OK Now I'm scared

[rt2dz]

I understand that fear of snakes is very real, and very difficult for some people.

But for pete's sake, folks, there seems to be an awful lot of panic over events that aren't just rare, they're extraordinarily rare. Honestly, there's about as much chance of winning the lottery as there is of finding a snake nest in your room, or having a snake crawl under your door in an upper-floor room. THESE ARE NOT COMMON OCCURRENCES!!!! I've made over 20 trips to WDW. I have never, not once, seen a single snake outdoors, let alone inside a building.

To the OP: Yes, there is a tiny, miniscule, microscopic possibility that a snake may find its way into your room if you have a first floor room. The higher you go, the smaller the possibility that this will happen. All you need to do is request a room on the top floor.

I’ve heard of many, many, many instances of seeing snakes outside at Disney. I don’t think that is all that rare, but not common either. Perhaps people who live in areas where you might have to look out for snakes are more likely to spot them...? I know I don’t take a walk without watching out—we’ve lots of poisonous snakes in our area, besides rattlers. Although, I’m more afraid of the poisonous spiders in our area.

As far as in hotel rooms, I do agree it is rare. However, there appears to be enough stories of it happening that I wouldn’t call it “extraordinarily rare”. One or two stories, maybe. Three or four dozen, no. I'll give you a nest as extraordinarily rare.

And snakes do climb so I’d say the chances of finding one on an upper floor is as possible as a lower floor. It could be that the snakes even inadvertently hitched a ride in a piece of luggage/bag (even from a previous guest). I wouldn’t worry too much about it though—it’s still RARE.

 

[LBelle0890]

Wow, what a scary story! My mother would have had a heart attack! She has not had a good experience with snakes in Disney as well! In '97 we were walking to our boat at Wilderness Lodge, and my mom was some what ahead of me, my dad, and two brothers, when my dad yelled "MISSY"... A king snake had jumped out of the bushes right by my mom's feet! YIKES!!!
Since then though, thankfully, we have had not had any more encounters.

 

[steffali]

I’ve heard of many, many, many instances of seeing snakes outside at Disney. I don’t think that is all that rare, but not common either. Perhaps people who live in areas where you might have to look out for snakes are more likely to spot them...? I know I don’t take a walk without watching out—we’ve lots of poisonous snakes in our area, besides rattlers. Although, I’m more afraid of the poisonous spiders in our area.

As far as in hotel rooms, I do agree it is rare. However, there appears to be enough stories of it happening that I wouldn’t call it “extraordinarily rare”. One or two stories, maybe. Three or four dozen, no. I'll give you a nest as extraordinarily rare.

And snakes do climb so I’d say the chances of finding one on an upper floor is as possible as a lower floor. It could be that the snakes even inadvertently hitched a ride in a piece of luggage/bag (even from a previous guest). I wouldn’t worry too much about it though—it’s still RARE.

I know it is RARE but it obviously does happen. I just never ever heard of one being in a hotel room, around the hotel grounds and parks yes, but the hotel no. So that kind of has me a bit concerned as to how often this does happen???

 

[rie'smom]

I wonder how many people, besides my friend's daughter, have been bitten by a snake at WDW.

 

[steffali]

I wonder how many people, besides my friend's daughter, have been bitten by a snake at WDW.

I mean honestly it is something to think about, how do you know if one is poisonous and what do you do besides get to the hospital asap??

 

[sparkyboy]

Gosh, I wondered where the Sammy, my friendly garter snake went to when my husband (who is totally scared of any snakes) told me there was one sunbathing with me under my chaise lounge. Glad to know he decided to take up residence in FL instead of IA, but sorry that he's causing such trouble.

 

[DisLUV]

In the Grand Scheme of things, You have a better chance of winning the Cinderella Suite for a night then getting a visit from a snake in your room. Do not let this worry you, go ahead with your plans and have a great time!

 

[mikkiwikki]

OMG what did the snake do take the elevator to the upper floor??? Come on where can I go???????????????????
What kind of snake struck you???? ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Please refer to my previous post - Antartica is nice this time of year.

People Orlando has a lotta swamp..there is a ton of wildlife. I think the only way you could avoid it...would be to vacation in the frozen north.

 

[mikkiwikki]

Okay, now anyone that happens to be cancelling a club level Contemp room for Dec 10-13 because they are afraid of snakes LMK..LOL. .

Good idea!! let me know too!!!

 

[luvmy3boyz]

Just wanted to share an experience we had at Epcot about 2 years ago at the end of August. My DH, DS(who was 12 at the time) and I were eating at the Rose and Crown on the lower outside deck around 8 PM. We were at a table that was situated right against the upper level, and above us was a table where two 20 something young ladies were dining (their feet were about level with our heads.) The table really was for two, and behind each chair was a ledge with bushes and plantings (it was in a little nook). My son and I were in the seats with the bushes at our backs, and my husband was on the outside facing the upper level. All of sudden, I saw movement behind my son, and a snake (at least 2 feet long, probably longer) starts slithering out of the bushes behind my son. I said very calmly to my son "there is a snake right behind you, you may want to get up", and we all 3 stood up very quickly. While I'm not really frightened of snakes, I'd prefer they don't join us for dinner! The snake then proceeded to crawl underneath the table, and then back up the wall. Then it went above us and into one of the shopping bags of the young ladies above us. So my very polite DS said to them "Excuse me, but a snake just crawled into your shopping bag", and they looked at him almost as if they were annoyed. They looked down, and, just then, the snake slithered out of the bag. They then proceeded to run screaming from the table. The waiter returns to our table with drinks and looked confused as to why the 3 of us are standing up beside our table, and so we explained about the snake. He said that thatt does happen sometimes, that there can be snakes in the bushes in that area. They went to check the upper area for the snake, but he seemed to have already made his escape. We all sat back down (we had a great table for viewing Illuminations! ), but I traded spaces with my DH so that my back wasn't to the bushes. My son thought the whole thing was really exciting! We still enjoy talking about it as a very memorable Disney moment (and we still dine at the Rose and Crown!)

 

[princessmom29]

I didn't read the whole thread here, but has anyone pointed out yet that a king snake is completely harmless, and the 2 most common posionous species, moccosins and coral snakes are readily identifiable? It is really no big deal. Don't mess with them and they won't mess with you.

 

[steffali]

Just wanted to share an experience we had at Epcot about 2 years ago at the end of August. My DH, DS(who was 12 at the time) and I were eating at the Rose and Crown on the lower outside deck around 8 PM. We were at a table that was situated right against the upper level, and above us was a table where two 20 something young ladies were dining (their feet were about level with our heads.) The table really was for two, and behind each chair was a ledge with bushes and plantings (it was in a little nook). My son and I were in the seats with the bushes at our backs, and my husband was on the outside facing the upper level. All of sudden, I saw movement behind my son, and a snake (at least 2 feet long, probably longer) starts slithering out of the bushes behind my son. I said very calmly to my son "there is a snake right behind you, you may want to get up", and we all 3 stood up very quickly. While I'm not really frightened of snakes, I'd prefer they don't join us for dinner! The snake then proceeded to crawl underneath the table, and then back up the wall. Then it went above us and into one of the shopping bags of the young ladies above us. So my very polite DS said to them "Excuse me, but a snake just crawled into your shopping bag", and they looked at him almost as if they were annoyed. They looked down, and, just then, the snake slithered out of the bag. They then proceeded to run screaming from the table. The waiter returns to our table with drinks and looked confused as to why the 3 of us are standing up beside our table, and so we explained about the snake. He said that thatt does happen sometimes, that there can be snakes in the bushes in that area. They went to check the upper area for the snake, but he seemed to have already made his escape. We all sat back down (we had a great table for viewing Illuminations! ), but I traded spaces with my DH so that my back wasn't to the bushes. My son thought the whole thing was really exciting! We still enjoy talking about it as a very memorable Disney moment (and we still dine at the Rose and Crown!)

I give you credit for being calm

 

[dancin'girl]

We saw a black snake at Blizzard Beach sithering out of the bushes and moving across the walkway. I hate snakes, but surprisingly I was able to stay calm and tell a CM about it. Glad I had that experience, because now I know I can stay calm if there happens to be one hanging out in the curtains of my hotel room!! Always wondered what kind of snake we saw. I guess it was a king snake.

 

[steffali]

I would think the snake was in the hotel for some time to have her nest of eggs there.... I wonder how housekeeping never saw it??????

 

[MHSweb79]

Hey, I actually live in Rhode Island and we have snakes living in our stone wall. We have some tiny garter & garden snakes, but also some that are much bigger, like 2 feet long. We see snake skins sometimes against the stones - they must like rubbing up against the rough stone when it's time to shed.
It's not a big deal, but then again, there aren't any poisonous snakes here. My DH doesn't like them, so if there's one around I have to shoo it away. I figure they are a sign of a healthy ecosystem so I like them. (Just like our bats. They eat thousands of mosquitos.) So he would be freaked out if we found a snake in our room, but my DD and I would be checking it out and trying to figure out what kind it was.

 

[patman2011]

as to the previous posters, i would like to remind those reading this, that black snakes USUALLY harmless type, the kinds that eat rats, mice and lizards. i know its scary, but they really arent going to hurt you. i would be more worried about people driving on the highway, or in getting your online ressies mixed up than in finding a snake in your room, think about it people!!!!

 

[steffali]

I am well aware that they are harmless, however just as I would be upset if there was a mouse, bugs, dirty towels, dirty sheets etc. in my room, I would be upset to find a snake! For the $$$$ that we pay for our rooms I think housekeeping should clean the rooms good enough where they check everywhere. For them to have missed a snake and the nest with the eggs gets me wondering what else do they miss????????

 

[hoosiergirl7]

I loathe snakes. I'll take spiders and other bugs any day. However for the past 12 yrs I have lived in the southern part of the country where snakes and especially poisonous snakes are common. Luckily I have yet to see a live poisonous snake. And in the 3 yrs we've been where we are now I have not seen a snake anywhere near my house.

There's a lot of construction going on right now at CR with the tower and when stuff like that is going on, it's not uncommon for snakes to move to places where they think it's safe. The other thing you have to remember is that not only is FL swampland which is a great haven for snakes, it's WDW where there's tons of food and food attracts mice and rats. Snakes eat those things so they go where they can hunt rodents.

The big black snakes are king snakes. That being said though they are the ones you want around because they eat poisonous snakes.

I haven't been to WDW as much as I would like but I've gone my fair share and have not seen a snake yet. Our last stay was at WL and didn't see one. Saw a ton of lizards but no snakes.

I wouldn't worry about it to much. Like others have said, it happens. I would be scared to death and may need to be heavily sedated if I ever found one in my hotel room.

 

[Dr. M]

I haven't seen any snakes (thank God) However, I was surprised (actually...I screamed) when a giant armadillo was right in front of me when I came around a corner on one of the paths through the garden at ASMu (at night ) Some of the cuter wildlife I encountered were several adorable brown bunny rabbits. I hope I NEVER see a snake

 

[rt2dz]

I mean honestly it is something to think about, how do you know if one is poisonous and what do you do besides get to the hospital asap??

Poisonous snakes have a triangular mouth. \/ There is one exception, but that is a non-poisonous snake with a triangular mouth, so if the mouth comes down in a triangle, run. Most snakes are non-aggressive. Most will try and leave or warn you to leave. Very few snake bites are fatal or require hospital stays if you get to the hospital/doctors quickly. The exception to that are baby/very young snakes because they haven’t figured out how to control their poison yet. So in reality, the bigger the snake, the safer you are with venomous snakes.

I have become familiar with the poisonous snakes in our area, but I’m not really sure which ones are around in FL. I did find THIS LINK on poisonous snakes if FL. It has a picture of an adult cottonmouth as black, but you are going to find those more in water.

As far as the nest goes, wasn’t it (I can’t remember) in the top of the drapes? I really don’t think mousekeeping does that great of a cleaning job. I know I don’t! Really, I check under the beds whenever I check into a hotel, especially Disney resorts since I always find trash (including pills) under the beds at Disney. I have little kids; I won't take that chance.

All in all, don't worry. They're after the giant mouse, not you.