Kind of sad, no more peacocks

[always quiet]

I had noticed the lack of peacocks almost immediately. We always loved the sound of them calling from the trees, especially first thing in the morning. Initially, we thought that maybe it was because we were in a cabin and not our camper this time around (I had heard before that the peacocks preferred the camping end). When we went down to the Settlement area we specifically started looking for them.

Funny peacock story from Dec. 2002. We had gone into the petting zoo. There, in the chicken coop was a male peacock. He was REALLY strutting his stuff, trying to get a female chicken to notice him. We got talking to a CM who working in that area, commenting on how desperate this male was. She had told us that it had recently been mating season and all the other 'gentlemen' had found a lady-friend, but this poor guy didn't!! He didn't care what species it was, as long as it was a girl!! He was so pretty and he let us take lots of pictures.

 

[DisneyMomOK]

11111111111111

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

not a one to be found last week during our sojourn @ the fort.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

I was at FW in Oct. for the Hoop Dee Doo and missed them I thought it was becasue they were hiding because it was the day of Hurricane Wilma. 90% of my Disney stays have been at FW I'm going to miss them.

 

[myboysnme]

I am so disappointed to hear about the peacocks. On our trip this past June, that was one of our trip highlights. My four year old DS and 7 year old niece loved seeing the peacocks. On our last day, we watched them run around for an hour waiting to see if they would open their feathers. When we had finally given up and were walking away, it happened. Guess he was being stubborn and realized his audience was leaving! Of course, we were there another half hour watching after that because the kids were fascinated.

Where can they be found at AK?

 

[We4mickey]

here is a link to some pics.To see a larger pic click on photo.
http://www.sendpix.com/albums/06012805/lp0cp70dvu/

 

[ktmdad450]

Were going next month, and I just ran back and woke my wife up to tell her the peacocks were gone! We loved hearing them in the morning! boy what else do we have to look foreward to when we get there? will there be water in the pool, or did someone complain about that being too high.

 

[bobbiwoz]

here is a link to some pics.To see a larger pic click on photo.
http://www.sendpix.com/albums/06012805/lp0cp70dvu/

Wow, beautiful pictures! Thank you. We're not campers but we have stayed in the cabins with our sons in the '80's and 90's, now that we're DVC, we love to stay at VWL and ride bikes around FW. I have the best memories of WDW staying in the cabins, going to the campfires, and just being in that wonderful area, Ft. Wilderness. Yes, a snake did pass through our site at least once, once is all I noticed.

Bobbi

 

[FTWFAN]

On our last trip to WDW I was eating at Flame Tree BBQ at AK. I had taken a table down close to the water and a snake about 20" long visited me at my table.

Yes, he scared me and I did move out of his way. A CM saw me jump up and move and asked if everything was OK. I showed him the snake and we both agreed that although I was terrified of him, AK is his home, not mine.
Does this mean we will have to relocate him too??????????
The CM did call someone to relocate him to a little more private area(for the snakes safety). He said WDW didn't want a child getting hold of him and hurting him or getting hurt themselves.

It is so sad that people cant seem to get along with the wildlife anymore. My family truly misses the peacocks at FW. Seeing the peacocks has always been one of the highlites of our visits. The kids LOVE them!

 

[tink'smom2B]

I think the peacocks have been gone for a couple of years now. We are DVC members, but spent most of the last 30 years camping at FW. I miss them most of all in the morning. We would always ride to the petting zoo in our golf cart and they would be so loud (in a good way). The last couple of trips there, I didn't hear them. I thought maybe they disappeared after the hurricane blew through. Disney should definitely bring them back!!!

 

[BradyBz12]

They were by pioneer hall. One had even gotten up on the roof and was looking down and fussing at people from his high perch. It was great!

Ooh - maybe they found a way to escape AK and they're plotting their re-invasion of the Fort.




I miss the peacocks.

 

[jenscourt]

I personally saw two giant chipmunks last time I went to the singalong. I still have nightmares. Anyone know a good attorney?

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

Have you ever saw a peacock fight its reflection in the basement doors of a coach? It is not a pretty sight. Our friend's Monaco had to have both sides repainted. This was in Naples, though, not the Fort. I would assume the Fort's peacocks did the same. I do miss them, though.

 

[BradyBz12]

My favorite peacock memory was walking the back trail from the end of the canal on 300 to the Settlement trading post and having a full out peacock escort.

 

[itch1]

I miss them so much, I loved to wake up to thier sounds.
My favorite memory was when my nephews were about 4 we were hanging out at the porch at TE and waiting for their mom and dad to bring our breakfast muffins. The Peacocks had roosted on the roof and they were yelping and as we all know it sounds like they are calling for HELP. Well my nephew Ethan with a panic in his voice says "I think someone needs help!"
One of my best memories ever!
itch

 

[KimIce]

after 9-11: there were a lot of people that are used to staying in hotels and not seeing willdlife. These people, now have RV's and do not understand that wildife is part of the experience. It is not only at Ft Wilderness but also at other RV parks as well. Use FW as example, remember when there were chickens running wild along with the roosters?
The wildlife running around gives you a better feel of camping. If you don't like wildlife, than stay in a hotel. You won't have to see anything but the four all the neighbor That will not even say hello to you.

While this may be going a little off topic, I have to agree that there seems to be a change in general in the type of campers we see today. The respect for wildlife, the outdoors and fellow campers seems to be eroding away as camping is looked at more as a way for a "cheap" vacation, rather than more of a lifestyle. I see more and more people losing respect for campground rules in the interest of bending rules so that they can do what they want to do, regardless of how it affects fellow campers, and looking for justification for it from others who do the same thing. It's a shame, but until some of these people tire of camping and decide it's easier and cheaper in the long run to go to the hotel, it's something we all have to tolerate. Okay, I'm off my soapbox now.

I have a brand new Newell, if some kind of wildlife damaged it, I would not have a problem with that. If parents let their unruly children run around and something happens to it, then of course I would be angry. You cannot train wildlife, you can train children. But also, Disney is not at fault, and I would not sue Disney for unruly children.

AHMEN!!!

We miss the peacocks also. I remember them coming up to the campsite many times, they never bothered us. They just walked through. I don't believe there seems to be as many ducks as before either, unless we have just been in the wrong loops. The wildlife is a big part of camping.

 

[krhewitt]

I was looking forward to seeing the peacocks again. Told DGF about the peacocks and she was excited about seeing them. That makes me so sad! Why can't people leave things alone????

 

[retired and happy]

I saw a flock of large birds near the entrance last Christmas I thought might be Peahens, but was told they were more likely wild turkeys.

 

[BradyBz12]

We saw some very tasty - I mean big and healthy - looking turkeys lurking around the Fort in November.

 

[freshlybarked]

It's one of the things I love about the Fort. We haven't been "campers" very long - going on 3 years, but I can't wait to see the deer each time we go. I was lucky enough to be sitting out one morning early and two turkey came walking across our site. You just don't see that every day. As long as the wild life won't eat me I good with it. We camped in GA last summer and they had bear warnings. From afar, okay, but not in my campsite. Deer are another thing. They can come in anytime.

I also agree with Jim about the rules. Some things seem to get a little crazy at FW and most of them are clearly printed in the FW rules you get when you arrive.

Oh, well. We will be back there in 6 long days. Can't wait.