Gators in Bay Lake

[4DisneyAddicts]

Just returning from the Fort. I had heard in past years that there have been gators trapped and removed from Disney waterways, but I've never seen any. We saw two this past week, a small one by WL dock and a 6 footer by the Fort dock. Have any of you had sightings?

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

Well now that you ask Yes we have seen gators on property. The most distressing sighting was on the dock near the --I think it is mill on Tom Sawyers Island. We noticed it from across the river. We let a Cm know and maybe 20 mins later two employees with animal control walked up to the gator and waved hands till the gator slithered into the water-- ya the river. The employees left and low and behold if that gator did not crawl back up on the beach area again. It was rather small but still made me shudder. Not sure who actually was controlling who gator or man. Looks like gator won that one. I did take pictures. I thought no one would think my sighting was real.

Would I wade in any of the water areas at DL. Probably not. I now wonder about the old water park they had at Fort Wilderness I think it was located on a portion of the lake-- but not sure.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

yup.

 

[2goofycampers]

We have seen several in the canals/lake at Ft Wilderness. The biggest being about 4 foot. They must remove them at a certain size or we'd be seeing BIG ones.

 

[CDNCruiser]

Yup, we have seen several small ones beside the canal behind the 800 loop as we walk the dogs.

Hey . . . it's Florida . . . I think the gators were there first!

-

 

[4DisneyAddicts]

The CM told us they relocate them when they are over 5 feet. The second one we saw was about 6 or more, he said they would definitely trap that one. Guess that is part of the reason they don't allow swimming in the lake anymore.

 

[2goofycampers]

Someone asked before where they go. I hear they/some go here.

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiative...sweprotect/the-disney-wilderness-preserve.xml

 

[willowsnn3]

Not exactly a sighting but once at POP Century we walked as far as you could go on the bridge/walkway towards the now AOA. Looking at the edge of the water there was a big cage. A cm came out while we were there & put a big chunk of meat in the cage as bait.........

 

[FLDisneyFan]

Gators are a part of life living in Florida, which is why I don't swim in Florida's natural waters. Unfortunately, many lose their natural fear of humans when humans feed them and they make their way into the people's yards and pools.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I usta live in Florida for many years, never had any personal (bad) experiences with gator, but I'm pretty sure one of them enjoy'd one of my little dogs, (may he rest in peace).

 

[mikmouse]

We saw one swimming around in the waters where the Riverboat is in Magic Kingdom.

 

[arotundo]

Like most have said welcome to Fl! part of life here and for the most part as long as no one feeds them they stay away. We were there in March and last weekend (June 18-21). Here are the ones we saw in March, they were working on trapping these that week. One Two We only saw one in June but no picture. Here is what fell about 2 feet from us at Epcot in March corn snake "rat snake" constricting a bird. People were freaking out but this type of snake but they are common pets. No worry with them

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I agree, gators aren't much to worry about unless they get a tad bit hungry.

 

[Cin]

Gators are everywhere in FL. I saw a baby at ASMU back by the swamp that runs behind the country fair area, I was on a photo taking tour and I didn't see it at first, until it yipped (I didn't know they barked?) and it jumped in to the water. I asked one of the bus drivers about his encounters with alligators and he had lots of stories to tell.

 

[sharadoc]

We saw one waiting for the boat at FW in June that had to be around 5 feet long. Right near the dock.

 

[luckycharm19335]

You have to remember that Florida is nothing but a huge swamp. The native wildlife was there first. You can come upon a gator or snake anywhere.
Its their land that we are trespassing on.

 

[Classof83]

I agree, gators aren't much to worry about unless they get a tad bit hungry.

Is this why there is no "Bambi" attraction?

 

[manning]

Someone told this stoy.

Someone from NJ was feeding a gator that was in the canal next to BCV. A person next to him pointed out it was against the law to feed them. The feeder said since he was from NJ the law didn't apply to him. The person calmly looked at him and said "yes it does" and flashed a badge. The guy got arrested.They didn't know if the officer was working the area or just got ticked off at what the guy said.

 

[henwen]

You have to remember that Florida is nothing but a huge swamp. The native wildlife was there first. You can come upon a gator or snake anywhere.
Its their land that we are trespassing on.

LOL, I momentarily forgot it was Florida and thought the gators were of the "I flushed the reptile-that-I-no-longer-wanted-that-I-got-from-the-pet-store " variety... <blush>

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Someone told this stoy.

Someone from NJ was feeding a gator that was in the canal next to BCV. A person next to him pointed out it was against the law to feed them. The feeder said since he was from NJ the law didn't apply to him. The person calmly looked at him and said "yes it does" and flashed a badge. The guy got arrested.They didn't know if the officer was working the area or just got ticked off at what the guy said.

Very good story,, me like,

Didja ever wonder how people got to be that stupid ?
"Well, that laws aren't meant for me",