I knew this once but can't remember now- why can't you swim in 7 Seas or Bay Lake?

[anothertrip]

Something about algae? Red killer algae???? Or did I dream this? And what do you do on beach at Poly when the temptation to walk in strikes????

 

[hercamore]

alligators!

herc.

 

[chrismom2005]

i believe its about bactriea in the water. if you feel like going in just think about spending the rest of your vaca sick

 

[MissionMouse]

Water-borne infections/illnesses from bacteria and amoebas in Florida's freshwater areas is the reason.
http://www.ecofloridamag.com/askeditor_waterborne_illness.htm

 

[safetymom]

Amoebas and alligators.

 

[anothertrip]

Thanks everyone! We're not even staying at Poly or anything. VWL, but the beach there, as I recall, has no sand entry into the water. I recall a ledge, but I could be crazy.


It was driving me nuts not being able to remember what was up with the water.. I think my kids would go nuts at water-off-limits beach!

There are no alligators at WDW.

There are no alligators at WDW.

There are no alligators at WDW.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

At GF, you are allowed to go in a shallow area. Not swimming, but you can wade. We did that in May.

 

[Maria395712]

what about water sking and tubing which my family has done and what about when we went to river country I know none of them got sick but is it possible to get sick from being in the water from sking
maria

 

[disney-super-mom]

We were just there, and people are still water skiing on the lake. We saw several people zipping by.

We asked many CMs this very question, and they gave the same reasons...alligators/snakes. Some also mentioned the ameobas, but said it was only a summer problem.

And then there were some CMs that just said, "Yuck! Why would anyone want to swim in there?"

 

[colleen costello]

I went on the "Wonders of the Lodge" tour that they offer at Wilderness Lodge, last year. The nice CM who gave the tour grew up in Florida, and he said a law passed some years ago is responsible for the end of public bathing at quite a few Florida beaches, including the one near his home close to Orlando. He said the law designates water "visibility" meaning how far down you can see, and few lakes with certain native trees pass this standard, not because of dirt or bacteria but the natural staining effect of the trees... In fact he said Florida lakes are usually murky...

When I was a kid we always swam in Bay Lake! Fort Wilderness had a float lodged out a ways that had a slide on it, and you would slide down and shoot under the water. And of course River Country was right on the Lake... Hey, somehow we survived!

 

[kirbsam]

tough to get a straight answer on this one. nobody seems to really know for sure.

 

[Micca]

King Triton decreed that there would be no swimming in the lakes.

 

[blue_river]

King Triton decreed that there would be no swimming in the lakes.

 

[KingTryton]

King Triton decreed that there would be no swimming in the lakes.

Foolish tailless mortals. Do not attempt to swim in my lake. Get your own cove!
I have decreed that this lake shall only be used by those touched by my Triton as loyal subjects of the seas.

 

[maelstrom]

There are no alligators at WDW.

EVERY body of water in Florida can have alligators (lakes, ponds, swimming pools, large puddles, etc). I have seen pictures of alligators in WDW waters (like right behind the turkey leg stand in Frontierland).

 

[DisneyDotty]

My kids' pediatrician made me promise not to let them swim in freshwater lakes in Florida--nasty bacteria. Not sure if she knows what she's talking about, but I'm not messing with her--she scares me!
When we were at the Poly last month, we saw several kids swimming--not just wading--in the lagoon.

 

[anothertrip]

EVERY body of water in Florida can have alligators (lakes, ponds, swimming pools, large puddles, etc). I have seen pictures of alligators in WDW waters (like right behind the turkey leg stand in Frontierland).

NO!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are no alligators in WDW.

And no sharks either.

 

[clkelley]

It's probably a combination of all of the above, plus money and staffing.

It takes specialized personnel to keep the lake clean enough for swimming. It takes specially trained lifeguards to watch swimmers in lakewater. (Ever seen/done a missing person drill in a body of water where you can't see the bottom). My hope is to someday work as a lifeguard at WDW. I am trained in the above drill, but I will NEVER work in an area wear it might be required. I'll stick with a swimming pool, thank you.

 

[Lynne M]

My kids' pediatrician made me promise not to let them swim in freshwater lakes in Florida--nasty bacteria. Not sure if she knows what she's talking about, but I'm not messing with her--she scares me!
When we were at the Poly last month, we saw several kids swimming--not just wading--in the lagoon.

Your pediatrician was probably talking about an infection caused by a parasitic amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) that tends to be more common in warm-water lakes. If you get water up your nose, the amoeba can get into your brain and cause a thoroughly horrible form of meningitis that's very difficult to treat, and is usually fatal. Sounds like something out of a horror movie, I know, but it's true. Here's the CDC fact sheet:

http:/www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/naegleria/factsht_naegleria.htm#common

It's rare, but there were two cases in the Orlando area in 2002. I learned about this in parasitology class several years ago, and vowed to never, ever, set foot in a lake in Florida. I cringe every time I see people watching their kids play in the water in a WDW lake, standing right next to that big sign that says 'don't go into the lake'.

 

[Bay in TN]

OK, I know there's no clear answer. And I also haven't looked into this lately, but... aren't they planning a triathlon in WDW sometime soon? And... wasn't the swimming portion of that race supposed to be in Bay Lake? So... Um.... why is it OK for triathletes to swim in, but not regular folks?

Like I said, I could be wrong. I'm going to post this and go Google "WDW triathlon." Maybe I'm just imagining things.

--Bay