phobia question

[Britt7]

Ok I know this is going to seem really weird, but I have a major phobia of lizards - esp. the little ones. I know that it's Florida and that they kind of come with the territory. My co-workers are aware of my fear (had a meltdown over one at work) and have warned me that they are EVERYWHERE in Disney. I guess I had just convinced myself that it is the Happy Place on Earth and that I would not see any (or too many). Anyway - what are the chances of me running into one at my hotel. I have heard that they can get into the rooms. I am freaking out. We leave in 8 days and I do not know if I can handle it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

They do get into the rooms and you may find them in your room. You will find them on sidewalks, plants, trees, grassy areas. You may need to desensitize yourself.

 

[enyaj40]

we saw them frequently at fort wilderness, but that's the only resort onsite where i've stayed

sorry you're scared, and i mean that genuinely

 

[praline3001]

They are cold blooded and only come out when its hot. I live in New Orleans and we have tons of those little green lizards. I haven't seen one in about 2 months.
They usually come out in April... this doesn't mean you won't happen across one at all ... but the colder it is the less likely you will see them. They like temps around 80 or above. I hope that makes you feel better.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I live in NW Louisiana and we had one in our office just this week.

 

[LuvsTinker]

I'm in N.O. too - we have tons of those geckos - Creepy!

You cannot be any worse than my mother - she totally freaks out and goes into a panic attack if one gets in the house. I've seen her smash one with a weight off a dumbbell.

She's been to WDW with us several times and never had an incident with one - though usually in Feb. - only once in Sept. when still hot.

We stay at the CBR and though they are around, we've never had one in the room.

Take a deep breath and Good Luck

 

[Lynne M]

I really wish I could tell you that you won't see a single lizard on your trip. But I'm sorry to report that the little guys are everywhere at WDW. You'll see them at your resort, at the theme parks, pretty much all over the place. That said, in 15+ stays, I've never had one in my room. But they're just a part of life in FL, and there isn't really anything Disney can do about it. I have friends in the Orlando area who've found them in their homes.

I know this probably won't help much, but they're utterly harmless. They don't bite. I don't even think they have teeth.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

They are everywhere. Their are tons of them at the Poly, GF & WL. I think because there are so many places for them to catch the sun.

We have had them in our room only once. We have also had a small frog.

 

[Britt7]

I have been to Florida before and I did see quite a few the last time - and I lived -so I just have to keep my cool. I have been planning this trip for my DD2 for over a year and do not want to ruin it for her. My husband will be willing to do a "room check" for me at least for the first few nights. I do not want to pass my fear onto my daughter so I really do not want to have a panic attack in front of her. I know it is a completely pathetic (and humiliating) fear to have. Thanks for the positive thoughts!

Do you think Mousekeeping would be irritated if I left a note asking that they do not leave the door open at any time while cleaning. Even if they aren't willing to do it - it might help me to think that they are!!

 

[Simba22]

we see them more often in the warmer months....they were everywhere in May, but we hardly saw any on our December trip. And we have never seen any in the room or even in that hallways. They avoid people at all costs so I think they stay as far away from the rooms as possible

 

[time4Mickey]

We did see them but Never in our rooms. We have stayed at Poly, WL, CBR, and POR and always in July. It seemed to me that there were alot more of them at Universal studios. I too am sorry that you are scared. I have a fear of wasps so I totally understand.

 

[safetymom]

I would say about 100% that you will see them. You do get used to seeing them run by.

 

[PirateSusan]

We were just there in November and I did see quite a few. The average temp was 80. They are more afraid of you. . . but phobias stink - think of them with Mickey ears on!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are lucky, they will offer you a good deal on car insurance.

Have you tried going to a pet store and looking at them through the glass? That might help. I get totally freaked out about snakes, so much so that I don't even like to touch a picture of one in National Geographic. My son loves to go to Petco and Petsmart, so I take a look at the snakes there and it helps a little.

 

[sassyat30]

We were at POR last week and in our 7 day stay, I only saw one.

It was at the resort and I almost missed it...it scurried across the path in front of us so fast I thought I was seeing things.

I was actually looking for them, as we don't have them in WI...but I only saw one.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

You do see them but not as much as you might think. It is very rare that they would run in your room as they are more afraid of you than you are of them. More importantly, they won't hurt you, go after you or even want to be near you. Unlike a spider or other bug that goes about it's business while you stare at it, lizards are fast and run away in a flash. Even cats have a hard time catching them (although they can!).

We have always heard that they bring you luck so maybe if you re-train your brain to remember that they bring good luck everytime you see one, it will be a good thing.

They bring you good luck. They bring you good luck. They bring you good luck!!!!!

Make it your mantra. Re-train your brain!

 

[Schmeck]

My mom was given a plant in a pot from a Florida Wal-Mart. She put it in her sink to water it (up here in Massachusetts) and one of those little anoles jumped right out! Poor little thing traveled such a long way to be plunked in a terrarium and given to the grandkids as a pet. It had a happy life, we got it a mate, and it had a baby! I was told that was very rare in captivity.

We've seen them at CBR, not at BC, not at AKL (which seems soooo odd) and quite a few when we stayed at POR. Also have seen them at AK, and at the water parks. They don't like high traffic areas, so just be on your lookout in the quieter zones, like corners of outdoor cafes, in the plantings, etc.

 

[loco4dis]

We were at POFQ in February and they were everywhere. I, too, was terrified one would get into our ground floor room. I never left the door open, but I didn't think about the cleaning crews leaving the doors open. Yikes! My advice would be to get a 2nd floor or higher room. I think they're less likely to climb stairs and roam hallways that have no vegetation. They're cute little guys, but there is the freak-out factor when they just all of a sudden zoom by. We don't have those things up north here, except in pet shops. Between this thread and the CSR alligator thread, I'm getting really freaked about my June trip. I think I'll sign off the boards for awhile

 

[ekmom]

We usually go in February, but I've been there in March, May, and October. I think I've only seen one twice in probably a dozen trips. Once was at the airport and once was under my car at POR.

 

[kimis]

Where are you from? We live in the southwest desert and they are everywhere here. I don't like them at all! Too creepy. However in the almost 30 years we have lived here they have come in my house (that I know of) maybe 10 times. I haven't seen any in our resort rooms in disney yet and I hope don't.