anything that can get to your first floor room can also climb, crawl, fly, or slither to an upper floor. Disney has a very robust pest control program including bat houses to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Just remember to always check your peep-hole before opening the door. Some of our local critters are sneaky.
View attachment 525542

I've heard of land sharks, but land gator

 

[rlk]

This greeted us in our first floor room at All Star Sports on our arrival night.

 

[Alice Sr.]

What is it?

 

[Dug720]

What is it?

looks like a slug which could easily slip under any door.