has anyone else seen a huge spider at AKL?

[Cestlavenus]

I forget which one it was, but two years ago we saw a HUGE spider from one of the public viewing decks at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was a little ways away, but we could see it quite clearly; it was just under a first floor guest room's balcony, and it had to be nearly a foot in size!

My friend and I thought it had to be animatronic, but my dad said it was real. And it was so close to that guest room, I hate to think what would have happened if those people had left the patio door open...*shudders*

I'm sure its not a problem or anything, and WDW has controls in place and such. But I know I didn't imagine it, because my parents, my friend, and another family all saw it too. So I'm just curious if anyone here has seen a spider like that at AKL, and if anyone knows what kind of spider it may be, etc.

TIA!

PS - I loved AKL, highly recommend it!

 

[Lexxiefern]

A foot in size?!?!

 

[Cestlavenus]

It had to be close to that... the viewing deck was a good 20 feet away from the balcony, and we could see it *perfectly* Even from that distance it looked huge! Like I said, it was so big that pretty much everyone's first thought was "that can't be real."

And of course, its hard to get a size estimate from that distance, and it was a while ago... But it certainly wasn't your average spider, and it definitely made an impression on me. How many spiders can you spot easily from that far away? I ask ya.

If I remember correctly (probably not ) it was in a web that went from the bottom of the balcony to the ground. If it was a real spider, I'm sure it was something that was meant to be in the savannah area, because I don't think cleaning crews would miss something like that.

 

[Snowysmom]

Last summer at AKL we saw a huge spider in a web attached to the handrail going down to the parking area. It wasn't a foot across but probably about 6-7 inches. I am glad my DS saw it before I put my hand on the railing! And it was not animatronic.

 

[*Belle*]

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Originally posted by *Belle*

Ditto!!!!!!!!!

 

[dreamflight99]

It was by far, the largest spider I have ever seen. I was about larger than my hand, when all poised and spread on the wall. It also moved faster than most smaller spiders (*which are quite fast), which shocked everyone in the crowd (a group gathered after I began staring). It was at least 10 inches in diameter, but the body (thorax & abdoman) was not very large. It was a web-spider, (apparently on the move) and lean/long through the mid-section. I watched it until it was safely away from the crowd, and could escape into the bushes. (*Live and let live).

It was most likely the common Golden Orb...(The female is distinctively colored, and is among the largest orb-weaving spiders in the country @ 25 mm to 40 mm long), regularly spotted in Florida/Orlando:

~~A GOLDEN in the Web~~

*The bite of the golden Orb produces localized pain and slight redness, which quickly go away. It is considered less severe than a bee sting.


Another common LARGE Florida Spider is the Black and yellow argiope spider (reaches a length of 25 mm):

Pandora's box was opened in Florida...and they have MORE than their share of insects!! LOL...

TTFN...DF99

 

[CBCit]

If I show this thread to my kids they will never step foot in Disney again!

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

At the Poly we've seen HUGE spider webs in the trees and have see HUGE spiders in them. We couldn't believe how big they were (both the webs and the spiders). Oooo .... my skin is crawling!!!!

Debbie

 

[cottontail]

Geez I have never seen the spiders or webs at the poly or akl, or anywhere else in disney. I will look a little carefully next time we are there. lol.

Deb.

 

[kellydizfan]

It sounds like the ones we have. We have wood spiders that are large and can make you very sick if you are bitten by it. My husband killed one that came up out of the recliner after I just got out of it. It was the size of his palm if not larger with thick body and legs. I was screaming at the time along with all three kids. He had an awful time killing it. Made quite the mess. I can stand a snake before this thing!
-spider

 

[cottontail]

Oh boy, I sure hope we don't have the wood spiders in Ontario. right next to New York state. I would freak out. I can stand a snake before a spider too.

Deb.

 

[jennymouse]

Wow! I've never seen one either and hope I never do. Just imagine if someone saw it around Halloween and thought it was a decoration and tried to touch it!

 

[Connor&Cody'sMom]

Yikes! I'm glad I didn't read this BEFORE I went to AKL!!

 

[ztam3]

That really freaks me out. Spiders are creepy and crawly. I would have a hard time not making a fool of myself if I were to encounter one that large!

 

[luvthatduke]

Ok, last week I made the serious mistake
of reading the Centipede Thread...

And now I've made an even WORSE mistake!!

We've got the nasty Wood Spiders, too...

I think I'll stay up all night & read the
DIS boards I've missed...

Wait, what did I just feel on my back????????????

Good night... *sigh*

 

[Castillo Mom]

 

[disneyworld!]

OMG!!!!!!!!! Just looking at that picture COMPLETEY freaked me out!!!!!! I would most difently sleep with my 22 next to my bed!!!

 

[Esmerelda]

Although I have seen spiders at WDW in the past...none were that size...(thank god!). But I will say I have seen a spider that big here where I live. My house backs up to the woods and we have "wolf" spiders. I remember about 5 summers ago, stepping into the shed located at the bottom of my yard (at the woods) and putting my foot next to a spider that was larger than my size 5.5 Ked tennis shoe!!!! Holy mackerel...!!! I wet my plants then ran back to my house.

ick..ick...ick...
Esmerelda

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Hey what's that on your foot?