OKW excited but two things I wonder about

[kpossible]

OKW excited but two things I wonder about I have two questions about OKW. Are the pull out couches comfortable for sleeping? This question may sound silly, but because OKW is so lush are snakes something to worry about? I just worry about my kids running into one. Thanks.

 

[Scoootch]

The last time we stayed in a 1bdrm at OKW (this past Dec.) the pull out was one of the new ones that had been replaced. It did not have that awful bar that goes through the middle and sticks in your back. It was quite comfy as pull out's go

As for snakes, you have no more chance of running into one at OKW than anywhere else but it's always a possibility. If it makes you feel any better, I have yet to see one while there. If you ever do though, call the front desk or alert a CM however and they are extremely quick to handle the situation from what I've heard from those who have had this problem before...didn't hear of it happing specifically at OKW btw.

Enjoy!

 

[spiceycat]

the snakes are generally well hidden - they don't like noisey people....

Disney removes any they see -but snakes are really great hiders.

Also now some of the birds - eagles, hawks - will hunt and kill a snake if they see it - and believe me they can see stuff you think is well hidden. So even more reason for the snake to stay under cover.

so don't worry!

OKW is beautiful - not as beautiful as it was before the hurricane - too many trees are down for my taste - but still lovely.

Anyone else miss the trees???

 

[GCM13]

We didn't see any snakes, but had a small lizard in our master bathroom. After a couple days, we finally chased it out.

 

[Candace]

In 11 years of stays at OKW, I have only seen one small, brown snake. This was when my kids and I were riding bikes around the resort. As for lizards, you will see them everywhere - we actually enjoy watching them.

 

[BillPA]

In 26 years of going to WDW and 12 years at OKW and all the other on site DVCs, the only snake we ever saw was by the tea cups in MK.
Now if you want to talk about alligators... I’ve seen them at Fort Wilderness, Beach Club area, Disney Inn (now Shades of Green) and several times on TV when they cover The Disney Golf Classic or what ever it’s called these days.


I wouldn't worry about it,
have a great trip.

 

[JimMIA]

This question may sound silly, but because OKW is so lush are snakes something to worry about? I just worry about my kids running into one. Thanks.

That's not a silly question, but there is another way of looking at it. If your kids do get lucky enough to see a snake (and it's very unlikely), instead of freaking out, make a magical moment out of it. A snake is not going to hurt you unless you accidentally step on one, and even then your chances of getting bitten are very remote.

I'll give you an example. I volunteer at Everglades National Park, and recently I took my three year old Princess out to see the critters. We were lucky enough to come across an Everglades Racer (non-venomous). I coached her into sitting down about 5 feet from the snake (in my lap), being real still and quite, and just watching it. The snake saw us, but we were non-threatening, so he just watched us watching him. Eventually, after a good five minutes, he got bored and left.

Upon our return home, my little Princess gave Mommy a breathless account of the whole thing - in startlingly accurate detail. She had the size of the snake, the species, the color, the fact that he was a "nice snake," and everything else right - except for the part about him having to leave "...to go get a sam-wich!" (I've tried to explain to her that he really eats bugs, but apparently this particular snake only eats "sam-wiches.") She has repeated that story several dozen times, including to perfect strangers on the monorail at WDW.

Although snakes freak many people out, they are actually among the safest wildlife to observe. Other than fish, I don't know any wildlife which can be enjoyed more safely.

You know what animal causes more visitor injuries in the National Park system each year than any other? Deer! You are much more likely to see deer (Whitetail) at WDW than snakes; we see deer just about every trip.

The rules for watching snakes safely are quite simple -

1) Don't fret over whether the snake is venomous or not. You don't know, even if you've heard how to tell, or think you know. It doesn't matter, because you're not going to allow yourself to get bitten.
2) Never, ever pick any snake up unless you are an expert and know exactly what species it is. With all the exotic species we have now, that is just plain stupid.
3) Stay 10 feet away from any snake. That will put you well out of their striking range, will likely not cause stress or fear in the snake (which means they'll let you watch longer), and it makes the venomous/non-venomous question a non-issue.

If you try this, I guarantee the "snake story" will be one of your kids' most memorable tales of WDW.

 

[jcanary]

but we have been going to OKW for the past 12 years andhave never seen a snake but summer of 03 saw one at SAB when we were staying at BCV. Some guys that were visiting my daughter tried to catch it but it ran into the shrubbery. that was the only time I ever saw a snake. Never saw him again that visit either.

 

[WDW LOVR]

We were staying at Ft Wilderness a couple years ago and there was a snake caught in some plastic netting Disney had used to provide the side of the hill the Cabin was on some stability.

We called and a CM came out and cut away the netting and took the snake. I'm not sure if the snake survived or not because it was pretty exhausted from the struggle to get loose and the net had cut into the skin in a number of places.

I used it as an educational time for the kids. I grew up spending most free time in the woods or fields, so snakes are nothing new to me, but for my kids who have lived in the city their whole lives it was great for them to see.

Anyway, we've stayed at Ft Wilderness probably 15 times and that was the first snake we saw.

 

[pediatric-rnp]

The only time I saw a snake at WDW was when I went with a girlfriend after college graduation - we were standing in line at the Jungle Cruise, and a snake slithered thru the line, and went over my sandaled foot - it happened so fast I didn't even have time to react! There was a lot of screeching going on around me, tho!

 

[kpossible]

Thank you everyone for making me feel better about snakes. I can wipe the image of my kids running down the side walk and tripping on a snake. Although I will keep my eyes open. Thank you.

 

[beccasmom]

We've never seen a snake at OKW.....just frogs! We have seen them twice at the Polynesian.

As for the sofa bed, it is fine. I've personally used it several times and have no complaints!